I design catalogue-ready family and gateway games using a UX product process to move from concept to publisher-ready titles quickly and intentionally.

• Fast to teach
• High in player interaction
• Built for repeat play
• Validated in public environments

My approach is informed by competitive play and rapid public iteration, first publicly demonstrated with Great Uncle Mort is Dead at Protospiel North 2025.

Currently offering four original titles developed in three months, each at a different stage of publisher readiness.

Current catalogue

UX-driven tabletop design for fast, commercially viable family & gateway games.

Focused on fast-teach, high-interaction family and gateway line-ready titles (15–45 minutes, 2–6+ players) designed for strong table presence and repeat play.

All titles are available for publisher review unless noted.

Great Uncle Mort is Dead

A semi-cooperative game of competitive greed.

High-interaction anchor title for negotiation and auction lines.

2 – 6

40m

8+

Teach: 5 minutes
Weight: Light-Medium
Table footprint: Standard
Category: Take that, Real time, Auction
Status: Available for publisher review (Sell sheet | Video)
Play: If you love games like I’m the Boss & High Society

99 Balloons

A fast-paced card game where predicting the second most common colour pays off.

Scales to large groups with ultra-fast onboarding.

2 – 10

20m

6+

Teach: 2 minute
Weight: Light
Table footprint: Small
Category: Set collection, Prediction
Status: Available for publisher review (Sell sheet)
Extras: Rules & score sheet, Solo play & calculator app
Play: If you love games like Uno or 6nimmt!

Within Reach

A shared-path strategy game of timing and control.

Gateway strategy with strong visual table presence.

2 – 4

45m

8+

Teach: 5 minutes
Weight: Light-Medium
Table footprint: Standard
Category: Action selection, Map addition, Race for limited rewards
Status: Available for publisher review (Sell sheet)
Play: If you love games like Wingspan or Carcassonne

Cats Rule

A fast, furious game of picking sides and perfect timing.

Lightweight competitive filler with immediate table energy.

3 – 6

15m

6+

Teach: 1 minute
Weight: Light
Table footprint: Small
Category: Bidding, Race, Track movement
Status: Playtesting
Play: If you love games like Snakes & Ladders

Organized play & live testing

This process produces measurable reductions in teach time, faster first turns, and higher replay demand.

Live event operation

99 Balloons was featured at BreakoutCon 2026, alongside a Championship-style Saboteur tournament.

These sessions tested onboarding speed, table flow, replayability, and repeat demand in a high-throughput public environment.

Designed for fast teach and quick reset, each round provides immediate feedback on clarity, pacing, and player engagement under real convention conditions.

The rules were updated and gameplay enhanced based on the BreakoutCon game play.

Pilot production

A limited print run of 99 Balloons has been produced for live event use, prizing and public play.

This batch is used to validate handling, durability, table presence, and learn-to-play behaviour in a real setting.

The goal is production validation: Ensuring the game performs at scale before entering a publishing pipeline.

Interested in a copy? Reach out.

Structured playtesting

Each title is played and iterated with new and returning players.

  • Mort is Dead: 20+ public playtests | Current ruleset v8.2
  • 99 Balloons: 30+ public playtests | Current ruleset v3.5
  • Cats Rule: 15+ public playtests | Current ruleset v1.3
  • Within Reach: 12+ public playtests | Current ruleset v2.3

Sessions focus on:

  • Blind onboarding
  • Replay rate
  • Decision time
  • Rules retention

Continuous iteration

All designs are tested in public environments, Protospiel, Snakes & Lattes design nights, and live events, where players learn directly from the components and begin play without designer guidance.

Feedback is implemented between sessions, creating short iteration cycles and measurable improvement in teach time, flow, and engagement.

For publishers

In search of:

  • 2 – 6 player interaction-first designs
  • Family & gateway catalogue lines
  • Strong table presence & replayability

Let’s connect at an event or you can email me.

Events I’ll be attending

Designers night

Date: April 13, 2026
Location: Snakes & Lattes Annex, Toronto

Designers night

Date: April 27, 2026
Location: Snakes & Lattes College, Toronto

Spiel Essen

Date: Oct 22-25, 2026
Location: Spiele Messe Essen, Essen, Germany

Want to meet another time?

