How to write and format and even think about a wish list for 2020? Hello, this is hard- I see you and 2020 is, well no one’s first choice.

I usually like to make a list that’s full of my favorites plus things I would be grateful to receive and this year I’ll be adding some things I know are on their way but aren’t yet available at this date- but are coming soon. And at the end of this post is a list of artists I love and links. Okay- here we go.

Lush– I want and need more Snow Fairy in my life. I’ve realized my personal favorite way Lush makes this scent is the powder and I wish I could buy it in large quantities. https://www.lushusa.com/body/deodorants-and-dusting-powders/fairy-dust/9999906460.html Also the body spray is perfect- https://www.lushusa.com/fragrances/body-sprays/snow-fairy/9999908423.html

My wish list of books is too long but includes- Untamed by Glennon Doyle, Dolly Parton’s Songteller, How Emotions Are Made, The Green Witch, The Art of Gathering, I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown, Cosmic Care by Robin Eisneberg, Who Do You Think You Are by Alice Harman, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty, Everything is Spiritual by Rob Bell, Book of Questions, What Do You Do With A Chance, What Do You Do With a Problem, Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst, Know My Name by Chanel Miller, Feel it Out by Jordan Sondler, and last but not least – Resistance by Tori Amos. TOO MANY BOOKS.

I love and always recommend Sol de Janeiro products because I’m obsessed. https://soldejaneiro.com/

I also love perfume and I have three top favorite brands that never go wrong- Olo https://olofragrance.com/, Maison Louis Marie (in particular number 4 is my favorite) https://maisonlouismarie.com/products/no-04-bois-de-balincourt-perfume-oil and Imaginary Authors https://imaginaryauthors.com/ (my current favorite is their collab with Salt & Straw which I begged my partner to buy and give to me the weekend we learned it existed. I’m annoying and impatient and was too excited.) https://imaginaryauthors.com/products/a-whiff-of-wafflecone. Perfume is life.

This aggressively sensitive t by Ambivalently Yours is so good- I mean sharks, flowers, and sentiment – all winners for me. https://www.etsy.com/listing/894756546/aggressively-sensitive-t-shirt?ref=shop_home_active_2&crt=1

Herbivore Clothing https://www.herbivoreclothing.com/ favorites include their stay at home champion sweats and soaps from Perennial.

It makes me extra extra bummed to not be visiting LA for the holidays because I’d be racing to this pop-up and buying a lot of stuff from the Beachwood Boutique for myself and family and friends. https://www.instagram.com/beachwoodboutique/

Can I put my games on the list right here in the middle? https://pinktigergames.com/ Pink Tiger Games is up and I’m taking your orders! I also absolutely love and want for you to purchase wherever it’s most convenient for you. Store lists are updated on IG the most, and available in my saved stories: https://www.instagram.com/pinktigergames/. And if you’d like to go directly to read about each game you can find Flatter Me here: https://flatterme.cards/. And You Think You Know Me here: https://youthinkyouknowme.cards/. Sorry, one more thing- if you sign up for my Pink Tiger Games mailing list you’ll be the first to know about what’s coming up next!

I really want to try this product from Krave, Great Barrier Relief https://kravebeauty.com/collections/shop-all/products/great-barrier-relief because Rhian https://www.instagram.com/rhian_hy/ says it’s awesome and I believe everything she says because her recs are always spot on. And she opened ytykm and Flatter Me recently on this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYL9xCtvpM0&t=1220s and I cried hi hello do you know me.

I really want and need a selfie light for filming talks, zoom, product photos, videos and more. Is this all one light? Does anyone know? Here for your suggestions for sure.

Going back to games for a second- I really want some Pink Tiger Games merch because the logo Marlowe Dobbe https://www.instagram.com/marlowedobbe/ created for me brings me a lot of joy.

This cloud set with a cropped sweatshirt and cozy pants from Naclo Apparel looks incredibly good and the prices on everything are too good to be true. https://www.shopnaclo.com/product-page/the-cloud-set

Dreamy dress from Fashion Brand Company that I kind of want to splatter paint all over: https://www.fashionbrandcompany.com/collections/new/products/the-virgin-gown-mini

My Adam JK list includes this sweatshirt: https://shop.adamjk.com/collections/apparel/products/good-things-embroidered-sweatshirt and this t: https://shop.adamjk.com/collections/apparel/products/do-what-you-love-t-shirt and also this sweatshirt: https://shop.adamjk.com/collections/apparel/products/feelings-crewneck and definitely his tarot deck: https://shop.adamjk.com/collections/featured/products/the-ok-tarot-deck.

