Introduction: An Unexpected Beginning
Broken Paths wasn’t supposed to exist. I was already working on another board game when someone asked me for something smaller, quicker, and more straightforward. At first, I thought it would just be a side project; a quick commission to test out a different style of play.
But once I started sketching ideas and building early prototypes, I realized there was something worth pursuing. What began as a small request grew into a game that perfectly reflects what I want OvertheTabletop to be known for: accessible, engaging, and original games that anyone can enjoy.
A Simple Idea with Big Potential
The seed of Broken Paths was simple: make a short game where a lot can happen in very little time.
I wanted it to be the kind of game you can bring out during a lunch break, at family gatherings, or between heavier strategy games on a board game night. Quick to learn, quick to play, but never predictable.
It’s a compact design, but the decisions players face carry real weight. That balance between simplicity and tension is what makes the game special.
Themes That Drive the Experience
When I was shaping the rules, I kept circling back to three ideas I wanted players to feel while playing:
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Critical thinking: every move should force you to stop and think.
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Problem-solving: there’s always more than one way forward, but some paths are better than others.
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Competition: not heavy or intimidating, but sharp enough to keep the game exciting.
These themes shaped every mechanic in Broken Paths. The result is a game where players stay engaged from the first turn to the last, because the outcome is never certain.
How the Game Plays
If I had to describe the game in one sentence, it would be this: Broken Paths is fast, competitive, and unpredictable.
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Learning curve: You can teach the rules in just a few minutes.
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Game length: Each session is short, which makes it easy to play multiple rounds.
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Replayability: Even though the rules are straightforward, no two games play the same way.
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Accessibility: It’s designed so anyone; families, casual gamers, or hobbyists can sit down and enjoy it.
That combination of approachability and depth is what I’m most proud of.
Listening to Feedback Along the Way
The first prototypes weren’t perfect. Far from it. When I showed the game to early playtesters, I got plenty of suggestions:
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Some rules needed clearer wording.
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A few mechanics needed rebalancing.
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The pacing had to be tighter.
Instead of treating feedback as criticism, I saw it as collaboration. Every round of playtesting helped refine Broken Paths into a smoother, sharper experience. By the time it reached its final form, it felt like a game that had been polished by the community as much as by me.
That process taught me that making a great board game isn’t just about having the right idea, it’s about being open to shaping it with others.
What Broken Paths Means to Me
For me, Broken Paths is more than just a fun little game. It’s a turning point. It represents the kind of work I want OvertheTabletop to be known for: games built with intention, games that are easy to pick up but still memorable, and games that don’t need to be mass-produced to matter.
I also see Broken Paths as proof that you don’t need a giant production run or a flashy marketing campaign to make something meaningful. Sometimes all it takes is a simple idea, some persistence, and a willingness to listen.
The Bigger Picture
When people play Broken Paths, I don’t just want them to enjoy themselves for 20 minutes. I want them to walk away feeling like they’ve discovered something refreshing, a reminder that great games can be simple, accessible, and still surprising.
For OvertheTabletop, this project is just the beginning. It shows what’s possible when we create from the heart and design with players in mind first.
Closing Thoughts
Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t treat Broken Paths as just another commission. It became much more than that. It became a game that reflects my values as a designer and the vision I have for OvertheTabletop.
If you’ve ever wanted a game that’s quick to learn, fun to play, and different every time, Broken Paths is that game. It may have started small, but it’s grown into something I’m proud to share. You can check it out here: Broken Paths – Custom Board Game