Highgrounds Profile on TheVerge.com

Highgrounds, my latest game co-developed with Spry Fox, was profiled on The Verge today. I had a great time recounting the short history of work that went into designing and developing the game.

Link: http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/28/3809958/highgrounds-how-an-indie-game-designer-crafted-his-first-breakout-hit

If you haven't had a chance to check out Highgrounds, you can find the public beta available now at http://www.highgroundsgame.com. If you have feedback, drop it for us on the game forums: http://spryfox.com/forums/forum/highgrounds/

-Scott

My Game Prototyping Kit

My wife knows the way to my heart, especially when it comes to birthday gifts. Where the typical husband might end up with an embroidered golf shirt or stockpile of fancy socks, Kate opted to build the ultimate game prototyping kit for me.

A few people have asked how they can make their own. Kate has graciously compiled a list of everything she included in the kit, and I've posted it all for you below:

Case

• http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027AAIC6/ref=oh_details_o00_s03_i00

Supplies for Making Custom Cards and Game Pieces

I watched this video that Scott had told me about a while back that outlines how to make your own cards. I bought the supplies needed for that and a few other things. Here's what I bought:

• Labels just about the size of a deck of cards - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JFR5ZC/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i03
• Full size labels you can use to create your own cards http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000093L1J/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i02
• Paper Cutter - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038F1A0S/ref=oh_details_o06_s01_i00
• Card Sleeves - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00338GYWY/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00
• Hex graph paper for sketching http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1468086596/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00
• Ultra fine point sharpies - http://www.amazon.com/Sharpie-Ultra-Fine-Point-Permanent-Markers-75847/dp/B002766V3K/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1355639314&sr=8-10&keywords=sharpies
• Corner Rounder - http://www.amazon.com/EK-Success-Corner-Adorner-Rounder/dp/B000B7QA9M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355638803&sr=8-1&keywords=corner+rounder

Pieces and Components

You can find a variety of pieces in lots of different colors/shapes/sizes. Here is what I grabbed:

• Blank Dice - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F8VACO/ref=oh_details_o00_s02_i00
• Die Set - http://www.amazon.com/Polyhedral-7-Die-Translucent-Dice-Set/dp/B000RZLRW8/ref=sr_1_5?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1355638896&sr=1-5&keywords=dice
• Blue Chips - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003JS
• Blue wooden Tokens - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003JSVV6M/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i06
• Pawns - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NH0626/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i01
• Wooden Hex Pieces - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009XPQI68/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00
• Centimeter cubes - http://www.amazon.com/CENTIMETER-CUBES-500-PK-10-COLORS/dp/B000QDTVFG/ref=pd_sim_t_9
• Figurines - http://www.amazon.com/Safari-LTD-Jamestown-Settlers-Toob/dp/B000GZGF3A/ref=pd_sim_t_2
• Counters - http://www.amazon.com/Chessex-Gaming-Stones-Counter-Glass/dp/B000UQ3GCI/ref=pd_sim_t_2

We had a bunch of other little random game pieces strewn about that I consolidated into the box as well like dominos, playing cards, pickup sticks, and chess and checkers pieces.