Book a publisher meeting
@jasonkogangames
Jason Kogan

@jasonkogangames

• UX-powered tabletop game designer • Family & gateway catalogue focus • 🇨🇦 Saboteur North American Champion JK Games The fun is no joke.
  • Back to designing a gateway game lesson 8: Moderate Interaction. In Carcassonne, players can (sort of) interact if they try to get into the same City, or Road, but it definitely takes effort! In Splendor, players race for the same gem cards and to impress the nobles. In my game Within Reach (formerly OctoScape), players can engage the same arm segments and compete for food and position to elevate… but they can also choose not to. Keeping things friendly, or mostly friendly does lead to fun strategic play! #gatewaygame #boardgamedesign #designinpublic #boardgamedev
  • Whenever I’m somewhere new, I love visiting board game stores. You never know what gems you’ll find. Dusty and out of print, or new and familiar. I happened to be in Barrie today at Sir Games-a-lot and came across a lot of beautiful dust, and some much less dusty gems, including this one from my mathy friends at @bsgamesca ! Love seeing local #gamedesigner in the wild! #endlessgames #boardgamesgalore
  • It’s always great meeting friends new and old, talking shop, learning and playing games, and jamming from peers. @breakoutcon created such an inviting space for all. I definitely found the fun! So great spending time with @cchunggames @bsgamesca @jslack22 @kidstablebg @outsetmediagames @randolphpubsludiques and many more awesome designers, publishers and gamers! Looking forward to our next game!
  • Even “finished” games can be improved. I introduced 99 Balloons to 12 groups of people at @breakoutcon this weekend! It was both fun, and insightful! After running 9 tournaments, and solely acting as the balloonist (running the central market) I realized this should be a separate role. I’ve played the game many times now, but I’ve always run the table AND played. It’s challenging, to say the least. As a dedicated balloonist, I can choose which colour to play into the market, and mess with the other players! This role can now be separated, and rotates each round. No more juggling, and agency for all players. I’ll be changing the rules for everyone to enjoy. I’m extremely thankful to have had the opportunity to run these tournaments and continue to improve the game. Also, I’m thankful that my rules are accessed via a QR code so that all players can now enjoy the new way to play! #boardgamerules #rules #boardgamedev
  • Many exciting moments running events for 99 Balloons and Saboteur at @breakoutcon! What a fun mix of colours, balloons, pick axes and sabotage! #tournament #boardgametournament #cardgamesarefun
  • Taking a break from my gateway game journey to say that I’ll be at @breakoutcon Thursday - Sunday Mar 19-22 in Toronto! Will you be there? Come join any of the FREE tournaments for 99 Balloons, or Saboteur that I’m running. Both have lots of giveaways and great prizing! 🎈⛏️ When I’m not running tournaments I’ll be playing testing my two latest games, Cats Rule and my gateway game, Octoscape. Come try them out! 🐈‍⬛🐙 I’m also super excited to announce that I’ve been accepted into the @failfasterjournal mentorship program. Getting feedback from industry pros is a great way to improve my games even faster! 🚀 Looking forward to 4 days of non stop gaming, who’s with me!? #boardgameconvention #boardgameaddict #boardgamedesign
View on Instagram
Back to designing a gateway game lesson 8: Moderate Interaction. In Carcassonne, players can (sort of) interact if they try to get into the same City, or Road, but it definitely takes effort! In Splendor, players race for the same gem cards and to impress the nobles. In my game Within Reach (formerly OctoScape), players can engage the same arm segments and compete for food and position to elevate… but they can also choose not to. Keeping things friendly, or mostly friendly does lead to fun strategic play! #gatewaygame #boardgamedesign #designinpublic #boardgamedev
@jasonkogangames
@jasonkogangames
•
Follow
Back to designing a gateway game lesson 8: Moderate Interaction. In Carcassonne, players can (sort of) interact if they try to get into the same City, or Road, but it definitely takes effort! In Splendor, players race for the same gem cards and to impress the nobles. In my game Within Reach (formerly OctoScape), players can engage the same arm segments and compete for food and position to elevate… but they can also choose not to. Keeping things friendly, or mostly friendly does lead to fun strategic play! #gatewaygame #boardgamedesign #designinpublic #boardgamedev
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
1/6
Whenever I’m somewhere new, I love visiting board game stores. You never know what gems you’ll find. Dusty and out of print, or new and familiar. I happened to be in Barrie today at Sir Games-a-lot and came across a lot of beautiful dust, and some much less dusty gems, including this one from my mathy friends at @bsgamesca ! Love seeing local #gamedesigner in the wild! #endlessgames #boardgamesgalore
Whenever I’m somewhere new, I love visiting board game stores. You never know what gems you’ll find. Dusty and out of print, or new and familiar. I happened to be in Barrie today at Sir Games-a-lot and came across a lot of beautiful dust, and some much less dusty gems, including this one from my mathy friends at @bsgamesca ! Love seeing local #gamedesigner in the wild! #endlessgames #boardgamesgalore
