ShenbotMakesLabs

September 2024 Giveaway Winner

Please send me a message so we we can arrange shipment! How fun!

(Design Diary) PKMN Dice

I got a comment/review about one of my free games called Pokémon Dice that has sat with me for a few weeks. They said how much their ADHD and autistic child liked this game because they enjoyed the catching part of Pokémon, but not the battling.

I originally designed this one because I, like many others, have a lot of bulk cards. What ends up happening is we skip all of the amazing artwork that goes into the cards when we just search for hits/rares.

Anyway, I've decided to clean...

(Design Diary) Here, take my business card.

I'm working on a silly game battle system that is rooted in business cards. You and your friend (or solo play) randomly pick a business card and that is your character. I thought the idea of the assistant manager to a Blockbuster would turn into some kind of warrior to battle with.

Right now the system involves creating a new fantastical name and using the phone number to figure out your "Attack" track and "Defense" track.

Looking forward to share this in October!

(Comic) Open Sesame!

I've had a run of comic strips based on a single joke premise.

I have a few more left in this brain of mine.

Five Floors to Victory Source Code (GMS2)

I've gotten feedback that the source code isn't available to download? It's weird. I dunno. Anyway. I think I can just upload it here.

(RELEASE) Five Floors to Victory

Five Floors to Victory is released today! I decided to split it up between the print-and-play version and digital versions. This way y'all can find the right one that fits your tastes.

Fun fact: paid Patreon members can get the (poorly written) source code for FFTV for free! There's a link at the top of that page that allows you to claim it (otherwise it's a beefy $2).

PNP Link: 2024-09-25 17:11:02 +0000 UTC View Post

What is Shenbot Makes playing?

Is there any interest in recommendations from me? While I do spend most of my time working on my own designs, I do get a chance to try other games now and then. I'd also limit it o maybe once a month so it's not overly annoying.

Top 25 Print and Play Games on itch.io

Oh, hello.

I uploaded a new website that shares the weekly standings for itch.io's print and play "popular" games. I've been doing this on my own for about 2 months, but decided it would be a cool resource for others.

Still lots in progress here, but it's working! Feel free to bookmark it! Updates on Sundays.

Link: https://top-25-pnp.tiiny.site/

(Designer Diary) Treasure Hunter

Twenty or so years ago I remember saying I’d start making tabletop games and be some kind of”indie darling”. This was the first game I made that I was trying to sell at conventions. I think I’ll redo (remaster) this one for standard card sizes and release it again!

(Release) Quests Over Coffee Promos - Fiddly Game

I really leaned in on this one. Dang that last game was fiddly. This promo pack contains one quest and one item! Happy September!

(EARLY RELEASE) Five Floors to Victory (Physical Version)

Oh, hello.

As promised, here is the physical version of Five Floors to Victory! Included are the rules, cards, sticker sheet, and in both Letter and A4 sizes. Since there's only a single sheet (gutter fold), I didn't make a PDF. I hope that doesn't cause issues for folks!

The dice I used are 16mm dice, so the stickers should fit on those nicely.

As a random bonus, for those who want to tinker with code, the source code for this game will be available to paid Patreon members ...

(EARLY RELEASE) Five Floors to Victory Digital

Secret Link: https://alexandershen.itch.io/five-floors-to-victory?secret=amXH4GGjs3L1IYumm4K45zUwu08

Rules on How to Play

​The goal of Five Floors to Victory is...​ score as many points as possible. Your final score is calculated by the number of Coins you have + how many Enemies you have recently slain.

2024-09-16 21:02:55 +0000 UTC View Post

(Design Diary) Finalized artwork!

Almost there, folks! I think by the 9/20 this will be out to play. See you soon!

(Designer Diary) This game is so dang fiddly.

Ok. Truth bomb. The physical version of "Five Floors to Victory" is extremely fiddly. Like, it feels unplayable. And it's even more unplayable if you don't have a Boggle tray that uses 19mm (I think) dice.

I'm still going to release the physical version, but, I highly recommend playing the digital version when it comes out.

