Vlaada Chvátil, inventor of the hit game Codenames: ‘I’m a perfectionist’
The creator of games such as Through the Ages and Dungeon Petz reflects on his career, his creative process and his most celebrated works
Vlaada Chvátil, the creator of the popular board game Codenames, describes himself as a perfectionist. His creative process is deeply personal, often extending into the middle of the night, but he does develop the core of his games on his own. Among his notable works are Through the Ages, a game condensing human history into a single board, and Codenames, a family-friendly hit with a Harry Potter edition.
Chvátil's body of work is characterized by its diversity and originality, often spanning radically different themes. Despite criticism that his games are too lengthy and complex, he remains undeterred, often receiving surprising positive feedback from players. He acknowledges his ambition and effort, even if he sometimes doubts the appeal of his creations.
Chvátil, who has published under Czech Games Edition, emphasizes that a good game must merely be enjoyable, regardless of its audience size or critical reception. One game, Through the Ages, which requires reading a 23-page rulebook and takes at least two hours to play, prompted his mother to understand his profession. However, it was actually Codenames, released in 2015, that significantly impacted his career.
The game, which took hundreds of hours to perfect through relentless playtesting, has become a staple in game collections worldwide. Despite its scale and Western-centric focus, it remains a testament to Chvátil's dedication and creativity, leaving a lasting impression on players.
Written by urgent.news from El Pais English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
