Outback Cowboy Turns Campdrafting Into Board Game Dream

Steve Hawe stared at a pencil drawing of a campdraft arena in a remote Queensland station kitchen when inspiration struck like lightning.

The self-described "old bushie" stayed up until midnight scribbling ideas on scraps of paper, launching a journey to create Australia's next beloved board game. At 69, the father of five is turning his passion for campdrafting into a game he hopes will sit alongside classics like Squatter on family shelves across the country.

Campdrafting is a traditional Australian sport where riders separate cattle from herds and guide them through courses. Hawe's board game captures this experience, sending players on journeys through campdraft arenas while facing the hazards of outback road trips.

Living on a remote cattle station made game testing challenging, so Hawe recruited help from the nearest town. On a random Tuesday in Stonehenge, population 50, the local pub gathered folks for one of the first official playthroughs.

Hawe dove headfirst into online communities dedicated to board game development, teaching himself the craft from scratch. He partnered with New South Wales graphic designer Leith Walton to transform his hand-drawn prototype into a polished product ready for play testers nationwide.

The collaboration revealed unexpected challenges. Bush vernacular that felt natural to Hawe left city dwellers scratching their heads, requiring either a glossary or simplified language to broaden the game's appeal.

Walton, inspired by his own outback Queensland holiday, embraced the project's authentic Australian feel. He focused on capturing that dusty, wide-open atmosphere that defines the region's character.

Why This Inspires

Hawe embodies the bold faith common in bush communities, where taking risks is part of daily life. "Life is short and sometimes you really have to push yourself and take a risk," he said, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit of remote Australia.

University of Melbourne game design instructor Antranig Sarian notes Australia needs more homegrown games celebrating local culture. He points to crowdfunding and community events connecting developers with publishers as modern pathways to success.

Walton hopes the game encourages urban Australians to explore the country's rural beauty while having fun. For Hawe, the development process itself brings joy, though he dreams big about seeing his creation become a household name.

The cowboy-turned-game-designer proves it's never too late to chase creative dreams, even from one of Australia's most remote corners.