Monster Couch – Breathing digital life into board games

Flamecraft Digital Dev Chronicles #4

mateusz — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:15:12 +0000

It’s been a while since the last Dev Chronicles Episode! Winter is now over, though it wasn’t too harsh with all the dragons around (they are rather warm and, well… fiery).

Over the last four months, we’ve been busy polishing the game and adding new features. What made it different, however, was the amount of great feedback you shared during our January playtests. Beyond the bugs and suggestions you reported, the feedback forms revealed something wonderful: a closer look at who you are!

For example, it turns out Flamekeepers are everywhere! We’ve got players from the US and Canada all the way to the Philippines and Finland. Love for little dragons is truly universal!

We also noticed many scholars among our Flamekeepers – teachers and librarians. We also have a lot of software engineers and IT pros. A huge shoutout as well to the students who took a break from their daily tasks to play the game!

It’s no surprise that about 80% of you are already masters of the physical board game, but 20% of our playtesters were actually working with dragon artisans for the very first time! We’re working hard to make sure the game feels like home for the veterans while staying easy and accessible for those who have never played Flamecraft before.

To make Flamecraft as welcoming as possible, we’re finishing work on a feature you mentioned many times in your feedback forms – a tutorial! You’re absolutely right that it’s needed, and we will deliver! We’ve prepared some surprises to make it extra fun, but we won’t spoil it just yet!

We are also working on some visual enhancements, including UI adjustments. Thanks to your feedback, we know what to work on!

The bot opponents are getting smarter each day, and they won’t be so fast and elusive anymore. Fair but challenging – that’s the idea!

Lastly, we know that we have some solo travelers who would like to journey on their own, exploring the lore and story in solo mode. Fret not, noble Flamekeepers – we’re on it!

Some time ago, we held an Achievement Contest on the Cardboard Alchemy Discord server. We received so many creative and thoughtful entries, and after some truly tough choices, we’ve selected a fantastic group of achievements to be added to the game. You can check who won on the Discord server or later, in the game’s credits! Congratulations to everyone who took part in the contest!

We are truly grateful for your support and contribution to the game. It really feels like the spirit of helpful little dragons is expanding outside Flamecraft, which makes the world a little brighter, especially now.

That’s it for today! Make sure to follow us on our social media channels to see some sneak peeks of the game, animated dragons, and probably a bunch of funny videos (what can I say, we love silly memes).

If you’d like to support development, please consider:

Following Flamecraft on Steam – it’s not the same as wishlisting, and the Follow button is right next to it!
Sharing Flamecraft with your friends and fellow dragon enthusiasts
Letting us know what you think of this episode and what you’d like to see in future updates!
Join our Discord!

Take care, and we will see you soon!

Monster Couch Team

The post Flamecraft Digital Dev Chronicles #4 appeared first on Monster Couch - Breathing digital life into board games.

Wingspan – January 29 Patchnotes

mateusz — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:38:17 +0000

Birders!

A new patch is rolling out across all platforms!

In this update, we fix several issues related to bird powers, including edge cases caused by specific card combinations. We’ve also addressed a number of UI problems and improved gameplay flow across different modes, with fixes for Automa, Automarazzi, and Duet mode to make matches run more smoothly overall.

Check the full patchnotes below!

Fixed:

An issue where a specific bird combination allowed a bird’s power to be repeated
American Oystercatcher’s power resetting
The Back button appearing during card drawing after reloading the game
The overview board and player’s hand hiding when playing against Automa
Gaining food from the Duet map after playing a predator triggering some pink powers incorrectly
Misplaced tooltips in the overview
Missing glyphs for some card-drawing actions
An issue where exchanging cards with another player in Automarazzi mode during a tucking action could cause a turn skip

Have fun playing and remember to keep your game up-to-date!

The post Wingspan – January 29 Patchnotes appeared first on Monster Couch - Breathing digital life into board games.

The Flamecraft Playtests are now live!

mateusz — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:37:58 +0000

Hello, Flamekeepers!

The forges are glowing, the shops are open, and the town is ready to welcome visitors once again!

