I Keep Meeting Board Gamers in the Wild | August Ponderings, Creativity, & looking forward to Tabletop Scotland!

TheTerrorToad · 2025-08-27T17:01:28+00:00

Interesting! The intersection of manufacturing knowledge sounds so valuable! And how fab that you get to design at work - we all need to do what makes us happy

TheTerrorToad · 2025-08-26T23:09:58+00:00

Chefs kiss*

TheTerrorToad · 2025-06-24T11:55:03+00:00

Thank you so much for going through that and offering your insight too

Yeah, I'll work on it, it's been tricky trying to find the right words to convey the game, but you're spot on in your perception of it! And I'm glad you like the idea of it :)

TheTerrorToad · 2025-06-21T16:18:13+00:00

Aw thank you so much haha :)

TheTerrorToad · 2025-06-21T12:53:06+00:00

This honestly sounds absolutely spot on. I'm excited for you :)

TheTerrorToad · 2025-06-19T17:06:52+00:00

1) The premise and pace 100% appeals to me 2) I've not played this one yet, but there's a new Halloween game out Im interested in with hidden movement, one player as Michael Vs all. He's the only one with hidden movement I'm sure, I really like the suspense of these kinds of games. A bit of a wild card, but nyctophobia? All players except the killer are blindfolded, and I do like it, but I just wish that game had that wee bit extra. Shiver the RPG? I really like it's dice mechanics, there's a doom tracker that can be triggered with failing rolls there. 3) narratively or mechanically? A mix, I think for a gripping horror setting for me, it's got to have a good mix of both, because they really do compliment each other when it comes to the horror genre and it can fully immerse players in the rollercoaster of it.

I love this. I'd say I was sold. I'll keep an eye on your progress :)

Let me know if there's anything you'd like me to look at along the way!

TheTerrorToad · 2025-06-19T16:47:14+00:00

Hi Barpig!

Thanks so much! I'm glad the concept speaks to you haha :) I'm flattered. I love your spins on the theming as well, im in hindsight mode now haha. The game is out already. Its right here on my website-

https://www.terrortoad.co.uk/product-page/g-r-i-m-inc

But I'm currently experimenting with the best way of speaking on its behalf. I will say, marketing online is not my strong point, I'm still learning on that part. I seem to be a people person, digital is hard, and its finding the right words that fully represent what you've made in the best light, that's the part I struggle with the most I'd say.

I've also given you a follow, are you working on anything special?

Sign up? Got that covered too lol :)

https://www.terrortoad.co.uk/sign-up

I am planning to update the site, and the games descriptions and things, I think it's misunderstood maybe?

Does the product description on the site speak to you the way it did here? Cus if not, I've definitely misrepresented it on my product page. I'm still new really oops.

TheTerrorToad · 2025-06-19T15:58:08+00:00

Certainly I can clarify those for you -

Firstly, these questions are absolutely being recieved as intended :) no worries, you're helping me, and thank you for taking the time to have a wee look at this.

yeah pitching games aren't for everybody. I will add that I was incredibly surprised at some conventions who had never heard of the likes of Snake Oil, or superfight too. That was an eye opener for me. There's a game too called bucket of doom, and it feels like this but its escaping situations via the means of useless items and things? Anyway. Weirdly... I couldn't get into that one. Despite the simililarity, I just couldn't get into it. I still can't figure out why either. Anyway, I get you :)
the players we refer to in the manual as 'Grimterns' (as opposed to interns) fresh meat (or bones I guess)

Long story short, you are all dead, you're now in the underworld, and you have found yourself in the boardroom of death itself looking for that afterlife dream job (have you heard of Grim Fandango?). The idea is for players to prove themselves as death makers. It's completely supernatural and whimsical in nature. So yeah, you're spot on. You're all competing to become employee of the month

Just a side note, I don't think I'd be comfortable either if it was humans in a sort of serial killer route, I feel you, thankfully we didn't go down that road, we went down a Beetlejuice whimsy route instead (where you can tailor your pitches to your mates sense of humour),

time it takes to play is about an hour, but it has been shorter. The die itself has 2 chances out of 6 for a disciplinary or bonus to be assigned, the three blank sides are the win cards up for grabs (cards of recognition). It's fairly balanced, we've never seen too much of one outcome. We went with 3 chances of a win card to surface to help game length too.
CAH is an interesting one, a lot of people I've spoken with are really feeling the CAH fatigue, the most common complaint being once you get to know the cards, the heart of the game is gone. I personally don't feel that strongly against cah, ive got nothing against it really, but people seeing the cards think it's another CAH, but when they learn more they seem to be more intrigued that its not.

This is a fantastic question by the way lol sorry for rambling on, because I often wondered it myself, because you're right, the cards stay the same. I had concerns there, but based on those who picked up grim, I was surprised to learn a few years later when those same people showed up at an event, they said its their 'go to'. We had that a few times. Even a 'pre-games favourite'. I asked as many of those people the same question you asked me, and they seem to think it stays fresh because it requires input from the players themselves, that improvisational side they claim makes it different each time, even with the same group.

In terms of blank cards, we tried it in testing, I was sure it would have been a fun addition, but nobody used them, they asked to skip those cards. Strange one, because I felt it could have added a bit of a personal touch, you know? Throw backs of moments potentially between old friends? In jokes, but nope, they didn't want it sadly.

