{"id":11315,"date":"2025-08-06T18:10:01","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T22:10:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/my-two-year-secret-project-coyote-the-strategies-and-tactics-for-building-a-bestseller-from-nothing-with-elan-lee-of-exploding-kittens-821\/"},"modified":"2025-08-06T18:10:01","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T22:10:01","slug":"my-two-year-secret-project-coyote-the-strategies-and-tactics-for-building-a-bestseller-from-nothing-with-elan-lee-of-exploding-kittens-821","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/my-two-year-secret-project-coyote-the-strategies-and-tactics-for-building-a-bestseller-from-nothing-with-elan-lee-of-exploding-kittens-821\/","title":{"rendered":"My Two-Year Secret Project, COYOTE \u2014 The Strategies and Tactics for Building a Bestseller from Nothing with Elan Lee of Exploding Kittens (#821)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/hop.clickbank.net\/?affiliate=infohatch&amp;vendor=J1R2C\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10614 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png\" alt=\"Profit Gen\" width=\"400\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png 400w, http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px-300x163.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>This is a very special episode for me, one I\u2019ve been looking forward to publishing for <em>months<\/em>. <\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/coyotegame.com\"><strong>COYOTE<\/strong><\/a> is a fast, casual card game I created with the amazing Elan Lee and Exploding Kittens team. It has been my obsession for two years.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a demo:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to Play COYOTE \u2014 Tim Ferriss Live Demo and Meltdowns!\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/e6HJ7TYvh7s?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>I worked really hard on every aspect of this one (concept, mechanics, art, you name it)! <\/p>\n<p><strong>You can finally buy it everywhere, including <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Exploding-Kittens-Ferriss-Present-Minutes\/dp\/B0FBT88VRJ\/\"><strong>Amazon<\/strong><\/a><strong>, <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.target.com\/p\/exploding-kittens-coyote-card-game\/-\/A-94284795\"><strong>Target<\/strong><\/a><strong>, <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walmart.com\/ip\/Coyote-Scramble\/14312603259\"><strong>Walmart<\/strong><\/a><strong>, and 8,000+ retail locations worldwide.<\/strong> It\u2019s been a hit with 100+ test families, my friends, and at conferences around the world. It now produces guaranteed laughs with kids, adults, tipsy people, serious people\u2026 who all enjoy unleashing their inner trickster.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve benefited from my podcast, newsletter, books, or anything at all, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Exploding-Kittens-Ferriss-Present-Minutes\/dp\/B0FBT88VRJ\/\">please grab a copy or two<\/a>! It only costs $10-12 and can provide hours upon hours of fun. It takes minutes to learn and 10 minutes to play. Under the hood, it\u2019s also designed to be a good workout for your brain.<\/p>\n<p>I hope you enjoy this conversation with Elan Lee, the co-creator and chief executive officer of Exploding Kittens.<\/p>\n<p>We discuss the behind-the-scenes story of making COYOTE, including early misses, finding the right idea, developing it, navigating mass retail, and much, much more. <\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever wanted to learn how to get a product on the shelves of something like Walmart and Target, or simply create a game, this podcast covers it all.<\/p>\n<p><strong>P.S.<\/strong> One last thing: stick around to the end for a very fun surprise that involves a mystery Hollywood party.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Listen to the episode on\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/821-my-two-year-secret-project-coyote-the-strategies\/id863897795?i=1000720808905\">Apple Podcasts<\/a>,\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/episode\/5hQEH7kkd1YD5eqO1XTm9A?si=_jsLavMvQa2zqPCevEQNgA\">Spotify<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/overcast.fm\/+AAKebuzx4E4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Overcast<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/podcastaddict.com\/podcast\/2031148#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Podcast Addict<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/pca.st\/timferriss\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pocket Casts<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/castbox.fm\/channel\/id1059468?country=us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Castbox<\/a>,\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/music.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLuu6fDad2eJyWPm9dQfuorm2uuYHBZDCB\">YouTube Music<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/9814f3cc-1dc5-4003-b816-44a8eb6bf666\/the-tim-ferriss-show\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Amazon Music<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.audible.com\/podcast\/The-Tim-Ferriss-Show\/B08K58QX5W\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Audible<\/a>, or on your favorite podcast platform. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>This episode is brought to you by: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/gamma.app\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Gamma<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0AI design partner for effortless presentations, websites, social media posts, and more<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/shopify.com\/tim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Shopify<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0global commerce platform, providing tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wealthfront.com\/Tim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Wealthfront<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0high-yield cash account<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"wp-block-tim-podcast-link-main podcast-block wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><a class=\"podcast-block__link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/821-my-two-year-secret-project-coyote-the-strategies\/id863897795?i=1000720808905\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"podcast-block__link-icon\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tim.blog\/wp-content\/themes\/timferriss\/inc\/blocks\/podcast-link\/images\/apple-podcast.png?ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tim.blog\/wp-content\/themes\/timferriss\/inc\/blocks\/podcast-link\/images\/apple-podcast.png?ssl=1\" class=\"podcast-block__link-icon\"\/><\/noscript><span class=\"podcast-block__link-text-top\">Listen on<\/span><span class=\"podcast-block__link-text\">Apple Podcasts<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-tim-podcast-link-main podcast-block wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><a class=\"podcast-block__link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/episode\/5hQEH7kkd1YD5eqO1XTm9A?si=_jsLavMvQa2zqPCevEQNgA\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"35\" height=\"35\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"podcast-block__link-icon\" src=\"https:\/\/tim.blog\/wp-content\/themes\/timferriss\/inc\/blocks\/podcast-link\/images\/spotify.svg\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"35\" height=\"35\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/tim.blog\/wp-content\/themes\/timferriss\/inc\/blocks\/podcast-link\/images\/spotify.svg\" class=\"podcast-block__link-icon\"\/><\/noscript><span class=\"podcast-block__link-text-top\">Listen on<\/span><span class=\"podcast-block__link-text\">Spotify<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-tim-podcast-link-main podcast-block wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><a class=\"podcast-block__link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/overcast.fm\/+AAKebuzx4E4\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"podcast-block__link-icon\" src=\"https:\/\/tim.blog\/wp-content\/themes\/timferriss\/inc\/blocks\/podcast-link\/images\/overcast.svg\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/tim.blog\/wp-content\/themes\/timferriss\/inc\/blocks\/podcast-link\/images\/overcast.svg\" class=\"podcast-block__link-icon\"\/><\/noscript><span class=\"podcast-block__link-text-top\">Listen on<\/span><span class=\"podcast-block__link-text\">Overcast<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"podcast-player\">\n<div class=\"podcast-player-inner-wrap\">\n<p>My Two-Year Secret Project, COYOTE \u2014 The Strategies and Tactics for Building a Bestseller from Nothing with Elan Lee of Exploding Kittens<\/p>\n<p><noscript><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.art19.com\/shows\/58dacbdc-646e-4585-9914-19c3de11d1ba\/episodes\/a1902203-896c-4373-a9f1-57e00d6d3ff9\/embed?type=micro\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 30px; border: 0 none;\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/noscript><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Want to hear the last time <a href=\"https:\/\/tim.blog\/2023\/02\/03\/elan-lee\/\">Elan Lee<\/a> was on this show?<\/strong> Listen to <a href=\"https:\/\/tim.blog\/2023\/02\/03\/elan-lee\/\">our conversation here<\/a>, in which we discussed the secrets behind Exploding Kittens\u2019 record-breaking Kickstarter success, core gameplay loops, the power of positive constraints, craftsmanship in game design, building superfan communities, and much more.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>This episode is brought to you by <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/gamma.app\/\">Gamma<\/a>!<\/strong> Readers of <em>The 4-Hour Workweek<\/em> know I recommend delegating and automating tasks that can be done better by someone or <em>something<\/em> else. It\u2019s why I recommend this episode\u2019s sponsor, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/gamma.app\/\">Gamma<\/a>, for creating <strong>incredible, professional slide decks better, cheaper, and faster than you ever thought possible<\/strong>. I polled many of you about Gamma on social media, and some of you called it \u201ca game changer,\u201d \u201cmind-blowing,\u201d and \u201cfar and away the best product in the category.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With Gamma, you can drop in an idea, an outline, a document, a PowerPoint, and Gamma will turn it into a stunning, ready-to-share presentation in seconds.<\/p>\n<p>With more than 50 million users, it\u2019s already the most popular AI presentation platform in the world. <strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/gamma.app\/\">Explore Gamma today at gamma.app<\/a>. Listeners get one month free of Gamma Pro\u2019s annual plan by using promo code TIM at checkout.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>This episode is brought to you by Wealthfront!<\/strong> Wealthfront is a financial services platform that offers services to help you save and invest your money. Right now, you can earn 4.00% APY\u2014that\u2019s the Annual Percentage Yield\u2014with the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/wealthfront.com\/Tim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wealthfront Brokerage Cash Account<\/a>. That\u2019s nearly 10x more interest than if you left your money in a savings account at the average bank, with savings rates at 0.42%, according to FDIC.gov, as of 05\/19\/2025. It takes just a few minutes to sign up, and then you\u2019ll immediately start earning 4.00% APY from program\u00a0 banks on your uninvested cash. <strong>And when new clients open an account today, they\u2019ll get\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/wealthfront.com\/Tim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">an extra $50 bonus<\/a>\u00a0with a deposit of $500 or more. Terms and Conditions apply.\u00a0 Visit\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/wealthfront.com\/Tim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wealthfront.com\/Tim<\/a>\u00a0to get started. