What are your roles and responsibilities in our industry?

None. I’m an independent game inventor/designer. I work when I want to.

What is it about the Toy and Game Industry that you love?

We’re all focused on the same thing – bringing joy and entertainment to others’ lives.

What is your claim to fame?

My great-grandfather was beheaded.

What has been your biggest achievement? 

2023 was a great year where my game was awarded the coveted MENSA award and of course being chosen the 2023 Game Innovator of the Year at the TAGIEs!

What was your biggest failure? 

This question really made me stop and think. We all have things in our lives we’d do-over if we had the chance. But the biggest? I guess it was putting work over private life in my 30’s. I was so focused on providing for the family, I probably missed out on living life at the time.

Why and how did you get into the Toy and Game industry? 

My wife and I have run a review website for over 15 years and lately it became more toy & game focused. As we started going to conventions, we met many forces in the industry and decided we wanted to remain a part of it in some capacity.

What are you working on now? 

We’re finalizing plans for a Christmas version of boop. along with possibly a spin-off. I have at least two other games arriving in 2024 from different publishers, so excited to see how those do!

What has kept you motivated to stay in the toy industry?

Easy – the people.

If you look back at yourself 10 years ago is this where you thought you’d be?  Where did you think you’d be? 

No way. I had no intention of becoming a game inventor and it wasn’t even on my radar ten years ago. I assumed I’d be watching reruns and planning travel, not creating something new!

What was your favorite project to date? 

Boop., certainly.  So many kids have come up to me at conventions to tell me how much they love the game, and that alone makes it worth all the work. My first game, Hues and Cues, came out during the pandemic, so fan interaction wasn’t possible for that game.

What trends do you see in toys or games that excite or worry you? 

I see more toy-only companies dabbling in the game market. Overall that’s a plus as they will help introduce more people to modern games. The downside is that many of them don’t understand the modern/hobby game market and are pushing out things that will only ever get one print run. Eventually that should fix itself.

What advice do you have for people starting in the industry? 

Network, network, network. If you’re not attending trade shows or conventions, you’re missing out on meeting the key people in the industry.

What’s your workspace setup like? 

The messiest desk in the world.

What is the worst job you’ve ever had and what did you learn from it? 

In college I worked for ServiceMaster, where I cleaned an office building every night (this was back when people still smoked at their desks). Hard work for only $3.50/hour and people are slobs.

What excites you?

The pride in my daughters’ eyes when they talk about my games.

Where do you come up with your best ideas? 

My ideas come randomly. Sometimes in twilight sleep, sometimes in the shower, other times just seeing something when out and about will trigger an idea or mechanic. I keep a notebook close by to jot them down. That reminds me, I really need to re-read some of those old entries.

What blocks your creativity?

Deadlines. My game is done when its done. I don’t know if I could work under the pressure of cranking out a game per quarter, but can certainly do three ideas at a time if the spark is there. There are times I won’t work on anything for weeks, and then focus for days straight.

How do you recharge or take a break? 

Naps! Well, maybe that’s my age, but afternoon naps are great for recharging. More than one game idea has come out of them as well.

What words describe how you think or how your brain works? 

I’m super-logical and have a finance background. Designing for abstracts or emotions is harder for me because that’s not normally why I play a game. But honestly, most people play for the experience, not the win – so I adjust my thought process (and of course test them thoroughly) to make up for it.

What was your favorite toy or game as a child?

One of my favs was Gnip Gnop. We didn’t own it, but our neighbor did. I loved playing it and recently found a near mint copy of it at a thrift store. It took forty years, but I finally own it!

Where were you born?

Savanna, IL.

What was your life like growing up?

My parents were government employed, so we moved around a lot. Every two years it was a different state or country. Great experiences, but hard to make life-long friends when you’re constantly on the move.

Who are role models for the work you do?

While I enjoy heavier games by people like Rosenberg, Lacerda, Feld and more, I think my design is most influenced by Reiner Knizia.

What is your favorite gadget, app or software for work? 

I’ve used CorelDraw since version 3.0 and continue to use it today. It is easily my most-used tool.

What was the last thing that made you laugh or cry?

My wife gave herself a paper cut while opening a Band-Aid to cover a paper cut.

What are your favorite childhood memories? 

Cola gummies while living in West Germany.

Are you named after anyone? 

Short version. I was to be named after both grandfathers. When filling out the birth certificate my parents saw the error in their ways. One was named Jesse, the other James. That wouldn’t do, so they picked a family name to go with (William Scott).

Do you have any kiddos?

Two beautiful daughters at University of Iowa. You’re probably seen them at Gen Con or Origins working booths for HABA, R&R Games, Gigamic while they were teens.

What do you play with your kids?

I play Overwatch with one almost daily (online). The other hasn’t had time to play since she’s pre-med.

Do you have any pets?

One doggo – Tink

Do you have any guilty pleasures? 

Southern-style sweet tea.

What is your favorite way to waste time on your phone? 

Board game TikTok.

What’s in your fridge?

Nothing as healthy as it should be.

Do you play any musical instruments? If so, which one(s)?

I can play them all. Just none well.

Who are your favorite musicians, singers or musical groups? 

I prefer high BPM DJ mixes and mashups.

What music are you listening to now?

Love the Way You Lie in Paradise City by DJs From Mars.

What’s your favorite cereal?

Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch.

What’s the first thing you usually notice about people?

Eyes.

What is the last time you did something for the first time? 

This past summer. Went ziplining!

What are your favorite books?

Almost anything non-fiction.

What are your favorite magazines?

Outdated question? Last one I read was Cooking Light.

What are your favorite websites?

I spend a lot of time on BoardGameGeek. Apple News is probably second.

Do you prefer scary movies or happy endings?

I think everyone prefers a happy ending.

What are your favorite TV or streaming shows and what is on your list to watch?

Nothing can top Ted Lasso. Right now we’re invested in the third season of For All Mankind on Netflix.

Who are your favorite....

• Actors - Robert DeNiro
• Performers - Gaelic Storm
• Artists - Keith Haring
• Athletes - Michael Jordan
• Designers - Stefen Feld, Vital Lacerda, Uwe Rosenberg

What are your favorite sports and sports teams?

Anything Chicago!

What is your favorite night out?

Dinner and a movie (or dinner and game night).

Favorite movie of all time?

Either Midnight Run, Defending Your Life or Valley Girl.

What’s the furthest you’ve ever been from home?

West Berlin, West Germany.

Summer of Winter?

Summer. Winter-lovers are sociopaths.

What is your eye color?

I’m on to you, spam-bot.

Everything would have been different if…

That asteroid hadn’t given the Earth a do-over.

The toy and game industry clearly has….

Way too much fun at POP events.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Doesn’t matter – won’t ever get there.

What’s next?

No idea! (yet).

Thank you for taking time to answer our questions thoughtfully and with a sense of play!