Dani Gómez: "Inventing a game is easy, making it work is the hard part."

BarcelonaThere are several ways to invent a game. Some start by choosing a theme, such as a historical event, making fruit smoothies, or witch hunts. Others begin with the game mechanics: such as trying your luck, collecting items, rolling dice, and choosing the best results.

Which one is yours?

— The starting point is the feelings and emotions I want the players to experience. For example, I want them to burst out laughing, or for there to be tension, or for them to have to work hard to invent. Inventing a game is easy. The hard part is making it work and ensuring people have a good time playing it.

Do you take your work home with you?

— My children are always eager to try out the games I'm creating. They like to give me advice and are quite critical. Sometimes they've looked at me straight on the eye and said, "Dad, I'm sorry, this game doesn't work." There are times when we organize afternoon teas at the Idealúdica office, and the children come with their friends and we spend the afternoon testing games and toys. These are very special moments. They know they're the first to handle and try out the game and that their opinions will be taken into account.

What's going on with the screens at your house?

— I like playing online multiplayer games. I guess it's my way of doing something different from work and unwinding. My kids see me playing and sometimes even scold me a little because they say I'm too attached to my phone. I suppose I'll end up paying for this when they're teenagers.

What digital games do you like?

— The older one plays in Roblox And the little one now begins with the MinecraftAt home, we try to make sure online games don't take away our time to play together, read a story, do crafts, or sit on the sofa watching cartoons. My wife and I often talk about how to integrate the digital and analog aspects of our lives in a balanced way.

Does any rule work for you?

— Yes. We have one: if you've spent some time doing one activity, it's time to do another. As parents, it's up to us to ensure the greatest possible diversity of experiences.

Why are board games valuable?

— In board games, power dynamics blur. We all have to follow the same rules and start from a level playing field. It's a great opportunity to build rapport, to get excited, to express and manage a wide range of emotions, and also for our children to try and beat us.

What are some common board games?

— When we say "play," they both rush into their room and emerge with a stack of four or five games each. They prefer quick games to long sessions. They're fans of modern, simple, fast-paced games with lots of player interaction.

Like now?

— The deceitful moth, The Castle of Terror, Virus, Lint, Co-co pio, Claim, Ring!, Monster Eater, Taco cat goat cheese pizza, sushi go, Trio...Sometimes they come out with one I've made and say, "Now we're going to play this one, the one Dad made." And it's a unique moment.

There are games that make you angry.

— The games of our childhood were usually based on winning by taking each other's things. Capture the flag in the Stratego, sinking ships, taking all other people's money to MonopolyNow there are a lot of more modern games that are more of a competition to see who does things best, who chooses the best options, who does it fastest. This means there aren't those tantrums during the game.

Games can create conflicts between siblings.

— When this happens, we explain that if you keep a toy for yourself and your brother does the same, each of you only has one toy. But if you share, suddenly you have twice as many toys.

What other phrases work for you?

— We have to do this, it's mandatory. The only choice we have is to do it happily or angrily. What do they choose? They always make a face, but they end up choosing to do it happily.

A memory.

— At home, we always go to Viladrau to look for the Tió. Three years ago, in addition to the big Tió, we found a small one. The children ran to grab both of them and, with the biggest smiles I've ever seen, told us they were brothers and that they would have two Tiós. Each of them held a Tió with such strength and happiness that I'll never forget this image.