About

In October of 2016, Justin received an email from an airline company that read something akin to “New rates for Octo-bear!” He laughed, because at first he misread it not as Octo-bear (the month), but as an Octobear, a combination between an octopus and a bear. He told this story to his coworkers, saying jokingly, “What would an Octobear even look like?” Kelly thought, “I can imagine what that would look like,” and promptly doodled an Octobear on a sticky note before sending it out in a group text and trotting off to lunch.

Thus the Octobear, the first of Dr. Malone’s Hybrid Animals, was born.

Everyone had a grand old laugh, but left it at that. Everyone except Justin, that is. On his lunch break, he couldn’t stop thinking about what a fun illustration it was, and how fun it was to put animals together. This idea was not new, by any means (we’re looking at you, Reddit users and ancient Greeks). What was new, however, was the idea that if they could come up with a game, Kelly could certainly make the artwork.

Upon returning to the office, Justin gathered everyone at the marker board and pitched his idea. The others were all too eager to get on board (yes, pun intended), and everyone made critiques, brainstormed new ideas, and thought critically about how a game like this would work. The creative team – made up of Kaitlyn, Matt, Justin and Kelly – named themselves Fat Dove Games.

Thus, the title and the concept of Hybrid Hunt was born.

The game adapted from a board game to a tabletop game after many, many rounds played over many, many lunch breaks. Cards were added (Super Creepy Ventriloquist Doll) and cards were removed (RIP Mystery Mushroom). The lab assistants formed distinct personalities, players began stealing animals from each other, and battling Ultra Dangerous Animals became a daunting task. Many discussions were had on the subject of dice. Andrew joined the Fat Doves team.

One thing that never changed, however, was the game’s wacky animal combinations, which the Fat Doves had a blast creating. Each new card, from the “Lobstah” (Lobster + Cheetah) to the “Northern Pee” (Northern Pike + Bumblebee), sprang to life as quickly as it was imagined.

Years after that fateful October day, Fat Dove Games is continuing to refine the rules, playtest with friends and family, and build awareness and interest in the game. Hybrid Hunt started from silly jokes and laughter with friends, and we hope that our game will bring that same enjoyment to you.