Gwen Ruelle
We are excited to have Gwen Ruelle and Sam Bryant back in Designer Alley this year showing off their new game Punchbowl.
A little about Gwen, written in her own words:
My name is Gwen Ruelle, and I am one of the co-founders of Runaway Parade Games. I grew up in northern Vermont in a log cabin in the woods and moved to New York for college. In 2011 I launched a literary magazine with Sam, my now fiance and business partner, called Runaway Parade. In 3 years we published over 70 issues of multi-media art and writing based on a theme. Once we decided to stop, it wasn't long before we moved on to designing games together. Runaway Parade became Runaway Parade Games, and Fire Tower was Kickstarted in 2018, our first published game. I'd dreamed of being a game designer since I was a little kid, but I still can't believe its my job. Runaway Parade Games became an official LLC in 2018 and we have since published an expansion for Fire Tower as well. We are now working on several new games, including Punch Bowl and Northern Woods, which we designed, and Smug Owls, designed by Grace Kendall and Mike Belsole.
THREE RANDOM FACTS ABOUT GWEN:
My grandfather Eedu, an Estonian immigrant, was sort of the silent type, but he taught me Casino and Cribbage, still my two favorite card games. We went to visit him often and that's how we spent time together, quietly playing cards. Recently, we were able to figure out that he must have learned Casino while he was a merchant marine and travelled to Finland, since the version he taught us is extremely specific and only played there. He died years ago, and it was exciting to be able to learn more of his story through the study of games.
Eedu never let me win, which meant I almost always lost. I learned to count playing Casino and Cribbage, but I never quite understood his strategy. To this day, I am extremely competitive but like a challenge, and almost never want to win a coop on the first try.
One time I ran into a bear at a campsite while brushing my teeth. I was about 6 inches from it when it looked at me and slowly walked away.
THREE BOARD GAME DESIGN QUESTIONS:
Have you ever let go of a design or idea? Explain what it was and why you let go or why you have not.
Many times! Sam and I love to come up with ideas. When we have long drives to conventions or elsewhere, we often spend the whole time fleshing out a game design, or several. We have an ongoing list of over 50 game concepts we still want to try. So when we prototype a concept and it doesn't work, it doesn't feel like we necessarily have to push it to the finish line. There are plenty more ideas out there!
What pushes you to the end of a design, what motivates you to finish?
I am also the graphic designer for Runaway Parade Games, and I work with my father, Kevin Ruelle, a fine artist and illustrator who also worked as a graphic designer for over 40 years. I love working with him on projects, but I know that once we start a project, we will finish it. I think talking it through with him and getting the ball rolling on the art and design often cements the basic framework of the game and pushes us to get it done.
Who are some of your favorite designers and their games?
I'm a big fan of Shadi Torbey's Oniverse series by Z-Man Games - especially Aerion and Sylvion. Each game is a 1-2 player cooperative game that includes several expansions that you can add as you go. Sam and I love playing them together and adding each expansion as if it is a new level of the game. Plus, the artwork and production is unique and incredible.
THREE QUESTIONS JUST FOR FUN:
What does a perfect gaming session look like for you?
Meeting up at a well-lit brewery for a medium weight game (Lost Ruins of Arnak, Bus, Paleo, etc.) with 3 or 4 friends, followed by a few short games with a more interactive element (Pictomania, High Society, No Thanks, Friday the 13th).
If you could meet one person (whether they are alive or not), who would it be and why?
Elizabeth Magie who designed the original Monopoly (The Landlord's Game). I want to talk game design and early 20th century politics with her.
Besides Granite Game Summit (or its companion events) what is your favorite convention and why?
PAX Unplugged - Such a fun, huge celebration of board games in a city I love!
GWEN WILL BE SHOWING OFF HER GAME PUNCH BOWL IN DESIGNER ALLEY AT #G2S2022
Nobody knows when the giants fruits started growing, but everyone knows they make a spectacular punch. You are the leader one of the four factions devoted to cultivating these fruits. Massive punch bowls appear on the horizon as your followers haul your harvest to the site of the contest. Compete with the other factions to contribute the most desired ingredients to the punches before they serve and receive the lion’s share of the punch. Foil the efforts of your opponents by removing their fruits, adding droves of your own, and bringing in special ingredients to tip the balance. Win punches marked by your faction to earn coveted ice cubes to add to your cup. Direct the efforts of your followers to outmaneuver your opponents and your faction will be rewarded with glory and an overflowing cup of punch.
You can find more abut their games at runawayparade.com