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Cash Account offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, member FINRA\/SIPC. Wealthfront is not a bank. The APY on cash deposits, as of 04\/30\/2025, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to program\u00a0banks, where they earn a variable APY. Tim receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage for advertising and holds a non-controlling equity interest in the corporate parent of Wealthfront Brokerage. Tim and Wealthfront Brokerage have no other affiliation. Tim reflects his own opinions and Wealthfront does not endorse, sponsor, or promote them.\u00a0See full disclosures\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/cash.wealthfront.com\/tim?utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=timferrissshow&amp;utm_campaign=podcast_cash_50incentive\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>This episode is brought to you by\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/shopify.com\/tim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Shopify<\/strong><\/a><strong>!\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/shopify.com\/tim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shopify<\/a>\u00a0is one of my favorite platforms and one of my favorite companies.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/shopify.com\/tim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shopify<\/a>\u00a0is<strong> designed for anyone to sell anywhere<\/strong>, giving entrepreneurs the resources once reserved for big business. In no time flat, you can have a great-looking online store that brings your ideas to life, and you can have the tools to manage your day-to-day and drive sales. No coding or design experience required.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Go to\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/shopify.com\/tim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>shopify.com\/Tim<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0to sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period. It\u2019s a great deal for a great service, so I encourage you to check it out. Take your business to the next level today by visiting\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/shopify.com\/tim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>shopify.com\/Tim<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know <a href=\"https:\/\/tim.blog\/2025\/08\/06\/coyote-card-game\/#respond\">in the comments<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span id=\"more-111092\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE<\/h3>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/elanlee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Twitter<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/in\/elanlee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Connect with\u00a0<strong>Exploding Kittens<\/strong>:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/explodingkittens.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Website<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/gameofkittens\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Twitter<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/instagram.com\/gameofkittens\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/tiktok.com\/@explodingkittens\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TikTok<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/youtube.com\/c\/ExplodingKittensInc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Elan Lee\u2019s Past Appearance<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Games<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/coyotegame.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Coyote<\/a>: The card game created by Elan and me!<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Dungeons_%26_Dragons\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dungeons &amp; Dragons<\/a>: The pioneering tabletop role-playing game that launched the entire RPG genre, featuring collaborative storytelling, character development, and dice-based mechanics that have influenced countless games since 1974.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/teachinghistory.org\/history-content\/ask-a-historian\/23932\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rock Paper Scissors (RPS) \/ Rochambeau<\/a>: The classic hand game involving simultaneous choices and circular dominance (rock beats scissors, scissors beats paper, paper beats rock), serving as core mechanical inspiration for Coyote\u2019s strategic decision-making framework.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amazon.com\/dp\/B0863FPYMB\/?tag=offsitoftimfe-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sorry!<\/a>: Classic family board game where players race their pawns around the board while drawing cards that can either help them advance or force opponents backward, teaching lessons about both strategy and accepting setbacks gracefully.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amazon.com\/dp\/B0B5HLZ8T4\/?tag=offsitoftimfe-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Monopoly<\/a>: The iconic property-trading board game that has dominated family game nights since 1935, teaching economic principles through real estate acquisition, rent collection, and strategic resource management, while often ending in dramatic family arguments.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amazon.com\/dp\/B089DTQDLR\/?tag=offsitoftimfe-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Poetry for Neanderthals<\/a>: A hilarious Exploding Kittens party game where players must describe complex concepts using only single-syllable words or get \u201cbonked\u201d with an inflatable club, demonstrating how simple mechanics can create engaging casual gameplay that inspired the author\u2019s approach to accessible game design.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amazon.com\/dp\/B0874DB9LR\/?tag=offsitoftimfe-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Magic: The Gathering<\/a>: The groundbreaking collectible card game that created the entire TCG industry, featuring deep strategic gameplay, customizable decks, and a complex economy that has sustained competitive play and collecting for over 30 years.