Game Design Experience

Jay has dozens of hobby games and titles to his credit. Over the years, he has worked for top tier game publishers like Fantasy Flight Games and WizKids, on top tier licenses like Star Wars and Major League Baseball. Jay has shared his industry insights and game design experience with a wide variety of audiences and has taught college game design courses. In addition to speaking at conferences, seminars, and conventions, Jay has also been featured on numerous podcasts and has conducted dozens of interviews with fans and hobby game enthusiasts from around the world.

University of Wisconsin, Stout

Jay currently teaches design foundations and game design principles and practices at the University of Wisconsin – Stout. He has taught game design principles to classes to in-coming freshmen as well as 3D Video Game Design & Development senior capstone courses. Jay also developed and teaches Boardgame Production & Processes, a unique look at the gaming industry. Read more about Jay’s teaching and consulting.

GeekwayLogoGeekway to the West

In addition to his game design work, writing, and public appearances, Jay founded the Geekway to the West gaming convention held in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 2004, Geekway to the West has become a premier convention destination for hobby gamers across the country. Held each summer, Geekway provides a fun, relaxed environment for hobby gaming enthusiasts, game designers, and players of all types. It has grown rapidly each year, attracting attendees from throughout the Midwest and across the country and has quickly become one of the largest conventions of its kind in the region.

Recent Titles Include:Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game

Works in Progress

These games haven’t been published yet. They’re complete but failed to fund on Kickstarter through the different publishing partners. But they are on my bucket list — I really want to find a home for these games!

  • Zero Hour – Cooperative Horror Push-Your-Luck by Split Second Games
  • Wrath of Vesuvius – A light strategic game about tile placement, resource management, and destruction for 2 to 5 players
  • The Turing Test – A Social Deduction Game of Suspicion & Suspense for 9 to 15 players.
    Free Print & Play version now available!

Published Titles Include:

Mutant Chronicles Roleplaying – 2d20 Edition

  • 2d20 game engine is also used in the Star Trek, Conan, Dishonored, and John Carter RPGs

XWingBoxStar Wars X-Wing Miniatures Game

  • 2013 Golden Geek Award Winner – Best 2 Player Game
  • UK Games Expo 2013 Best Miniatures Game
  • 2013 As d’Or – Jeu de l’Année Nominee
  • 2013 As d’Or – Jeu de l’Année Prix du Jury Winner
  • 2013 UK Games Expo Best Miniatures Range Winner
  • 2012 Charles S. Roberts Best Sci-Fi / Fantasy Board Wargame Nominee
  • 2012 Charles S. Roberts Best Sci-Fi / Fantasy Board Wargame Winner
  • 2012 Meeples’ Choice Nominee
  • Wired.com Best Tabletop Product 2012

Star Wars Roleplay LineThe Narrative Dice System

Star Wars: Edge of the Empire Roleplaying
  • 2013 Golden Geek Award Winner – Best Art & Presentation
  • UK Games Expo 2013 Best Roleplaying Game
EotECoreBookStar Wars: Edge of the Empire Beginner Game
  • 2013 Golden Geek Award Winner – Best Supplement
Star Wars: Age of Rebellion Roleplaying
Star Wars: Force and Destiny Roleplaying
  • 2016 Origins Award – Best Roleplaying Game
  • 2016 Origins Award – Fan Selection

Cosmic Storm Expansion for Cosmic Encounter

  • Dice Tower Seal of Excellence

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3rd Edition (and Supplements)

  • 2010 ENnies – Best Art, Interior – Nominee
  • 2010 ENnies – Best Production Values – Nominee
  • 2010 ENnies – Product of the Year – Nominee
  • 2010 Golden Geek Best RPG Artwork/Presentation Nominee

BBTMCoverBlood Bowl Team Manager: The Card Game

  • 2012 Golden Geek Best Card Game Nominee
  • 2012 Golden Geek Best Thematic Board Game Nominee
  • 2013 Juego del Año Tico Nominee
  • 2013 Juego del Año Tico Winner

BBTM: The Card Game – Sudden Death Expansion

Wiz-War: Malefic Curses expansion
Wiz-War: Bestial Forces expansion

Horned Rat expansion for Chaos in the Old World

  • 2011 Golden Geek Best Board Game Expansion Nominee
Major League Baseball SportsClix

Rogue Trader, Deathwatch, and Black Crusade RPGs

DCC Vault of the Dragon Kings, Crypt of the Devil Lich, and Mask of Death

Previous Guest of Honor Appearances: 

  • DragonCon, Atlanta
  • CoastCon, Biloxi MS
  • GameFest, Denver Gaming Convention
  • GamerNation Con, Dallas
  • ConnectiCon Gaming Convention, Hartford, CN
  • GenCon Industry Insider, Indianapolis
  • United Kingdom Games Expo

Speaking Engagements

  • M+DEV Game Developer’s Conference – Madison, WI
  • Protospiel by The Game Crafter – Madison, WI
  • Star Wars Game Experience – Roseville, MN
  • Fantasy Sports Trade Association – Chicago
  • Minneapolis Institute of Art – Minneapolis
  • International Game Designer Association – Menomonie, WI
  • GenCon Gaming Convention – Indianapolis
  • Geekway to the West Gaming Convention – St. Louis
  • Grade School, High School and College students
  • Boy Scout Troops – Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin
  • Dozens of Hobby Gaming Podcasts, Publications, and Websites

If you’d like Jay to speak on a panel at your event or give a presentation to your group, contact him via email: jay.little@paintedthumb.com