I design games.
Sometimes I draw things.
I am going to try and chronicle my adventures in this industry. If you'd like to involve yourself, visit often, follow along, and chat with me on Twitter or Google Plus.
I designed these!
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I started this site almost two years ago and it has come time to say goodbye. When it began, I was in college and just starting to learn HTML/CSS. I wanted a static HTML site with very fast load times that was flexible for mobile. I decided that I could build it myself and set out on an adventure that taught me many things.
In the very near future, when you visit cheveedodd.com, you'll be taken to a shiny new WordPress installation. The site has become large enough (in pages) that it has become difficult to code each page and link each article together. I believe that the task of developing the back-end has made my content creation suffer. When my pretentiousness gets in the way of my writing, it's time to move on.
This is the last time this old site will get updated before the transition. See you on the other side!
- June 26, 2013
Origins is gone and with it went two of my active prototypes. That means, there's a hole that needs filled. I need something to work on and I have a month until GenCon. What's next?
You can read about it in this week's update.
- June 21, 2013
Origins is behind me and I'm looking forward to GenCon, but before I get there, you may want to read about the amazing experience I had this year. This post deserved it's very own page!
- June 17, 2013
Last week was a bit hectic due to a new project launch. I designed and built a website for a crew of card-playing professionals for the new game HEX: Shards of Fate from Cryptozoic Entertainment. The site launched and it's been keeping me extremely busy, but I'm enjoying it.
So, this week's update is more of a Hedeby update than anything, but I tucked some good advice on pitching in also. Check it out!
- June 13, 2013
Convention season is rapidly approaching and I'm scrambling to get some prototypes finished. I have publisher meetings scheduled and plans made.
- May 31, 2013
I Tweeted about setting up meetings with publishers earlier today and received a few questions about how I go about that... so I wrote an article.
- May 23, 2013
As part of FreeStarter week, I allowed my cohorts to ask me ridiculous questions and I was silly enough to answer them. You can read about it over at the Hyperbole Games blog.
- May 21, 2013
A bunch of crazy designers and I have teamed up to offer a pretty awesome set of gifts for some lucky winners.
Click here to check out that awesomeness!
- May 20, 2013
Tuesday Night Tanks started as a silly design for The Game Crafter's map building contest but quickly evolved into something I poured a lot of myself into. I am very proud of the end product and this week, I have released the game on The Game Crafter. I'm very excited to share this with the world and hope that many find enjoyment in the game.
I also published a small update about what I've been up to lately in this weeks Weekly[ish] Update. Check it out!
- May 17, 2013
Cyrus Kirby of fathergeek.com was in part responsible for the inspiration that led to Princess Dice and ultimately Leathernecks '43. I sent him a friendly copy and he decided to write this glowing review! Check it out on fathergeek.com!
If you'd like to pick up your own copy, it's now available at The Game Crafter! Click here to check out that awesomeness!
- April 5, 2013
It took me a little while to wrap my head around everything that went on at Protospiel. I have so much I want to write about my various projects, but I had to get all this out first. There's a ton of pictures too! You can read the post here.
- March 15, 2013
Today, I have finally launched Leathernecks '43! It it now has it's own game page, and is available to purchase at thegamecrafter.com! I'm more proud of this game than any other I've done. I'm insanely excited to share it with the world!
After a month long hiatus, I'm back to writing about stuff. Of course, I share the Leathernecks '43 news, but I also have quite a few other things to talk about. You can find the post here.
- February 22, 2013
I've taken a few weeks off. The holidays were great and I had some wonderful time with my family... it's time to get back in the swing of things... but I haven't been idle this whole time!
In this week's update, I've got news covering Princess Dice, a re-theme titled Leathernecks '43, Hedeby, and even Dead End! It's back! Check it out in the Thoughts section!
- January 10, 2013
Monday night I hosted the first live VASSAL module test. Things went great and I wrote about it in the discussion forums.
I've updated the rules and VASSAL module to reflect these changes. Also, the VASSAL module update fixes a few minor bugs. Get it all from the the Hedeby page! I have updated the PnP files also which will likely be the final update until after the holidays. The game is starting to stabilize!
- December 18, 2012
I have published the first print and play files at the dedicated Hedeby page. There, you will also find the first public release of the VASSAL module for online play. The forum has also been transferred to a public forum and I look forward to playtesting and discussing this game with everyone!
- December 16, 2012
I've procrastinated on the website these past two weeks. Not because I don't like adding content, but because my time has been utterly consumed by my new prototype. I've been playing it a lot... oh, and I also built a VASSAL module for online play!