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/rnrgames.com\/hanabi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hanabi<\/a>: An innovative cooperative card game (Japanese for \u201cfireworks\u201d) where players work together to create perfect firework displays while being unable to see their own cards, requiring communication, memory, and trust to succeed as a team.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amazon.com\/dp\/B00GTJSGXE\/?tag=offsitoftimfe-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UNO<\/a>: The beloved family card game where players race to empty their hands by matching colors or numbers, featuring special action cards that can reverse play direction, skip opponents, or force card draws, making it accessible yet surprisingly strategic.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mario_Kart\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mario Kart<\/a>: Nintendo\u2019s iconic racing video game series specifically cited for its brilliant catch-up mechanics (like blue shells targeting the leader) that keep all players competitive throughout the race, serving as an example of how \u201cattack cards\u201d can balance gameplay.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amazon.com\/dp\/B010TQY7A8\/?tag=offsitoftimfe-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Exploding Kittens Original Edition<\/a>: The flagship game of Elan\u2019s company that became the most-backed Kickstarter project in history, featuring simple yet hilarious gameplay where players draw cards until someone draws an exploding kitten and loses, unless they have a defuse card.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0C2RG3GQS\/?tag=offsitoftimfe-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hurry Up Chicken Butt<\/a>: The best-selling Exploding Kittens game designed collaboratively with Elan\u2019s daughter, featuring fast-paced card-slapping action where players race to match cards while dealing with silly interruptions and challenges.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amazon.com\/dp\/B07TS96J7Q\/?tag=offsitoftimfe-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Throw Throw Burrito<\/a>: A revolutionary Exploding Kittens game that combines card gameplay with physical dodgeball elements, where players collect matching sets while literally throwing soft foam burritos at each other, creating a unique hybrid of tabletop and active play.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amazon.com\/dp\/B00U26V4VQ\/?tag=offsitoftimfe-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CATAN Board Game<\/a>: The award-winning strategy game that popularized modern European-style board gaming, featuring resource management, trading, and modular board setup that creates different experiences each game, specifically cited as an example of successful iterative design and development.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.warhammer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Warhammer<\/a>: The complex tabletop miniature wargame system requiring detailed painted armies, intricate rules, and substantial time investment, mentioned as an example of a fundamentally different game type from casual, accessible party games.<\/li>\n<li>Game Types Mentioned: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Card_game\">Card Games<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Role-playing_game\">Role-Playing Games (RPGs)<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Casual_game\">Casual Games<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Party_game\">Party Games<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Collectible_card_game\">Trading Card Games (TCGs)<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Collectible_card_game\">Collectible Card Games (CCGs)<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tabletop_game\">Tabletop Games<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Board_game\">Board Games<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cooperative_game_theory\">Cooperative Games<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Crowdfunding Options<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/\">Kickstarter<\/a>: An American public benefit corporation that maintains a global crowdfunding platform for creative projects.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/changelog.com\/news\/craigstarter-lets-you-do-crowdfunding-built-on-shopify-QR6y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Craigstarter<\/a>: Open-source crowdfunding tool and methodology by Craig Mod for transparent project funding.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kickstartrends.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">KickstarTrends<\/a>: Receive exclusive discounts on the latest projects before anyone else.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/backerlead.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Backerlead<\/a>: Stay ahead of the curve in technology and design.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kickstargo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kickstargo<\/a>: Showcasing the best crowdfunding products.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Companies, Brands, and Organizations<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/explodingkittens.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Exploding Kittens<\/a>: A game company founded by Elan Lee that creates card games and mobile apps.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cockpunch.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Legend of C\u00d8CKPUNCH<\/a>: My early NFT project.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walmart.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Walmart<\/a>: An American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.samsclub.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sam\u2019s Club<\/a>: A membership-only warehouse club owned by Walmart that offers bulk merchandise at discounted prices.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Barnes &amp; Noble<\/a>: An American bookseller with the largest number of retail outlets in the United States.