What happens when a mysterious headache leads to a game design breakthrough? In this candid conversation, I chat with Babafemi, the Nigerian creator behind Your Village People – a wickedly fun card game where players unleash mystical misfortune on each other in true “take that” style.
From its unusual origin story (involving too many painkillers and a sudden burst of creativity) to navigating the challenges of launching Nigeria’s indie game scene onto the international stage, Babafemi shares the journey of bringing a culturally-rooted game to Kickstarter. We dive deep into the design process, explore what makes players laugh while plotting against their friends, and get the inside scoop on preparing for a first-time crowdfunding campaign.
Whether you’re curious about game design from an African perspective, interested in the mechanics of risk-vs-reward gameplay, or just want to hear about the roller coaster ride of indie tabletop game development, this interview offers genuine insights from a designer who’s living his ikigai (new word for me too!).
Joe: hello, and welcome to the What It? Blog. Please introduce yourself, and let us know what brings you to the world of tabletop games design.
Your Village People: Hi, I am Babafemi the creator of Your Village People. Gaming has always been my Ikigai and Tabletop gaming has always been a great pass time for me. It only naturally happened that I found myself doing what I love; I just hope I can make a living out of it.
Joe: ‘Ikigai’ a new word for me – I had to google it, and I like it (“Ikigai is a Japanese concept referring to what an individual defines to be the meaning of their life.” – thanks Google). It’s great to have you on the blog.
Can you tell us a little of the back story of your game – where did the inspiration come from?
Babafemi: Haha, we all owe google a lot of thanks. It came from a severe headache, yes a very severe headache that I thought would end me lol… but to continue I need to provide some context.
In African culture, “Village People” are wicked folks from your hometown who use mystical powers to bring misfortune and stand your way. So when I had the mysterious headache I took more painkillers than I should have and Instantly my headache vanished and was hit with a wave of ideas like I took a limitless pill. While going through the motions the idea was born, a game where you try to bring misfortune on your friends but they can block and counter.
Joe: so you’re from Nigeria, and I love to get a better understanding of table top games and design from that perspective.
Could you give us a little background on the tabletop scene in Nigeria?
Babafemi: There isn’t much of a scene if I am being honest. Well, when you compare it to the likes of Germany, Uk and America. There is an upcoming scene. A lot of people play board games and card games but not a lot of original created projects or indie games but I feel the tides are changing. Every day I get a message from someone who has an idea for a game and wants to I know how we were able to bring ours to life. I try to hold their hand because I wish someone had held mine in the beginning.
I feel the tides are changing
Hopefully in a few years we can look back and see how much the scene has grown! Hopefully Your Village People plays a pivotal part in that growth.
Joe: Wow. That’s quite an origin story! So where did you go next, what was your process from that original ideation to something playable?
Babafemi: I got to work and designed first draft cards with illustrations from the internet and went to a nearby store to print the first ever test copy. I then shared it with a close friend Timeyin, we went for a couple of meetings that day and spent every free time we had playing. It was so much fun, Timeyin has since become a co-creator and we got to work refining the idea to build a world around it and make it an immersive experience, with beautiful art and expansive characters.
Joe: Those first playtests can be such a wonderful experience – you said it was “fun”, what do you think you were enjoying about the experience? Was it the game, something else or both?
Babafemi: It was the game! It has a way of bringing out the playful wicked side we all have deep inside. The goal is to eliminate your opponents. The risk vs reward feel to it adds such an element of excitement because you don’t know what will happen next and who will come after you. Despite this, it leaves you laughing and overall feeling good. It has only gotten better as we have refined the game even more.
The risk vs reward feel to it adds such an element of excitement because you don’t know what will happen next and who will come after you.
I can’t wait for the world to experience this!
Joe: I love your excitement! Let’s deep dive into the game then, can you give me the “elevator pitch” what is Your Village People and why would I want to play it?
Babafemi: Your Village People is a fun card game where everyone’s trying to take each other out, and you’re right in the middle of the madness. You can attack anyone, block attacks, or flip the whole thing on its head with a sneaky counter. It’s fast, chaotic, and ridiculously fun.
Why would you want to play? Because it’s the kind of game that has you laughing, yelling, and plotting revenge, all in one round. If you’ve ever wanted to outsmart your friends and get away with it, this is your game.
Joe: sounds like a lot of fun. What’s the journey been like for you from that initial idea to a game that you’ve got ready to go on Kickstarter? A lot of first time designers describe it like a roller coaster, with highs and lows, does that sound about right?
Babafemi: It’s been a roller coaster of incredible highs and lows but through it all I have loved every moment of it. Bringing something from Idea to reality is such a beautiful feeling. I remember holding our first ever full prototype in my hands the feeling it gave me. Right now I can’t wait to share this experience with the rest of the world. I can’t wait for launch, I know how much we raise isn’t the most important thing in the world and if one person loves and enjoys YVP then I will be overjoyed. However, I truly hope we knock it out of the park and build a community that is eager to see spin offs and franchise expansions with quality story telling.
It’s been a roller coaster of incredible highs and lows but through it all I have loved every moment of it.
Joe: Let’s turn out focus to the campaign, this is your first Kickstarter and there’s so much to learn about how to run a crowdfunding campaign, how are you making sure you’ve got everything lined up and ready to go?
Babafemi: Honestly Joe, I’m just doing my best atp. I have found some great partners who have experience and it’s been really helpful. I have also done a lot of studying… a lot of it. At this point KS should hire me. I also have some mentors who have raised millions on KS and that has been a game changer, if you read this Dusty Droz, you’re a life saver. KS being a community of people who want to help each other really makes the ecosystem a great place to be and I hope we launch and do well.
Joe: fantastic – everyone in board games design, is so brilliant for sharing their advice and expertise. It’s great that you’ve found brilliant people to support you.
With all that studying you’ve done, what’s been the biggest surprise or lesson about crowdfunding that you didn’t expect when you started preparing for this campaign?
Babafemi: You can’t do it alone! Join communities, get mentors, and involve your friends. Join the @boardgameprotohype community on instagram, collaborate with other creators, influencers and also build your own community!
You can’t do it alone! Join communities, get mentors, and involve your friends.
A dream shared is a dream that can become reality.
Joe: The campaign is live now – what would you say to someone who’s reading this and thinking about backing Your Village People? What can they expect when they visit the Kickstarter page?
Babafemi: Take that leap of faith and step into our village. We promise fun, laughter and truly unforgettable moments and also a little bit of wickedness. We are building a world that is more than just a fun card game where you attack your friends. We are building a world you will want to get lost in with characters that look you and like your nightmares. Join us at the ground floor, lets build this world together.
Back us today!
Babafemi’s journey from that fateful headache to launching on Kickstarter is a testament to following your ikigai – even when it leads you into uncharted territory. The passion and authenticity in Babafemi’s approach to both game design and community building shine through every aspect of this project. You can head to kickstarter and check it out here.
If you’re intrigued by the blend of cultural storytelling and strategic chaos, or you simply want to support innovative voices in tabletop design, head over to the campaign and see what mystical misfortune awaits. Who knows? You might just discover your new favourite way to unleash your inner wickedness on game night.
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