We sit down with John Lazaration, creator of Draughtnauts, to talk about turning checkers-style strategy into a customizable sci-fi tabletop game that welcomes new players and hobbyists. We dig into 3D printing, art direction, playtesting lessons, and how a community can help grow new rules, characters, and story. 
• Draughtnauts as a collectible, expandable tabletop game built on checkers-style movement 
• Champion pieces, armor, and weapons as customization now with room for future mechanics 
• Community-driven expansion, fan ideas, voting, and the “creative sandbox” approach 
• Building the game through 3D printing, print-on-demand mats, and a solo home studio workflow 
• The retro, geometric art style, neoprene playmats, and why simple forms invite mini painting 
• Early design swings that did not pan out, from over-complex rules to a four-player megaboard 
• Where the project lives today, from Etsy as the shop hub to newsletters and potential Discord growth 
go ahead and give us a like and a follow. Share the show if you enjoyed this interview. go on his Etsy account and uh, you know, buy a set, try it out, see if you like it, give him some love. LazArt Studios at LazArt Studios on Instagram. 

https://www.lazartstudios.com/

https://linktr.ee/lazartstudios

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