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.target.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Target<\/a>: An American big box department store chain headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Amazon<\/a>: An American multinational technology company focusing on e-commerce, cloud computing, and digital streaming.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.xbox.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Xbox<\/a>: A video gaming brand created and owned by Microsoft that consists of gaming consoles and services.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/TSR_(company)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TSR<\/a>: A defunct American game publishing company that was the original publisher of Dungeons &amp; Dragons.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/company.wizards.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wizards of the Coast<\/a>: An American publisher of games, primarily role-playing games and trading card games including Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons &amp; Dragons.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hasbro.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hasbro<\/a>: An American multinational toy, board game, and media company known for brands like Monopoly and Transformers.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mattel.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mattel<\/a>: An American multinational toy manufacturing and entertainment company known for brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pickfu.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PickFu<\/a>: A market research platform that provides instant consumer feedback through polls and surveys.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/intellivy.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Intellivy<\/a>: A market research and consumer insights platform for product testing and validation.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stickybeak.co\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stickybeak<\/a>: A market research platform that provides consumer insights and product testing services.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Vimeo<\/a>: An American video hosting, sharing, and services platform used for high-quality video content.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google<\/a>: An American multinational technology company specializing in internet-related services and products including search and advertising.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a>: A business and employment-focused social networking platform owned by Microsoft.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shopify.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shopify<\/a>: A Canadian multinational e-commerce company that provides a platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.atari.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Atari<\/a>: An American video game developer and home computer company that was a pioneer in the arcade and video console industries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">People<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gary_Gygax\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gary Gygax<\/a>: Co-creator of Dungeons &amp; Dragons and pioneer of tabletop role-playing games.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/jcvdworld.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jean-Claude Van Damme<\/a>: Belgian martial artist and actor known for his action films and exceptional flexibility.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tim.blog\/2023\/08\/16\/justin-gary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Justin Gary<\/a>: Author of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/1947937391\/?tag=offsitoftimfe-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Think Like a Game Designer: The Step-By-Step Guide to Unlocking Your Creative Potential<\/em><\/a>\u00a0and host of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thinklikeagamedesigner.com\/podcast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Think Like A Game Designer<\/em><\/a> podcast.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tim.blog\/2017\/06\/25\/reid-hoffman-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Reid Hoffman<\/a>: Co-founder of LinkedIn and venture capitalist, mentioned regarding delegation and his \u201c10% footfall rate\u201d philosophy.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tim.blog\/2025\/01\/30\/seth-godin-strategy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Seth Godin<\/a>: Bestselling author, entrepreneur, and marketing expert who reframed questions about failure and innovation.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theorg.com\/org\/exploding-kittens\/org-chart\/ken-gruhl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ken Gruhl<\/a>: Expert game designer and mechanic specialist involved in Coyote\u2019s development in Toronto.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.raphkoster.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Raph Koster<\/a>: Game designer and author of <em><a href=\"https:\/\/amazon.com\/dp\/1449363210\/?tag=offsitoftimfe-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">A Theory of Fun for Game Design<\/a><\/em>, expert on game mechanics and virtual worlds.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.karenpryor.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Karen Pryor<\/a>: Author of <a href=\"https:\/\/amazon.com\/dp\/0553380397\/?tag=offsitoftimfe-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Don\u2019t Shoot the Dog!<\/em><\/a> and pioneer of clicker training and positive reinforcement methods.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/inventright.com\/about\/stephen-key\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stephen Key<\/a>: Inventor, author of <a href=\"https:\/\/amazon.com\/dp\/1259589676\/?tag=offsitoftimfe-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>One Simple Idea<\/em><\/a>, and expert in product licensing with over 20 patents to his name.