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November 29th, 2020

11/29/2020

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I've been working a lot on playtesting for our current project, Z's Revenge over the last month. I've had several digital playtests accomplished through Tabletop Simulator on Steam as well as our very first physical beta playtest at our local game store this last Sunday. I've been pleasantly surprised by these sessions for they seem to be going quite well. 

What  exactly  do  I  mean  by  that? ​

These sessions have been the first time the game has been introduced and played by complete strangers to me. Of course, I've personally tested the game dozens of times and have had many hours of playtests with my personal friends and family, but that's different. When showing personal friends and family something you've created there's a level of dishonesty that sometimes comes with it. You're friends and family tend to not want to hurt your feelings because they like you and care for you. This means that they may not truly tell you how they feel about this thing that you've worked so hard on. 
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An awful photo of my buddy Jay helping me with some random testing.

Strangers  are  more  likely  to  tell  you  the  truth

This is one of the reasons that beta testing and blind playtesting are so important. You're more likely to get unbiased feedback from individuals who don't have anything invested in you or whatever it is your asking their opinion on. 
This is why I've been pleasantly surprised. The individuals within the sessions all seem to have enjoyed playing the game. This, and they've had incredible feedback for improvements that I hadn't thought of before. This means the world to me! It's a tremendous confidence booster and reinforcer for all my hard work. You might be able to imagine how hard it is to take something that you've poured so much time and energy into and reveal it to people, knowing that their impression and opinion on it are extremely important. 
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Our first live playtest! So much fun!

You  don't  know  unless  you  ask

I've had quite a bit of anxiety and doubt surrounding the game and my work on it. Is it actually any fun? Is the art absolute crap? What if no one likes it? What if all this time and energy is for nothing? These doubts I know are normal, but it doesn't make them go away. 

How  do  you  get  affirmation ?
Ask  strangers  for  it

Apparently one way to help with these feelings of doubt is to ask strangers about the content that's causing them. Maybe they can lend a perspective you haven't seen by yourself. Maybe they have advice that can help you with the feelings. Maybe you're wrong. You never know.. 
Playtesting has been fun and I think It's going well. Every test is one step closer to completion of the game. Everyday it's getting more succinct and more fun. There's not much more we can ask for. Well, of course there is. Getting the game completed and to a place that we believe will be a great addition to the world is one thing. Getting a following of people to believe this with us and support us in the endeavor is another. If you're passionate about supporting this project and want to know how you can help, feel free to reach out. There's plenty of work to do and many things big and small that I could use help with.

Playtesting will continue and each day Z's Revenge is getting closer and closer to being something fantastic! We want to create the best version of Z's. That's why this process is so important and not to be rushed. Thanks for being a part of this!

​ - The Dead Lemon
If you have steam and want to check out the working prototype of Z's Revenge all you need is Tabletop Simulator for Steam. Then you can access the workshop and find the game there. It's being updated as quickly as I can with changes. If you find it and play around with it please feel free to leave any feedback or comments in the section on the workshop page for it. Thanks!
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Progress  Report

11/16/2020

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Time  for  an  update

Good day to all! I hope this entry finds you well!
I've been thinking that it might be a good idea to give a little update on what exactly is happening with Dead Lemon Games, particularly in regards to our game, Z's Revenge. 
​
We currently have a timeline goal of launching Z's Revenge in the Spring of 2021. Our timeline leading up to that point is a very busy one with lots to do. That's a large part of why there's not more updates and blog entries happening. Sorry for that, but hey, less spam, right?

That being said, a lot has been done since we launched the site and announced the game. A lot of that is boring and filled with numbers. Things such as numerous emails back and forth different manufacturers overseas, getting pricing and option quotes, and then comparing them to one another. Sound exciting? How about researching different materials for game components, the differences in each, and then comparing these differences in a cost comparison analysis? I know...more fun. I could go on with these examples, but I really don't want to and you get the point. 

And what comes from all this hard work you don't see and couldn't fathom? 

