Local Graphic Designer Creates Brooklyn-Inspired Game

After falling behind on the rent for his apartment, 42-year-old graphic artist and Bed-Stuy resident JP Styles decided to go full throttle with his Brooklyn-inspired game, "Area 718."

The High School of Graphic Arts and Communications graduate describes the game as a cross between Tic Tac Toe and dominoes. A small 42 tile set or a larger 82 tile set can be played alone or with up to six people. Tiles can only be placed in four directions and not diagonally.

“The object of game is to collect points by lining up three tiles that form the numbers 7-1-8. Each time you line up 718, you score 16 points,” explains Styles.   

Despite starting his own company, Talismage.com in 2003, Styles did designs for the investment firm Goldman Sachs for years. “It was similar to being in a bad relationship. It didn't excite me anymore. I wasn't using my full capacity. I wanted out.”  

It was only in 2008, with the recent economic downturn that he decided it was all or nothing in terms of turning his dream into a reality.  
      
Nostalgic for a time before online culture took over, Styles set out to create a game that would bring people back together. While the physical set sells for $35- $45 dollars depending on size.

When Styles was ready to erect an online version, he recruited 24-year-old computer engineer Jorge Plaza, who he met on the website Fiverr.com. The Caracas, Venezuela native is responsible for most of the coding and tweaking of the online version.

“I got totally caught up by its game play. I found myself playing it at 2am instead of finishing up some programming I had to do”, says Plaza.  
 
What time he doesn't spend at his day job as a security guard, Styles spends thinking up new ways to promote Area 718.

“I'm a tiny business owner,” Styles explains. "When nobody knows you, it's hard to get investors.” 

But Styles is optimistic that Area 718 is going to be the definitive game for his company. “Most of the people who have seen it or played it kind of liked it. I've gotten people who bought the game who didn't play it online.”

Despite attracting customers from as far away as Massachusetts and Florida, Area 718 has failed to turn a substantial profit, but Styles remains confident in the potential of Area 718.  

“The game is going to jump off because I'm going to make it happen. I have good vibes and good vibes attract good people but I'm still trying to make that right connection.”