Hey, that's me! Yeah the mean mug in the photo. I didn't grow up with much, at least not at first. My childhood was a series of moves as my dad chased the next big opportunity, and we were always along for the ride. Some might have called me a loser, but I never believed that. Instead, I spent my whole life dreaming.
Growing up in rural Kentucky was like living in Mayberry. Life moved slowly, and technology took its time reaching us. But that was just fine by most folks - except for me. I was always a rebel at heart, constantly wondering what lay beyond those rolling hills.
My imagination was my constant companion. While I might have looked alone, sitting in a nearly empty room surrounded by moving boxes or huddled in a closet with a flashlight and a book, the truth is, I had more friends than you could imagine. Knights, astronauts, and countless other characters filled my world - I was just the only one who could see them.
The call of the wider world was too strong to ignore. So, I traded the front porch swing and marble games for a pair of combat boots. I was convinced there was something more out there for me, and I was right - though it wasn't always good. My time in the service showed me the world, but it also left me with scars that others couldn't see. That chapter ended honorably, but it didn't end well.
In what some might call a moment of madness, I found myself in the icy Alaskan interior living as a mountain man about 100 miles from the arctic circle. The places you'll go right? It was here that I rediscovered my passion for creating worlds. The isolation gave me a sense of peace and I started cutting out cards for prototypes, convinced that if I could bring these imaginary realms to life, I'd have the friends I always wanted. I was right, but not in the way I'd imagined.
Board games became my new medium for storytelling. They gave me an outlet to create experiences, not just words on a page. Through Joy Hammer Games, I found a way to distill moments, freeze them in time, and transform them into something beautiful that others could share.
Now, if you see me sitting quietly on a bench, watching the world go by, know that I'm not alone. I'm remembering old friends, capturing moments, and dreaming up new worlds to bring to a table near you. I'm Roch Liles, a board game developer, and I'm inviting you to experience the stories that have been with me all along.
Want to Collaborate?
I'm always looking to cross promote with other indie developers. It's as simple as sending me an email with sibject line like "Hey let's collab!" I'll almost definitely see it. Click the link or send an email to joyhammerstudios@gmail.com.
Want to Collaborate?
Send links to your social media accounts to me. Don't worry about vanity metrics, I just want to see that this is the right type of content for the products. I love to send out review copies. Click the link or send an email to joyhammerstudios@gmail.com.
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