Hopefully   our  goal...
To  deliver  you  the  best  version  of  the  game  we're  currently  capable  of. 

Although these numbers and logistics are a major part of what we're doing, it's not all that is happening. Luckily there's a level of fun to game development that is helping deviate from these boggy tasks. This fun comes in the form of play-testing as well as art and design for the game. As these things become more developed, the game comes closer to completion and closer to being able to be shared with our family (that's you!). 
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Above is some prototype standee components that we recently got in. They're a little rough, but they are a product of the aforementioned unseen labor. They're also a step towards our goal and therefore we're very proud of them. We're stoked to get these to the table and into play-testing along with all the other updated art and game development. 
​
In the next upcoming months we'll moving towards more (covid-friendly) beta play-testing. We have some physical events and we're about to start moving into  some digital play-testing utilizing Tabletop Simulator via Steam. We'll also start trying to circulate some prototype copies of the game out to our fellow content creators for advice and feedback. That's some of the fun stuff. There's more and more behind the scenes work to do everyday, but it must be done!

There's still a lot to do, but we're very excited to do it in preparation for the Kickstarter launch. We're going to hopefully be releasing more peeks into artwork each week via our channels. Look for that on our FB and IG as well. 

Thanks so much for being with us in these early stages! Your support is invaluable. Stay healthy and stay gaming!

- The Dead Lemon
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How   to  travel  with  all  your  favorite  board  games  and  The  Absence  of  "shelfies"

10/18/2020

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-  the  SHELFIE  -

There are many facets surrounding the attractiveness of board games and the culture there within. One of the biggest facets, some might claim, is the artwork that is used for the games. Attractive artwork can even sometimes be the single driving force behind placing certain titles up on one's coveted game shelf. This game shelf is important to gamers. It's a grail of sorts. A display of awards, memories, and status. Board gamers take pride in this shelf and enjoy basking in it's presence. Showing off one's game shelf and admiring others is a big and beautiful part of board game culture. Individuals will often post "shelfies" of their proud collections to the internet and to others. Especially when adding new additions or rearranging. 
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I wants. I wants all!
Above is an impressive example of one of these shelfie shelves from our friends over at Woosung.boardgames. Follow them on IG for some great gaming content! Their beautiful collection is one that any gamer could appreciate (and want to steal). 
However...having a large collection of great games means you need to have the space to display them in. This is an area with which I lack and have lacked for quite some time.  

-  The  lack  of  shelves  -

There's a lot you don't know about me, but one common theme in my life is a very simple and limited existence. My lifestyle and past occupations have pleasantly provided a path for me that often has me sustaining in very small spaces and with very few material possessions. In fact, I've spent a decent amount of time "living" out of my car. By choice, mind you. This standard of living has made me a master of consolidation and organization with the things I do hold dear. You might guess that some of those dear things would be board games. And you might guess that living out of a car doesn't actually provide many opportunities for impressive shelfies. 

-  The  consolidation  -

And of course, I love board games. I also love being very mobile. So, how do I keep up with all my boxes that contain all my precious games and all their lovely components? Simple...I don't! 
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Yes, this is on a hotel bed. Yes, the bag is heavy.
The bag above is my game bag. It basically always goes where I go. Would you believe me if I told you that it contains anywhere from 15-20 board games at any given time? Well, it do. And not just small lightweight titles. It contains heavier titles such as Terraforming Mars, Pandemic (Cthulhu), Arkham Horror LCG, and more. 

-  the  ocd  nightmare  -

So, how do I do it? Well, sadly it starts by taking everything out of those pretty, space-occupying boxes we mentioned earlier. I know...rough huh? 
What comes next is a litany of tactics involving many different size zipper bags and rubber bands. 
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Still on the hotel bed
The photo above would make many people cringe. It might have made you cringe. Who would do such a thing!? Apparently someone who lives without a lot of space, but still wants their things. 

