When asked about the board games that had the biggest impact on him as a designer, Maxime Tardif mentions that Magic: The Gathering holds a special place in his heart. Although Magic is primarily a card game, it was the first complex game he encountered at the age of twelve, and he still enjoys playing it regularly. He was fascinated by the game’s endless possibilities, especially the Storm mechanic, which he found exciting and dynamic compared to simpler decks like one built around Grizzly Bears. This experience influenced many design choices in Earth, where he wanted to capture a similarly explosive and generous gameplay feeling.
Strictly speaking about board games, Maxime credits 7 Wonders as a major influence. He first bought the game in 2012, and playing it opened up a whole new world of game experiences beyond the popular titles he and his friends were used to, such as Catan and Ticket to Ride. Discovering 7 Wonders inspired him to dive deeper into the hobby and buy more games. The Guild cards in 7 Wonders inspired the Terrain cards in Earth that score based on other players’ tableaus. Importantly, 7 Wonders showed him the value of games without downtime, which became a design goal for Earth.
Maxime also acknowledges many other games that shaped his approach to design. He points out Wingspan, Gizmos, and Terraforming Mars as strong influences on the engine-building mechanics in Earth. For tableau and pattern building, Cascadia, Kingdomino, and Calico were key inspirations. He admired the simultaneous play seen in 7 Wonders and Race and Roll for the Galaxy, as well as the simple yet varied action choices found in Scythe. From Wingspan and Terraforming Mars, he learned that replayability is strongly linked to having many options and a large card pool, which motivated him to include 434 unique card effects in Earth — more than the first Magic set or many other games and expansions.
Maxime is quick to clarify that Earth was not inspired by Ark Nova since Earth’s design was complete before he knew Ark Nova would be released. Although he has since played and enjoyed Ark Nova, any influence from that game will only appear in his future projects.
Where Maxime Finds Inspiration for His Games
Maxime’s design inspiration comes mainly from the games he plays regularly. He tries to play at least one game every day, keeping his brain active and maintaining immersion in the hobby. This daily engagement helps him study game mechanisms, identifying what works well and what doesn’t, which later influences his design decisions.
For themes, nature has always been Maxime’s main source of inspiration. His earliest game project from 2014, called BrilliAnts, was about ants. He followed this with games themed around diving into coral reefs and a smaller version of his first project. In total, he has worked on about 17 prototypes, most with nature-based themes, reflecting his childhood dream of becoming a biologist and channeling that passion into game design.
Specifically for Earth, Maxime credits his girlfriend Isabelle as the inspiration for the plant-centered theme. During the early days of the pandemic, she suggested his next game be about plants. Taking that idea to heart, he devoted much of his free time to developing Earth, turning her suggestion into a reality.
Apart from game and theme inspirations, Maxime also draws motivation from two unexpected mentors outside the board game world: Ray Dalio, known for his principles on optimizing life and business, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, a symbol of hard work and perseverance. Maxime applied Dalio’s radical transparency principle to objectively analyze Earth and improve it, while Schwarzenegger’s example encouraged him to stay focused and not listen to naysayers.
The Role of Mechanics and Theme in Game Design
When designing a game, the balance between mechanics and theme is crucial. Maxime Tardif emphasizes that for Earth, the mechanics were inspired by many games he played regularly, while the theme drew deeply from his passion for nature. He mentioned that he tries to play at least one game every day, not only for enjoyment but also to keep his creative mind sharp and immersed in the hobby. This daily habit allows him to continuously learn and refine his understanding of what works well in game design and what does not.
Nature has been a constant source of inspiration throughout his career. Starting with a project about ants, his earlier games were themed around natural environments like corals and ants, and many of his 17 prototypes are nature-themed. His early dream of becoming a biologist influences the themes he chooses, showing how personal interests can shape creative output. For Earth, a conversation with his girlfriend about making a game about plants sparked the entire project, showing how ideas can come from unexpected, intimate moments and grow into full-fledged designs.
Inspirations Beyond Board Games
Interestingly, Maxime draws inspiration not only from other games but also from figures outside the gaming world. Two individuals who influenced his work on Earth were Ray Dalio and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Ray Dalio’s approach to life and business, focused on principles and optimization, was applied to Maxime’s design process. He read Dalio’s book twice and implemented radical transparency and continuous improvement in his development of Earth. This mindset helped Maxime detach emotionally from criticism and use it constructively to enhance the game.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was a symbol of hard work and perseverance. His story motivated Maxime to persist despite the challenges of game design and the pressures that come with creating a successful product. This combination of discipline, optimism, and willingness to learn from various sources contributed to Earth’s unique development journey.
