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Dominic Crapuchettes

Founder & Co-President at North Star Games

Dominic Crapuchettes is the Founder and Co-President of North Star Games, a board game publishing company based in Bethesda, Maryland.2 He has a diverse background that combines entrepreneurship, game design, and unique life experiences.

Educational Background

Crapuchettes studied Business Finance and Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, Dunn School, and St. John's College. He later completed an MBA program at the University of Maryland, graduating in 2003.1

Career Journey

Commercial Fishing

Before founding North Star Games, Crapuchettes spent 12 seasons working as a captain of a commercial fishing vessel in Alaska.1 During this time, he would work on game designs in the winter and test them with his crew members in the summer.

Game Design

Crapuchettes' passion for game design started early:

  • In middle school, he created a game called Kabloogi, which was banned from 8th grade due to its popularity.1
  • In high school, he designed a trivia game called Conceptual Pursuit, which later evolved into the successful Wits & Wagers.1
  • During college, he won over $30,000 playing on the pro tour of the card game Magic: The Gathering.1

North Star Games

In 2003, Crapuchettes founded North Star Games.1 The company has produced several successful games:

  • Wits & Wagers: This game has won more awards than any party game in history and sold over two million copies worldwide.1
  • Evolution: A strategy game that has reached more than 1.6 million people worldwide and is used in the evolutionary biology department at the University of Oxford.1
  • Oceans: A card game featuring over 100 unique cards and pieces of art.1
  • Happy Salmon: A fast-paced, high-energy card game.1

Game Development Philosophy

Crapuchettes is known for his thorough testing process. He typically aims to have about 1,000 people play a game before its release, using the data to balance and refine the gameplay.1

Personal Life

Dominic Crapuchettes resides in Bethesda, Maryland with his wife and children.1 When not working, he enjoys playing soccer, rock climbing at Earth Treks in Rockville, and visiting board game cafes like the Board and Brew in College Park.1

Highlights

Apr 20 · montgomerymag.com
Dominic Crapuchettes Never Stops Playing - Montgomery Magazine

Related Questions

What inspired Dominic Crapuchettes to start North Star Games?
How did Dominic Crapuchettes' experience as a commercial fishing captain influence his career?
What are some of the most popular games developed by North Star Games?
How did Dominic Crapuchettes' game designs evolve over time?
What challenges did Dominic Crapuchettes face when founding North Star Games?
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Location

Bethesda, Maryland, United States