Unpub 3View: Fill The Barn

As we get closer to Unpub 3, we’re previewing some of the games coming to the show.

We've already talked about Charlie Hoopes other exhibition game AtataT! Today we're going to take few moments and discuss his first game, a game some people might be confused as to why it's being presented at Unpub 3.

Fill the Barn is already published, kind of. So, why do we take the Un out of Unpub? Fill the Barn has been self-published. It's going the a different set of distribution channels. It's truly an independent game and we applaud that. Fill the Barn was not kickstarted. It was designed, and published without a rabid fan base. It was a labor of love and passion and we applaud that. During the main Unpub event each year, we do allow self-published titles to see the tables to help promote those games to a wider audience. It's just something we offer and Fill the Barn gets to take advantage of this (not unlike Jersey Devil Chess last year.)

Fill the Barn is a neat little game that I happen to have played several times at this point. I even reviewed it over on Cartrunk.net. We're happy to have Charlie bringing this little gem to Unpub 3, we're even happier he took the time to tell us about in an Unpub 3View.

What was your inspiration for Fill the Barn? My younger son wasted a gift card on a game in a big dept store, the game was awful, I said even I can do beter than that. Then I set out to prove it.

What is your favorite part of Fill the Barn?  Towards the end as the barn is filling up and people are jockeying to grab the few remaining slots.

To your knowledge, What do other people find most interesting about Fill the Barn?  That the game itself has more strategic depth than meets the eye.

What has been the most challenging part of designing Fill the Barn? This was our first self-published game. The whole process has been a learning experience.

What advice would you give to players attempting Fill the Barn for the first time? The cards that can empty a barn slot (Mice, CleanUp) can alter the end game. If you draw them, hold onto them and don't squander them too early.

What has surprised you most in play-tests of Fill the Barn?  That adults and teens enjoy this game event without children.

What do you hope to accomplish at Unpub 3?  Get the game out of the box so others can see how much fun it is.

Tell us anything else you want to say about Fill the Barn that I haven't asked or you haven't said already.  Graphic Design/Art was done by a Utah Jr High Math teacher. Teaching is his day job, graphic design is what he does for fun.

Check out the Fill the Barn page on Unpub.net!

Find our more about the 62 other games coming to Unpub 3!