Courtney Laschkewitsch, a Santa Cruz local, is an innovative, brilliant product licensing coach and tabletop gamemaker. Her ongoing career allows her to make people’s dreams come true, and now, she is bringing one of her own dreams to life. A beautiful mix of strong family values, imagination, and love for the holidays has inspired Courtney to create an accessible, fun Christmas themed “Print & Play” tabletop game.
Where are you from? What was your childhood like?
Courtney Laschkewitsch: I grew up in La Selva Beach with my brother and parents. We were homeschooled for most of my education . My parents would revolve our interests around education. We were encouraged to follow a path we loved with education as a foundation. We grew up “professional with passions”. We learned mindfulness with passion for the business world.
What was it like to win the 2015 NEXTies award?
CL: Through my speech about the importance of ASL and business, I was able to be entered into the NEXTies 18 & under division and won the award. I was passionate about changing the world through business. Two years later, I reposted my NEXTies award speech and Invent Right called to hire me. Beautiful full circle moment of passion. The gift that keeps on giving. Pivotal part of my journey and why I’m here.
“I talk about passion because people come in with passion and I was hired solely based on my passion”–CL
What is your current job?
CL: I am a Product Licensing Coach at Invent Right. There is the Main program for inventors aged 19+. I am a manager and coach for the Youth program for inventors aging 5-18. I coach inventors who have product ideas ranging from games to kitchen utensils. I aid them to get their product patented and pitched to major companies like Hasbro. Then they market, manufacture, and distribute the product into their line and the inventor collects a royalty.
“I’m holding people’s dreams in my hands every single day.”
What tabletop games did you play growing up? What games inspired you?
CL: My family grew up playing mass marketed games such as Scrabble and Yahtzee. One of my favorites was Dragonology because I loved how the dragon theme drove the gameplay. This was my gateway game to more niche, themed games outside the traditional. I developed games my whole life in homeschooling but wasn’t an all knowing professional yet. Two years ago, I dove into the game industry–such a warm, open, and immersive community. I fell in love with “Print & Plays” . Print & plays are accessible and repeatable games that are made on paper from your home!
How do you celebrate Christmas with your family?
CL: I grew up with strong family traditions and fell in love with the holidays because of family get-togethers, especially Christmas. My parent’s house was insanely decorated, like you’re walking into Santa’s Workshop. We had huge themed collections–nut crackers, teddy bears, etc. When I step into my family home, I enter the Christmas Spirit, family magic, fun, and mischief. We also loved watching Christmas light competition tv shows–all of this inspired the creation of my Print & Play game.
How is the The Not-So-Neighborly Christmas Lights Competition Game played?
CL: Main Game–You’re Six days away from Christmas Eve, you are thrust into the spotlight of an epic, chaotic Christmas light competition in your neighborhood. The game is a Print and Play, Choose & Roll, Draw & Color Competition. You are competing with your neighbors to decorate the best house. You’ll pick a house, and then choose between 5 different actions to take on your turn. Once you choose, you will roll dice to see the outcome. If you gain a decor item, you will draw and color it on your house or property! You can choose to play Naughty or Nice with every roll. Naughty or Nice, the element of sabotage makes the game exciting. Since it’s a family game, the sabotage mechanic can be hard for kids to accept so I made sure that if you play Naughty, there are rules that will reward the other player. Scoring is based on what colors you choose and placements of your colors. This levels the playing field because you don’t have to be an artist to win. The goal is to make the holiday spirit brighter with mischief and shenanigans.
What are the rules of the Suburb Edition?
CL: One house per paper with unlimited player count. It’s longer and slower so you can take your time decorating. For someone who wants a longer 1-2 hour game or in general if they enjoy the art of the game and want more time for that. You can think about your turns longer with lower stakes.
“Accessibility is the reason, the drive, the motivating factor of the creation of this game. I aim to change the world through accessibility.”
What is your kickstarter goal?
CL: My initial $100 goal was hit within two hours of starting the kickstarter. I have more stretch goals including $1000 to get the game out there as a form of marketing. I have stretch goals of $300+ so I can add features such as snow ball fights to the game. I am also working on a Gingerbread house and halloween edition.
The Kickstarter launched Nov. 12 and ends Dec. 6, with late pledges available after it ends.
By Joanna Jenkins
