A Blend of Gameplay and Local Flavor

Don Grey Cafe is an endless tea-pouring game with a unique twist: players serve different types of tea to customers based on their shirt color. Initially conceived during the 2016 Global Game Jam and developed in less than 48 hours, the game demonstrates the power of rapid prototyping and creative exploration. Following the jam, the team refined Don Grey Cafe for a broader release, launching it on Google Play to showcase its engaging mechanics and playful simplicity.

Project Significance

Game jams are powerful catalysts for innovation, and Don Grey Cafe embodies this creative potential. Earning recognition through a Gold Award at the Horizon Interactive Awards and an Award of Distinction at the Communicator Awards, the project highlighted the value of teamwork and iterative design.

A significant aspect of Don Grey Cafe was its partnership with Lemon City Tea, a Miami-based startup led by first-generation American women. This collaboration brought a local, authentic touch to the game, showcasing Miami’s rich cultural diversity and the startup’s commitment to high-quality, ethically sourced teas. The partnership illustrated how games can merge storytelling and community connections with creative promotional efforts.

Continued Development

While Don Grey Cafe was well-received, the game is now undergoing a complete redesign to become a local multiplayer experience. This shift from a solo mobile game to a shared gameplay format aligns with my belief in local multiplayer games as a tool to foster connection—something desperately needed in a time when modern technology can often be isolating. Although development has moved to the back burner, I occasionally revisit the project, with my daughter and her friends joining in to test and enjoy the changes during our weekend coding sessions. This transformation emphasizes my commitment to creating games that bring people together and encourage face-to-face interaction.

Thematic Connections

ROC United Diners Guide

As the designer and developer of the ROC United Diners Guide, I created an app that empowered users to make ethical dining choices through an interactive experience. This project shares thematic ties with Don Grey Cafe, which also focuses on user engagement in the context of food service. Both projects underscore my commitment to social impact and user-centered design, with outcomes that include positive media attention and user feedback, enhancing public awareness.

Extreme Candy Photo Bomb Scavenger Memory Saga

Developed during a game jam, this project exemplified my ability to rapidly prototype and design creative interactive experiences. Similar to Don Grey Cafe, it emerged from a collaborative and time-pressured environment. Winning multiple awards highlighted my capacity to create engaging gameplay that resonates with players.