The Flamecraft Playtests are now live!

You don’t need a key this time. To jump in, simply head to the Flamecraft Steam page and click the Request Access button. Once you do, Flamecraft Playtest will appear directly in your Steam Library, ready to launch.

The Playtest will be running throughout Steam Board Game Fest, from January 26 to February 2, and we’re so excited to have Flamecraft featured during this cozy celebration of tabletop-inspired games, alongside Wingspan and Quilts & Cats of Calico. It’s a great opportunity to spend some time in the town, play a few rounds, and experience Flamecraft before the release!

If you’d like to share feedback, suggestions, or report a bug, we warmly invite you to join our Discord server. It’s the best place to chat directly with us, let us know what you think, and connect with fellow Flamekeepers as they explore the town alongside you.

Have fun playing, and enjoy your time in Flamecraft!

The post The Flamecraft Playtests are now live! appeared first on Monster Couch - Breathing digital life into board games.

Flamecraft Digital Dev Chronicles #3

mateusz — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 19:14:20 +0000

Welcome to Dev Chronicles Chapter 3! A lot has happened since the last chapter (which, by the way, you can read HERE). Here’s a quick recap!

In September, Flamecraft flew to Japan to be part of the Tokyo Game Show! We are very proud that our game was showcased at the Polish Gaming Industry stand alongside other great studios from Poland.

We also joined the Poznań Game Arena (PGA) in October, where players had the chance to play Flamecraft Digital for the very first time. Being part of such a major gaming event, hosted in the hometown of our studio, felt incredibly special. And then it became unforgettable, because Flamecraft won the award for Best Indie Game PGA 2025 in a competition organized by IGN! It was all thanks to you, the most amazing community, and your votes. We can’t thank you enough!

Last but certainly not least, the first Flamecraft Digital Alpha tests happened this month! A huge shoutout to everyone who took part in the playtests! Over 850 players signed up, and your feedback has been amazing! We’re incredibly grateful for your time, enthusiasm, and care. Every suggestion, comment, and bug report will help us shape the game, and you will always be a part of it!

Today, though, we wanted to share something brand new — something that wasn’t part of the Alpha but has quickly become one of our favorite parts of the project. The beating heart of Flamecraft’s charm, the lively little souls of the town:

the animated dragon pawns!

In Flamecraft, you’ll soon be able to choose your very own dragon to represent you in the digital town, just like the meeples did in the board game. As you move from shop to shop, cast enchantments, and plan your strategy, your dragon will be right there with you, fully animated and cheerful. You’ll also see dragons belonging to your friends (or rivals) and AI players.

We currently plan to offer 7 selectable dragons: 6 Artisan Dragons and 1 Fancy Dragon. To stay true to the original identity of each kind, you’ll pick the color that matches their specialization – a yellow Bread Dragon, a red Meat Dragon, a purple Potion Dragon, and so on. The Fancy Dragon will have a fancy color, too!

You’ll also be able to choose a player portrait and portrait frame to further customize your profile, making it unique and personal.

Please keep in mind that this feature is still in development, so details may change. What you see here isn’t the final look.

The foundation for the dragon models comes straight from the official Flamecraft Art Book. Sandara, the incredible artist behind the original board game’s illustrations, guided us with her detailed drawings – from proportions and silhouettes to the tiniest details that make each species unique and full of personality.

Our own multi-talented powerhouse, Agnieszka, not only works on our video content but also sculpted the dragon models, shaped their unique details, and brought them to life with smooth, fiery animations.

Once we had a base dragon model, our amazing artist Alveria (you heard about her already – she’s behind the great shop animations), worked on the textures. To stay faithful to the hand-crafted aesthetic of the board game, we wanted the dragons to look like paintings, fitting for the vibrant world around them. We’ll keep working on them, but even now they have a lot of unique character and charm!

I asked Agnieszka to share a few words about the process and her experience with dragons:

Working on the 3D dragons for Flamecraft Digital has been one of the most enjoyable parts of the project for me so far. I was responsible for preparing the models, rigging, and creating the animations.

