Quick History
Andy Hopwood has been designing games since he was a teenager, he did this just for fun and his friends and family were his only, exclusive, audience. In 2009, inspired by a desire to do something for his son’s school, he took the plunge to self-publish Niche.
Mijnlieff soon followed and when it won the award for best abstract game at the UK Games Expo in 2010 it dawned on him that all those years of thinking about games had actually made a difference.
Laugh Think Swear
Andy’s approach to design starts with the mechanics and his mantra is “Laugh, Think and Swear”. In other words if a game design can inspire people to make sounds of joy (yesss), deep thought (hmmmm) and frustration (argh!) then it’s having an effect on the world.
He has self-published most of his games but he is also very happy to work with larger publishers to bring his ideas to a wider audience.
Mijnlieff
2 Players - 5 Minutes
A wooden abstract game in which you want to make lines of three but each piece you play has a power over WHERE your opponent can play next.
Critically acclaimed by top abstract games players (inc chess experts) as a simple set of rules that delivers complex gameplay.
It comes in a high quality bag from the XV Games “bagstract range”.
Winner Best Abstract Game UK Games Expo 2010
See more here - Mijnlieff
Daring Dustbunnies
2-5 Players - 15 Minutes per player
Imagine a world under the sofa populated by magical bunnies. Control balls of fluff as they make their way towards the vacuum cleaner.
Use your cunning to position your ball of fluff nearest the vacuum when the round ends to win!
The game rewards dynamic turns and clever misdirection because who owns which ball of fluff is a secret.
Winner Judges Award Best Family Game UK Games Expo 2021
See more here - Daring Dustbunnies
Dodekka
2-5 Players - 15 Minutes
A super simple card game with pushing your luck at it’s heart.
At the end of the game you only get to score from one colour, everything else is a minus point. In your turn you only get to take the card nearest the deck or add a card to the line. If the line adds up to more than 12 you bust and take all the cards!
One of those games that really comes alive when you add human beings! You will find yourself taking silly risks to the delight of your friends!
See more here - Dodekka
6: Dice Games
2 Players - 5 Minutes
Does exactly what it says on the lovely tiny tin. Six games using a combination of fifteen different dice from the minds of three brilliant designers.
Each game takes a different approach so you are sure to find something for everyone.
Six different types of dice from a humble d4 to the mighty d20! Each simple set of rules fits on two sides of a card
See more here - 6: Dice Games
Niche
2 - 5 Players - 20 Minutes
I jokingly describe Niche as reverse UNO meets Sudoku but less complex than that sounds. A great game to play with a mixed group of adults and children.
The longer the lines you can make the more points you score, but you can’t follow a card with the same colour or shape.
Added to which £1 from each game sold goes to charity!
See more here - Niche
Disgrace & Favours
2 - 4 Players - 20 Minutes
A set collecting game where your sets are not always safe. Victorian faux pas can catch your characters out and you suddenly find they are out of the game!
With a special secret bidding system for turn order and resources you will have to second guess your opponents’ plans.
By the way - NEVER offer your chair to a lady (if you have warmed it first)
See more here - Disgrace & Favours