- December 14, 2012
Fathergeek has posted a review of Paper Route... and it's recieved his seal of approval! Check it out!
- December 4, 2012
This week has been a blur. A flurry of emotion. I made a new prototype. I tested it. It's great... so I let others test it... you can read about that here.
- November 30, 2012
I'm giving away another copy of Scallywags! The awesome guys at All Us Geeks podcast agreed to host a short-notice giveaway so we can get it in your hands before Christmas. Check out the rules for entry here.
- November 28, 2012
I have tried my entire life to figure out what makes me tick. Last week, I wrote about my lack of inspiration. That weekend brought an inspiration tsunami down on me and something great has come of it. Read all about it!
- November 25, 2012
I've been trying to figure out what inspires me for a while now... what brings it and what makes it go away. Today's Oatmeal has really made me think about it more. This weeks article is a little more touch-feely than usual. Read it here.
- November 16, 2012
Getting back into a rhythm is not always easy. Just trying to be productive... but not forcing myself and losing interest... is not easy. This week, however, work on Sock Monster has been steady! Read about it here.
- November 9, 2012
Weeks have passed... I've done very little... it's time to share. You can find the post here.
- November 4, 2012
I took last week off, mostly because I had to move, but also because I didn't have Internet. The move is done, I'm settled in and ready to start producing again! This weeks updates, I share some thoughts on setting up a booth at a show... because I messed up. You can find the post here.
I also wrote a guest post for a good friends blog. This one is about developing a real time game and focuses on Paper Route. Read the article at HyperboleGames.com
- October 13, 2012
I guess I knew this would happen... I have a difficult time sticking to prepared plans. This Weekly[ish] Update thing didn't quite work for me last week, so I skipped a week. Maybe I'll change the name to bi-monthly update? Well, this week, there is a new one! You can find the post here.
- September 27, 2012
I have officially launched Paper Route today! It is available on its very own game page, and also at thegamecrafter.com for purchase! I'm really excited to share this game with the world!
This week, I write a bit about the difficulty with mommy being out of town and what it took to get Paper Route ready. You can find the post here.
- September 14, 2012
I interviewed with the Cardboard Jungle podcast this month and decided to give away a copy of Scallywags! If you want to find out how to enter, check out Episode 5 (I'm on at around the 1:46:00 mark.) The contest runs until International Talk Like a Pirate Day on Sept, 19th, so get your entries in now!
- September 12, 2012
I have struggled to keep up with writing for the site. Writing quality content weekly about my big designs is difficult. I've decided to start writing weekly[ish] updates where I can talk about the various little projects I have been working on. You can read the first one here.
- September 6, 2012
I took a month of from testing Dead End and when I came back, it was not the game I remembered. I tested it at GenCon with a publisher and it wasn't exactly a hit. Find out what went wrong and what went right.
- August 23, 2012
GenCon has come and gone yet again. I had some expectations. I had very different adventures. I had the time of my life. You can read about it in this week's post.
- August 23, 2012
Another successful test of Hexploration this week. The underlying system is shaping up nicely. I don't really think this is the end for this project however. Project: Hexploration part 3
- August 9, 2012
I skipped a week discussing this game for a very simple reason: it sucked. Last weeks playtest session was a disaster. It has been difficult to write about, but this weeks session got me back on course. I'm actually excited to share this! Project: Hexploration part 2
- August 3, 2012
I've started a new design project. This time, something with a little more complexity, and an actual board. It is a hex-based, tile-laying, area-control, economic game. Crazy, huh? Read all about it!
A new Scallywags review has been published from @fathergeek. It really is an awesome review that covers the game in depth. Check it out!
- July 20, 2012
A couple of great Scallywags reviews have come in this week:
BSCKids.com - Scallywags Review
Games and Grub - Arrrrrgh ya ready for a fun family game?
play-board-games.com - Scallywags Game Review
- July 19, 2012
I've hit a milestone in the development of Project: Dead End. It is currently under review by a well-known publisher! Check out the blog post for more details: Project: Dead End - Part 10
- July 11, 2012
The reviewers have been busy today getting Scallywags reviews posted:
GeekDad @ wired.com - Ahoy, Scallywags, Give Us Yer Loot
blogcritics.org - Game Review: Scallywags
- July 10, 2012
I'm working on revamping the site a bit. I consider both Project: Dead End and Princess Dice complete enough that I'm not going to drop them from the site any time soon. I've given them their own pages now which you can use to find all the articles I've written about them.
