Designing innovative tabletop games
for all ages that drive players to:
Jesse Terrance Daniels is the founder of Pied Raven Games
and the creator of Hibernation, a deck-building card game
that features bears competing for food to survive the winter.
Soon, the book Make Your Own Board Game will be available (10/2021)
which explains the many mechanics in gaming and provides four customizable games
(Duely Noted, Rain Toads, Intergalactic Laboratory and Hovels & Hydras).
The next game in production is Beyond the Crash, about perilous planetary exploration and resource management.
Look forward to many great games with a vast array of mechanics, rules, and unique circumstances for victory!
NEWS
July 5, 2021:
A new expansion is available for Hibernation: Food Fight
Look out!
It allows you to shuffle a Damaged FOOD card into your deck.
When drawn, you can eliminate an opponent's entire Hoard!
A new board game review is also available: Coup
"...a rapid game of deduction and player elimination.
...
Players are free to negotiate and create alliances,
but nothing is binding.
...
Games can last anywhere from mere moments
to 10 minutes or more."
March 17, 2021:
New review for Hibernation at The Friendly Boardgamer!
"[Hibernation] is an entry-level, lightweight deck builder.
I would have no trouble introducing this to new gamers
or people who are new to deck building.
However, I think there is enough here to keep enthusiast gamers
interested as well.
The rule set is easy to understand and to get to grips with
yet there is enough “game” to keep it interesting.
...
Paying attention to what your opponent is trying to achieve
and when forcing a reshuffle might be beneficial is fun and interesting."
November 30, 2020:
Not only is there a link on the Hibernation page
to some awesome 3D Printable Bears,
(you can choose between a multitude of fun hats they're wearing!)
...but now, in case you don't have access to a 3D printer,
but still want a physical bear,
here is a different option:
Origami Bear Instructions!
"...in case anyone wanted some figures while playing the game."
Hibernation has many other print-and-play options as well,
such as New Expansions,
and helpful quick reference rule cards.
Check out the Hibernation page.
October 31, 2020:
Have fun and keep hibernating!
Now available in the Shop:
Hibernation w/Additional Components x2!
Combine two copies for up to 10 players!
Comes with all the fun components - what a treasure trove!
Includes:
136 - Cards
2 - Fold-Out Rule Sheets
2 - Tuck boxes for the Cards & Rule Sheets
42 - Hibernation Tokens
20 - d10 Energy Counters
(10 uniquely colored sets of 2 ten-sided dice)
Dice are different in every purchase!
All contained in 2 easy to travel with Brown Bags!
September 23, 2020:
The Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa
is utilizing Hibernation, the bear-themed card game,
as part of an animal adaptations kit
for teachers to use with their students!
It's exciting to see Hibernation appreciated
for its educational purposes!
Hibernation teaches about a bear’s behavior and diet.
It also teaches math and strategy in a fun and engaging way.
It’s a great game for all ages;
children as young as 8 years old can enjoy playing and learning.
Hibernation is also used by many homeschool teachers
in Northern California!
September 19, 2020:
New Pied Raven Games T-Shirts!
Represent PRG with this soft yellow T!
Extremely comfortable and unisex sized.
The shirt depicts a Pied Raven flying in a nostalgic pose.
Happy Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary!
Please contact us if you cannot find the size you are looking for.
September 12, 2020:
New review for Hibernation at The Daily Worker Placement!
"Take everything you think you know about deckbuilding
and throw it out the window.
Starting deck? There ain’t none.
Hand of cards? Nope.
Reshuffle and draw when you run out of cards? Nuh-uh.
In Hibernation, you’re a bear aiming to first collect food
and then turn it into fat.
...
I like it because it breaks all the deckbuilding tropes.
...
full points to designer (and artist) Jesse Daniels
for designing a game unique both in theme and execution."
August 20, 2020:
New Video Interview for Hibernation and Pied Raven Games
via Berkshire Community College!
"Story Hour with ... Jesse Daniels
...
Such an interesting episode about art, animation, and game design.
...
Curious about the card game he invented and designed?
...
And btw, his new book is coming out soon, too"
We discussed my time at BCC, UMass,
and my career thereafter.
August 19, 2020:
New article for Hibernation at Marooners' Rock!
"The entertaining and well-reviewed deck building tabletop game
Hibernation can now be bought as a complete set!
...
These additional pieces that are now part of the package
make it easier for players to begin and enjoy
Pied Raven Games’ goofy, bear-themed game!
...
Whichever bear/player first manages to develop five beautiful,
luxurious layers of fat wins!
...
[Jesse] Daniels and his work have featured in various podcasts,
critical reviews, and videos.
He recently closed a book deal and will be releasing
The Game Crafting Handbook almost exactly a year from now."
August 1, 2020:
New review for Hibernation at Grandma Ideas!
"After sleeping all winter, bears are hungry!
Eating is one of their major goals.
(Eating is one of my major goals, too, but that’s beside the point . . . )
...
This is a great family card game for tweens, teens, and adults.
It's quick to learn and fast-paced.
(You don't have to wait, and wait, and wait for your turn which is good!)
I give this game 2 thumbs up!"
July 23, 2020:
New review for Hibernation at Board Game Halv!
"There are many different deck builders out there
but this has plenty going on to be a completely unique experience
that is all it's own.
...
The balanced play makes every game different,
you just have to outplay your opponent.
...
This could be an educational thing to introduce a kid
to the idea of hibernation, or it could just be an entertaining time
for players of all ages and intensities."
July 20, 2020:
New review for Hibernation at Gnarly Carley Gaming!
"I’m not usually a deck builder kind of gal ... but this one is really cute.
Players work to build a deck in order to forage
and build up fat layers so they can get to hibernating.
It was easy to learn, replayable,
and playful enough in all its bear gloriousness of a theme
...
It’s a perfect first, little addition to my game collection,
new space, and new chapter of life."
July 16, 2020:
Now you can buy Hibernation with additional components included!
You can still get Hibernation on its own,
or with fun components like energy counting dice,
tokens to represent the layers of fat your bear is putting on,
and a brown pouch that holds everything.
You can even buy the components bundled on their own
in case you already have a copy of Hibernation.
Make your way to the Shop
to find many more options now available!
March 03, 2019:
Pied Raven Games was interviewed,
all about Hibernation in the Berkshire Eagle!
Proud to have been the focus of a large article.
Front page of the business section!
You never know what will lead to the next opportunity...
...keep working hard...
...shoot for the moon!
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