All I want is to feel cozy because I’m cold all of the time so these socks from Barefoot Dreams look great to me: https://www.barefootdreams.com/products/cozychic-youth-socks

This top from People of Leisure looks perfect in every way that I love- puff sleeves, crop, soft fabric- yes yes yes: https://peopleofleisure.co/collections/tops-and-tanks/products/the-jade?variant=36353609236643 And thanks to A Small Closet https://www.instagram.com/asmallcloset/ for sharing this brand because I hadn’t heard of it!

How many sweatshirts can I wish for wow- these are from Phenomenal Woman: https://phenomenalwoman.us/collections/ambitious-collection/products/ambitious and another https://phenomenalwoman.us/collections/new-products/products/pro-science-pro-dolly-crewneck-sweatshirt.

Oh look, another sweatshirt I own from Gender Reveal and it’s perfect and can highly recommend to you. https://teespring.com/surf-shark-hoodie?tsmac=store&tsmic=gender-reveal&pid=212&cid=5842

Coming soon – a new Andre Aciman book of essays! These hair clips by Sara Lyons which I think will be arriving this week – https://www.instagram.com/p/CHbFTfkFOiP/. And this book by some awesome Portland people coming in 2021: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/639453/the-portland-book-of-dates-by-eden-dawn-and-ashod-simonian/.

In closing- I love tattoos, trips to Hawaii and New York and LA, ridiculous emotional dresses, working out, perfume, the darkest chocolate on earth, shopping secondhand on The RealReal https://www.therealreal.com/, making games, writing, reading, research, being warm, staying healthy and at home, and good vegan foods- but mostly desserts.

I love you and I miss you. Be safe. Be well. And I’m here if you need me.

xo- Ami

p.s. Some artists I love: Kinoko Gallery http://kinokogallery.com/. Shanalee Hampton https://shanaleehampton.bigcartel.com/. Fiona Hewitt https://www.fionahewitt.com/. Whitney Marie Anderson https://whitneymarieanderson.com/. Jordan Sondler https://shopjordansondler.com/. GDBEE Art https://gdbee.store/.

I am often asked what my background is by new friends in the gaming industry. And I love questions- I enjoy any kind of deep analysis into the whys and the hows and wheres. My sometimes boring standard answer is that I was a massage therapist, then a personal trainer, and also homeschooled my son. When I go a little deeper I answer with a little more, including how I always find people extremely fascinating- both inside and out which prompted my work and interest in massage and physical activity- both things, in my experience, that are very healing mentally, physically, and emotionally. But connecting through conversation, writing and self-talk are really at the core of my inspiration and motivation. I live for heartfelt moments of connection.

But, I’ve hesitated my whole life to say out loud that I write poetry. I’ve feared, like a lot of us do, that I wouldn’t be thought good enough. I also used to make endless amounts of drawings and paintings but one innocuous comment made by a high school art teacher firmly planted the negative seeds of doubt for a rotten tree that I already believed existed. Why would I try when so many other people were doing it and doing it better than I ever could? Whatever “it” even was- insert whichever creative endeavor you dare to.

I have memories from when I was very young- making games out of pens, paper and tape. I played games but didn’t like when I didn’t easily understand the rules. I loved game shows, talk shows, reading, listening to music, and writing lyrics. I loved design and fashion and fantasied about owning a gallery and store. I pictured the gallery upstairs and the store at street level. I pictured parties and art, white walls and tiled floors.

I’ve followed dreams in my life and have been very stubborn about how they’ve been carried out- truly always wanting my way. When I’m focused and determined I go and go and go until I can be as close to what I want as possible.

In May of 2017 I had the idea for You Think You Know Me, which I’ve shared here before. When something hits like that it’s magical. I’ve had people say, “oh, I get it it’s like your baby.” And I always think, no- which I try to communicate in the most respectful way possible. Having a child and having an idea and making it real in the world are two very different things from my view. My games are for everyone and they’ve come through me and they are a part of me but they’re for all of us- they’re for you. And my son, he’s for himself and I’m just lucky to love someone the way I love him.

With that I need to say, who cares? As I entered my 40s I started to ask myself the question, “who cares?” And I wish this could have come sooner for me but it didn’t so now when I ask, ‘who cares’ I’m really asking both- who sincerely cares about what I’m making and doing and who cares- why not me? Who cares whether or not I follow my heart and my dreams? Why not me? So here we are- I now make games. And my wish for you is to do the things you want to do- and find the people who care- they will find you and it’s thrilling. I’m so grateful.

Three years into making games, I still have so much to learn. I have ambition. I’m so super lucky to have a supportive partner that when I can’t figure something out, he’s completely reliable and has my back. Andy is a quick-learner and if he doesn’t know something (I find he does know most things) he figures it out or asks another helpful and clever person. Also, he approaches everything with a clear coat of empathy. He’s amazing.

