Elizabeth Hargrave, the acclaimed designer behind the immensely successful board game 'Wingspan,' has once again merged her passion for nature with engaging gameplay in her latest creation, 'Sanibel.' Released on January 16th, this new board game transports players to the seashore for an immersive experience centered around shell collecting. Following the footsteps of 'Wingspan,' which captivated audiences with its bird-attracting mechanics and garnered the prestigious Spiel des Jahres award, 'Sanibel' aims to offer a similarly delightful and accessible gaming experience, drawing inspiration from the natural world and Hargrave's personal interests.
Hargrave shared her philosophy on game design, explaining that her desire to work on projects she genuinely cares about drives her creative process. She noted the untapped potential of nature as a theme in board games, highlighting the inherent systems like supply and demand, scarcity, and abundance found in the natural world, which parallel the complex mechanics often seen in human-centric games. This insight has consistently guided her in developing games that are both thematic and strategically rich.
Named after a picturesque island city on Florida's Gulf Coast, 'Sanibel' challenges two to four players to strategically fill their bag-shaped game boards with various beach treasures, including shells, shark teeth, and starfish. Each type of collectible offers unique scoring opportunities, encouraging players to form sets or create clusters. The dynamic placement of tiles across the beach, influenced by other players' actions and evolving bonus objectives, ensures a fresh and engaging experience with every play. Hargrave emphasized the meticulous tuning of the scoring system to ensure all tile types remain equally appealing, a process that involved extensive mathematical analysis and playtesting feedback to guarantee strategic diversity.
Players navigate their meeples along a coastal board, reminiscent of games like 'Tokaido,' where movement speed dictates strategic choices. The ability to race ahead for crucial shells or explore more spots for varied tiles adds layers of depth. A unique 'wave token' mechanic periodically introduces new tiles, simulating the ebb and flow of tides bringing fresh treasures to the shore. Despite its strategic elements, 'Sanibel' is designed for ease of learning, with an estimated playtime of just 45 minutes, making it an ideal choice for both quick gaming sessions and casual players.
The inspiration for 'Sanibel' came directly from Hargrave's father, an avid shark tooth and shell collector. Her goal was to create a game accessible enough for non-gamers, like her dad, to enjoy. This mirrors her approach with 'Wingspan,' where she sought to appeal to bird enthusiasts without extensive board game experience. This design philosophy has proven successful, transforming casual players into dedicated fans. The 'tension' between appealing to newcomers and satisfying experienced gamers ultimately led to 'Wingspan's broad appeal, a balance Hargrave strives to replicate in 'Sanibel.'
Hargrave’s nature-themed games have seen a surge in popularity, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which sparked renewed interest in both indoor entertainment and outdoor activities. She observed a significant increase in her mushrooming club's membership during this period, indicating a broader trend of people seeking connections with nature. As people once again gather for social activities, the demand for accessible and engaging board games continues to grow, further expanding the hobby's reach. Hargrave believes that the social aspect of learning games from others significantly lowers the barrier to entry, fostering a community where passion for games and nature can flourish.