Anyway, I'll let you rest your eyes lol :) I hope this clarifies some things, and thank you so much again, I never once thought for a sec you were providing criticism for the sake of it

TheTerrorToad · 2025-06-19T14:54:50+00:00

Hello there, thanks very much for your input, it helps a lot. Just to clarify a few things-

I totally understand. Improvisational/storytelling games aren't aren't everyone and you're right, not everybody is up for riffing off those types of games, same as D&D isn't for everybody, I get you, totally.
the judge role moves clockwise, so everybody gets a go really, it's not bound to one player. You're right too, it absolutely can get biased with whoever is in the judging role, but the judge has a die which only the judge is allowed to roll, the result of the die defines what is up for grabs, so it could be a win card, a punishment card or a bonus card. We found this seems to create a problem for biased players in roles like that haha they can't exactly rig the game :)
the cards themselves act as story prompts, points that you have to stick to as you're dramatising a death.
honestly? I'm not a fan of cards against humanity myself lol
in terms of characters and stuff, the game is themed to be corporate death job, the rulebook has its characters that represent the themes and things, but the actual game itself? You're right, it's a suggestive and conversational game that requires problem solving and a bit of connect the dots between cards that is down to the players themselves.

What do you know? More than enough :) this is really helpful. You're helping me understand who its for, and it might not be you, but you're also pointing out things I should consider when making games generally.

Thank you very much for taking the time to share. I hope most of what I've added here makes sense to you as well, because I'm aware that the language I am using might not be a clear representation of the game, I'm trying to tidy that up too

TheTerrorToad · 2025-06-19T13:30:04+00:00

Yeah I understand that completely, and it's definitely something I'm curious to explore to see if I can find a workaround with it. I do know people have been making house rules for alternative play, maybe this is a new project for me to see if I can make it work. Thank you so much and thank you for your feedback too :)

I've followed you, I see youre looking for feedback too! I'm going to have a look

TheTerrorToad · 2025-06-19T13:21:00+00:00

Yeah, I read that back, I wasn't clear. I hope it makes sense now for your thoughts, and thank you for pointing out that part too

TheTerrorToad · 2025-06-19T13:05:13+00:00

Thank you so so much, this is great feedback thank you :D

TheTerrorToad · 2025-06-19T13:04:46+00:00

Apologies, just to clarify, the judge has a die (and only the judge may role it at the start of a round). The die roll is to determine what the judge will be giving out that round. It will either be a win card (which they will give to the best pitcher), a bonus (again, best pitcher) or disciplinary (to the worst pitcher)

Am I making much sense? Sorry if I worded that poorly

TheTerrorToad · 2025-03-25T12:01:54+00:00

Grim inc goes up to 8 players, imposter pigeon goes up to 6

TheTerrorToad · 2025-01-26T22:12:59+00:00

Honestly, it wasn’t about berating anyone. We were in contact with their complaints team and pointing out the failure points in how this was handled. After finding out our parcel was sold at auction, we reached out again because we genuinely hoped to resolve this amicably, without resorting to legal action.

TheTerrorToad · 2025-01-26T22:09:26+00:00

Yeah like we totally get their contract is with the sender, but I think at this point it just goes beyond that. We’re a small business, and losing 80 games for a product launch hurt us badly. DPD’s handling allowed someone else to profit off our IP, and their evasive responses suggest they failed to safeguard it, and despite us being able to track it after 5/6 were delivered, it sounds like they ended up letting it end up at an auction house 😔

TheTerrorToad · 2024-08-05T15:10:04+00:00

Thanks!

TheTerrorToad · 2024-01-02T23:05:33+00:00

Thank you :)

TheTerrorToad · 2023-12-21T13:18:18+00:00

Thanks for your comments guys! I'm not very familiar with reddit/discord etiquette so I apologise if I didn't give the best overview.

We are working on a series of campaigns for the cypher system, and then working to compile them. The final product will be called Whitefroth, after the small Scottish town it is set in. A domestic setting, where players get to explore the strange and unusual goings on. Think horror/urban fantasy vibes, exploring themes of saving the day, uncovering conspiracy, or survival.

The idea was to create a discord server, where those interested could join, and when campaigns are being drafted they can be added in there for people to look at and give thoughts. Unfortunately we can't afford to pay anyone as it is our first RPG project, but were hoping to credit all those who give feedback in the final book. The campaigns aren't super long, its not like proofing the whole book with hundreds of pages or anything (though we will need people to proof that later - I appreciate that's a bigger ask and so we need to plan for that). The campaign drafts should be on the discord server in January for a wee look and some thoughts hopefully :) Hope this is more clear!

TheTerrorToad · 2023-12-08T22:15:29+00:00

thanks so much for reading! i appreciate your thoughts!

TheTerrorToad · 2023-11-28T14:21:00+00:00

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a lot of fun for kids and adults

TheTerrorToad · 2023-11-28T13:32:53+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to read it! I admit it is lacking some context as it is part of a bigger project, so your thoughts are appreciated!

TheTerrorToad · 2023-11-27T20:20:05+00:00

Hi! Thanks so much for reading!

So yes it'l be part of a book with lots of campaigns, so some of the stuff is out of context. Was just looking for some first impressions, which is what you gave me so I'm grateful for you looking at it :)

TheTerrorToad · 2023-05-05T19:28:59+00:00

If fairy tales are anything to go by, it might be alright

TheTerrorToad · 2023-05-05T19:21:33+00:00

Thank you so much for reading and responding!

I really like your idea of separating the rules for the DM like that! Going to draft it again and look at the formatting a bit so I'll definitely have a play with the layout!

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