nPips
Tactics in every turn, strategy in every choice
What is your name and day job?
Hi I’m Hiew Chok Sien, I was an IT project manager for about 15 years, now I do leadership training as my full-time job. This is my proper income job haha.
What is your Boardgame company/brand and how long has it been?
Cili Padi Games is my brand, it started in 2022. Before Cili Padi Games 2 other gaming buddies and I wanted to start a game studio. We were not planning to design games; we were thinking of more in the line of helping Malaysian designers develop games or critique games. We wanted to start something, but we weren’t sure what to do. That was during MCO, and during that time everyone was looking for something to do. We actually even came out with a logo and registered a domain name. But after a while everyone got busy, we only got as far as getting a logo and discussing what we wanted to do. So, I decided to not wait and just started something myself.
Designer Hiew Chok Sien with his game Dancing Queen and Snow White and the Eleven Dawrfs
Dancing Queen in BOXCON 2024
How long have you been gaming?
I would consider myself as a hobby gamer since 2003. Before that at my first job when I was sent to USA by my company for training, I came across games such as Axis and Allies, Samurai Sword, etc. Those were the games I bought and played that time. From there I learned the existence of hobby game shops. We didn’t have those here in Malaysia at that time. The company I worked for would send me overseas from time to time and I would look for these game shops. It was when I was in Taiwan I found this underground-esque cafe (Witch House) where they sold very unique and weird stuff. The café was owned by a husband-and-wife couple, the husband was a German, from there I learned about euro games.
What was the first game you designed?
Not counting the past games that I have designed and gave up on due to the lack of persistence, the first game I designed was codenamed Fxxx My Life. I still enjoy the idea but the mechanics do not work, the idea behind it was “questionable decisions you make in life”. How the game works is you are trying to collect Goal cards and Decision cards, these cards will increase your stats. The whole game is about increasing your stats, what I like about the game is how relatable the cards is to your own life, players like that aspect of the game but the mechanics doesn’t work so I have not gone back to it yet.
You have 2 published games, Dancing Queen and Snow White, what are your guiding principles in designing these games?
The design model I had when designing Dancing Queen was Love Letter, I really like Love Letter because of how succinct it is. A very small game, with very few cards, but there are many interesting decisions to be made, I really admire that game. This is why most of my games are roughly along that line, it doesn’t have many components but there are many interesting decisions to be made.
Snow White and the Elven Dwarfs in BOXCON 2024
When did you decide to publish your games and start your own brand?
After Dancing Queen won the 2021 BGG 9-Card Nanogame Print-and-Play Design Contest (Best Overall Game, Best 2-player Game, Best New Designer, and Best Rule Book) I tried to pitch it to a few companies that publishes simple card games, it didn’t get picked up. So, I thought to myself, should I just try and do this myself. I spent almost the whole 2022 establishing Cili Padi Games and publishing Dancing Queen. The reason Cili Padi Games was formed was because I wanted to formalize the business. It should be run as a proper business with an aim for profitability, not just a glorified hobby. The branding is also important for me to establish myself in the industry as a designer.
What challenges did you face before publishing?
The challenge I faced before publishing was the manufacturing process. I decided to print Dancing Queen locally with a friend who owns a printing business. Since we were both unfamiliar with the whole boardgame manufacturing process there were a lot of trial and error. From my second game onwards I print in China, because they have the experience and the expertise. It saves me a lot of trouble, also the cost is cheaper.
What challenges did you face after publishing?
Marketing. It is not something I’m experienced in haha. Establishing a distribution channel is very important. I connected with retailers and distributors. Some have enough confidence in my product to want to stock them. After I have done it for Dancing Queen, it was easier for Snow White.
What is the most negative comment you have received for one of your games?
Not a comment, but a reaction I observed. After playtesting one of my prototypes, my friends tried hard to offer suggestions to help me salvage the game, but I knew it was unsalvageable. I appreciated their kindness, but it still hit hard when I knew this game wasn't working and it was time to let go.
What is the most positive comment you have received for one of your games?
This is an easy one, “I want to buy this game” haha.
Snow White and the Elven Dwarfs
What is Cili Padi Games next step forward?
My mid term plan is to publish 5 games myself. The reason being, I’m trying to establish myself as a designer. Get my name as a designer known, so in the future it is easier for me to pitch my games to publishers. My short-term plan is to learn how distribution works, build myself as a designer and publish 3 more games. My next game is coming soon, called Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.
1 tip you would give new designers.
Maybe I should revisit our previous topic. When I design games, I try to create something that doesn’t exist in the market yet. I will try to design something I have not seen before. I feel like there are a number of games that are kind of same-y, if I’m going to play this game that is like that other game, I might as well play that other game instead. To me that is not very interesting. Part of my philosophy in my game design is to create something new that I have not seen before, I want a game to exist because it deserves to exist. The game should bring something new to the table.
This interview was conducted before the release of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. It is current in the market! Go check it out!!
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves