1. Hats off to Brett Boyton for turning his dream into the creative, fast
moving and engaging board game called SHELL. Here's what's so different
about this game. First, it's crafted by hand, one at a time with and
no two games have the same physical appearance. Next, it's super easy
to learn and is accessible to all ages. Then there's dynamic of the
gaming feeling different depending on how many players are at the board.
Finally, it really tests your skills of assessing odds and memorizing
positions if you want to put them to the test....OR NOT if you just want
to roll with the moves. Ingenious and hours of enjoyment. A unique
gift and a worthy addition to your game collection.
- Larry J, Shell-gamer since 2017
2. SHELL is a board game like no other. Its combination of strategy,
memory, and luck makes for a unique gaming experience. Once you get the
hang of it, you can easily spend hours playing game after game; odds are
that each round will be completely different. The game is accessible
enough for newbies to enjoy themselves and not feel over their heads,
but complex enough that more experienced players will find plenty of
engaging ways to hone their strategies. Still, the element of luck has a
wonderful way of bringing uncertainty to the game, so that you often
have no idea who will win until that final Shell reveal. I know that
SHELL will be a staple of family game nights for many years to come!
- Alanna Boynton 2017
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Photo Gallery!
My original SHELL board from 2008 at the start of a new game.
Photo taken after several turns.
Working on a new handmade SHELL board November 2012!
Finished! (November 2012)
Pretty Floral SHELL Board (Sold!)
Beautiful SHELL Board (Sold!)
A cool Green SHELL board
Contact
Please email me (blackdragontea AT gmail DOT com ) if you...
1. Have any questions about SHELL (or tea or ukuleles :)
2. Are in the Seattle area and would like to play SHELL.
3. Would like to order your very own handmade SHELL board game.
4. Have connections or advice regarding the board game and/or computer/app industries.
1. Have any questions about SHELL (or tea or ukuleles :)
2. Are in the Seattle area and would like to play SHELL.
3. Would like to order your very own handmade SHELL board game.
4. Have connections or advice regarding the board game and/or computer/app industries.
Origin Story
One night in 2008, I had this dream. I was in a
youth hostel in Vancouver B.C. watching a young Canadian woman with
massive dreadlocks putting away dishes in a cramped kitchenette. I
watched her for quite a while as the cups and plates kept popping back
out at her from the overloaded cupboard.
Out of the blue, a young man with a shaven head and Northern European accent asked me, "Do you want to play The Princess Shell?" As I turned to face the man, he said, "It is the best game in the world."
I was startled and intrigued. "Uh, OK," I replied. At this, the man reached up to pull a large solid-wood game board off of a high bookshelf. With dramatic flair, he blew all the dust off the board before setting it before us on a low coffee table.
"These small tiles are called Secrets," he explained. "They are blown around the board by an ever-present Wind. This one is the Blind Dog, this one is the Liar's Mask, and this one is called Grandfather's Axe...."
Unfortunately, at this point in the dream, my brain decided I'd had enough intrigue and pulled the plug. Even though it was 2:00 AM, I was too excited to fall back to sleep. With the dream fresh in my mind, I went into our office (now our kid's bedroom) and started making notes. I knew I wanted to make The Princess Shell into a real board game, but I had no idea where to start. After I made a few sketches and notes, I forced myself to go back to bed.
Over the last 8 years, I have worked on my game in fits and starts. Thanks to massive amounts of help from my family and friends, it has evolved into a very original and fun board game with clear, easy-to-learn rules. I named my game SHELL (the "Princess" part of the title was abandoned early on) and it is a game of strategy, memory and luck. I love my game and would like it to reach a larger audience.
Out of the blue, a young man with a shaven head and Northern European accent asked me, "Do you want to play The Princess Shell?" As I turned to face the man, he said, "It is the best game in the world."
I was startled and intrigued. "Uh, OK," I replied. At this, the man reached up to pull a large solid-wood game board off of a high bookshelf. With dramatic flair, he blew all the dust off the board before setting it before us on a low coffee table.
"These small tiles are called Secrets," he explained. "They are blown around the board by an ever-present Wind. This one is the Blind Dog, this one is the Liar's Mask, and this one is called Grandfather's Axe...."
Unfortunately, at this point in the dream, my brain decided I'd had enough intrigue and pulled the plug. Even though it was 2:00 AM, I was too excited to fall back to sleep. With the dream fresh in my mind, I went into our office (now our kid's bedroom) and started making notes. I knew I wanted to make The Princess Shell into a real board game, but I had no idea where to start. After I made a few sketches and notes, I forced myself to go back to bed.
Over the last 8 years, I have worked on my game in fits and starts. Thanks to massive amounts of help from my family and friends, it has evolved into a very original and fun board game with clear, easy-to-learn rules. I named my game SHELL (the "Princess" part of the title was abandoned early on) and it is a game of strategy, memory and luck. I love my game and would like it to reach a larger audience.
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