Ziggurat
Ziggurat is a deeply thematic, artistic board game built around exploration, storytelling, and ancient power. Designed as an art piece as much as a game, Ziggurat immerses players in a rich, original world through sound, lore, and strategic mechanics.
Visuals and graphic design by Alexandre Mercier.
Character illustrations by Alexandra Nash.
Concept and Artistic Approach
More than a board game, Ziggurat is a ritual in cardboard, a playable myth set in a fully imagined universe. Built around a monumental tower, players ascend Ziggurat to gain power, uncover ancient secrets, and confront the fate of their civilization.
As the sole game designer, I created:
All core mechanics and rules
The narrative framework, factions, and lore
A custom original soundtrack (OST) to underscore gameplay
The game’s balance and dynamic structure, refined through extensive playtesting
The visuals, designed by Alex Mercier, elevate the board and components into works of art. Together, the game becomes a multisensory experience: world-building meets tactile strategy, myth meets mechanism.
With only five hand-assembled copies in existence, Ziggurat was presented at a Montreal fair as a statement piece. We intentionally avoided commercial production — preserving its integrity as a unique work of interactive art. It is a complete, playable world, crafted with care, and meant to be discovered through play.
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Heavily thematic game rooted in custom lore and mythology
Solo game, 90–120 minutes average playtime, with a “saving” mechanic
Deeply narrative with an original soundtrack composed specifically for gameplay
Well-balanced original mechanics inspired by classic strategy and storytelling games
Printed in a limited edition of five copies
Presented at public events and playtested for polish
Not commercially released by choice, in line with its artistic intent
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Graphic Design, Visuals, Artistic Direction: Alex Mercier
Character illustrations by Alexandra Nash.