Hearts of Iron: The Board Game
Board Game - Lead Design and Development
Hearts of Iron is a board game based upon the popular World War 2 video game series by Paradox Interactive. The game is focused on the European theatre of war with players each taking control of a nation during WW2. Each nation can be played historically or with an alternate history for example, playing France as communist instead of democratic.
The UK, German Reich, France, Italy, and the Soviet Union are playable nations. Sweden and Spain are added as additional playable nations via expansion.
Like the source material the game has a heavy emphasis on politics with players having to actively form alliances and needing to declare war to attack each other. This includes countries within European that aren't being played.
Responsibilities
- Was the product owner for the game whilst handling the lead design and overseeing development with a development team.
- Led the overall creative direction for the game, designing the core systems, content, and working closely with developer Nick Niotis on the game development.
- Stayed in regular contact with the licensor creating multiple opportunities for cross-promotion and representing their brand.
- One of the most successful WW2 board game crowdfunding games ever bringing in £1.2 million in funding.
- Demoed the game to creative staff and keystake holders at Paradox headquarters in Sweden.
- Took part in many promotion opportunities for the board game, playing multiple demo games with Hearts of Iron influencers, as well as taking part in an internal staff playthrough that has 116k views.
- Created and managed a Tabletop Simulator module for digital testing. Additionally created the demo module that was used to promote the game during the crowdfunding period.
Products Worked On
- Hearts of Iron: The Board Game
- Hearts of Iron: Sweden Expansion
- Hearts of Iron: Spain Expansion
- Hearts of Iron: Division Designer Expansion