Chess the Gathering at PAX East tabletop area

[Update: sign up for CTG early access & updates here: http://ctg.misfitsattic.com/]
[Update2: Jess Conditt just wrote an article about this]

I took the "Chess the Gathering" paper prototype to the PAX East table top area hoping to see people play and hear what they thought. Jeremy & Kelly were the first ones to take a chance on a prototype and Jess Conditt (Joystiq) showed up in the middle to see the tom-foolery. I plan on posting the other 3 games as well. Then write a real blog post about it. Oh, and I missed about a months worth of updates so here's the Scavenger stuff you missed and here's a chat I had with Brian Cronin (Unknown Worlds/Natural Selection) about AVNT, CTG, & Scavenger :)

Scavenger: Paper Prototype 1

This week. Holly and I show a new paper prototype for a game we currently call 'Scavenger': where you control drones to explore/loot derelict space ships. We show the basic gameplay elements: dungeon crawling + a type of 'rolling' tower defense. For our other paper prototype check out our 'Chess the Gathering' playlist.

CTG goes digital

This week Holly and I finally show off the "digital" prototype for the first time. In this episode we show the level editor, basic pieces & movement, our first spell card, and a chat window! This series shows how we designed "Chess the Gathering", a board game mash up of Magic, Chess, and other geeky concepts. This is in response to questions about our "paper prototype" video. Video below!

Chess The Gathering: Making the Pieces Digital

Last week I forgot to post our third design video for "Chess The Gathering" so (oops) here it is. This week Holly and start making a digital version of the paper prototype and realize that the creatures and modifiers may be a bit trickier on a computer screen. Video below!

28 Weeks later: Vita + Sale!

The irony isn't lost on us that it's "28 Weeks Later" and A Virus Named TOM is still contagious. As a matter of fact, AVNT will be infecting the Sony Vita and PlayStation Mobile certified devices this summer! To celebrate the impending doom, AVNT will be 50% off on Steam and at aVirusNamedTom.com for our 28th week (Friday - Friday: Feb 15-21). So if you're loved one wasn't happy with their chocolates and flowers, give them a virus!

The PSM version will have some new levels & features in store for you. We haven't completely figured everything out yet, but we're excited about adding touch controls for tablets & phone, and even some multiplayer possibilities :D

We're hoping to have something ready to show by PAX East and GDC, so if you're going to either drop us a line and we'll get it in front of you!

Chess The Gathering: Design Part 2

Continuing from Part 1, Holly and I go over how we designed "Chess the Gathering", a board game mash up of Magic, Chess, and other geeky concepts. In this installment we go over spells that modify creatures with new abilities, and murdering twins.

This series is in response to questions about our "paper prototype" video

Chess The Gathering: Design Part 1

So after our paper prototype video on "Chess the Gathering" we got a lot of people asking us how the game plays. Then someone suggested we talk about the design process and how the game evolved. I'm not one to pass up on stealing a good idea, so here's part one of me yammering on about how the game came about. Holly on camera.... I should really put the prettier face in front of the camera, I'm new at this.