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nolan_Bushnell\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nolan Bushnell<\/a>: Founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese, creator of Bushnell\u2019s Law: \u201cEasy to learn, difficult to master.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Klaus_Teuber\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Klaus Teuber<\/a>: German board game designer best known for creating Settlers of Catan.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tim.blog\/2020\/01\/09\/penn-jillette\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Penn Jillette<\/a>: Magician from Penn &amp; Teller duo who partnered with Exploding Kittens on a game.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jeff_Probst\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jeff Probst<\/a>: Emmy-winning host of <em>Survivor<\/em> who partnered with Exploding Kittens on a game.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mastersofscale.com\/people\/carly-mcginnis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Carly McGinnis<\/a>: President of Exploding Kittens.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theoatmeal.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Matthew Inman<\/a>: Cartoonist and creator of <a href=\"https:\/\/theoatmeal.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>The Oatmeal<\/em><\/a> webcomic, artist for Exploding Kittens who helped launch the game through his massive online audience.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tim.blog\/2018\/11\/08\/doug-mcmillon-ceo-of-walmart\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Doug McMillon<\/a>: President and CEO of Walmart, leading the world\u2019s largest retailer.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sam_Walton\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sam Walton<\/a>: Founder of Walmart and Sam\u2019s Club, revolutionary retail entrepreneur.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexcutlergames.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alex Cutler<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/EhJBrandon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AJ Brandon<\/a>: Hosts of the <a href=\"https:\/\/jellybean.games\/funproblems\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Fun Problems<\/em><\/a> game design podcast, experts in tabletop game mechanics.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tim.blog\/2025\/03\/28\/craig-mod-returns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Craig Mod<\/a>: Writer, photographer, and creator of Craigstarter, known for his walks across Japan and innovative book publishing approaches.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tim.blog\/2025\/02\/05\/brandon-sanderson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Brandon Sanderson<\/a>: Fantasy author known for his record-breaking $41+ million Kickstarter campaign and prolific writing in the Cosmere universe.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tim.blog\/2019\/12\/12\/gary-keller\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gary Keller<\/a>: Real estate mogul and co-founder of Keller Williams, known for the principle \u201cAgreements are Disagreements.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Books<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Concepts and Ideas<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.traqline.com\/newsroom\/blog\/prep-product-line-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Product Line Review<\/a>: A retail buying meeting process where manufacturers present to retailers to validate merchandising plans, educate on market opportunities, and secure shelf space for their products.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bushnell's_Law\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bushnell\u2019s Law<\/a>: A video game design principle attributed to Atari founder Nolan Bushnell stating that \u201call the best games are easy to learn and difficult to master\u201d and should reward both first-time and experienced players.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Prisoner's_dilemma\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Prisoner\u2019s Dilemma<\/a>: A game theory thought experiment involving two rational agents who can either cooperate for mutual benefit or betray their partner for individual gain, illustrating the tension between self-interest and collective benefit.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/corporatefinanceinstitute.com\/resources\/economics\/zero-sum-game-non-zero-sum\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zero Sum Game<\/a>: A situation in game theory and economics where one participant\u2019s gain or loss is exactly balanced by the losses or gains of other participants, with the total value remaining constant.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/agileleanlife.com\/year-in-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Past Year Review<\/a>: A personal reflection process that involves systematically evaluating the previous year\u2019s experiences, accomplishments, and lessons learned to gain insights for future goal-setting and personal development.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/non-fungible-tokens-nft-5115211\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Non-Fungible Token (NFT)<\/a>: Blockchain-tied assets behind <a href=\"https:\/\/cockpunch.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Legend of C\u00d8CKPUNCH<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/primate.wisc.edu\/outreach\/wisconsin-card-sorting-test\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST)<\/a>: Neuropsychological test compared to <a href=\"https:\/\/tim.blog\/coyote\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Coyote<\/a>\u2018s potential cognitive effects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Places<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitlakegeneva.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lake Geneva, Wisconsin<\/a>: A picturesque lakeside city in southeastern Wisconsin that served as the original location of Gen Con gaming convention.