Current Status: Prototype

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Current Status: Prototype 〰️

Match Maiden Heaven is a 2-4 player competitive puzzler that brings the match-3 action of games like Puzzle Quest and Bejeweled to your tabletop!

Featuring art by the incredible Ceri Langell! Take the role of one of the many bizarre beings known as Match Maidens and battle your friends to control the flow of mana on the mystical island of Rainbow’s End.

Q: Yeah, but how does it work?

Okay, so basically…

The game is played similarly to match-3 puzzle video games like Bejeweled. Players exchange tiles on a 5x5 grid and accumulate Mana by making lines of 3 or more like-colored tiles. Collect enough mana of your character’s desired color and you win the game, while also using mana of other colors to fuel your abilities.

Q: That’s neat! And you play as “Match Maidens?”

Yep!

Match Maidens are metaphysical beings inhabiting the floating island of Rainbow’s End. Their job is to regulate the flow of mana (or magical energy) as it travels through the Cosmos. They do this by engaging in ritualized puzzle combat whenever anyone pisses anyone else off, which for them is all the time. They were created by-…

Q: I’m not going to remember any of that. Just show me the cool characters.

That wasn’t a question, but sure!

While the full game will have many more characters, let’s look at the ones that are currently developed…

BEATRIX

A hard-hitting hothead who solves every problem with her fists. Only cares about magic that allows her to punch things harder. Her brute-force playstyle has her beat up the board until it does what she wants.

TOXIQUE

An amorphous blob of acidic ooze poured into a rubbery bodysuit. Despite her bubbly personality, she has difficulty making friends due to her deadly pH balance. She tends to insert herself where she isn’t wanted (which is everywhere.)

GENERAL GLORIA

A tyrannical tactician who views herself as the rightful ruler of Rainbow’s End. (No one else agrees.) She commands an army of teddy bears and other playthings to further her designs on conquering the island.

DOCTOR ELECTRA

A mad scientist largely unconcerned with the scientific method. Prefers to just pelt things with chemicals and lightning until something cool happens. She’s always looking for willing test subjects or, failing that, test subjects.

QUIZZABETH

A roving gameshow host who’ll do anything for ratings. Loves to ambush the other Maidens with trivia and physical challenges. She claims her show is a real crowd-pleaser, but who’s even watching?

Q: Wow! Who drew that amazing art?

Ceri Langell!

All the character art, along with the logo and background shown above, was drawn by the amazing Ceri Langell! She was an absolute joy to work with and I’d love to work with her on further art for the game!

Q: So, what’s the status of this project?

Active playtesting and refinement!

The game is in an active playtest phase and I’m using player feedback to make it the best experience it can be. Rules and characters are being adjusted and rebalanced to keep the gameplay fast, furious and fun! We’re currently up to “Version 2” which includes five more characters (official art pending) and introduces a new experimental mechanic called Interrupts which are abilities you can play during opponents’ turns. And there’s even more to come!

Q: Wait, you said the game is played on a 5x5 grid but you clearly show a 7x7 grid in those screenshots at the bottom of the page!

Like I said, active playtesting and refinement!

Those screenshots come from the game’s initial playtest at First Play LA. Since then, the game’s been refined based on player feedback, reducing the board to 5x5 in order to keep the action fast and furious. If you manage to catch a playtest, your feedback could result in even more important changes. Maybe we’ll get it down to 3x3!

Q: Let’s say I wanted to give you a giant bag of money. What would my funding this project go towards?

Mostly art!

Beyond the five Maidens that have already been printed, I have designs for many more characters that just need art. Additionally, full funding would let me get a professional pass on things like card layout and the tile designs. I could also buy things like promotional art, box art, and so much more! If you like what you see above, your money would be going towards more of that.