Kiwizou’s David Sainte-Cluque and Nathalie Heninger on what defines their new line of kids’ games

Guys, it’s great to connect. To kick us off, can you talk us through the origins of Kiwizou. What led you to launch the company?
We were both friends who had left our jobs with the desire to create something new and fresh. With nearly 50 years of combined experience in the toys and games industry – and a shared passion for board games, especially those for children – it felt natural to start a children’s games publishing company. Everything came together quickly, as we both had a clear vision of the editorial line we wanted to follow.

On that, how would you define the types of games you’re interested in publishing?
We focus on games for children aged three to six – perfect for introducing the youngest players to board games. Our games appeal not only to children who are already familiar with board games, but also to those discovering the wonderful world of board games for the first time. They are easy to understand, quick to set up and feature fun mechanics – always with progressive gameplay.

Let’s delve into the line-up. There’s Forest First, a fun racing game for little ones from inventors Wilfried and Marie Fort. What made this concept appealing to you?
We were looking for a game for three-year-olds when we first discovered Forest First. Right away, we fell in love with its simple mechanics and clever twist. After playtesting it in schools, it was a real hit – kids absolutely loved it! The fact that they feel actively engaged in every single turn is a genius trick from Marie and Wilfried to prevent frustration and keep the fun going.

Absolutely. Next up there’s Mission Savane from designers Jonathan Favre Godal and Julien Seisson. This one introduces co-operative gameplay to young kids. How does it do this in a way that suits that age group?
The simple mechanics – created by our talented authors Jonathan and Julien – offer a truly progressive gameplay experience and encourage interaction between children. At first glance, the game seems simple, but it quickly challenges players to think about the best strategy. As a cooperative game, it teaches kids – and sometimes adults! – how to win or lose, together. And it does so in a fun and positive way!

A winner! Baladino – from Jonathan Favre Godal and Corentin Lebratalso – also looks terrific. Talk me through why this concept suited Kiwizou?
Baladino takes kids to a park where they go on a stroll with their Dino.

The first Dino to exit the park wins – it’s a race with a touch of risk!

The mechanics are very easy to grasp for children aged five and up, and the gameplay unfolds bit by bit. At first, kids tend to rush their Dino forward, but after being caught a couple of times by Billy – the park’s guardian – they quickly start adapting their strategy.

This progressive learning of balancing risk is both clever and fun. A great game for little ones – and their parents too!

Potion Express from Élodie Clément and Théo Rivière completes the current line-up. How did this one come about?
Well, this is our only game aimed at those six plus, and it’s truly suited for everyone – children, families and gamers alike.

When Élodie and Théo showed us this game, we were immediately hooked by the simple yet clever mechanics they had created. It’s very easy to learn but quickly introduces layers of strategy and depth. And Carine Hinder’s illustrations bring a magical, fairy-tale atmosphere to the game.

Absolutely, it looks beautiful – as does the entire range. You work with artists from the world of children’s books on your games. What do you look for when it comes to art?
First, we wanted to work with artists who had experience in children’s books, to stay close to the style of books that kids at this age still have in hand. When looking for an artist, we are motivated by four main criteria: The theme, the target age group, whether the art style can work well in a game – and a pinch of fun!

Is there an ‘education process’ when it comes to briefing artists about how to work on a game?
The best way to help an artist is to explain the game and the purpose of their drawings, just as if they were illustrating a book based on an author’s text.

For any game inventors reading, are you taking game pitches at the moment?
Yes! We welcome all ideas – but they need to be games for children between the ages of three and six, simple to learn and play, but packed with fun!

Last question! What fuels your creativity?
Simply put, it’s who we craft our games for: the children! We love seeing what a positive force games can be for kids, and nothing quite matches the fun and laughter than comes with getting a family around the gaming table together. We’ll continue to make that happen.

Terrific. Thanks guys. And I should mention that all four of the new Kiwizou games are now available in the UK, distributed by Hachette Boardgames UK.

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