I love print and play games. The world it opens up is huge! Way more impressive than you may think. And a whole sub-culture of board gaming. What you can create with just a few simple tools will amaze you.
I spoke with a few people within the industry to learn a little more.
Aleksandar got into to games from a young age and has now become a huge fan and advocate for the PnP world. This interview was conducted in 2020.
What got you into the hobby as a player
I played games even as a kid. Here in East Europe in 1980s, some boardgames occasionally found its way into youth magazines, and that is where I met them first. During university years, back in 1990s we played a lot of DnD, and later I was introduced to Warhammer.
Warhammer was to much for me, and as introvert I preferred to play solo at my own speed, so I started investigating other solo wargames and RPGs. During this quest for solo games I learned about solo boardgames (it was only Friday and Onirim at the time) but I stayed in solo boardgaming until today.
And how did that lead into PnP?
It all started with paper terrain for wargames. Then it occurred to me that I can make complete games like that. and then I discovered that there is a whole PnP scene. I am proud to be part of it now. Print and play opens up games to new players but the revenue stream is very differnet to normal publishing. What are your thoughts on this?
For me, gaming was always a hobby. I do not like to mix my hobby with my day job. My day job provides for my family and for my hobby, both. Therefore the games I make are usually free. The one that is not, directs funds towards the artist, not me.
As player, I built a lot of PnP versions of commercial games. But I do not think that designers who give PnP games for free or sell PnP files for smaller amounts of money are having losses due to this. If a person who made a PnP version of a game likes it, they will promote it on the net constantly. Giving PnP for free is a marketing investment. Some designers (like Cole Wehrle - Root, Pax Pamir) understand this and offer free PnP versions of their games.
How do you feel when people have made one if your games at home?
One always feels proud when something he/she makes reaches the hart of some other human being. Every built copy pushes me further, makes me think about the next project. Without feedback, there would be very few things to push us forward to make new games.
What do you see in the future. What’s next for you?
2020 Solitaire BGG design PnP competition is just around the corner. I hope to throw in my 2 cents again this year.
If you could have any other game not made by you in your rosta of designed games what would it be and why?
At the moment, I am playing a lot of Pax Porforiana and Pax Pamir. I wish I designed one Pax game. I might even do that - my entry into 2020 Solitaire PnP competition might be something called Pax Napoleonic.
Which other designer would you most like to have a games night with and why?
Cole Wehrle at the moment. I love both Root and Pax Pamir, and I would discuss with him about his design processes.
Thanks Aleksandar. There are some amaizng facebook groups for PnP, and I will be featuring more information about this world on this blog over the coming months.