- July 4, 2012
Gamewright asked me to do a small interview for their blog. It went live today. Meet the Inventor: Chevee Dodd
The guys at Perpetual Geek Machine got to play Scallywags and have some really nice things to say about it. You can listen to the podcast here: perpetualgeekmachine.net
Josh Edwards (@BGJosh) wrote up a nice review on his blog: Boardgames With Josh
- July 3, 2012
Tom Vasel and his daughters put together a nice Scallywags review. You can watch it on YouTube. Thanks Tom!
I've been doing a good bit of design lately and I'm going to be sharing a few new games on the main site soon, but for now, I've been discussing things in the forums. If you are interested in what I'm up to, you can read up in the Game Design secion.
- June 29, 2012
I created a micro expansion for Scallywags to play with my three year old daughter. She can't read the cards and gets upset when the big kids play.
Read about it and get the files here!
- June 20, 2012
I have finally posted Part 9 of Project: Dead End! The game has evolved quite a bit in the past month and is much better for it! I feel like it is finally a tense game full of interesting decisions and moments of excitement. I also updated the cards to the new design template and uploaded the files for print and play!
- June 18, 2012
Do you like winning things? How about a copy of Scallywags? That sounds nice, right? This week I was interviewed by the guys at Perpetual Geek Machine. It was an awesome, awkward experience but I think it went well. I decided to give away a copy of Scallywags to one lucky listener!
Tune in, find out how to enter, and get your name in the hat!
- June 13, 2012
Today has brought a huge site update. I decided that I no longer want to direct discussion of my posts off-site, but I hate inline comments. I've decided to implement a discussion forum. You can click on the "Discuss" link above and you will find links to the proper posts attached to each Thoughts post.
- June 12, 2012
On June 2nd, 2012, I was able to share my game, Scallywags, with the world. I hosted a Preview Tournament at Origins Game Fair in Columbus, Ohio and had a spectacular time! Thank you everyone involved!
You can read about it here with lots of pictures!
- June 10, 2012
The events leading up to the pre-release tournament of Scallywags tested my patience and nerves. I waited many years to see the game in production, but the 96 hours leading up to the big event felt like a much longer time!
Read all about it and don't forget to share!
- June 6, 2012
The publisher has Scallywags in stock! You can now order direct from them at their Online Store!
It will be a bit before it filters through the distribution chain, but you should be able to locate it in local shops and online retailers soon!
- June 4, 2012
The Preview Tournament went off without a hitch! I was thrilled to see players enjoying my game! They even discussed the meta! That was totally awesome. Congratulations to Corey Young for winning the first ever Scallywags tournament and taking home a copy of the prize! Check back later this week for a complete re-cap of the tournament as well as the rest of my Origins adventures!
- June 3, 2012
I am thrilled again to announce that Scallywags has won another award! This time it is the Tillywig Best Family Fun award! Gamewright has really gone above and beyond for me and I simply can't thank them enough!
- May 31, 2012
A Twitter friend, @HerrohGrant, has published a sort of "making of" story about Scallywags on his design blog, Hyperbole Games. The story starts at the very beginning of my design "career," so beware, it is a bit lengthy!
The Story of Scallywags | Hyperbole Games
- May 30, 2012
I'm super excited that Scallywags has been chosen for a Parents' Choice Recommended Award. Thank you Gamewright for taking a chance on me and polishing the game into something award winning!
- May 22, 2012
We got back to playtesting Dead End this week. While the game still isn't what I want it to be, the session was great. We had a new player and some great insight was had!
Please read latest post and don't forget to share it!
- May 20, 2012
I've taken an unscheduled break from the design of Project: Dead End. The time off has not been without benefit however. I handed the reigns to DT Butchino of Sketchpad Studio and let him design a layout for the cards.
Check out his awesome work in the latest post!
- May 15, 2012
I have received confirmation that I will have Scallywags in time to run the introduction tournament at Origins Game Fair! Check out the Scallywags page for more information and be sure to share this news with anyone who may be attending Origins.
- May 11, 2012
I've not attended to the site in a while.
I've also not attended to game design much lately.
There have been some adventures recently and some new video games to blame for my absence, but life has seemed to return to normal and I can get back to work. One of the adventures I had during my time "off" was shared by thousands on the website Reddit.com. I realize this has nothing to do with gaming or the design of games, but it was one of the most awesome weeks I have had in my 33 years and I'd like to share it with as many as possible.
Read all about it HERE
I will be returning to game design discussion shortly. Promise!
- April 23, 2012
It has been a while since I've talked about Princess Dice. I've tweeted a bit here and there, but I though it was time for a formal post with lots of pictures!