Handling Criticism and Staying True to the Vision
The success of Earth brought a new set of challenges, especially in dealing with mixed reactions from the gaming community. Maxime openly admits that facing criticism was initially difficult. Reading negative reviews on a project poured with so much effort is never easy. However, the principle of radical transparency he learned from Ray Dalio helped him distance himself emotionally and focus on the feedback that could improve the game.
Maxime knew from the beginning that Earth’s style—fast-paced, generous, and with many options—would not appeal to everyone. The game is not designed for players who seek high confrontation or heavy interaction. Instead, it targets those who enjoy games where they feel powerful and in control without restrictive rules. He accepted that some people would not like Earth, and that was perfectly fine. This clarity of vision helped him keep his focus and continue developing the game and its expansions.
Maxime also listens carefully to feedback to identify genuine concerns. Before working on the Earth expansion, he spent a lot of time reading reviews to understand what players liked and disliked. This research guided him to create an expansion that addresses weak points without compromising the core experience.
Earth: Abundance Expansion and Its Impact
The new expansion, Earth: Abundance, aims to enhance the base game by adding meaningful choices and improving player control. One of the main additions is a new resource called the seed, which players can trade for other resources or use to search their decks more efficiently. This mechanic helps reduce the luck factor related to drawing certain cards, especially those tied to rare scoring objectives.
The germination mechanic, inspired by Magic: the Gathering’s Tutor card, allows players to find cards with specific attributes. This brings more strategy and reduces frustration from unlucky draws. Despite adding these new elements, the expansion does not increase the game’s length, maintaining the fast gameplay players appreciate.
Adding new cards was a challenge because the original game already featured 34 scoring variables with percentages fixed on the cards. Maxime had to ensure the 70 new cards matched these percentages to keep the game balanced. This was a complex puzzle, but one he enjoyed solving.
The expansion also introduces subtle player interactions that encourage cooperation rather than confrontation. Some cards allow players to give resources to others, helping weaker players instead of punishing leaders. Other cards respond to what neighbors have, and some events require timing to maximize their impact while minimizing opponents’ benefits.
Overall, the expansion fits naturally with the base game, increasing player options and control without making the game more complex or longer. Maxime admits he would not play Earth without this expansion now, reflecting how well it integrates and improves the experience.
Transitioning to Full-Time Game Design
With Earth’s success, many ask Maxime if he plans to become a full-time game designer. He appreciates the recognition and is grateful for the community’s support, but remains cautious. He continues to work as a pharmacist, though with reduced hours, allowing more time to focus on game design. The financial uncertainty inherent in creative industries means he prefers to keep his day job for now.
However, Maxime is optimistic. If Earth’s momentum continues, he hopes to transition fully into game design shortly. This balance between passion and practicality is common among designers who want to pursue their craft while maintaining stability.
Current and Future Projects
Maxime is not resting on Earth’s success. Right after finishing the interview, he was working on a new project—a family racing game based on the Rayman universe with Ubisoft and Flyos studios. This project represents a departure from Earth’s style and themes, showing Maxime’s versatility and willingness to explore different game types.
He is also developing additional expansions for Earth, aiming to build on its success and maintain player interest. Beyond that, Maxime has completed a project for another company, which he cannot yet discuss but plans to reveal next year. He also has several prototypes at home, waiting to be pitched to publishers. Whether these will become published games remains to be seen, but it demonstrates his ongoing creativity and ambition.
Maxime finishes by thanking readers for their support and encouraging questions and suggestions. This openness reflects his appreciation for the community and his desire to keep improving through dialogue.
Maxime Tardif’s journey with Earth illustrates the blend of passion, inspiration, and resilience required to succeed in game design. Drawing from a broad range of influences—from Magic the Gathering and 7 Wonders to figures like Ray Dalio and Arnold Schwarzenegger—he crafted a game that offers fast, generous gameplay with deep strategy. His ability to accept criticism, learn from it, and maintain focus on his vision allowed Earth to become a standout title.
