National recognition for Rustington board game inventor

His game, Trivia Tower, has been commended in the first-ever Dad’s Choice Awards, for toys and games which encourage dads and their children to play together.

“As a father of two young children, this meant a lot to me,” said Tim, 41, of Homefield Close, Rustington, who describes the game as a cross between Jenga and Trivial Pursuit.

“I first had the idea for the game about seven years ago – I literally woke up one Sunday morning with the idea in my head. I spent several months writing over 300 questions and painting the blocks the relevant colours. I play-tested it with some friends and the results were very positive,” he added.

Tim then approached Games Play UK, which takes inventors’ rough ideas and turns them into the finished item, ready for the market. When the company was unable to licence Trivia Tower with a manufacturer, its managing director decided the business should go ahead and manufacture and retail the game itself.

“They took my game on and improved it, but I can still recognise the original ideas I had are in there,” Tim said.

Officially launched in January last year, Trivia Tower has since been available on the websites eBay, Play and Amazon and world-famous London toy store Hamleys has been approached with a view to adding the game to its spring/summer 2014 range.

Tim’s hoping that the award will lead to more sales for the game and more websites and toyshops stocking it, but for the time being is enjoying the accolade.

“We did have a glass of champagne the night I found out,” said Tim, who is married to Nicky. and is a computer programmer for the NHS.

Are there any more game ideas lurking in his imagination? “I think it’s a one-off, but if it takes off, that’s all I need. After all, the people who invented Trivial Pursuit are now living on an island, so you never know!”