CUDO is the Champaign-Urbana Design Organization. It’s been around for seven years, under the guidance of now former President, Tim Kuehlhorn. Josh Cooper and Eric Breckenfelde described Tim as “a big idea man.” And now, with Tim having moved into an advisory role for CUDO, it’s up to people like Josh and Eric to put these ideas to action.
In this case, Tim, an avid lover of both board games and design, had wanted to hold a board game design competition for some time. Finally, with the help of Josh and Eric, this board game competition has come to fruition. The venture is called CUDO Plays. Josh is the Program Manager, Eric is the Operations Director, and together with a ten-person committee (with over 60 years of gaming experience), they have developed from amateurs seeking free spaces, to a funded initiative with 15 sponsors, including the local video game design company, Volition, makers of the popular “Saints Row” franchise.
When initiating this process, Josh and Eric — themselves a part of a rich gaming community in C-U — knew they’d procure interest, but were not sure if people would be willing to commit the time to design their own board games. Not only that, but those who were willing felt they lacked the adequate tools to follow through. So Josh and Eric came up with their own strategy guide for how to build a compelling board game, along with the frame that to create a board game is a robustly artistic endeavor: from the idea generating, to the design layout, to the execution, and through the playing of the game.
Thus, with 13 teams of 1 to 6 people, ranging in age, background, profession, and experience, 14 games brand new games are competing. There is not one game like any of the others: from a slapstick alien abduction game called Heffer Heist, to a game where survivors have to deal with the Blob in a city, to a game called King of Kongs with an Empire State building replica. There is also a game inspired by a twelve-year-old’s original concept, in which you begin as a baby dragon, and gradually cause more havoc as you grow — from eating farm animals to razing cities. And the games range from cooperative to one-on-one.
The Grand Exhibition will take place on Sunday, February 16th from noon to 7 p.m. at the Landmark Hotel. Josh and Eric described the layout as an “exhibit meeting a science fair.” There will be a 30-minute introduction/browsing period where attendees can look at the different games and learn what they may be interested in playing from a team representative. After signing up for your selected game, there will be a 90-minute play period. At the same time, for the duration of the event, there will be an alternative room where the respective teams will be available to discuss the games and all things related. Following the initial play period, there will be another 30-minute intermission/browse period, allowing people to change games for another 90-minute play period. After this, the award ceremony will be held announcing the winners, along with free catering by Strawberry Fields.
Come join the CUDO Plays community to celebrate an incredible event. This effort has been driven by a local passion for games, creativity, and design. Not only will you be able to spend your Sunday playing with friends and strangers, but you’ll also be a part of realizing the creation of these brand new games. Hope to see you there!