Graye Smith

Most LitRPGs mistake points for progress. They think readers want endless leveling, but what we really crave is experience—the kind you remember, not the kind you tabulate. It’s surviving a moment together, even if it’s imaginary. That’s why I design the games I do now: to create worlds that invite players in, let them leave fingerprints, and remind them that true immersion isn’t about escape—it’s about belonging.

After 63 days in the sterile monotony of a hospital, I’ve come home to real food, real rest, and real creativity. The pandemic taught us how work shifts between office, home, and survival—but nothing compares to the drain of fluorescent lights and endless repetition. Now, back among my toys, music, and darkness, I feel alive again. It’s time to tell stories, make games, and actually have some fun.

Bar Codes is a bar game built around a double meaning: barcode puzzles and codes of behavior. Designed for bars, parties, and chaotic fun, the game uses clear plastic cards to create scannable codes that trigger rules, dares, or inane behavior. It's fast, social, and meant for loud, messy environments. This design challenge pushed me to explore what a bar game could be—and how constraints can fuel wild creativity.