2021: Don Juan

Author: Marcelo Nery
Developer: Flo de Haan
Illustrator: Gael Lannurien
Publisher: 999 Games

2021: Don Juan

Author: Marcelo Nery
Developer: Flo de Haan
Illustrator: Gael Lannurien
Publisher: 999 Games

Brazilian game designer Marcelo Nery came up with this concept which I pitched to 999 Games.

It was decided to step away from a student audience and rather focus on a family audience.

The main concept of this abstract game was invented by Marcelo, but I have introduced some new mechanics to it. I’ve rewritten the rules and added components to make the actions more streamlined, easier to understand, and along the way decreased the game length to ensure the target audience will rather play several games in a row.

The storyline was almost perfectly described by Marcelo, and all I had to find was the right illustrator. Gael Lannurien (Ginkgopolis) proved to be the right option, using bright and colourful images that attract the family audience.

Original concept: Don Juan. “Cut or choose”. You are madly in love with Don Juan and are eagerly waiting for his love letters, but he sends those letters to many girls, not only to you. Sick of jealousy, you and your competitors alternate in helping the postman out.

Final product: Don Juan. You all rearrange and hide each other’s letters. Find the letters of your own and prevent others from receiving theirs. Trade in three letters in your own colour for a heart token. Three letters in the colour of your opponents will break their hearts. Three hearts wins you the game. Keep a close eye on who holds which letters. And then there’s special letters with additional actions. I have added various new letters with new functionality, and re-balanced the game. All in cooperation with the designer.

Typical of the changes I have made is the order of resolution of effect which contributes to a smoother and fairer gameplay.The newly added effects create a more balanced game without losing the original concept.

Summary Made by Flo: Project management, development, creation of testable prototype, testing, writing the rulebook, editing the rulebook, art direction, production briefing.