COLUMBUS, OHIO:.- This year, the Origins Game Fair's Unpub Room, a space dedicated to showcasing unpublished games and innovative ideas, featured a diverse array of board games. Among the many titles presented was Dusty Dolls: Showdown, developed by Chinese designers Jenny (Yanzhi) Wang, David Fang, and Jayde Zhou. The game offers a unique twist on engine-building mechanics with a strong emphasis on player interaction and bluffing.

A New Approach to Game Design
The trio first connected at NYU's Game Center, where they discovered a shared passion for tabletop gaming. Disappointed by the lack of games that combine strategic engine-building with player interaction, they set out to create something entirely new. The result was Dusty Dolls: Showdown, a game that has evolved significantly since its conception in March 2023.

Originally titled Survivors Kill, the game underwent a thematic overhaul after receiving feedback from early playtesters. Concerns about the initial violent theme led the team to pivot towards a wasteland survival narrative, where players assume the roles of female warriors battling for scarce resources in a desolate world.

The Journey of Dusty Dolls
The game has already made waves at various gaming events, including NYU's Game Center Showcase, the Dumbo Board Game event, Pax Unplugged, and the Toy Fair. Each of these appearances provided valuable feedback that shaped the game into its current form.

"One of the highlights for us was when Emerson Matsuuchi, a game designer I admire, played our game and gave us positive feedback," shared Jenny Wang, one of the lead designers. The team has continuously refined the game, balancing its strategic depth with accessibility, ensuring that it appeals to both hardcore gamers and newcomers alike.

Origins Game Fair: A Milestone Event
At this year's Origins Game Fair, Dusty Dolls: Showdown attracted significant attention in the Unpub Room. The team hosted over ten playtesting sessions, gathering feedback from professional gamers and casual players alike. This exposure has led to ongoing discussions with several publishers, bringing the team closer to their goal of commercializing the game.

The Future of Dusty Dolls
As Chinese designers navigating the competitive U.S. market, Jenny, David, and Jayde are eager to see where their journey will take them next. "We’re excited to introduce a fresh perspective to the world of tabletop games," Jenny Wang said. "Our game is not just about building and strategizing—it's about interacting, bluffing, and outsmarting your opponents in a world where trust is a scarce resource."

The game’s backbox advertisement sums it up perfectly: “You will step into the shoes of women warriors to build up their weapons and fight for scarce resources. Will you forge alliances or go it alone? Trust no one but yourself in this wasteland world. Learn in 5 minutes and enjoy the game for 20-45 minutes!”

Event Organizer Background
Origins Game Fair is organized by the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA), a non-profit trade organization dedicated to supporting the hobby games industry. GAMA strengthens and supports industry professionals by advancing their interests, offering educational programs, and promoting unique, high-quality social entertainment.

As a key hub for both new and seasoned professionals in the game industry, GAMA promotes the collective goal of increasing the adoption and engagement of hobby games. The association fosters networking, shares best practices and innovations, and pools resources to achieve common objectives. GAMA accomplishes this through hosting trade and consumer shows, industry events, providing a central information and resource hub, marketing activities, and collaborating with other trade organizations in related industries.