-  the  compromises  -

This post was inspired by a couple of things. One; I've actually been seeing several posts on social media about individual's board game consolidation techniques lately (some met with some opposition), and two; I've been on the road the last couple of weeks, game bag in tow.
And so I live without the satisfaction of having a beautiful display of my board game collection. And I'm okay with that. What I have instead is actually something I'd rather prefer. I have the ability to take all my love for board games with me in a physical form to share with others. I have the ability to pull out a game at any moment and occasion to play and create an experience with others. This is my trade off. This is my joy.
Sorry if you don't appreciate my neat consolidation techniques! I hope to be able to pull out a game from my bag and play with you some day! Do you have similar techniques? What do you do to help consolidate? Feel free to respond in the comments below.
Thanks for reading! Please check out the rest of the site and subscribe to get updates on our upcoming game and future blog posts. 

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"Do  you  even  game,  bro?"  How  to  determine  if  your  friends  actually  play  board games.

10/2/2020

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When I ask people if they play board games it's sort of a loaded question. In a way it's the first question in a questionnaire that has formed naturally without me even noticing. It's definitely a product of games being a prominent theme in my existence, especially recently. From one answer, I learn, and then that leads to the next question and so on.
​These questions might look like this:
  1. Do you like games? 
  2. Do you like BOARD games? (As a blanket category and not to exclude games without boards)
  3. When was the last time you played a board game?
  4. What did you play? 
Sometimes the subject fizzles out right around here. One might say they like to play board games, but they might just be saying that because they don't have any real objection to them. Or, they're just being polite and making conversation. This is sometimes brought to light if their answer is: "Uno, when I was twelve." 
Now at this point if their response was the latter I usually go into "missionary" mode and see if I can convert a follower to the beam of light that is tabletop gaming and all it's glory. This could go a number of ways depending on the individual's interest in the subject, but know that I am quite persistent in this area. You'll learn why later.
Now, if they give a response that dictates a time frame in the last month or so, then that's a good sign. The game that they played is important to me, but not near as important as the fact that they are "currently" playing games. That at least tells me that they are interested in games and enjoy them to some extent. From here, even if they aren't privy to the modern world of board games, you can at least move the conversation into in that direction and begin the educational hype machine (<-band name).
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I'm getting anxious just looking at this
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This is Uno on psychedelics.
Back to the line of questioning!
Depending on what game(s) they mention can really tell me a lot. For the sake of continuing the generic questions let's stick with Uno being their answer though. 

 
    5.   What are some of your favorite games?
    6.  Have you ever heard of or played...?
    7.  Would you ever want to play...?


You get the idea here. 
There definitely seems to be a number of responses regarding the games an individual has played that can tell me the most. One answer is actually kind of deceiving though. Can you guess what the number one game people mention if they know anything about the board game world is? Hint: It's that big photo over there.
Why is it deceiving when I people mention this game? Well, it's overall a great thing that they mention it or have played it. It's becoming a classic in the field and is a great gateway game into an ever-expanding hobby. However, I feel like Catan is sort of becoming this game that makes you "cool" if you've played it. It's like a pop icon for a certain segment of nerdom. On one hand it's a great gamer's game that exhibits some more in-depth mechanics and strategy, on the other hand, people will talk about it even if they've played it once and don't really have too much experience elsewhere. This really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. I'm stoked either way. 
Now, if the individual mentions D&D (Dungeons and Dragons), then that's a something that get's my gamer blood flowing.
 
What am I trying to accomplish with this line of questioning?
It get's me excited to see others that share the same passion for analog gaming. I ask to gauge what level of geek-out we can reach together. Can we share some good times with games together? And, if they're not that into games or have much base knowledge of them, how can I share my passions with them? How can I get them pumped on it as well? Playing games brings me happiness and I believe it has many benefits to those who play. More than anything, I want to share this happiness.
How do you feel about Settlers of Catan? What are some other games that people mention that tell you a lot about that individual's gaming involvement?
Leave you comments below and have a juicy day!
​ - Shelby
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When  Life  gives  you  lemons

9/4/2020

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You're  supposed  to  make  something,  right?

