Game designer, writer, and co-founder of Sweet Potato Press. Creating immersive narrative games inspired by pop music, space opera, and video game culture.
Dev Purkayastha is an accomplished game designer and co-founder of Sweet Potato Press, where he creates narrative-driven analog games that blend storytelling with innovative game mechanics.
His work draws inspiration from a diverse range of influences, including pop music, space opera, and video game culture. This eclectic mix of inspirations results in games with unique themes and rich storytelling opportunities.
As the author of The Dance and the Dawn and Loga et Dus, Dev has established himself in the indie tabletop scene with games that prioritize emotional storytelling and player agency. His design philosophy centers on creating frameworks that empower players to tell their own stories while providing compelling themes and mechanics to guide the experience.
Beyond game design, Dev is passionate about fostering community in the analog gaming world and making games more accessible to diverse audiences. He regularly speaks at conventions and game design panels, sharing his expertise and encouraging new voices in the field.
A game for 3-5 players, played over a chessboard. One player plays the part of the Narrator (and will control the Duke and Queen, as well as several Lords), and the other players will each control one of the Ladies. The game is a bit of a fairy tale and a bit of a puzzle: each Lady is trying to determine the character of the various Lords, and must pick one at the end of the game.
A crime procedural set in a novel pseudo-renaissance city governed by a unique set of legal practitioners who must cooperate to solve major crimes. A hack of Lady Blackbird. (Coauthored with Jeremy Morgan.)
"The Dance and the Dawn is unlike any game I've played. The way it combines social deduction with storytelling creates this beautiful emotional arc that stays with you long after the game ends. Dev's design captures the tension of making life-changing decisions based on limited information."
"Loga et Dus combines the best elements of mystery solving with collaborative storytelling. The renaissance-inspired setting feels fresh and immersive, and the legal practice angle adds a fascinating layer to traditional crime procedurals. It's become a regular fixture at our gaming table."
A discussion on creating game systems that facilitate emotional storytelling while giving players the structure they need to feel secure in narrative exploration. This talk explores how designers can balance guidance with player agency.
View SlidesAn exploration of how diverse media influences can shape innovative game design, with practical techniques for translating inspir