@jasonkogangames
@jasonkogangames
•
Follow
Whenever I’m somewhere new, I love visiting board game stores. You never know what gems you’ll find. Dusty and out of print, or new and familiar. I happened to be in Barrie today at Sir Games-a-lot and came across a lot of beautiful dust, and some much less dusty gems, including this one from my mathy friends at @bsgamesca ! Love seeing local #gamedesigner in the wild! #endlessgames #boardgamesgalore
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
2/6
It’s always great meeting friends new and old, talking shop, learning and playing games, and jamming from peers. @breakoutcon created such an inviting space for all. I definitely found the fun! So great spending time with @cchunggames @bsgamesca @jslack22 @kidstablebg @outsetmediagames @randolphpubsludiques and many more awesome designers, publishers and gamers! Looking forward to our next game!
It’s always great meeting friends new and old, talking shop, learning and playing games, and jamming from peers. @breakoutcon created such an inviting space for all. I definitely found the fun! So great spending time with @cchunggames @bsgamesca @jslack22 @kidstablebg @outsetmediagames @randolphpubsludiques and many more awesome designers, publishers and gamers! Looking forward to our next game!
It’s always great meeting friends new and old, talking shop, learning and playing games, and jamming from peers. @breakoutcon created such an inviting space for all. I definitely found the fun! So great spending time with @cchunggames @bsgamesca @jslack22 @kidstablebg @outsetmediagames @randolphpubsludiques and many more awesome designers, publishers and gamers! Looking forward to our next game!
@jasonkogangames
@jasonkogangames
•
Follow
It’s always great meeting friends new and old, talking shop, learning and playing games, and jamming from peers. @breakoutcon created such an inviting space for all. I definitely found the fun! So great spending time with @cchunggames @bsgamesca @jslack22 @kidstablebg @outsetmediagames @randolphpubsludiques and many more awesome designers, publishers and gamers! Looking forward to our next game!
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
Even “finished” games can be improved. I introduced 99 Balloons to 12 groups of people at @breakoutcon this weekend! It was both fun, and insightful! After running 9 tournaments, and solely acting as the balloonist (running the central market) I realized this should be a separate role. I’ve played the game many times now, but I’ve always run the table AND played. It’s challenging, to say the least. As a dedicated balloonist, I can choose which colour to play into the market, and mess with the other players! This role can now be separated, and rotates each round. No more juggling, and agency for all players. I’ll be changing the rules for everyone to enjoy. I’m extremely thankful to have had the opportunity to run these tournaments and continue to improve the game. Also, I’m thankful that my rules are accessed via a QR code so that all players can now enjoy the new way to play! #boardgamerules #rules #boardgamedev
Even “finished” games can be improved. I introduced 99 Balloons to 12 groups of people at @breakoutcon this weekend! It was both fun, and insightful! After running 9 tournaments, and solely acting as the balloonist (running the central market) I realized this should be a separate role. I’ve played the game many times now, but I’ve always run the table AND played. It’s challenging, to say the least. As a dedicated balloonist, I can choose which colour to play into the market, and mess with the other players! This role can now be separated, and rotates each round. No more juggling, and agency for all players. I’ll be changing the rules for everyone to enjoy. I’m extremely thankful to have had the opportunity to run these tournaments and continue to improve the game. Also, I’m thankful that my rules are accessed via a QR code so that all players can now enjoy the new way to play! #boardgamerules #rules #boardgamedev
Even “finished” games can be improved. I introduced 99 Balloons to 12 groups of people at @breakoutcon this weekend! It was both fun, and insightful! After running 9 tournaments, and solely acting as the balloonist (running the central market) I realized this should be a separate role. I’ve played the game many times now, but I’ve always run the table AND played. It’s challenging, to say the least. As a dedicated balloonist, I can choose which colour to play into the market, and mess with the other players! This role can now be separated, and rotates each round. No more juggling, and agency for all players. I’ll be changing the rules for everyone to enjoy. I’m extremely thankful to have had the opportunity to run these tournaments and continue to improve the game. Also, I’m thankful that my rules are accessed via a QR code so that all players can now enjoy the new way to play! #boardgamerules #rules #boardgamedev
Even “finished” games can be improved. I introduced 99 Balloons to 12 groups of people at @breakoutcon this weekend! It was both fun, and insightful! After running 9 tournaments, and solely acting as the balloonist (running the central market) I realized this should be a separate role. I’ve played the game many times now, but I’ve always run the table AND played. It’s challenging, to say the least. As a dedicated balloonist, I can choose which colour to play into the market, and mess with the other players! This role can now be separated, and rotates each round. No more juggling, and agency for all players. I’ll be changing the rules for everyone to enjoy. I’m extremely thankful to have had the opportunity to run these tournaments and continue to improve the game. Also, I’m thankful that my rules are accessed via a QR code so that all players can now enjoy the new way to play! #boardgamerules #rules #boardgamedev
