Origame is just 2 months shy of turning 3 years old. We haven’t been around for a very long time but we believe that you know what we do. You’ve played our games and seen our vids but how much do you know about the folks behind Origame?
In this article, the Origame team answers 5 questions that were inspired by the board games that we created. Let’s go between the folds and find out more!
DARYL CHOW, Co-Founder / Lead Game Designer
What's your favourite kopi tiam drink?
It rotates between Teh O Peng and Teh C Peng, depending on my mood. It's not very scientific.
What's your favourite local animal?
I used to read stories of Sang Kancil growing up, so it has to be the mousedeer who will outwit you before you can eat it. I also have a soft spot for the pangolin as it's a majestic and resourceful animal (at least my image of it is).
What's your favourite fruit besides durian?
I have very fond memories of the Hallabong orange from Jeju. But since that's not readily available here, lychee from China or Vietnam when in season.
What's your favourite zi char dish?
Sam Lo Hor Fun, if done well, is pretty spectacular with all the different mouthfeels and textures. Otherwise, you usually can't go wrong with fried rice topped with a fried egg.
What's your favourite Origame game?
All of them are special, but I think Mooncake Master stands out to me because of the amount of time we spent designing all the different components. It's still a great game that has a classic feel and fits our image of the modern Asian board game, and I would play it any day.
NICK PANG, Co-Founder / Art Director
What's your favourite kopi tiam drink?
Depending on when and where I eat at, it’s either Yuan Yang Siew Dai or Teh Alia Kurang Manis. Although it’s really hard to find stalls that mix them with the right thickness.
What's your favourite local animal?
The egret that frequent the waterways near my home. It pops up on some mornings and evenings in the canal to browse for food. I like how graceful it carries itself in the air. It looks especially regal with its outstretched wings and long legs.
What's your favourite fruit besides durian?
Local bananas. The kind that you buy from neighbourhood fruit shops. I particularly love pisang mas. I like that they’re firm on the outside and hard to bruise but soft, creamy, and sweet on the inside, especially when slightly overripe. Growing up, there was always a bunch of bananas in the house to snack on. Ironically, my wife hates both bananas and durians so eating them now takes some strategy.
What's your favourite zi char dish?
I eat zi char occasionally and when I do, I leave the ordering to someone who can read the Chinese menu and knows what they’re doing. But if left to my own devices, I would order Spring Onion and Ginger Beef Rice as an excuse to eat a bowl of pickled green chili.
What's your favourite Origame game?
Wok and Roll. I enjoy the act of cascading combos and optimising every ingredient rolled. It’s my first encounter with a roll-and-write. Finally unboxing and playing the printed product was satisfying, especially after spending weeks prepping the layouts and final artwork. Mooncake Master also has a special place in my heart because I managed to sneak in an easter egg with the help of @launshae: the customer representing Singapore is closely based on a photo of my mum in her baju kebaya.
LY-ANN, Writer / Game-schooler
What's your favourite kopi tiam drink?
I always order a Teh C Peng out of habit. It’s the one drink I associate most closely with any kopi tiam. It was my mom’s favorite but to be different, I would ask for mine with ice because it was different and more refreshing than hers. Oddly enough, I never order any sort of coffee!
What's your favourite local animal?
It would have to be the otter. Admittedly because I’m less exposed to the other native species here. So the otters are the ones seen most often in our waterways. They can be pretty vicious for sure but they are always depicted as kind of cute too. And I’m partial to cute since I know that is what my two little girls would be drawn to.
What's your favourite fruit besides durian?
I have good memories of eating nangka! I grew up just outside Orchard road in the 70’s and 80’s and back then, there was an ah-ma in the neighborhood who would sell the jackfruit pods that she harvested from her jackfruit tree. Our family would just walk over, sit on a rickety wooden school bench and eat whatever fruit was available.
What's your favourite zi char dish?
Deep Fried Fish Head Bee Hoon Soup with XO is one of the dishes that I enjoyed growing up. Now I search it out as a favourite since no one makes it at home anymore.
What's your favourite Origame game?
Durian Dash is our family favorite because it is easy enough for our little girls to get the hang of the game. But my favorite is Wok and Roll because of the roll-and-write mechanism that reminded me of Yahtzee.
Please welcome Ly-Ann, she's the freshest addition to our team! In addition to updates and stories from Daryl and Nick, you’ll be reading more from her in our blog articles and newsletters this year.
Now you know a little bit more about us. We’d like to get to know you too! Don’t be shy, introduce yourself and share:
What's your favourite kopi tiam drink?
What's your favourite local animal?
What's your favourite fruit besides durian?
What's your favourite zi char dish?
What's your favourite Origame game?