The Earth: Abundance expansion shows its commitment to enhancing player experience without adding unnecessary complexity. His balanced approach to career transition, ongoing projects, and openness to the community highlight a thoughtful designer dedicated to his craft. Maxime’s story serves as encouragement for aspiring game designers and players alike who appreciate games that combine fun, strategy, and innovation.
Expanding the Player Experience and Community Engagement
One of the remarkable aspects of Earth’s development is how the designer continues to focus on expanding the player experience through thoughtful updates and community interaction. Maxime Tardif understands that a game’s life does not end at release; rather, it grows and evolves as players engage with it, share their feedback, and discover new strategies. This ongoing relationship between creator and community helps shape future expansions and refinements.
The community around Earth is passionate and active, offering valuable insights and ideas. Maxime prioritizes listening to players’ experiences, especially regarding game balance and enjoyment. For instance, he carefully studies discussions on how certain scoring objectives or resources impact game dynamics. This attention ensures that new content respects the original design’s spirit while enhancing strategic depth and variety.
Innovations in Expansion Design
Maxime’s approach to creating expansions involves introducing new mechanics that enrich gameplay without complicating it unnecessarily. Earth’s expansions do not merely add more cards; they bring new strategic elements, like the seed resource and germination mechanic, that offer players greater control over their actions and outcomes.
In designing these additions, Maxime remains mindful of the game’s pacing and accessibility. He avoids lengthening playtime significantly or making rules more cumbersome, which could alienate casual players. Instead, expansions increase meaningful choices and encourage positive player interaction, such as cooperative elements where players can support one another.
This philosophy highlights the importance of preserving the core experience while offering fresh content, ensuring both new and returning players find value and enjoyment.
Balancing Complexity and Accessibility
Earth’s success partly stems from its balance between complexity and accessibility. While the game offers deep strategy through multiple scoring paths and resource management, it avoids overwhelming players with overly intricate rules. This balance attracts a broad audience, from casual gamers seeking enjoyable experiences to more serious players interested in optimizing their tactics.
Maxime’s background in biology and his scientific mindset contribute to his precise balancing efforts. He treats game design much like an experiment, testing hypotheses, gathering data from playtests, and iterating accordingly. This methodical process helps maintain fairness and replayability, two critical factors in a game’s lasting appeal.
The expansions follow the same principle, adding depth without burdening players with complicated systems. For example, the germination mechanic is simple to understand but powerful enough to influence strategic decisions meaningfully.
The Importance of Theme in Player Engagement
While mechanics provide the structure of a game, the theme breathes life into it. Maxime has consistently emphasized nature as a central theme in Earth, which resonates deeply with players who appreciate the natural world or seek a relaxing yet stimulating experience.
The theme connects players emotionally to the game, enhancing immersion and enjoyment. Earth’s imagery, card design, and resource types all evoke natural cycles and ecosystems, reinforcing the feeling of cultivating and nurturing life. This thematic coherence strengthens the overall design, making gameplay feel purposeful and satisfying.
By aligning mechanics with theme, Maxime ensures that every element of the game supports the same story and mood, contributing to a holistic experience that players remember and cherish.
Challenges in Game Design and Market Reception
Despite Earth’s achievements, Maxime acknowledges the challenges that come with game design and entering a competitive market. Even with positive reception, it is impossible to please every player or avoid criticism. Some players prefer more confrontational or conflict-heavy games, while others might seek faster or more casual experiences.
Maxime’s strategy involves accepting that not all players will love Earth, focusing instead on the community that appreciates its unique qualities. This acceptance allows him to develop content confidently, knowing that staying true to the game’s identity is more important than chasing mass appeal.
Moreover, launching a game and expansions requires navigating production timelines, printing logistics, and distribution channels, which can be complex and unpredictable. Maxime’s experience balancing his day job and game design helps him approach these challenges pragmatically.
Future Vision and Continuing Growth
Looking ahead, Maxime’s plans reflect ambition and passion. Beyond continuing to support and expand Earth, he is exploring new game genres and partnerships. The family racing game based on the Rayman universe represents a venture into more casual, approachable gaming, contrasting with Earth’s strategic depth.
This diversity showcases Maxime’s versatility and willingness to grow as a designer. He remains open to collaboration and innovation, understanding that the game industry constantly evolves with new trends and technologies.
