Phil Walker-Harding

Lucas Lucas

20 Apr 2023

Phil Walker-Harding is my absolute favourite game designer, and he is Australian! He has designed and published several popular board games, including Sushi Go!, Bärenpark, and Cacao.

Phil's interest in board games started early on in life, and he has always been fascinated by the challenge of creating new and unique games that offer players an engaging and enjoyable experience. Over the years, he has honed his craft and developed a strong reputation as a talented game designer, with a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of what makes a game fun and memorable.

One of Phil's most notable creations is Sushi Go!, a fast-paced, pick-and-pass card game that has become a popular staple among board game enthusiasts. The game is set in a sushi restaurant and players must use strategy and skill to select the best dishes from a rotating conveyor belt. Sushi Go! has been widely praised for its simple rules, easy-to-learn gameplay, and quick play time, making it a great choice for game nights and family gatherings.

Another of Phil's popular creations is Bärenpark, a tile-laying game that tasks players with building and managing their own bear park. In Bärenpark, players must carefully choose the right tiles to add to their park, optimising space and attracting as many bears as possible. The game has been widely praised for its beautiful components, clever mechanics, and addictive gameplay, making it a must-have for fans of city-building games.

Cacao, another of Phil's popular games, is set in the jungle and tasks players with managing their own tribe of chocolate-making workers. Players must gather resources, build structures, and trade with other tribes to secure their place as the dominant force in the jungle. The game has engaging mechanics and beautiful components, making it a great choice for fans of resource-management and worker-placement games.

Phil's success as a game designer can be attributed to his passion for the hobby, his creative vision, and his attention to detail. He is constantly experimenting with new ideas and approaches, and his games are known for their tight mechanics, beautiful presentation, and engaging gameplay. He is also an active member of the board game community, regularly attending conventions and events to share his love of the hobby with others. Through his innovative creations, Phil has brought joy and excitement to millions of players around the world, and continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of board games.

See some of Phils games HERE