INTERVIEW

Reiner Knizia

the latest trends and to remain a relevant Home Again author in the current board gaming mar- ket. After just a few weeks, the accent clearly suggests it: Reiner Knizia has broken sb: How long can we keep expecting new camp in Windsor and returned to his old home Bavaria. We took the opportunity stuff from Reiner Knizia? Is the increasing to interview the record-breaking designer – for the fi rst time in more than 10 pressure to deliver original games going years. to turn into a curse at some point? RK: You really need to ask this question spielbox: Were you trying to escape from Bleasdale, who is now a successful game to the higher powers. At the tender age Brexit, or did you have other reasons to designer himself. of eight I started to play and develop make camp in Germany once more? I am leaving many lovely friends games, and if it is granted to me, I shall Rainer Knizia: When I left for England behind, in my business as well as my pri- continue to do so until I am 80 years old. 24 years ago, my main job was banker, vate life. My curse is actually a different one: I and game design was only a hobby. But sb: Will there be a new team ready in have too many new ideas! after my 40th birthday, when I took the Munich? There are 50 drawers in my studio, freedom to become a full-time game de- RK: Of course! Things would never work each containing a new game currently in signer, I remained in England, simply be- out without a team. My old Munich group development. I have absolutely no prob- cause I felt comfortable there. is already on board and the technical uni- lem fi lling these drawers with new ideas; I had never intended to emigrate to the versity has a games club, which means I what I struggle with is clearing them out Uk. All I needed to motivate me to go can fall back on a good crowd for play- again – by creating a fantastic new game back was the proverbial “kick in the butt”. testing. I am very confi dent that we can out of every single one; a game that can Many reasons have now contributed to build another powerful team as time goes give joy to many people. this return, one of them being the pro- by. I do not permit myself to fi ll more than gressively xenophobic behavior of the sb: New environment, new team: Is there 50 drawers. This restriction helps me to English government and the resulting also potential for new impulses and stim- develop my ideas more responsibly, to Brexit. My partner has already been living uli in game design? properly raise the children that I fathered, in Munich for several years. And my bril- RK: Absolutely! Creativity and innova- as it were. liant company assistant, Karen Easteal, tion constantly require new input. I am sb: Today’s media is fast-paced, which was willing to accompany me there. sure the new student-based environment also applies to games. For example, sb: In many interviews, you talk about is ideal to keep my designs in touch with some are published at SPIEL in Essen “we” and you mention a team and already forgotten by the time that develops your games with the Nuremberg Toy Fair comes you. Who are these people, and around. There is defi nitely a cult what is going to happen to those of the new. Can authors keep up left behind in Windsor? with that? RK: Yes, that is defi nitely the RK: But what a fantastic situation downer of the move, and it for consumers, with so many new makes me sad, although I am games coming on the market every very excited to be living in the year! And for the game designers, middle of Munich once more. Af- this market also offers many op- ter all, developing games means portunities to place their new cre- playtesting games, over and over ations with publishers as there is a again. And for this important huge demand from editors. task I had a highly experienced On the other hand, the wealth of and motivated group of people new games prevents many from in England. becoming established on the I cannot stress too much how market. Short-lived products with this nuclear team contributed their high costs up-front are not towards the creativity and suc- profi table, neither for the pub- cess of our games. I would like to lisher nor for any forward-thinking take this opportunity to send a author. So yes, the pressure to suc- heartfelt thank you to Iain ceed is high. Adams, Chris Bowyer, John Chris- In turn, this leads to the weird tians, Chris Dearlove, Drak, situation that many publishers do Gavin Hamilton, Martin Higham, not regard a solid, simply fun game Ross Inglis, Kevin Jacklin, Simon as good enough. Every product Kane, Chris Lawson, Dave Spring needs to be somehow special, to

spielbox and the ingenious Sebastian stand out from the rest. The UK-Playtester 16 Photo: Karen Easteal