Maxime also sees potential for digital adaptations or app versions of Earth, which could introduce the game to broader audiences and offer new ways to play. While maintaining quality and player experience is paramount, embracing digital platforms could further extend Earth’s reach and longevity.
Building a Sustainable Career in Game Design
Transitioning from a full-time pharmacist to a professional game designer is a significant goal for Maxime. He carefully manages this shift by gradually reducing work hours and increasing time devoted to design projects. Financial stability and realistic expectations guide his decisions, recognizing the uncertainties in the creative industry.
Maxime’s story highlights the importance of patience, persistence, and continuous learning. Success often requires balancing passion projects with practical responsibilities until momentum builds sufficiently to allow a full transition.
His experience also underscores the value of community support, effective communication, and openness to feedback. These factors contribute to professional growth and the ability to deliver games that resonate with players.
The Mechanics That Shape Strategic Depth
Earth’s gameplay stands out due to its elegant combination of resource management, card drafting, and spatial tactics. The core mechanics invite players to build efficient strategies by carefully balancing the growth of their tableau and optimizing the use of available resources. Players collect seeds, cultivate terrain, and score points through completing diverse objectives, all within a limited number of rounds. This framework encourages thoughtful planning, adaptability, and interaction.
The use of a shared draft adds a social element to the game, as players must anticipate opponents’ choices while maximizing their opportunities. Unlike games focused on direct conflict, Earth emphasizes subtle competition and timing. Choosing when to grab a valuable card or when to pass certain resources can have a lasting impact on the outcome. This delicate interplay is central to the game’s appeal for players who enjoy strategic depth without unnecessary complexity.
The game’s design encourages players to pursue multiple scoring routes, such as expanding particular terrain types, cultivating diverse flora, or fulfilling secret objectives. This variety keeps each playthrough fresh and rewards creative approaches. The strategic layers encourage players to analyze both their tableau and those of their opponents, adjusting their tactics accordingly.
The Role of Resource Management
Resource management on Earth is both intuitive and engaging. The primary resource, seeds, represents the growth potential and must be carefully allocated to develop new terrain or improve existing areas. Players also manage water, nutrients, and sunlight as elements that influence how effectively they can nurture their land. The dynamic interaction of these elements requires players to prioritize which resources to collect and how to spend them wisely.
The seed resource stands out because it is both the currency for expansion and a scoring tool. Players must decide when to invest seeds to extend their tableau and when to conserve them for bonus points. This push-and-pull dynamic adds tension and excitement, as mismanaging seeds can slow progress or leave players vulnerable to missed opportunities.
Resource scarcity is balanced by various card abilities and mechanics that allow for regeneration or conversion, offering multiple paths to success. These mechanisms prevent the game from becoming overly punishing and encourage creative problem-solving. Players can also employ strategic timing to maximize the benefits of resource collection phases.
The Importance of Timing and Planning
Timing plays a crucial role in Earth’s gameplay. Since the game lasts a fixed number of rounds, players must plan their moves to make the most of each phase. Deciding when to draft certain cards or when to expand specific terrains can greatly influence final scores. Early investment in versatile cards can pay dividends later, while focusing too narrowly might limit scoring potential.
The timing aspect extends to player interaction during the drafting phase. Observing opponents’ picks and adjusting one’s strategy accordingly is a subtle but essential skill. This interplay of anticipation and reaction enriches the experience and fosters a competitive yet friendly atmosphere.
Planning also involves forecasting future turns and anticipating how the tableau will evolve. Since many cards have synergy effects or special abilities triggered by particular conditions, understanding these relationships is key to unlocking higher scores. Players who can identify and exploit these synergies often gain a decisive edge.
The Germination Mechanic and Its Impact
One of the innovative mechanics introduced in the expansions is germination, which adds an extra layer of strategy. Germination allows players to “plant” seeds in specific terrains to activate beneficial effects or enhance scoring potential. This mechanic requires players to think not just about immediate gains but about future developments and positioning.
Germination influences both resource management and timing. Players must decide how many seeds to allocate to germination versus direct expansion, balancing short-term needs with long-term benefits. The mechanic rewards foresight and careful tableau construction, aligning well with the game’s overall theme of natural growth.
Additionally, germination encourages players to diversify their approaches and explore new strategies. By introducing this mechanic, the expansions provide fresh challenges and incentives to revisit the game, enriching replayability and engagement.
