DESIGNER DIARY #1 Foréa: Interview with Gaëlle Dumont, Quebec designer of a unique cooperative board game

Hello everyone,

One of G1IDGames' upcoming games will be Foréa, created and illustrated by Gaëlle Dumont.

It's her first board game, and it's superb! Some people have already had the chance to test it at gaming festivals, and others will soon have that opportunity.

We had the pleasure of spending 15 minutes with Gaëlle so she could tell us about the game, its creation process, as well as her values and aspirations for this project.

Here's the link to the video interview with her, but I'll also summarize the main points for those who prefer to read:
https://youtu.be/2IN11g_dxq4

🌲 Can you tell us what Foréa is?

It's a cooperative dexterity board game for the whole family. The theme revolves around balance and nature, and the goal of the game is to successfully build a forest with different pieces representing animals and trees.

All the pieces are made of wood and represent the fauna and flora of Quebec, which reinforces the immersion and identity of the game.

🌿 Was it important for you to have a game primarily made of wood?

Yes, I found it a bit counter-intuitive to use other materials for a game that conveys values of love for nature.

🍁 Where did the idea for a wooden game about the Quebec forest come from?

It all started with a school project, a final university study project where I had carte blanche. What I care about is nature, and I really like the world of board games, so I decided to combine my two passions.

I tried to make the game as eco-friendly as possible to remain consistent with its theme. Then, the cooperative aspect was added naturally, as environmental issues are often collective battles.

Even though these are big concepts for a family game, that's how the idea for Foréa was born.

🎨 The game is visually striking. Was your course in game design?

No, my program was in graphic design. I was actually the only one who created a game.

🎯 For you, what is design?

For me, design is about responding to a request, which often comes from someone else. In this case, the request came from me.

🧩 Were you inspired by a mechanic, a theme, or the material (wood)?

The theme was the foundational element. The idea of balance came later, as a metaphor for natural balance.

So I sought to translate this idea into a playful way in Foréa.

🎲 Had you already presented the game to the public?

No, the first time was in class for my final project. The second time was at the Proto Zone of the Montreal Game Fair in November 2025.

I saw the game lying around in my room and, after some research, I discovered this event. I went there and presented the game to the general public for the first time.

🛠️ Is this your first game?

Yes. I had already illustrated card games, but this is the first game for which I created a complete mechanism.

At school, I had a constraint to respect, so I set myself the goal of creating a functional game.

🎨 You did both the mechanics and the graphic design. Is it important for you to do both?

Yes. For me, the design drove the project, but I also wanted the game to be truly playable.

I made a first attempt that didn't work at all during tests with my friends, but I was determined to create something enjoyable and functional.

🔄 What was the game like at the beginning?

It was simply a bag without a box, and the logo was disconnected from the game.

Thanks to my colleagues and professors — whom I thank — I was able to achieve a polished design, consistent with the theme and the experience I wanted to offer.

👨👩👧👦 Is it only a family game?

Initially, it was designed for children and families. But with its evolution, it now appeals to all types of players.

Even among adults, the game remains unpredictable and fun. There are now two game modes: a family mode and a more difficult mode for experienced players.

It's an excellent game for both families and friends.

🎮 What's your favorite way to play?

I like everything to be perfect; it's in my personality. But I'm used to playing with people who love to create chaos!

Congratulations Gaëlle on this unique game. Thank you for sharing your journey and the behind-the-scenes of Foréa. We can't wait to follow its continued development!