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitindy.com\/things-to-do\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Indianapolis, Indiana<\/a>: The capital and most populous city of Indiana, currently hosting the annual Gen Con gaming convention since 2003.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.austintexas.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Austin, Texas<\/a>: The capital city of Texas known for its vibrant gaming scene and as a location for podcast recordings in the gaming industry.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitbentonville.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bentonville, Arkansas<\/a>: A city in northwest Arkansas that serves as the global headquarters of Walmart Inc.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.destinationtoronto.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Toronto, Canada<\/a>: Canada\u2019s largest city and provincial capital of Ontario, notable as a location for key development sprints for the Coyote game project.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.deutschland.de\/en\/travel-in-germany\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Germany<\/a>: A European country known for its strong board gaming culture and conventions where games like Coyote have been well-received.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Movies, Podcasts, and Media<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tim.blog\/coyote\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Play Coyote<\/a>: Coyote how-to-play video.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thinklikeagamedesigner.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Think Like A Game Designer<\/a>: Podcast by Justin Gary focused on game design principles and business.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/jellybean.games\/funproblems\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fun Problems<\/a>: Game design podcast covering industry insights.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/@ElanLee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Elan Lee\u2019s YouTube Channel<\/a>: Resource for game design instruction and industry insights from the Exploding Kittens co-creator.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kickstarter<\/a>: Crowdfunding platform for creative projects including board games and product launches.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pickfu.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PickFu<\/a>: Market testing and consumer polling platform for product validation and feedback.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ads.google.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Ads<\/a>: Online advertising platform used for testing book titles and market validation.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Vimeo<\/a>: Video hosting platform used for playtest video review and content sharing.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dndbeyond.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">D&amp;D Beyond<\/a>: Digital platform for Dungeons &amp; Dragons modules, Player\u2019s Handbook, and DM Guide resources.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=blank+playing+cards+prototyping&amp;linkCode=ll2&amp;tag=offsitoftimfe-20&amp;linkId=d59a017c51ae5e4daf667aa5baf20262&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Prototyping Supplies<\/a>: Blank cards, Sharpies, and game creation kits for rapid game prototyping and testing.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.qr-code-generator.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">QR Code Generator<\/a>: Technology used on game packaging for linking to video pitches and digital instructions.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B000VIH2BQ\/?tag=offsitoftimfe-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zero Effect<\/a>: A 1998 mystery-comedy film starring Bill Pullman as eccentric private detective Daryl Zero, whose investigative methodology emphasizes pure observation and objectivity to uncover unexpected connections and solutions.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-tJYN-eG1zk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cWe Will Rock You\u201d by Queen<\/a>: Brian May\u2019s anthemic contribution to arena-based sporting events the world over.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B006MW3VQU\/?tag=offsitoftimfe-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Downton Abbey<\/a>: A British historical drama television series that follows the lives of the Crawley family and their servants in an Edwardian country house in the early 20th century.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/shorts\/zE__0Oh2hxs?si=CSkdIwwC3OXfx8mF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Poetry for Neanderthals player tries to convey \u201cgarage\u201d<\/a>: Popular video showing the game in action.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Events<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gencon.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gen Con<\/a>: The largest tabletop game convention in North America featuring role-playing games, board games, card games, and miniatures with nearly 70,000 attendees annually in Indianapolis.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sxsw.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">South by Southwest (SXSW)<\/a>: An annual conglomeration of interactive media, music, and film festivals and conferences held each March in Austin, Texas since 1987, celebrating the convergence of technology, film, and music industries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SHOW NOTES<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>[00:00:00] Start.<\/li>\n<li>[00:05:21] Coyote: a game 47 years in the making.<\/li>\n<li>[00:08:41] Who is Elan Lee?<\/li>\n<li>[00:09:37] How our motivations behind game creation intersect.<\/li>\n<li>[00:12:41] The nutshell view of pitching a game to a retailer.<\/li>\n<li>[00:14:40] Salesmanship is a learnable skill, but Elan\u2019s a natural.<\/li>\n<li>[00:15:53] <em>Why<\/em> I\u2019ve always wanted to make my own game and <em>how<\/em> development began in earnest.