Since 2000, Keith Avallone, founder and head of PLAAY Games, (www.plaay.com) has produced several board games that simulate the experience of various sports ranging from football, and hockey, to more extreme events such as pro-wrestling and demolition derby racing. Although he took a break from the industry from 2005 to 2008, he maintained the rights to a royalty deal for his game Second Season, during his absence. The company currently operates with online sales, with Mr. Avallone as primary game designer and developer, but also enjoys the help of his teenage son during play testing and the development phases of design. Currently based out of his hom in Denver, CO, PLAAY.com can trace its roots back to the Dallas/Ft.Worth region of Texas.
His passion for gaming started in the 1970's with various board games played in his small Wisonsin hometown, during the long summers away from school. That drive for gaming was further fueled by his love of sports, and when he finally reached high school, while many of his classmates were outside were pursuing baseball, football, and other such athletic endeavors, he continued to engage in board gaming, but with a sports twist. Primarily APBA Football occupied his interests, but any game that he could acquire was up for the game table. Later on, during the development of his games for PLAAY.com, he kept the same mindset as when he was younger: develop games that the player(s) would be excited to play, keep the rules simple and player friendly, and most of all keep it fun.
Mr. Avallone continues to work to develop his line of games, and thus far has been quite successful. He has been able to have his line carried in a few brick and mortar stores, with several more interested in his product. He is looking into working with players on a convention circuit level, to generate interest. While most board game today deal with fantasy, property/technology development, strategy, action or wargaming, PLAAY.com's selection is almost exclusively sports based, which creates a very small niche for the company to expand upon. While other games deal with escapism, and strategy based thinking, the sports game market tends to capture the best of both. Players are able to participate in their favorite sporting events, on a very competitive level, in the comforts of home, around the gaming table, without the city to city flights, and crowded locker rooms, that their professional counterparts have to contend with. And while most of his games are geared for a nostalgic feel, primarily targeting the 40-60 year old demographic, who remember the origins of sports gaming, he is looking to the future and toward development of non sports games of all varieties.
Mr. Keith Avallone enjoys a unique position in the gaming community. As developer and business owner he continues to work within the community and help in its expansion. As a player, he makes efforts to bring players to the table and create memorable experiences between players and sports enthusiasts alike. He always avails himself to new possibilities and is very open about his games and loves to run demos at his local conventions, and incorporates as much player feedback into his product that he can. Although its taken much time for his line to develop, he has created a solid product line with an even more solid fanbase; that should continue to grow for years to come.
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