I've been seriously designing games for about 15 months now. It all started after I was introduced to Shadows Over Camelot. Once I had played that game I knew that there needed to be cooperative LDS/Mormon themed games; those should appeal to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! So I started designing and trying to find others who were designing and here we are: Zion Game Designers International!!

I've been chronicling my experiences on my blog: mormongamedesign.blogspot.com

And we've put together a Google Group for any who may wish to join us in this expedition: Join Here

Hi Everyone, check out my site at Masterful Arts Productions / M.A.P. Games. Don't let the name fool you, it is not a venture for profit. I work in business, so the structure looks like what I am familiar with setting up. This site will showcase, generally for free, all that I've learned about Instructional Technology and Game Design, along with free game downloads as I get them available. The first is up for free and it's called Marathon Run.

While Instructional Technology certainly isn't the only field of expertise that helps in game design, it is an interesting one. I'm sure others have made the connection to games as well.

(Right now the site is set up like a resume and business advertisement...that was the portfolio requirements of the Masters degree. I plan to can all that junk as I don't believe schooling should solely be focused on preparing for a career. These are some of my hobbies!)

Check back in this section for information about active ZGDI members who have taken things to the next level. Feature Spots may rotate from time to time, or may include permanent contributing members who've staffed ZGDI's efforts beyond participation in the Google Group.

CHESTER HENDRIX

I have been designing games since I was 14 (in 1969) when I read E. R. Burroughs' CHESSMEN OF MARS. I made a set of the game he made to use as a plot device and quickly discovered the design was flawed - 99% of all games ended in a draw. Not much fun. So I changed and clarified the rules to make the game competitive and fun and spent a year trying to get my redesign patented and/or published under the title EAGLES AND KINGS. That was my introduction to the world of game design. I've never looked back. I have written extensively on the subject of game theory and design on three folders (BASTOGNE OR BUST, THE UPPER HAND and STARSHIP TROOPERS / ON THE BOUNCE!) on the CONSIMWORLD website. On the GROGNARDS website, my introductory wargame FIRST BLOOD is available as a free print-n-play with recently upgraded graphics.

You can reach me here- Your Buddy Chester

MARK HANSEN

Whenever I encounter something I really like: A song, a story, a picture, a game, a delicious dish, a part of me wants to figure it out and see if I can create something like it, but different, even better, if that's possible. I've been a gamer for many many years, and I've really enjoyed tweaking and remaking games, or shaping them from scratch. I've always enjoyed the process of creating, sometimes even more than the results. As a Mormon, I've also always looked for ways to make things, like songs and games, that express my faith. My two biggest projects (neither of them ever published) was a Sci-Fi squad-level miniatures battle game called, "Vendetta" (nothing to do with the Gospel), and a Collectible Card Game based on the scriptures called "Chapter and Verse"

MORGAN DEANE

I have an M.A. in history and have been playing war games since I was 12. I am interested in designing historical based war games based on the Book of Mormon. Currently I teach history at Trine University and am preparing for a PhD in history.

DANE TRIMBLE

When I was 12 years old I designed my first board game, “Iron Eagle” (yes based off that dumb movie). But what could be better than flying through canyons at break neck speeds while shooting up the bad guys? I didn’t know at that time, or for the following 20+ years, that there was a place in the world for someone like me. Then I discovered the Board Game Designers Guild of Utah, a group of fellow designers dedicated to helping one another realize their dreams. Now I spend many hours developing game ideas, building prototypes, and play testing. The best part about it is, I am still married!

Join Now!