Sell Your Life Essence for Cash

Zap years off your life and get PAID.

GREETINGS, ADVENTURER!

Today’s Quest: Decide how much your life is worth… literally! Then join the Table Talk gang for a discussion on what makes life worthwhile, and learn why I had a “ball” at this year’s IndieCade. (The pun will make sense when you get to the end of the newsletter.)

First time here? Adventure Snack is a game series I email to subscribers. Play quests for free, twice a month, and turn your inbox into an adventure!

YOUR NEW QUEST:

"How has your life been so far? BAD?" asks a stilted AI lady voice in a video ad on your phone you're seeing on the toilet. She speaks over stock video clips of people crying and video game characters dying.

"Install the Plunge app today. Plunge lets you sell years of your life for cash! Take the plunge," the AI voice insists, as video transition to happy business people collecting cash floating in the air.

The ad knows you well. Your life has been less than amazing: low-paying job, no friends or love life, a broken sofa bed, spotty stolen internet, powder for meals. Maybe this could be good for you?

LET’S CHAT!

When your quest is complete, it’s time to debrief. Join your fellow adventurers at the virtual D&D table we call the comments section. This is where adventurers unwind, drink a tall glass of mead, and keep their boots on, please! No one wants to smell bog feet.

Discuss one (or all) of today’s topics in the comments:

💰 How many years did you exchange for cash? Was it worth it?

👻 What’s the most valuable aspect of your life? For me, I’d have to say my relationship with my wife, Amanda. This month, we’re celebrating 15 years together. 15 years! I can’t believe it’s been that long. She’s my partner in every way. She’s a comic book editor, so I often ask her for visual notes on the Adventure Snack thumbnails, and they’re so much better for her notes. In all ways, my life is so much better with her in it – and I know she’s reading this, so thank you, darling! Happy Anniversary! ❤️ (We celebrated at Disneyland yesterday and it was pouring rain the whole time but we lucked into a free photo opp with Darth Vader.)

💀 How old do you want to live to? I suspect I’ll be a pretty hilarious old man, so I’m hoping to make it to around 90. I’d like to live long enough to enjoy the perks of old age (discounted movie tickets, high waisted pants, yelling at children for no reason) without suffering too many decades of chronic body pain. We’ll see!

BALLING OUT AT INDIECADE

In September, I was hired as the Lead Narrative Designer on Puckish, an AR billiards game where the balls are characters in a Victorian melodrama. It’s a two player game. One player hits virtual balls on a table to complete objectives. The other looks up social rules in Decorum, a 140 year old etiquette book, to figure out how to avoid hidden traps. It’s exactly the kind of bizarre game I plan to design more of next year!

Puckish was nominated for the “Live Action Spotlight” award at this year’s IndieCade. Pictured above is me at IndieCade’s Night Games showcase in Los Angeles last weekend. I was there with creative director Dustin Freeman (he made the original prototype for Puckish this summer for a game jam) and narrative designer Marissa Koors (who found the book we used, which is full of arcane social rules, like how the lady of the house must be seated between the two most distinguished gentlemen at a dinner party). Thanks to Stephanie Barish, the founder of IndieCade, for including us in Night Games.

I went a little hoarse explaining the game to surprised and delighted players at the festival. So this is both an update on my current projects as well as a reminder to myself to get more throat coat tea next time I’m at Ralph’s.