From Concept to Reality – The Story Behind Tortugas Games (Part 2 of 3)
Release Date: 03/17/2025
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info_outlineWe continue our conversation with Nick Raynor and Jon Micah Tyson, co-founders of Tortugas Games, as they share the journey of taking Red Tides: A Tale of New Caribbea from an idea to a full-fledged board game. They dive into the challenges of refining mechanics, balancing realism with fun, and the lessons they’ve learned in game publishing.
Nick’s expertise in game mechanics and business operations, combined with Jon Micah’s background in art and storytelling, brings a unique approach to board game design—one that prioritizes strategy and immersion.
Join us as we explore the evolution of Red Tides, the creative decisions behind its gameplay, and the realities of launching a board game.
This is Part 2 of a 3-part series with Nick and Micah. Stay tuned for Part 3, where we discuss the future of Red Tides, their plans for Tortugas Games, and what’s next in their creative journey!
What We Talk About:
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The transition from an idea to a market-ready game
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Finding the balance between creative vision and business strategy
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The importance of playtesting and community feedback
Topics Mentioned:
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Game Mechanics
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Immersion in Game Design
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Crowdfunding
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Board Game Publishing
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Impact of COVID-19 on Game Development
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Intellectual Property & Contracts
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Artistic Vision in Game Design
Timestamps:
⏳ [00:00:00] Intro Music
⏳ [00:00:57] What sparked the creation of Red Tides
⏳ [00:02:07] Describing the game mechanics
⏳ [00:03:42] Defining the game’s objective
⏳ [00:04:13] Ship upgrades and strategy
⏳ [00:06:37] Optimizing usability for a broader audience
⏳ [00:07:39] The moment of commitment
⏳ [00:09:25] The decision to crowdfund Red Tides
⏳ [00:11:39] The impact of COVID-19 on game development
⏳ [00:12:22] Lessons from the board game industry
⏳ [00:16:09] Joining conventions and networking (Gen Con, Origins Game Fair)
⏳ [00:18:03] Community support and crowdfunding
⏳ [00:20:26] The reality of game development
⏳ [00:22:35] What artistic vision means to Micah
⏳ [00:26:34] What artistic vision means to Nick
⏳ [00:28:41] Creative process and team dynamics
⏳ [00:30:57] Outro Music
🚀 Stay tuned for Part 3, where we dive into the future of Red Tides and what's next for Tortugas Games! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to share it with your friends and fellow board game enthusiasts!