Check it out Princess Dice - Prototypes
- March 27, 2012
I've posted a bit of a discussion about art and design work for my projects. I'm not really sure that there is a point to the article, but I at least introduce you to an awesome artist: DT Butchino!
Give it a read and pass it around. "Like" it, Tweet it, whatever... Game Development: Art and Design
- March 20, 2012
Project Dead End rolls along. The game has taken another great turn that has opened up game play significantly. My playtesters enjoyed the last session and I'm finally comfortable sharing the latest version!
Hop on over to the latest post to read about it and get the Print and Play files!
- March 16, 2012
I'm finally getting around to redesigning the game pages. I had to do a bit of a re-write on every page to make it all work well without over complicating things. I hope I didn't break anything. Please goof around and let me know if you find anything that needs fixed!
- March 11, 2012
Princess Fairy Rainbow Unicorn Dice development is in full swing! I've had some great help from the community and in just a few short days we've developed a very playable little game. I'm sharing the rules in this weeks post, so check it out!
- March 9, 2012
Yes, that's right, I designed a new game last night and it's about princesses, and unicorns, and fairies, and witches.... well, you should just check it out. I suppose this is another entry in my Open Game Design series, I'd be happy to have others give it a go!
- March 6, 2012
The project is salvaged! I took things in a bit of a new direction and it greatly improved game play. In this post I dive into detailed discussion about what changes I made and why.
Read all about it in the newly redesigned Thoughts section.
- March 2, 2012
I finally got around to writing about Dead End again. I was frustrated after the last test session because I broke the game. In this post I discuss what went wrong and hint about what I'm doing to fix it.
Read all about it in the Thoughts section.
- Februrary 23, 2012
The third installment of the Dead End project is up. After the first test session, the game needed some... adjustment.
Read all about it in the Thoughts section.
- Februrary 16, 2012
The second part of the Dead End project is up. In this post, I talk about specific rules and cards that were used for the first playtest session.
Read all about it in the Thoughts section.
- Februrary 7, 2012
The whole site got a bit of a redesign today. I was never really satisfied with the layout and I finally worked out how to get a reliable two column design that allows me to put all sorts of nifty little things here and there. I'm new to all of this HTML/CSS stuff, so if you find something doesn't look right, or you can help me make it better, please feel free to let me know.
Also, thanks to my good friend DT Butchino of Sketchpad Studio, I now have a cool logo to show off! D is a great artist and designer that has helped me on many projects through the years. Check out his awesomeness at DeviantArt.
- Februrary 4, 2012
The publisher has informed me that Scallywags will be previewed at the New York Toy Fair Feb. 12 - 15. If you are in the area, make sure to stop buy and try it out! The coins are not yet available, but the publisher has made up some prototypes to teach the game. I am unable to make it to the show, so if you do go, take some pictures for me!
In other news, I have begun working on a new design. I'm venturing into the land of the undead with a light card game codenamed: Dead End. Check out my first blog post in the thoughts section to read about it.
- Februrary 3, 2012
With the announcement of Scallywags I am finally free to talk a little more about the upcoming release. I am working on content, so expect more over the coming weeks. For now, I have posted a little bit about the name change.
Read a bit about it on the game's page: Scallywags
If you want to stay in the loop for future updates, please sign up for my newsletter at the bottom of the page. I will respect your privacy, and will not email you constantly with minor updates. You can also follow me on Google+ or Twitter for more real-time communication. Links are available here
- January 12, 2012
The publisher has released information on Scallywags, so I can finally share a bit! Check out their website for more information:
- January 11, 2012
Work is underway on the publishing of Doubloons! I've had some great conversations with the publisher and posted some thougts in my previously unused "Thoughts" section.
I really hope to be sharing more with everyone through this and other mediums, so please, stay tuned!
Check out my latest thoughts HERE
- November 11, 2011
I had some requests on reddit.com to do an AMA (Ask Me Anything). I put up a thread in the boardgames section. Check it out and ask questions!
- September 22, 2011
I can proudly announce that Doubloons! has been picked up for publication in 2012. Gamewright games, publishers of award-winning games for kids of all ages, has licensed the game effective September 1st. Look for it to hit retailer's shelves in the spring!
If you haven't heard of Doubloons! yet, hop on over to its page and see the previous work I did to release the game as a print and play title.
- September 21, 2011
Welcome! It has been a long time coming, but I have officially launched my site. This is the first time I have ever gone through the process of registering a domain, setting up DNS, and building a HTML/CSS website from scratch. Hopefully, with this new medium in place, I will be able to share more content with the world. Keep coming back and I'll keep putting up new things!
- September 17, 2011