@jasonkogangames
@jasonkogangames
•
Follow
Even “finished” games can be improved. I introduced 99 Balloons to 12 groups of people at @breakoutcon this weekend! It was both fun, and insightful! After running 9 tournaments, and solely acting as the balloonist (running the central market) I realized this should be a separate role. I’ve played the game many times now, but I’ve always run the table AND played. It’s challenging, to say the least. As a dedicated balloonist, I can choose which colour to play into the market, and mess with the other players! This role can now be separated, and rotates each round. No more juggling, and agency for all players. I’ll be changing the rules for everyone to enjoy. I’m extremely thankful to have had the opportunity to run these tournaments and continue to improve the game. Also, I’m thankful that my rules are accessed via a QR code so that all players can now enjoy the new way to play! #boardgamerules #rules #boardgamedev
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/6
Many exciting moments running events for 99 Balloons and Saboteur at @breakoutcon! What a fun mix of colours, balloons, pick axes and sabotage! #tournament #boardgametournament #cardgamesarefun
Many exciting moments running events for 99 Balloons and Saboteur at @breakoutcon! What a fun mix of colours, balloons, pick axes and sabotage! #tournament #boardgametournament #cardgamesarefun
Many exciting moments running events for 99 Balloons and Saboteur at @breakoutcon! What a fun mix of colours, balloons, pick axes and sabotage! #tournament #boardgametournament #cardgamesarefun
@jasonkogangames
@jasonkogangames
•
Follow
Many exciting moments running events for 99 Balloons and Saboteur at @breakoutcon! What a fun mix of colours, balloons, pick axes and sabotage! #tournament #boardgametournament #cardgamesarefun
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/6
Taking a break from my gateway game journey to say that I’ll be at @breakoutcon Thursday - Sunday Mar 19-22 in Toronto! Will you be there? Come join any of the FREE tournaments for 99 Balloons, or Saboteur that I’m running. Both have lots of giveaways and great prizing! 🎈⛏️ When I’m not running tournaments I’ll be playing testing my two latest games, Cats Rule and my gateway game, Octoscape. Come try them out! 🐈‍⬛🐙 I’m also super excited to announce that I’ve been accepted into the @failfasterjournal mentorship program. Getting feedback from industry pros is a great way to improve my games even faster! 🚀 Looking forward to 4 days of non stop gaming, who’s with me!? #boardgameconvention #boardgameaddict #boardgamedesign
Taking a break from my gateway game journey to say that I’ll be at @breakoutcon Thursday - Sunday Mar 19-22 in Toronto! Will you be there? Come join any of the FREE tournaments for 99 Balloons, or Saboteur that I’m running. Both have lots of giveaways and great prizing! 🎈⛏️ When I’m not running tournaments I’ll be playing testing my two latest games, Cats Rule and my gateway game, Octoscape. Come try them out! 🐈‍⬛🐙 I’m also super excited to announce that I’ve been accepted into the @failfasterjournal mentorship program. Getting feedback from industry pros is a great way to improve my games even faster! 🚀 Looking forward to 4 days of non stop gaming, who’s with me!? #boardgameconvention #boardgameaddict #boardgamedesign
Taking a break from my gateway game journey to say that I’ll be at @breakoutcon Thursday - Sunday Mar 19-22 in Toronto! Will you be there? Come join any of the FREE tournaments for 99 Balloons, or Saboteur that I’m running. Both have lots of giveaways and great prizing! 🎈⛏️ When I’m not running tournaments I’ll be playing testing my two latest games, Cats Rule and my gateway game, Octoscape. Come try them out! 🐈‍⬛🐙 I’m also super excited to announce that I’ve been accepted into the @failfasterjournal mentorship program. Getting feedback from industry pros is a great way to improve my games even faster! 🚀 Looking forward to 4 days of non stop gaming, who’s with me!? #boardgameconvention #boardgameaddict #boardgamedesign
@jasonkogangames
@jasonkogangames
•
Follow
Taking a break from my gateway game journey to say that I’ll be at @breakoutcon Thursday - Sunday Mar 19-22 in Toronto! Will you be there? Come join any of the FREE tournaments for 99 Balloons, or Saboteur that I’m running. Both have lots of giveaways and great prizing! 🎈⛏️ When I’m not running tournaments I’ll be playing testing my two latest games, Cats Rule and my gateway game, Octoscape. Come try them out! 🐈‍⬛🐙 I’m also super excited to announce that I’ve been accepted into the @failfasterjournal mentorship program. Getting feedback from industry pros is a great way to improve my games even faster! 🚀 Looking forward to 4 days of non stop gaming, who’s with me!? #boardgameconvention #boardgameaddict #boardgamedesign
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/6

Let’s talk board game design

Occasional updates on new titles, live testing results, and catalogue availability.