If you've explored the Dead Lemon Games website at all (if you haven't, you should!) you'll recognize the title of this post to be the same title of a section that's on our about us page. The page goes on to give a brief account of my bi-annual cross-country drive to Alaska for my usual summer job. The drive up and down being one of the best parts of the job! I had been driving tours for cruise companies up there for the last five years and was excited for the 2020 summer season. This was mid-March at the time. I was on my merry way when I got a call, just one day before I was to hit the border, regarding the halt of my organization's operations due to COVID. After some serious thought (and a night in a hotel cozy room) I sadly turned around and headed back towards Arkansas; the place I call home when people ask. 
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Me at the Yukon/AK border
Needless to say my drive back to wherever was not one of extreme comfort and joy. Besides the after-effects of an ice storm infringing on me physically, there was a monstrous dark cloud of uncertainty weighing heavily on me mentally. Where exactly was I going? Where was I going to live? I knew I had places I could go and family I could stay with, but how solid were those thoughts. How long would I be there? Do I still have a summer job and my main source of income for the year? And of course, these thoughts all revolved around way bigger questions than the ones I was asking...
What exactly is COVID-19 and how will it effect my future. All of our futures...
That was March 2020.
I came back to Arkansas and settled into the temporary living situation I was in before I had left. The next few weeks were filled with depression, doubt, and other thoughts of uncertainty. Then I got the call that my organization was cancelling all Alaskan operations for 2020 and I (amongst many many others) was indefinitely laid off. You can imagine how that helped relieve my current situation... It didn't. 
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The weeks following were filled with a lot of thoughts towards how to progress. At the time no one knew how to progress, and the ones who did think they knew how to progress were buying toilet paper. Lots of toilet paper. I didn't really think that was going to help me or most people, so I stayed off that train. I actually don't ride most trains to be honest with you. One train I am​ usually good about being on, is the positivity train. And that's the train I knew I needed to stay on. 
I affirmed my living situation (with a very loving and supportive family unit with whom I owe a lot), signed up for unemployment, and began focusing on passions I haven't had the time for in a long while.
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Me contemplating life in an ugly location.

Tickets  please...

These passions revolve around making things. I've always loved designing and making things whether it be forms of art that included music and drawing, or physical things like constructing lamps and tables. And so I watched the world bicker over which medical professionals to believe while I engaged in my neglected creative outlets. I made sweet jams, built and outdoor shower, started drawing more, and started working a lot more on an idea I had back in December. This idea was for a board game. 
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Look! A wedding. Awe...
The more I worked on this board game the more stable and fun it became and I thought, "hey, people make and sell things like this. Maybe I can sell something like this?" After looking into this process I discovered there were mostly two routes. One was self-publishing and the other was submitting the game to a publisher in hopes of a (thin margin) win. There are numerous pros and cons to each of these (that's a whole other post for another time), but I had decided on trying to submit to publishers. After this decision there were a few encouraging play-tests and conversations that led to me second-guessing it. Could I self-publish? Do I have what it takes to do that?

The  answer  was  and  still  is,
"I  don't   know"

What I do know is that I've decided to give it my best shot. I've decided to go all in and try my very hardest to make something that has always been a passion and dream occupation of mine, a reality. I have so much to learn. Good thing is that I'm willing and ready to learn. Sometimes I even say that I'm a fast learner. Time will tell. This is the beginning, and beginnings of big goals and dreams are slow and often rough. But there's the light to look forward to and The Dead Lemon is headed that way! I'm stoked to be on this journey. I'm stoked that you might have powered through all this body of text just to find out what you did. I hope you'll continue to follow me and DLG as we progress and attempt... 
to make lemonade...
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It's weird times and I'm not alone in being displaced and out of work. My usual career may be in shambles, but I'm looking up and doing the best I can with what I got. That's all we can do. But we often can't (and don't have to) do it alone. If you know of someone who has had some down-and-out due to the weirdness, hit them up soon. Give them some support. Ask how you can help or just check in on them and give them a kind word. We'd all like the same.
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    Shelby Matussak: I. Love. Game. I love game. And you. Probably you too. 

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