First, we needed to think about how to implement them in Unity. Rather than building multiple separate models, we decided to develop a single base dragon that uses one rig and can morph into various forms using shape keys. This approach helps optimize the game’s performance, reducing memory usage and improving efficiency.

When designing the animations, we wanted the dragons to feel lively and full of character, while still fitting the cozy and whimsical tone of Flamecraft. To better capture their personalities, I studied the Flamecraft artbook, which helped me understand the charm, playfulness, and small behavioral details that make the dragons unique. I also observed how small creatures move — from the way a cat stretches to how birds tilt their heads — and used those subtle gestures to bring warmth and life to the dragons. The goal was to make them feel endearing and expressive.

All the modeling and animation work was done in Blender, and we’ve just recently integrated the dragons into the game. It’s incredibly rewarding to finally see them moving and interacting in the digital world. However, there are still challenges ahead — such as refining models and animations, figuring out how the undo feature interacts with the dragons, and improving how they are placed in shops.

This was my first time working on dragon models, and it’s been a truly rewarding learning experience. The world of Flamecraft naturally inspires creativity, and the overall cuteness of the game makes it easy to imagine how these dragons should behave and express themselves.

I’m really proud of how they’re turning out, and I hope players will feel the same sense of joy and magic from these dragons that I felt while creating them.

Once the models were ready, it was time to give them life. Agnieszka prepared different sets of animations depending on what’s happening in the game. Active player animations make your dragon feel alert and energetic when it’s your turn; inactive player animations are calmer, helping keep the town readable while still lively; and of course, each dragon has idle animations, because dragons, even tiny ones, are never completely still (and deserve to stretch between shop runs). These subtle differences help make the town feel alive without overwhelming the board.

You can watch the dragons in action in our brand-new early gameplay trailer, revealed today during the Cozy Quest Festival Opening Showcase on Steam!

This year, you can also vote for your favorite cozy games in the Cozy Quest Awards by filling out the form HERE.

The host of the event, Secret Mode, is also fundraising for the Trevor Project throughout Cozy Quest until November 24. You can donate HERE.

We hope you enjoyed this deeper look into how our 3D dragon meeples came to life.
We’re heading back to our caves to continue building, refining, and improving the game, now guided by your feedback after the Alpha tests.

We’re also super excited to announce that Flamecraft will be joining Vienna Comic Con on November 22-23! If you missed the Alpha tests you’ll be able to try out the game for the first time. You will find Flamecraft at the VIECC Indie Area in Hall A of Messe Wien – Booth number A0703E!

If you’d like to support development, please consider:

Following Flamecraft on Steam – it’s not the same as wishlisting, and the Follow button is right next to it!
Sharing Flamecraft with your friends and fellow dragon enthusiasts
Letting us know what you think of this episode and what you’d like to see in future updates!
Join our Discord!

Until next time – stay cozy and warm, because winter is coming!

See you soon (maybe in person!),

Monster Couch Team

The post Flamecraft Digital Dev Chronicles #3 appeared first on Monster Couch - Breathing digital life into board games.

Spooky Season Returns in Wingspan & Quilts & Cats of Calico!

mateusz — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 15:40:36 +0000

From October 1 to November 3, our games are dressed in their Halloween best!

In Wingspan, autumn takes over your bird sanctuary with a seasonal background full of pumpkins, falling leaves, and the eerie presence of a Scarecrow keeping watch. Click it if you’re brave!

In Quilts & Cats of Calico, things get even more mischievous.

The Halloween background sets the eerie mood, while seasonal cosmetics bring playful spookiness! Dress your feline companions as Cat Dracula, give them a jack-o’-lantern hat, or go full witch with a pointy hat and a broom – fit for a magical familiar!

Celebrate the season in style before the ghosts fade away on November 3rd!

The post Spooky Season Returns in Wingspan & Quilts & Cats of Calico! appeared first on Monster Couch - Breathing digital life into board games.

Flamecraft Digital Dev Chronicles #2

mateusz — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:07:36 +0000

We’re back with Episode 2 of the Flamecraft Dev Chronicles! First of all, a huge thank you to everyone who read the very first entry – we hope you enjoyed it! If you missed out, you can read the previous chapter here.

