Author: Melody J Palmer

Hello all! My name is Melody Palmer, a founding member of Lucky Gnome Empire. I’ve lived a Life filled with games for which I’m definitely not Sorry! Games have been a significant part of my journey and have served as the basis of many stories along the way.

Board games, card games, dice games, video games, yard games, night games, sports games, etc, these and more are an endless list of enjoyable adventures that foster connection, while providing the foundation for entertainment and competitive spirit. There’s very few other outlets that create so many bridges and promote creative thinking and solutions. Simply, games are a great way to bring people together.

Growing up, we spent many Sunday afternoons playing games. While it wasn’t mutually exclusive to the day, it was regularly the easiest day to gather together. I remember for a period of time it was Life that we played every week. And also, if I recall correctly that was because of my influence – it was my favorite game at the time. So I wanted to play it as often as possible. We’d play the Game of Life and then take a nap. (Sounds like my literal day-to-day at this point!) Many lovely afternoons passed this way.

Additionally, the game of Sorry! has had a hold on me for as long as I can remember.The instances of Life faded somewhere along the way but Sorry! always comes back around. I played it growing up – in fact, I think I stole my parents’ copy of it (though it’s also possible they gave it to me – either way, it’s been in my possession for over half my life now). I will say that there’s something fun about making my friends and roommates play the same version that has been with me my whole life, connecting my past with my present in a light-hearted but real way.

As it goes, an argument could be made (and probably has been mentioned before) that games, in general, are the activity that transcends and unites more than any other. Past, present, future, I imagine research has been done to support such a claim. But for now, the takeaway I’m aiming for is that there is an undeniable connection we all have to games and the enjoyment they provide. That is an universal experience and one that I hold on to dearly. And throughout Life, I’ll never be Sorry! for it.

Though not immediately obvious, our company name connects in several ways to the universe of games. If you take Lucky Gnome Empire, break apart the words, and examine the individual pieces, you’ll get three noteworthy contributors to game play. Each word brings an essential element.

Starting with Lucky, its designation feels obvious at first but there’s a subtle nature for what it provides in games. Nearly every game is touched by luck – drawing a card, roll of the dice, random selection from a bag. The destiny of success falls on the shoulders of luck, from the simplest card game to the depths of strategy games. It could be argued that it’s not truly a game without it. With it though, and because of it even, there will always be a chance of failure. And like with life, that’s what makes it worth the Risk.

Looking at Gnome next, they bring attention to the element of whimsy that exists in games. It may not be as obvious as Lucky but it isn’t difficult to see how playful and fanciful gnomes can be. And while there is a range for how seriously people take their games, when you step back, it’s fairly clear how whimsical games are by design. How often do you get to become a detective, search for clues, and reveal a murderer? Or traverse a continent of sweets to conquer Candy Castle? Let me tell you it’s not every day for most people and I would say it’s also not often enough! The list of whimsical experiences is endless for those who engage the worlds of gameplay.

Speaking of the worlds within games, this is where Empire comes in. How many games are based on collecting items, building decks, creating spaces, or acquiring goods? Perhaps it feels a stretch, but that sounds like building empires to me, even if they are temporary ones. I’m sure anyone who loses in these specific games would agree. And while we have been focused on tabletop games, it’s just as applicable to the empires of the virtual realms and beyond. No single game type has a Monopoly on all these concepts. Fake money notwithstanding, the goal of game players everywhere is to come out on top, with the most of whatever that particular game requires.

Lucky Gnome Empire may not have the instant and apparent association with games, however, if the top hat fits, we are more acquainted than it initially appears and aim to continue to grow into that.