Hello Makers and Game Enthusiasts!
 

Today, I'm excited to share some insights, tips, and stories about bringing our 3D printed games from your printer bed to your family table. Whether you've printed Castle Capture, Skee Ball, Cosmic Connect, or any of our other designs, this post will help you create unforgettable gaming experiences. We hope these longer format blog posts will be fun to read, so let us know if this is something you like in the comments. 

Assembly as a Pre-Game Activity

Turn assembly into part of the fun! I've found that involving family members in putting together games like Castle Capture or Bank Heist creates investment in the experience before gameplay even begins.

"[Castle Capture was] another great print with no issues and my 5yr old son and I love playing it, thank you" - Feedback from a maker family

For younger children, I recommend pre-assembling complex mechanisms but letting them help with simple snap-together parts or starting screws and letting the little ones tighten it. This balances frustration with accomplishment. They will have a better connection with the games that you make for them. 

Creating Memorable Experiences

There are a lot of ways to elevate your printed board game experiences with your friends and family. What is your favorite way to get everyone ready for game play?

Creating Atmosphere

For games with themes, lean into the atmosphere:

• For Castle Capture, dim the lights and play medieval music in the background.
• With Cosmic Connect, use space-themed sound effects for successful moves. We use a sound effect app on our phone. 
• During Bank Heist, wear cheap plastic "burglar masks" or detective hats.

These small touches transform a simple game into an immersive experience for the fam.

“Perfect print and currently being enjoyed by 3 generations - thank you for the great work” - From a Cosmic Connect maker. 

Rule Variations We Don't Include in Instructions

Some of our most popular house rules have come from the community. A lot of our games can be adapted to create your own house rules. Write down the rules ahead and make sure everyone understands the new rules. Here are a few favorites:

Castle Capture Enhanced

• Rescue Mission: If your character falls through a trap door, another character can rescue them by landing on the same trap door square in the next round.
• Royal Decree: Once per game, declare a "royal decree" that protects one of your characters from falling for one round.

Skee Ball Challenge Modes

• Trick Shot Challenge: The first player to make two consecutive shots in the 50-point hole wins the game. 
• Team Mode: Players alternate shots but contribute to a shared score.

Wrench Racers Advanced

• Saboteur Mode: One player plays as the saboteur, trying to block others working on their own pipeline.
• Timed Turns: Use a 15-second sand timer for each turn to add pressure.

Making Games Accessible for All Ages

One of the joys of creating family games is seeing multiple generations play together. Here's how to adapt our games for different family members:

For Young Players (Ages 4-7)

• In Cosmic Connect, remove the strategic element and focus on the fun of launching marbles.
• For Adventure's Edge, simplify by removing the negative outcome spaces.
• With Don't Fall Through!, ensure the kiddos know which sliders will help prevent them from falling through the holes.
• Create new traditions, like having the winner select the next game model to print, or print out a trophy that can be passed on to the champion of the games each game night. 

For Competitive Adults

• Add betting elements with non-monetary stakes (chores, picking the next movie, etc.)
• Create tournaments with multiple games in our collection
• Add time pressure to standard games

Storage and Game Preservation

To ensure your games last through many family nights, consider keeping marbles or small game pieces in dedicated containers or bag so you don't lose them. We also recommend printing replacement parts for frequently used pieces before they wear out. 

Beyond the Print

The true magic of these games isn't in the plastic pieces that we print, it's in the fun moments and memories they create. The giggling when someone's piece falls through a trap door in Castle Capture. The cheer when a perfect shot lands in Skee Ball. The strategic moves during a game of Wrench Racers.
 

We'd love to hear about your family game nights with our designs or from other makers! Share your stories, house rules, and traditions in the comments.
 

Happy printing and even happier playing!