We’ve seen some amazing feedback already – thank you! Your excitement gives our team all the energy they need to keep working their magic!

It’s always incredible to watch a game take shape and evolve from the early drafts and concepts to the “Oh wow, it’s alive!” moment, where all the pieces are starting to come together. And each piece deserves its spotlight.

Last time, we looked at the art and animation that are breathing life into Flamecraft Digital. Today, we’ll be taking a deep dive into shops! Shops you might know – but never from the outside!

The cozy heart of Flamecraft lies in its shops. We’ve gone from rough concept sketches and placeholders to beautiful 2D drawings, and finally 3D assets you’ll actually see in the game.

We started by gathering information: we looked at the shop cards and took inspiration from the official Flamecraft Art Book. Soon, we had our first shop to put in the town, which became our placeholder while figuring out the perspective, environment, and building placement.

Below, you can see the bare, concrete roads of the first Flamecraft Digital town with very limited shop competition. Life was easy, the streets were empty, but we wanted more.

We knew that concrete does not feel like Flamecraft. The world we wanted to build had to be sumptuous, sparkling with colours, and full of whimsy. Our art team came up with many brilliant ideas, went through a long road filled with tweaks and iterations, but the direction was clear. Here, you can see one of the first concept arts of the town:

The first shop we made was very much an experiment, which, after some tweaks and renovations, ultimately became Potable Potions you’ll see in the game. It gave us answers to questions we knew and didn’t know we had, taught us how we want to work on future models, and showed us possibilities of an art direction we wanted to achieve.

The second fully-fledged building was the Critical Rolls – it made us particularly happy because of the cozy and hearth-warming mood it emanates. And its wings turned so mesmerizingly! We felt it instantly that even for such a small detail, it introduced so much life and charm to the game.

A shop can be as big as you want it. Draco Bell fit for the giants? You’ve got it! But even the most whimsical of towns needs a touch of reality (but just a touch). That little human you can see next to the shops below helped us scale the buildings to better fit in the lively streets, and to match heights while creating 3D models. We made these rules, and it’s very likely we won’t respect them fully in the future, but they helped a lot. Also, it’s a sneaky way to put more shops you haven’t seen yet into this update.

Something we’re still working on is the many ways of adding life and dynamics to the shops. Chimney smoke and fluttering fabrics are some of them, and they already work wonders. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Dev Chronicles entry without some behind-the-scenes of animations!

I asked our lead senior artist, Ulvar, to shed some light on the creative process behind the shops’ design and the artistic direction they came up with:

One of the first things we had to consider was a compromise between the whirlwind of color in Sandara’s art and the technical limitations that arose during development. We’ve landed on the versatility of timber-framed buildings mixed with contemporary elements and a touch of Flamecraft’s whimsy.

Each building needed to be recognizable, containing elements from the original artworks, but at the same time, it had to fit the overall aesthetic and tight constraints of the technical realm. We’ve settled on simple shapes and a warm color palette for the ultimate cozy experience.

Concepting the shop buildings was both challenging and fun at the same time. The toughest shops were the ones where the original artwork gave almost no clues of what it may look like from the outside (I’m looking at you, Gnome Depot), so it was extra hard to make them recognizable.

From the other side, I came to love the Wild, Dragon, and Coin shops as they gave me the most freedom when it comes to shapes and color palette, and I think they best show the whimsical atmosphere of the game. As a crafty person, I may have a soft spot for Sew Cute and Draggin’ Tail Roost. Or maybe I just want to become a tiny bread dragon and live my best life there?

Before we end our shopping journey, we wanted to share some of the finished models you’ll find in the game. Which one is your favorite?

Fragile Reptile

Smith Mart

Draco Bell

Potable Potions

Flamecraft Digital is packing its bags and flying to Japan!

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be showing off the game at Tokyo Game Show as part of the Polish Game Industry booth!