<\/li>\n<li>[00:26:00] First contact with Elan and our fast-forged, fun-focused friendship.<\/li>\n<li>[00:32:28] The Hanabi and Rock, Paper, Scissors-inspired Toronto trip breakthrough.<\/li>\n<li>[00:39:40] Early prototyping and testing.<\/li>\n<li>[00:45:34] The <em>Zero Effect<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li>[00:47:37] Recommended game design rationales, resources, and reading.<\/li>\n<li>[00:53:00] The beginner\u2019s mind approach to writing effective game instructions.<\/li>\n<li>[00:56:26] A simple fact: less complication = more fun.<\/li>\n<li>[00:57:49] Cooperative vs. competitive play.<\/li>\n<li>[00:58:24] Leveling the playing field with attack cards and sabotage mechanics.<\/li>\n<li>[01:01:34] Tricking people into cognitively bettering themselves by gaming.<\/li>\n<li>[01:08:04] Finding the sweet spot.<\/li>\n<li>[01:10:44] It takes a lot of work to make a game effortlessly fun.<\/li>\n<li>[01:13:40] How many games does Exploding Kittens publish per year?<\/li>\n<li>[01:14:36] Exploding Kittens\u2019 number-one seller was designed by Elan\u2019s four-year-old daughter.<\/li>\n<li>[01:18:30] Prototypes and pitching.<\/li>\n<li>[01:22:26] Improving on the industry\u2019s fundamentally flawed testing procedure.<\/li>\n<li>[01:24:58] Analyzing passing\/failure with play testers\u2019 video and feedback.<\/li>\n<li>[01:28:41] Risks of internal testing.<\/li>\n<li>[01:31:47] Coyote\u2019s first positive signs from the wild.<\/li>\n<li>[01:34:22] Online vs. physical store sales and tweaking variables to gauge market interest.<\/li>\n<li>[01:41:22] What a successful line review looks like.<\/li>\n<li>[01:43:51] Line review hoops through which lesser-proven companies have to hop.<\/li>\n<li>[01:48:04] Elan\u2019s field-tested line review meeting strategies.<\/li>\n<li>[01:54:15] The importance of finding proper agent representation.<\/li>\n<li>[01:59:35] In modern marketing, social media (especially short-form video) is king.<\/li>\n<li>[02:04:48] The best and worst ways for an aspiring designer to sell a game.<\/li>\n<li>[02:13:05] Crowdfunding pros and cons, and Kickstarter alternatives.<\/li>\n<li>[02:19:57] Dealing with deal terms.<\/li>\n<li>[02:23:56] The Exploding Kittens attitude toward rare partnerships.<\/li>\n<li>[02:25:45] The types of games that capture Elan\u2019s attention.<\/li>\n<li>[02:27:40] Common game design mistakes.<\/li>\n<li>[02:29:49] How we tried to avoid these mistakes when packaging Coyote.<\/li>\n<li>[02:33:55] Self-publishing vs. conventional publishing.<\/li>\n<li>[02:38:40] Business considerations and risks.<\/li>\n<li>[02:44:59] Parting thoughts and a tantalizing offer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ELAN LEE QUOTES FROM THE INTERVIEW<\/h3>\n<p><strong>\u201cWe don\u2019t make games that are entertaining. We make games that make the players entertaining.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2014\u00a0Elan Lee<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cYour reaction should not be, \u2018I\u2019m going to buy that game.\u2019 That\u2019s not our goal. Your reaction is, \u2018I\u2019m going to pick up this game, and I\u2019m going to turn it over, and I\u2019m going to read the back of the box.\u2019\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2014\u00a0Elan Lee<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cIt\u2019s like saying, \u2018Is there still space in the book industry? In the movie industry?\u2019 All a game is is an idea delivered in a new way. When are we going to run out of ideas? When are we going to run out of delivery mechanisms? The answer to both of those, individually, is never.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2014\u00a0Elan Lee<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201c70 percent of our sales are in-person retail. Only 30 percent are online sales. Totally backwards than what you\u2019d expect for almost any industry.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2014\u00a0Elan Lee<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cWe probably work on a hundred games a year, and less than 20 make the cut.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2014\u00a0Elan Lee<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cThe way that you build the most effective videos for [games] is you need to inspire, I think, two emotions. One, \u2018I understand what those people are experiencing right now,\u2019 And two, \u2018I would like to experience that.\u2019 And it took me forever to get to those two sentences. At first it was, \u2018Let\u2019s show gameplay, let\u2019s show setup, let\u2019s show a memorable moment. Let\u2019s show people screaming and yelling because they\u2019re having so much fun.\u2019 None of that matters. None of that works. \u2018That looks like fun. I could have that much fun.\u2019 That\u2019s it. That\u2019s what you\u2019re trying to show.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2014\u00a0Elan Lee<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script async defer src=\"https:\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/hop.clickbank.net\/?affiliate=infohatch&amp;vendor=J1R2C\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10614 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png\" alt=\"Profit Gen\" width=\"400\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png 400w, http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px-300x163.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is a very special episode for me, one I\u2019ve been looking forward to publishing for months. COYOTE is a fast, casual card game I [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11316,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11315","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-growth"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11315","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11315"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11315\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11316"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11315"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11315"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11315"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}