A while ago, I was reading Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan. It’s a fantastic book that basically lays out a simple, no-nonsense plan for starting something you love. Fired up, I decided to give it a shot.
So, I created something. It was called the Navigators Datacron.
Check it out https://questlinecreations.itch.io/
My big launch wasn’t some slick sales pitch about how it was the most amazing game ever made. Instead, I just shared the story of its creation—the story of me trying to make something that people would genuinely enjoy getting their heads around.
And you know what? It wasn’t bad. But it also definitely wasn’t great.
BUT!
It made $4. (Which is about £3, as I’m writing this from the UK).
Four dollars. Three quid. That might sound like nothing, but to me, it was everything. It was the confirmation. It was proof that a few people out there were willing to part with their own money for an experience I had created. The best part? They weren’t even purchases; they were donations. People weren’t just buying a product; they were supporting an idea.
That little bit of validation was the only green light I needed.
So, what’s the plan going forward?
Honestly, my brain is a firework display of potential projects. I have way too many ideas to ever fully finish all of them. So, my strategy is simple, if a little chaotic: I’m going to try and create one of each until something sticks.
And when I say I have ideas, I mean I have ideas. Here’s a little peek inside my head:
- A Puzzle Series: A monthly subscription puzzle pack that develops a single story over time.
- A Murder Mystery Dinner Party Game: Classic, but with a twist.
- A Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Book: Old school, but they’re classics for a reason.
- An Unsolved Case File: For all the armchair detectives out there.
- A Digitally-Powered Economy Game: Something that drives real deal-making and role-play.
- A TTRPG Campaign: A full adventure for an existing engine or maybe even a new one.
- A Board Game: The big one.
- A Puzzle Book: A physical collection of brain-teasers.
- An Escape Room: The real-life, physical challenge.
- An Escape Room in a Box: All the fun, none of the leaving the house.
- A Music Album: Tailored specifically for TTRPGs or setting the scene in another game.
Now, I know that list is ridiculously long. I’ll have to select a few and develop one of each to see what has legs. I’m also looking for markets that are currently untouched. The next challenge will be finding a home for these creations—maybe that means working with a publisher. But the bigger dream? I want this project to become the publisher.
My Final Goal
My ultimate goal for all of this is to be successful, of course. But more than that, I want to create experiences that are hard to forget (in a good way!).
This is day one of the real journey. It’s going to be a whirlwind of prototyping, creating, and seeing what resonates with people.
So, follow along and let’s see how far this goes.
Thanks for reading,
Henry
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