On the flip side, it looks cool at least. I feel like if you saw a picture of it you'd be like, "Hey! that looks interesting. I wonder ho...

(PREVIEW) Five Floors to Victory

Here's the artwork for the digital version of FFTV. The dice will likely just be the drawings with the numerical parts in all of the corners. What do you think?

(September Giveaway) D6 Pencils

Here are a pair of newly created (I drew the numbers) of d6 golf pencils. You roll them to get a d6 result. I’ll probably redraw these with a better POSCA pen, to be honest. Anyway!

You have until the end of the month September 30th, 11:59pm to enter!

How to enter: like and comment on this post! All members get 1 entry. Paid members get 3 entries. Super deluxe members get 5 entries.

Also: new game on the horizon! I swear!

(Design Diary) Dicey Dicey Dicey

I have all of the original rule set in code and was able to play through a few rounds. I am forever grateful that I did it this way. I'm able to quickly run into a number of the issues around defense vs enemy levels vs experience points and so on.

I will say there is something here though! I am enjoying the game loop and there are, to me at least, interesting decisions to be made. Do you tackle certain enemies to gain the XP to raise your ATK or DEF or do you leave them behind, taking s...

August 2024 Newsletter

23 games and expansions? Holy smokes!

I guess once I release that last thing there will be no more updates for the rest of the year. Just kidding! It's been fun this year and I'm proud that I've been able to keep it going. There's always a new mechanic or silly story I want to tell and I'm glad that I'm able to do it through the medium of games. I'm grateful for everyone who has joined, played, downloaded, shared, and all the other things that keep this withered old h...

(Doodles) New dice rolling design in progress.

When the design journal is in another room and you need to write something down.

Physical copies of Quests Over Coffee Patreon cards?

Oh, hello.

As folks have been receiving their copies of Quests Over Coffee from the Gamefound campaign, y'all have been asking for physical versions of the Patreon only cards. I wanted to get a sense of what folks would be okay with considering the cardstock would very likely be different since I'd be using a different manufacturer.

So the question: is it okay that the card stock and card backs would be different from the Gamefound version?

For context, I do...

(EARLY RELEASE) STAR WALK DEMO

The Star Walk Demo (16 puzzles) is now out for all Patreon members! Check it out! Only a pencil is needed. No dice. No cards.

Happy August!

(EARLY RELEASE) STAR WALK

Grease up those pencils, folks (is that a thing)! The newest puzzle game Star Walk is now out for early release for paid Patreon members. Y'all get access to the full version with 1,040 maps to play! The free demo will be out (in a different post) right after this one.

All you need is a pencil. No dice. No cards. The game is quick to play, so you'll likely get through a full sheet (16 puzzles) each time you play.

Happy August!

(RELEASE) Quests Over Coffee August 2024 Promos

Oh, hey! A part of me was like, "maybe I won't be able to make it this month with Quests Over Coffee promo cards..." but then my extreme sense of accountability hit me like a ton of bricks.

Ha ha! Anyway. This month's cards are very much based on the other games and comics I released in August.

Hope you enjoy! See you next month!

Quests Over Coffee Comic - 005

Pumpkin spice latte all year.

(PREVIEW) Star Walk

This one plays so quickly that you’ll probably do 5 or 6 in one sitting (e.g. sip of your coffee). Planning on 1000 generated maps on this one.

THWAK! First Official Trailer

I guess it was about time to create a proper trailer for the game! Check it out! Works pretty nice with sound.

(EARLY RELEASE) Numerica Fantastica

Hello everyone! Today is the early release for the newest game Numerica Fantastica! If you like a little bit of brainy math and special powers, this one is for you. If you've ever played "24 Game" in school, you'll feel right at home.

Numerica Fantastica Comic

Interested in the backstory for the upcoming game? Here you go!

Numerica Fantastica Card Back Color

As you have seen, I like to pick a single color and really anchor on that for a game. I like folks to be able to see that and be like, "Yeah. That's Quests Over Coffee yellow."

That's why I'd like you to choose which you like most for the upcoming game!

July 2024 Giveaway Results

Please send me a message so we we can arrange shipment! How fun!