On this edition of Board Game VIP Matt Leacock, the creator of Pandemic, Forbidden Island, and Forbidden Desert, answers some questions for us!
Matt, Flaming Dice Reviews – Matt, you’re arguably most well known for Pandemic. How did you come up for the idea for the game? Did you intend for it to produce numerous expansions or did you think that it would be just the base game all along?
Matt Leacock – I was interested in designing a cooperative game after trying out Reiner Knizia’s game, The Lord of the Rings. I wanted to know if I could create a game with such great tension and drama using only cards and cardboard. I also enjoyed playing cooperative games with my wife since it meant we both got to be on the same team and set out to design a game that we could enjoy together.
Expansions were never in the plans—my hope at the time was just to get something published.
Photo from leacock.com. Click to visit the site
Matt Leacock – While I think Forbidden Desert is the deeper game (more strategies and depth), I think I’m more proud of Forbidden Island. I love the fact that I can give that game to just about *anyone* and know that they’ll be able to understand it quickly, get it on the table, and have a great time, whether they’re a gamer or not.
Matt, FDR – We’ve heard sporadic rumors for a while about an ant-themed game that you are/were working on. Can you set the record straight on that subject for anyone who is unfamiliar?
Matt Leacock – Not much to say there. I started an ant-themed game (around the time that I started on Pandemic) and never finished it. The design was never good enough for me.
Matt, FDR – With Pandemic: Legacy now available what are you working on? Is there anything in the pipeline that you can talk about?
Matt Leacock – Rob and I are working to a follow up to Pandemic Legacy Season 1. I also have more in the pipeline for Pandemic and a few other surprises for next year.
Photo from leacock.com. Click to visit the site
Matt, FDR – Are there any board or card games you are currently enjoying playing or looking forward to playing?
Matt Leacock – My daughter and I have been playing Thunderstone, Tigris and Euphrates, Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small, Splendor, and Rolling America lately.
Matt, FDR – What do you think about the popularity of using Kickstarter and Indiegogo to fund board games?
Matt Leacock – It’s a real mixed bag. The barrier to entry into the market is much lower for designers but many of the risks are shifted from the producer to the consumer. That said, as a game buyer, you can learn a lot more about games prior to buying them and publishers know they have to maintain a good reputation if they want to have repeated success.
Matt, FDR – Do you have any advice for aspiring board game designers?
Matt Leacock – One of the best things you can do when testing your designs is to actively listen. Blind test your designs with people you don’t know and ask them to video record their sessions for you. You’ll learn a tremendous amount by watching and listening to them play your game without you in the room.
Matt, FDR – Matt, thanks again for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer our questions, and a huge thanks for all of the work you put into making games for everyone to enjoy!
Matt Leacock – You’re welcome.