Flatter Me: A Compliment Battle Card Game has just come out. You Think You Know Me’s third printing is arriving right now. I’ve been working all through quarantine on my third game which I’ll announce soon. And that ‘who cares’ mantra has only grown louder in my mid-40s and in lockdown. I really care so much. I have lofty dreams for Pink Tiger Games- the name of my new game company as of May 2020. I have expansion packs written for all three games- just trying to decide how many cards and designing boxes- and of course I need capital and a warehouse and a distributor and and and.

And that brings me to why I sat down to write this all out to begin with. I wanted to make a list, in no particular order, of all of the things I do as an indie game creator/business owner, but I guess I needed a little time for reflection too.

Games are so fun to create and play and I am compelled beyond myself to make them and I only want to grow and grow and grow. Brains can really beat you down so to actively flipping that heavy narrative of ‘I can’t’ to ‘who cares I can and I will’ I still have to delicately box with every single day. Also, I find most people want to help you if they can and sometimes you just need to ask. I can’t say enough how incredibly grateful I am.

So, here goes- all of these are vital components to my daily work life: write, research, stores, email, distributors, game makers, game publishers, social media, meetings, kickstarter, communication, invoices, warehouses, purchase orders, press, press inquiries, reaching out to press, sketching, playtesting, listening, reading, note taking, bank accounts, shipping, photography, emotional learning, social learning, rest, gift stores, game stores, book stores, printers, quotes, card stock, boxes, game rules, storage, promo games, festivals, conventions, shopping events, influencers, ads, marketing, gifts, prototypes, meeting new people for fresh perspectives, inspiration, design research, amazon, budgeting, pricing, partnering, layout, editing, websites, and I’ll probably add more stuff as I think of it.

Thanks for reading and thanks for being here.

xoxo

Soft

We’ve resolved into softness

Knock me into the heat

Some kind of tropical volcano-pineapple

upside down situation

to get lost in

we soften

We’re sun ghosts exposed

I can only relate to daydreamers

We’re deep in the stars

It’s the end of summer

so I’m no longer protecting my skin

I need every ray to make its mark,

I need every sun kissed freckle

When we’re dust

When we’re sugar

We send a message to the fire,

You can rest

Rough draft notes for my first talk on game design, development, pitching, and promoting for Nonepub: Life of the Party Game Designer. August 23, 2020.

Hi! My name is Ami Baio, I own Pink Tiger Games, where I aim to create sweet and  super kind games that make people feel seen and heard. Communication, connection, and empathy focused experiences that you can play with family, friends, partners, coworkers, and strangers.

My first game, You Think You Know Me, a conversational card game popped into my head like magic- like the whole concept. I started writing immediately and within a few weeks I had about 150 handwritten cards I carried around with me to play with family and friends. I’d playtest any time, anywhere, with anyone.  I quickly noticed the special moments players were sharing while playing- and my heart jumped – I knew I was on the right track. The following month I had a professional prototype made through Print n Play in Vancouver, Washington. And two months after that I launched my first Kickstarter. I ran a three week campaign and ended up making almost double my goal which was so thrilling-  this was the moment in September 2017 I knew for sure I was making a game and I already had ideas and visions for the future.

YTYKM was officially released in March 2018. It has been credited for two marriage proposals- one couple is happily married now and the other was supposed to be married this summer but postponed due to Covid. Both of these couples reached out to share with me how playing YTYKM in the very beginning of dating helped them open up and talk about things maybe they wouldn’t have even thought of without it! I’ve received messages from parents connecting with their teenage children, and people so excited to learn new things about people they’ve known for decades. This feedback is incredibly touching and inspiring, I can’t even tell you how much. So from first dates to middle schoolers to college professors to families on road trips to players who share they carry a stack of favorites with them all the time and more – YTYKM has been well received, selling 9,500 copies around the world so far. It’s been sold out since May of this year and more games are on their way this fall.

My second game, Flatter Me literally arrived a few days ago. It’s a two player compliment battle card game with similar mechanics to the classic card game of War. But in Flatter Me your strategy consists of giving and receiving heartfelt compliments. With 250 unique compliment cards there’s something special for everyone. I also wrote the cards to be given as gifts- to place inside a card or gift bag or given to anyone anytime for a kind note of encouragement. You can also carry some yourself to use as affirmations or a needed boost of self-care.

Being a woman in games comes with some memorable moments. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve shown my game at an event and I’ve been asked, what is this and I reply a game I make and the next question is always- but who created it and I respond, me. And the final question, but who helped you- and I answer, umm no one. I make my games. It’s awkward.

And I’m independent. I choose to be indie because I haven’t wanted anyone else to tell me what to do or what I should make or how my games should look. So, I’m definitely always learning, flailing, failing, flying – often all at the same time. There are ways to do all of this on your own it and it depends on what kind of time you have and want to put into it. I did have an interested publisher at the beginning of 2018 with a contract ready to go but after months of negotiations it just didn’t feel right for me at the time. But, I’m superstitious and I never say never! For now though, I feel very lucky and very happy to be building Pink Tiger Games.