It’s a dream come true to bring Flamecraft Digital to such huge stages. If you happen to spot the Polish stand there (Hall 11, stand no C04), snap a photo and tag us – we’d love to see your Tokyo Game Show adventure!

While we won’t be in Tokyo in person this time, we can’t wait to meet face-to-face to see your reactions and share your excitement! We might have a chance to see some of you really soon at a very special event happening in Poland this October!

As always, make sure to follow Flamecraft on Steam so you’ll never miss a dev update, event, or (eventually) release announcement.

You’ll also find a dedicated Flamecraft Digital channel on the Cardboard Alchemy Discord, where we’re chatting about the project, features, art, and everything in between. We might have some testing planned for the near future, so if you’re not yet part of the Flamekeepers, now’s the time to join in!

We’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, and even the wildest ideas – come hang out with us!

That’s a wrap on the second entry of our Dev Chronicle! Thanks again for being part of this journey – your support really makes all the difference.

Let us know what you think of this episode, and tell us what you’d like to see in future updates.

Until next time – stay cozy, enjoy the first days of autumn, and remember to check your tea supplies!

See you soon (maybe in person!),

Monster Couch Team

The post Flamecraft Digital Dev Chronicles #2 appeared first on Monster Couch - Breathing digital life into board games.

5 Years of Wingspan – Let’s celebrate together!

mateusz — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 11:47:45 +0000

It’s hard to believe it’s been five years already! It all started as a wild idea to bring one of the most beloved modern board games to the screen, and it’s grown beyond what we ever dreamed. Three major expansions, decorative packs, seasons, and millions of turns later, Wingspan Digital found its place in the hearts of many players. Every day, thousands of you log in to build your preserves, play your favorite birds, and try out new strategies. Having such a passionate community is our biggest achievement.

Today, we celebrate not only the game’s success but, most of all, the people behind it: you, our team, the art, the music, and all the work and time that went into the creative process. We are constantly inspired by you, by your feedback, suggestions, passion, and creativity. Even today, we share your ideas and celebrate with a special cake, like the ones you’ve made throughout these years. The team gathered to celebrate for a while and wanted to share this moment with you!

How do you turn a board game into a video game? It was certainly a wild journey full of crazy ideas and inspirations. We always knew we wanted to preserve the soul of the board game while creating something unique, something that could only exist in digital form. The first prototypes looked nothing like the rich preserve you know today. We drew our ideas with pen and paper, tried to bring the first birds to life through animation, and took some really bold steps, like adding a single-habitat view, drawing our own backgrounds for each season and holiday. We even contacted local Polish legends, and now you can hear Krystyna Czubówna in the game (everyone knows her here!).

Fast forward to today: after the European and Oceania Expansions, we’re just three months past the release of the Asia Expansion. There are so many birds in the game now, but even more Birders out in the wild!

We wanted to share the history of Wingspan Digital with you. We found old footage and put it together into a short documentary. Check it out!

The sound of Wingspan Digital has always been more than just background music. Can the life of birds be turned into music? How do you do it? Paweł Górniak, the brilliant composer behind the soundtrack, answered these questions for us and created a soundscape that became the heartbeat of the game. Over the years, you shared many touching stories connected to this music, and they always moved us deeply.

In this short documentary video, Paweł takes you behind the scenes: from the first melodies inspired by bird calls to the bold new themes of the Asia Expansion. If you’d like to know more about the process, the first ideas for the score, and which expansion is his favorite, watch it here:

Every great anniversary deserves a party! The Anniversary Background returns, full of cozy birthday charm and decorations (try it out before September 24!). A brand-new Anniversary Portrait will also land in your collection — it’s free and it will never fly away! And for the first time ever, challenges designed by our very own community champions, Jolex and Eskele on Discord, are ready to test your skills. Each one was created as a true trial for experts and champs.

To complete the celebration, we have released new Wingspan Digital anniversary merchandise so the party can continue beyond the game. Go join the Pigeon Party!

Did you know that we once contacted David Attenborough to be the English voice of Wingspan Digital? Though it never came to be, we still have a handwritten letter he sent us. We could be politely declined like this any day. What a gift!

