I had the pleasure of virtually sitting down with Leonie, the mastermind behind Biome.
If you haven't heard of it yet, Biome is coming to Kickstarter on February 20th, and let me tell you, it's a game you won't want to miss!
Connecting Through Games
Leonie's journey into the world of board game design started way back in high school. She had the opportunity to live in Berlin and while others were out clubbing, she found herself drawn to the cozy corners of board game cafes. It was there that she discovered the incredible inclusivity of the global board game community.
From Inspiration to Creation
Inspired by games like Catan and Wingspan, Leonie's passion for gaming only grew. So when a layoff in 2022 presented her with an unexpected opportunity, she dove headfirst into designing her own game. Biome was born out of a quarantine project that quickly gained momentum, leading to its debut at Essen Spiel 2023.
Leonie's journey isn’t just about creating a game; it's also about pushing boundaries and facing challenges. When she arrived in Germany for her first Essen Spiel convention as an exhibitor, she had no sample copies and no published product. Some team members from her manufacturer, Long Pack Games, arrived the day the convention began with five sample copies in their suitcases. This shows her tenacity to bring her game to life. Her high hopes paid off, with her stand drawing crowds and over 400 people playing Biome in just 4 days. This demonstrates her tireless efforts and unwavering courage. She expressed how thrilling it was to present her creation in its latest stage of development, especially since it was her first time seeing the game in its manufactured form.
Talking with Leonie, it's clear that her love for the board game community runs deep. From her early days playing Catan with friends to rubbing elbows with industry folks at conventions, she's found a welcoming and supportive group of fellow enthusiasts.
What's Biome All About?
Biome is such an intriguing game! Picture diving into three distinct biomes—marsh, prairie, and jungle. You are competing for points while crafting the most diverse and resilient ecosystem. From cute foxes to majestic birds, you navigate seasonal challenges and strategic gameplay. Every game begins in the fall and everyone begins the game with a bird and a tree already played in their biome. During each round, players simultaneously collect resources and play one plant or animal card. Then, one at a time, players may activate one played action card. A unique mechanism is that you only get to activate each action card once.
In the game you are balancing when to cleverly play which card based on what resources you have and what activation can yield the most points. The game it’s all about planning your moves and timing them just right.
Earning points in Biome is where things get really interesting. You've got the value and actions of your cards, sure, but there are also achievements to strive for. In addition, rabbits and birds can have babies, and you’ll have to feed those babies during summer and can’t overlook the predators lurking around. The game is all about protecting your precious ecosystem while expanding and diversifying.
Biome offers up a thrilling mix of strategy, timing, and thematic immersion. It's like stepping into your very own nature documentary, but with a competitive edge!
Behind the Scenes: Art and Balance in Biome
Leonie's journey in designing Biome isn't just about creating a captivating gameplay experience; it's also about bringing the game's world to life through stunning art and ensuring a balanced, engaging play through for everyone involved. Pictures provided by Lioness Games.
Artistry Unleashed
For the art and graphics, Leonie teamed up with an incredible graphic designer, Grzegorz Siwek, who truly brought the game to life. As she prototyped the game, she started the project by generating images with DALL-E. Leonie fell in love with the style and was keen on maintaining it throughout the game. At Essen Spiel 23, she met Jessica Apel, a talented young female artist whose portfolio resonated with her vision. Together, they embarked on a collaborative journey to bring the art to the next level. With over 500 hours of art and design work and hundreds of play tests with close to 800 board game enthusiasts, Biome is ready to launch on Kickstarter!
Balancing Act
Beyond the visuals, balancing the gameplay was equally important. Leonie delved into researching the coolest animals inhabiting various habitats. Since her original design in the winter of 2022, she has introduced more plants, reptiles and other animals. This ensures diversity while acknowledging some inherent imbalance that still somehow works within the game's dynamic. The decision to focus on marsh, prairie, and jungle biomes stemmed from Leonie's admiration for the animals residing in these habitats. While the jungle was the first inspiration and choice, the inclusion of the marsh and prairie habitats felt like a natural progression. As for potential future expansions? Who knows? Maybe coastal and ocean habitats could be on the horizon.
Final Thoughts
As I wrapped up my chat with Leonie, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for what's to come. In essence, Biome isn't just a game; it's a labor of love, meticulously crafted to deliver an immersive and balanced experience for players of all ages. I can’t wait to play Biome again. Hopefully in person the next time. Mark your calendars for February 20th, because Biome is about to take Kickstarter by storm! 🌿
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