My personal design rules are: Make what you love.

Simple and easy to learn rules with variants.

I want my games to deepen the relationships around us.

I want my games to be timeless.

I want to make good gifts.

I believe people are endlessly fascinating and always changing. We all have stories to tell. I also like to see games as interactive art.

I think my biggest obstacle is patience- I want to make everything I want to make right now. But things need their own space and pace to grow and I remind myself of that a lot and in my experience, everything usually takes a bit more money and time than you think.

Right now, I’m working on my next project for 2021 and while I’m mostly keeping it a secret I can tell you it’s the most demanding research and development game that I’ve done so far, it’s a social party game, it will have 500 cards (just like YTYKM), and I love it. Working on this during quarantine has made me excited and hopeful and I’m so grateful for this idea. I can’t wait to share it with you.

I also have a 250 card expansion pack for You Think You Know Me that I’d like to produce, so that’s also high on my to do list but no date yet.

Playtesting. Okay. Don’t hate me but I think I know if a game works after like two or three playtests. After a couple of tweaks if I don’t find it’s enjoyable and easy- I’m out and on to the next. For me, it’s like falling in love. And with all the time you need to spend with a game to make it you really need to be in love, committed, and give your all. In my experience, people will feel it with you.

Retail. This is who I pitch to. I send an email with links, photos, wholesale and retail prices, minimum order, shipping information, personal connections I have with the store and what it would mean to me to see it sold there. I mean every word. Remember, I’m in love, and I want to share it with the world.

So let’s talk Kickstarter. I have some guidelines I follow that I hope will be useful.

1. Before launch have a game that is 99% ready to go, if it came out tomorrow you’d be happy with it.

2. Keep it simple with rewards. Options for one game, two games with a price cut, three games with a further price cut and so on. I’ve had a larger tier available on my two projects to write a card with me and that’s been really fun and a great way to connect.

3. Never launch after October in a calendar year- spending the money in that same year for tax reasons gets tricky, ordering, and general busyness of life so this is a no for me.

4. Budget. Kickstarter fees, production costs, your video, shipping, taxes, credit card fees, and more. Get lots of quotes. Ask a lot of questions. Get more quotes. Keep it honest and be transparent with backers.

5. Keep it short, like 3- 4 weeks. Maybe closer to 4 in this time we’re currently in though.

6. Post updates when you have news to share. Not every day.

7. Pick your favorite form (or forms) of social media and post and share and create community. Instagram is my favorite so you’ll find I post the most there.

8. Say yes a lot. Figure it out later. Also, say yes to helping people along the way because we all need each other.

9. End your Kickstarter project on a date and time that you can celebrate, have a local party (someday we’ll be able to do this again!), stream, go live- whatever works. Just don’t end it at 4am your local time- I love watching the clock tick down and the last backers come through- it’s super fun.

10. Lastly I’m here and you can email me, send me a dm- I’m happy to help in any way I can. So many people have helped me along the way and I’m so happy to always be learning and always be passing it on.

Most importantly- listen to your gut. Stay true to yourself. Follow your heart. I really love making games and I’m so grateful to every person who is with me in every role every step of the way.

Thank you so much for having me!

A car hit my car while I was driving one year and two weeks ago.

I haven’t been the same since in so many ways. From brain troubles to body pains. So many appointments with doctors. The eye doctor appointments were especially unnerving.

The experience has been very painful, changed my everyday life, and has changed my body- I know this because my clothes fit differently.

I haven’t done any Olympic lifts in over a year. I don’t run. I’m really careful with push-ups. I don’t push anything over my head. I tried that while I was trying to get back to the gym last fall and it only continued to aggravate my left shoulder pain. For some reason I could still do pull-ups and I love pull-ups so I was grateful for that pre-Covid 19. I haven’t done pull-ups now in all of these months because I’m not going back to the gym.

The moment that car slammed into my car I felt my body jolt in this awful way. I was in shock and by the time I got home, maybe 25 minutes after impact the pain started in my feet. And my head, the headaches started. All last summer. Every day headaches. Every day hard to sleep. Every day I felt like I didn’t know myself. I was finally diagnosed with a concussion officially on July 5th.

When I think of last summer I feel like a sad ghost.

The man who hit me had a moment in his car and he handled it aggressively and it changed my life.

I haven’t been out too much since March 14th, but when I am out I see and have experienced people driving too fast, with aggression, with spaciness. And I get it, we’re all really really going through a lot.

So please breathe, pay attention, maybe slow down, maybe look a few extra times. And take care of yourself and all of us. And wear masks.

xo