Did you know that the most played birds in the last three months were White-Headed Duck, Bell’s Vireo, and Atlantic Puffin? Guess the bonus cards engines are the current meta!

We have a few favorite birds, too. Did you know that Snow Bunting is still visiting us in our nightmares after it first appeared in the game when the European Expansion was released? Or that Verditer Flycatcher was the most dreaded bird to implement? It has its own category in our workflow (the name of which I shall not cite here…).

We’ve mentioned it at the start, but since it’s our 5th anniversary, we wanted to share some of the community’s best Wingspan-inspired cakes we’ve found through the years on Reddit. Feast your eyes!

From all of us here, thank you for five amazing years. We wouldn’t be here without you. Your passion has kept us inspired every single day since the release.

We are excited for the future (you might have heard about our new project, Flamecraft) and we cannot wait to share what comes next. For now, we invite you to look back with us. Tell us about your favorite Wingspan Digital moments and memories. Tag us on your favorite platform so we won’t miss it!

That’s all for today, but we’ll see you soon, dear Birders. May your preserves overflow with eggs, cached food, and tucked cards.

Here’s to the next five years and beyond, cheers!

Please consider following us on Steam, too. Get all Monster Couch news – whether it’s new games, DLCs etc. – directly on the platform! Click the banner below to sign up:

The post 5 Years of Wingspan – Let’s celebrate together! appeared first on Monster Couch - Breathing digital life into board games.

Merging Worlds – Creating Wingspan Digital

kinga — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Five years ago, we began an incredible journey.

Five years ago, we began an incredible journey.

A small team with a passion for board games and video games took a leap of faith and created the digital adaptation of Wingspan you enjoy today.

Wingspan Digital has grown and changed so much over these five years. As part of our 5th anniversary celebration, we’ve put together a special video looking back at that journey – from the very first sketches, prototypes, and bird animations, to the launch and every expansion since.

Watch here:

It’s a nostalgic glimpse behind the scenes, and most of all, a memory of all the fun we had creating the game. Not every game has the chance to be played and supported by fans for so long. And what a ride it’s been!

Here’s to five years of Wingspan Digital – and many more to come!

The post Merging Worlds – Creating Wingspan Digital appeared first on Monster Couch - Breathing digital life into board games.

Wingspan Digital – The Making of the Soundtrack

kinga — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Can the life of birds be turned into music?

As part of our Wingspan Digital 5th Anniversary celebration, we set out to answer that question in a new special documentary: Wingspan Digital – The Making of the Soundtrack.

The composer Paweł Górniak takes us behind the scenes of Wingspan Digital’s music, sharing the story of how the soundtrack came to life. From the earliest ideas and melodies to the vibrant new themes of the Asia Expansion, he reflects on how the sounds of birds inspired his compositions and shaped the music of the game.

It’s a deep dive into the origin of Wingspan Digital, and a story about music, nature, and the unique soundscape of birdwatching.

Want to know the original idea for the score, or which Expansion is Paweł’s favourite? Watch the documentary here:

The post Wingspan Digital – The Making of the Soundtrack appeared first on Monster Couch - Breathing digital life into board games.

Wingspan’s 5th Anniversary Background is Back!

kinga — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 12:53:32 +0000

Wingspan Digital is turning 5, and we’d love for you to join the celebration!

From September 8 to September 24, the Anniversary Background returns, filled with festivities and surprises hidden in every corner of your preserve!

Since this is our 5th Anniversary, we thought we needed someone special to join the party. The coolest bird on the block has arrived to celebrate! A true Flock Star in birthday shades and full bling is now available as a brand-new, free 5th Anniversary Player Portrait. Together, you will rule the dance floor of your preserve and party until the score comes up.

The Anniversary Background is only available for a limited time (unless you add it to your collection with the Seasonal Decorative Pack 2), but the Disco Dove will be with you forever!

Thank you for being part of the Wingspan Digital community over these five years. Here’s to many more games filled with birds and strategy.

The post Wingspan’s 5th Anniversary Background is Back! appeared first on Monster Couch - Breathing digital life into board games.