Player Interaction Without Direct Conflict
Earth’s design promotes interaction without relying on direct player conflict, such as attacking or blocking. Instead, players influence one another mainly through drafting competition and racing for shared objectives. This approach suits players who prefer thoughtful competition without the stress of confrontational gameplay.
The drafting phase is the main point of interaction. Players must weigh not only their own needs but also how their choices affect others. Denying a key card or resource to an opponent can be as impactful as building one’s tableau efficiently. This indirect interaction encourages players to stay attentive to the evolving game state.
Scoring also introduces a form of competition, as players vie to complete objectives first or with greater efficiency. Watching others’ progress influences decisions, creating a dynamic flow where strategies evolve in response to opponents’ moves. This keeps the game engaging and social.
Accessibility and Learning Curve
One of Earth’s strengths is its accessibility to new players while offering enough strategic complexity to satisfy veterans. The rules are straightforward and intuitive, allowing beginners to grasp the basics quickly. At the same time, the layers of decision-making and tactical options provide a rich experience for experienced gamers.
The game achieves this balance through clear iconography, thematic components, and gradual introduction of mechanics. Players learn by doing, gaining confidence as they play more rounds. The design avoids overwhelming players with too many exceptions or complicated interactions, which can be a barrier in other strategy games.
Expansions build on this foundation by adding new elements like germination or advanced scoring rules without disrupting the core experience. This careful design philosophy means players can incorporate expansions at their own pace and still enjoy smooth gameplay.
Visual and Component Quality Enhancing Engagement
The visual design and quality of components contribute significantly to Earth’s appeal. Beautiful artwork depicting natural scenes and flora creates an immersive atmosphere, drawing players into the theme of growth and cultivation. The use of well-crafted cards and tokens enhances tactile enjoyment and supports gameplay clarity.
High production values show respect for players and add value to the gaming experience. Durable cards, clear icons, and intuitive layouts make setup and play more enjoyable and reduce potential frustration. The aesthetic consistency reinforces the game’s message and mood, making each session feel special.
By investing in quality components, the game encourages repeated play and strengthens player attachment, which is important for building a lasting community and ensuring continued interest in expansions.
The Role of Secret Objectives and Replayability
Secret objectives add an exciting layer of unpredictability and personalization. Each player receives unique goals that guide their strategy and offer bonus points if achieved by the game’s end. These objectives encourage players to pursue different paths and experiment with various tactics.
The inclusion of secret objectives enhances replayability because each game presents new challenges and incentives. Players must adapt their strategies not only based on the visible tableau and cards but also on hidden goals. This element keeps the game fresh and engaging over multiple sessions.
Players enjoy the surprise and satisfaction of completing secret objectives, which also add narrative depth to the experience. The variety of objectives allows for diverse strategies, supporting the game’s broad appeal and strategic richness.
Community Feedback Shaping Design
Maxime Tardif values player feedback and has integrated community input into Earth’s development. Regular playtests and discussions help identify balance issues, unclear rules, or opportunities for improvement. This collaborative approach fosters goodwill and creates a sense of shared ownership.
Listening to players has led to refinements in scoring, resource management, and expansion content. The community’s passion for the game motivates ongoing support and enhances the quality of new releases. This dialogue between designer and players reflects a modern approach to game development, emphasizing transparency and responsiveness.
Community engagement also builds anticipation for expansions and future projects. Players feel invested in the game’s evolution and are more likely to promote it to others, contributing to a healthy and growing player base.
Conclusion:
Earth’s design exemplifies how thoughtful mechanics, thematic coherence, and player-focused innovation can combine to create a memorable gaming experience. The game’s blend of resource management, drafting, timing, and tableau building provides strategic depth without overwhelming complexity. Unique features like germination and secret objectives enrich gameplay and promote replayability.
The focus on indirect player interaction fosters a competitive but friendly environment, while accessibility ensures that a wide range of players can enjoy the game. High-quality components and immersive artwork strengthen the connection to the natural world, reinforcing the game’s identity.
By valuing community feedback and maintaining a clear vision, Maxime Tardif has crafted a game that resonates deeply with its audience. Earth invites players to explore growth, strategy, and harmony in a way that is both engaging and rewarding, securing its place among the cherished strategic games enjoyed today.