Ars-Amandi: the Inspiration

The first time I attended GaymerX was about 2 years ago in Santa Clarita. I had a growing interest in sex and intimacy in games but didn't have any sort of network or resources to go to for help, so GaymerX was like a godsend for me. I attended a panel called "Sex in Games" by Katherine Cross, a well renowned games writer, and she held the attention of the room like no one I had ever seen. She talked about the different ways sex is represented and played in games, and mentioned ars-amandi: a technique use in Norris LARP to represent physical and emotional intimacy.

While Cross was still in the middle of explaining what ars-amandi was, I immediately fell in love with the idea and wanted to use it as a game mechanic. A few weeks later, I was given the task to mod Sissyfight 3000, a card game about playground bullies. I somehow successfully managed to fit this touch technique into a game that had fighting mechanics in it. However, immediately after that course was over I wanted to change the game to better fit my vision for it.

With Elizabeth Swensen as my producer, I've been working on Intimacy for the past year and have absolutely loved every moment of it. This is a game that I am sincerely proud of and is my first published card game!

I couldn't have done this without the support of my friends and family; Elizabeth Swensen; the Art + Design: Games + Playable Media and Art departments at UC Santa Cruz; Terence Tolman for his support, and time and energy put into making such beautiful artwork; Blushbox; and everyone who playtested for me. Y'all helped make Intimacy what it is today and I am so thankful for all of you!