My best defense against guishes them. Which is a good thing. It the fast-moving nature of makes our world of games so hugely fas- the business is to design cinating and multifaceted. In my case, I my works so they repre- like to condense situations to a few fun- sent as sustainable and in damental basic laws. And that is also how a sense as timeless a my games work: Only few rules, but they value as possible. I do not still create a distinct platform for player believe in simple gim- interaction. Few thematic details or ex- micks and cheap show- planatory texts, but innovative and suit- manship. Many of my able game mechanisms that grant players former games are still very an emotional experience of the respective popular today, for exam- theme. ple Modern Art (1993), In my work, I always keep in mind Medici (1995), Euphrat & which emotions I would like to have Tigris (1998), Samura myself in any particular situation of the (1998) and Ra (1999). game. The great skill is to let these emo- sb: It is only in the last tions evolve quite naturally out of couple of decades that in- gameplay. tellectual property rights For example, a trend in my games to a game concept or for would not be triggered by a chance a central gaming element event card, but by the action of a player. have actually been recog- Say, a caravan would appear on the nized. How does Reiner border of the game board, on its way to Knizia in his work avoid our market. The players realize that soon infringement of the rights there would be more goods available. In of others? a forward-looking manner, some of them sb: I would like to be more specific. RK: A very important topic indeed, for I would quickly sell their goods at the cur- Drachenhort (dragon hoard), published believe it has now become impossible for rent prices even before the arrival of the with Ravensburger in 2015, supervised by any individual to keep a comprehensive caravan, particularly when they antici- an experienced editor (Stefan Brück) and overview here. pate the other players are going to do illustrated by a great artist (Franz Vohwin- For my part, I rely on my playtesters, the same thing. So the players’ behavior kel) in a publishing house that has like- who sometimes rein me in if I accidentally actually triggers the trend that leads to a wise not just existed since yesterday. The get too close to another designer’s work. drop in prices. The emotions here are game was relatively well received, and Plus, I rely on the insight of the publishers totally different, for the players them- yet in 2017 it is already gone. What went when it comes to preventing an infringe- selves are an integral part of the trend’s wrong? ment out of ignorance. evolution and can experience the trend RK: I regret to say that I do not have a sb: Every game designer has their favor- themselves. satisfactory answer. There is no predicting ite gaming elements. The danger of imi- It does not really help if the rulebook if a game will gain enough momentum to tating yourself is high. How do you avoid prescribes that a game has to be played establish itself on the market. Maybe all it self-plagiarism? cooperatively. Players need to feel the needs is a little bit of luck. RK: Ignorance of others’ rights is one threats emerging from the game mecha- sb: One result of these hectic times is that thing. Blindness against reprocessing nism itself; they need to perceive them as a game only ever receives a single print- your own ideas another. Again, play- such a staggering predicament that the run, and not a very large one as that. This testers and publishers are an important question of cooperation is never actually of course limits the author’s royalties. Is part in keeping me in check. raised. Instead, the only thing that counts it still worth the effort of development, But at this point another effect comes is how they can all pool their resources to considering that the cooperation with into play. If a designer is working intensely reach the common goal. the publishers is also a time-consuming on a gaming system, he develops a very sb: As an established author, you will affair? fine perception for its details. Things that surely be approached by publishers ask- RK: What really matters here is the orig- seem very different to him may appear ing for game ideas related to specific proj- inal motivation of the game designer. I very similar to an outsider who lacks his ects. Is this heaven or hell for you? consider designers primarily to be artists detailed understanding. RK: If the initiative for a specific game whose intrinsic aim is to create new works sb: All authors are usually associated comes from a publisher, it is almost al- of art. For many of them, certainly for me, with specific preferences, mechanisms ways related to a certain specification: the monetary aspect comes second – it is and thought patterns. Do they them- a trademark license, for example for The not entirely irrelevant, of course, because selves see it the same way? Lord of the Rings, a specific gaming ma- everybody would like to be adequately RK: All designers have their own signa- terial, for example Lego, or a new technol-

paid. ture, their own personality that distin- ogy like in Whoowasit. spielbox

17 Usually the box size and the retail price My motivation has always been to sb: And what is the new element here? are already decided upon, sometimes the design a nice game that makes many RK: The combination of a very evocative publishing date is set. With a tight sched- people happy. I believe you can feel it in a game board and a deckbuilding mecha- ule, certain components that require long game if the designer enjoyed the creative nism. The board, the path is the real chal- production lead times are right out. All of process and worked with a smile on their lenge, while the cards show the means to these factors reduce my level of freedom face. master it. As new challenges appear in El as a designer. sb: Looking at your games over the de- Dorado via the freely combinable game The most important factor for success cades, it is striking that initially you worked board, the deck can be much smaller and in such a project is to place the specified almost exclusively for a grown-up audience clear-cut than in other games, for exam- age range, usually also predetermined, and over time the proportion of family and ple Dominion. right in the center of the game. children’s games has steadily increased. Is But I have a far greater ambition. I

