Interview with the Creator of Fantasy Fishin'

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What is unique about Fantasy Fishin'?

Fantasy Fishin' is unique in its blend of themes. While there are plenty of fishing and fantasy games, few combine these elements. Existing games often focus on specific fantasy themes like wizard fish or creepy fish. Fantasy Fishin' aims to evoke the relaxing yet exciting feeling of fishing in a fantasy world, akin to the experiences in certain video games. Achieving this blend of excitement and relaxation is challenging, but I believe Fantasy Fishin' has succeeded.

What’s the most difficult thing about making Fantasy Fishin'?

For me, the most challenging part is managing the scale of the project and the anxiety that comes with it. There's always a fear of failure and the daunting task of handling numerous aspects. Even success brings new challenges. Staying focused and motivated through these ups and downs can be taxing on my psyche.

How do you keep yourself motivated?

I've learned a crucial lesson: "Doing something inefficiently is better than doing nothing." I used to procrastinate, worried about not doing tasks in the best order. Now, I focus on small wins and take pride in every little step forward. This mindset makes a big difference.

What made you want to make Fantasy Fishin' as opposed to any other game?

I wanted my first game to appeal to a broad audience. Many people support first-time creators, so I wanted to ensure this game would satisfy both casual and serious board game players. I aimed for a game that was easy to learn, not very long, and affordable, while still being a game I could be passionate about. Balancing a thematic game with simplicity was a challenge, but inspiration struck while fishing in the game Terraria. The simple yet enjoyable mechanic made me realize that fishing in a fantasy setting would be the perfect, strong, and simple theme.

What is your favorite mechanic in Fantasy Fishin'?

My favorite mechanic is the tool cards, especially how players can switch them out. In other games, switching actions or resources often leads to a strategic focus on building the best engine. In Fantasy Fishin', the primary purpose is to let players choose actions they enjoy most. This mechanic supports both strategy and fun, allowing everyone to play their preferred way.

Can you explain the thought process behind the design of the artwork?

The artwork had to convey a strong theme due to the game's limited mechanics. Set in a fantasy world with dragons, dungeons, and magic, the characters are simple anglers rather than adventurers. The art style balances realism and stylization, showing a serious yet fantastical world. Bright, vibrant colors dominate, with dark undertones used subtly to indicate lurking dangers without overshadowing the game's focus on relaxation.

Can you go over the graphic design and user experience decisions for your game?

I spent a lot of time researching graphic design and UX principles to make the game flow efficiently and be easy to understand. Simple symbols are placed on the top left of the cards, ensuring players can quickly grasp their hands' content. Although borders are controversial due to potential miscuts, I opted for color-coded borders for a unified look at the lake grid. This choice enhanced the game's visual clarity and cohesion.

Is there anything you don’t like about your own game?

Not really. I enjoy playing it myself, despite having tested it thousands of times. Sometimes, I wish the game had more complexity, but I know this would detract from its overall quality. My craving for more depth stems from extensive familiarity. The fact that I still enjoy it after so many plays reassures me of its excellence.

What is your favorite lake card?

My favorite lake card is the giant Glub fish. I appreciate both its look and the story it tells. Common fish appear normal, while legendary fish are more fantastical. The giant Glub fish straddles this line, making it feel like a transitional piece to the legendary fish. As the highest value common fish, it adds a dynamic touch to the game.

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What is your favorite tool card?

My favorite tool card is the fishfinder. It offers over 100 possibilities when you factor in the potential card switches. This simple card provides dynamic options and interacts with other tool cards in interesting ways, enhancing strategy without being overpowered.

What’s your favorite dark depths card?

I love the Gold Fish card because I enjoy puns. Its ability to act as a treasure implies it's made of gold, a fun implication without being explicitly stated.

What game do you think is most like Fantasy Fishin'?

Fantasy Fishin' is quite unique, especially with its lake grid and interchangeable tools creating high action variance. While its set collection mechanic is relatively simple, no specific game comes to mind. In terms of components and complexity, it might be comparable to "Lost Cities." If anyone has played a game similar to Fantasy Fishin', I'd love to hear about it!

Have you designed any other games?

Yes! Fantasy Fishin' is the first game I plan to bring to market. Previous games include Dungeon Minor, Dungeon Minor 2, Dungeon Miner Junior, Never Trust a Fart, Minefield Reaction, Golem Wars, Mystic Winds, Slut Shaming, and a few more.

Can you elaborate on the game design process?

The design process involved a lot of brainstorming and self-testing until I was confident in my core idea and mechanic. This was followed by a consistent loop of feedback, testing, and revisions. For a more detailed look into my design process, follow me on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and other social media platforms.