Photo: Karen Easteal there a specific reason for this? want to provide the gaming world with RK: It is only natural that game designers innovative, new impulses, and ideally I start off with a segment they prefer play- would like to set new trends. However, ing themselves. With my degree in math- this is not easy, as it demands a good ematics I initially leaned towards strategy amount of luck, and most importantly the games. Later in life, as a full-time game ability to anticipate potential trend lead- designer, I did not want to get boxed in, ers in time. but tried to commit myself to as many dif- I still remember very clearly when I told ferent genres as possible. Each of them Richard Garfield many years ago, even offers new inspirations and experiences before the publication of Magic - The and also stimulates and enhances the Gathering, that his game would not have others. Pickomino, Mmm, Bee Alert, Lost any market potential because of its high Cities and Keltis are good examples. To- complexity. Luckily, he did not listen to day, with the advance of the electronic me at the time, and he not only went on games, the range is even broader. to fashion a new trend, but even to create sb: Worker placement, the hype in the the entirely new sector of collectible card board gaming scene – happened entirely games. without Reiner Knizia. Why? sb: Apart from bits and bytes, are there RK: I think I already designed a similar any new areas of work for the game in- game very early on, Municipium (2008), ventor Knizia, apart from the classic pub- even though I only realized later that it lisher’s fare? actually belongs in that category. I am al- RK: Many companies today show an in- With trademark licenses I try to capture ways fascinated by a nice mechanism, but creasing interest in entertaining, playful the true spirit of the respective universe. that fascination quickly dwindles when additions to their events or goal-oriented Lord of the Rings is designed from the many people get involved. training games. In addition there are con- point of view of the fellowship of the ring, I am generally not very keen to follow sulting contracts that could be filed under which naturally results in a cooperative new trends, and will only do so when I am the buzzword of “gamification”. game of hobbits versus the evil. With new able to make a substantial new contribu- Companies are motivated to use the technologies it is particularly important tion, like I did for example with El Dorado fascination emanating from games to to recognize their strengths and their (2017) for deckbuilding games. influence behavior in real life. Be it to

potential and to make full use of Photo: Karen Easteal improve internal business these to achieve a perfect balance processes, external image between production costs and ideas or even for cus- gaming quality. tomer retention. It is all These are the challenges that I about finding suitable, absolutely love! They keep me on really quite simple mech- my toes and time and again force anisms that do not seem me to leave my comfort zone and artificial and fit in easily. keep improving as a game designer. In this part of my work I sb: Does Reiner Knizia still develop can join up my experi- games according to the motto: “I ences in the industry and really fancy doing this right now”? in game design most Inspiration hitting you in the show- intuitively. I also cooper- er, on a walk – and off you go? ate with Cormens, the RK: Of course, I design games that partner company of my I enjoy. Come to think of it, I only life partner Dr. Margret

spielbox design games that I enjoy. Klinkhammer, which has

18 Photo: Karen Easteal Do you want to on reading save money sb: Reiner Knizia’s favorite game spielbox regularly ? idea that no publisher wanted to take on, is called what? And works how? And is self-published What about... on Kickstarter when? RK: We are consciously focusing a subscription on our strengths on the things we do best: Developing innova- tive games for the joint success ? with our customers, the publish- ing houses and other companies. Which is why we are never going to become publishers ourselves and will also never self-publish our games. This is the reason we do not use Kickstarter. As helpful as crowd- funding may be in specifi c areas, it also poses serious risks. Espe- YOUR cially with board games, the Kick- ® starter campaigns sometimes get SPIELBOX out of control and become verita- SUBSCRIPTION ble battles of material, where INSIDE specialized in change management and attractive gaming components have to spielbox ______All about games in a box www.spielbox-shop.de executive training. This is still a very small secure the fi nancing. Once the money is ______and specialized area, generating around cashed in, the motivation to deliver a really 10 percent of our revenue. It is labor good game gets lost on the way. intensive work, but very exciting. sb: Do you sometimes get the impression sb: As a game designer you do not only you are misunderstood when it comes to need to be creative, but also to sell your gaming? By editors, us journalists, the ideas. How time-consuming is that role? gaming scene? YOUR RK: Customer contact, predominantly RK: Let me answer this briefl y: As an art- with publishers, is essential. And it is not ist you almost always feel misunderstood, only about placing our games in their particularly when you are criticized. But I ADVANTAGES program, but more importantly about say that with a laughing eye, for it is part feedback and future perspectives: What of the business. is working, what is not working, where sb: People say Knizia is one of the few save time & up to 15% are the challenges and strategies of the who can make a living off designing publishers, and how can we contribute to games! This is my chance to ask the man to individual purchase their success? directly: Is this true, and is it earning your Accompanying the publishers over the pension as well? 7 times a year entire process of implementing an idea RK: Yes, it is, and I am very grateful for it. into a fi nished game is time-consuming. sb: Do you have a life outside of invent- punctual and convenient Commenting on the graphic design, ing games? Any hobbies that are not delivery to your door checking the rules, answering hundreds game-related? of questions are important parts of our RK: I just do not have enough time for 50% discount on work. Attending to the licensing con- other hobbies. But I am living my greatest tracts and the administration of more hobby every day. special editions, spielbox than 600 copyrights are also not a tri- sb: If you had three wishes for the gam- DVDs among others fl ing matter. ing scene (publishers, multipliers, hard- I think a good balance between the cre- core gamers), what would they be? ative and the operative business element RK: I really only have one wish: Better bring-a-friend gifts is key to the success of a designer. legal protection for games, so that hon- On the operative side, my long-stand- est game designers can get on with their Access to the member ing assistant Karen Easteal supports me work. PREMIUM Area in all my activities with great effi ciency. Her commitment to our success is truly Interview for spielbox by

unique. Claus Voigt/cs spielbox

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