Once Upon a Time…
Since August of 2023, I would say that an almost disturbing number of my gaming stories have started with the phrase “I was at Congress of Gamers, and…”
This is not a bad thing! From the time my family and I moved from Iowa to Maryland, the three or four sessions of Congress of Gamers each year have been a regular part of our calendar. This is a truly wonderful, small gaming convention.
Well… I was at Congress of Gamers, and relatively early on the first day, I spotted a gentleman setting up his vendor area and the first thing I saw was a vast field of Hot Wheels cars. I figured this could not possibly be what he was here for, so I went closer. Looking over the material he had for sale, I could see he was into Word Games.
I am no stranger to Word Games, be they on a board (Scrabble, with or without the Monopoly elements), with dice (Boggle), or with Cards (Quiddler). Still, when I looked at this table, it felt like something was different. So, I spoke with Mr. Earl Patterson, purchased a bunch of his wares, and scheduled some time to interview him. Allow me to introduce you to the man behind Alpha Earl Apps & Games!
Alpha Earl
Q1: Let’s start with some basic introductions! Start with who you are, how you got involved in game design, what excites you about a new project, and so on.
A1: Earl Patterson, Founder & CEO of Alpha Earl Apps LLC. With 25 years in customer service leadership and a business management degree, I have built my company and network. As the Founder and CEO of Alpha Earl Apps LLC, I have always held a deep passion for game design. My journey into this dynamic field truly took shape six years ago when I developed my first game app, OMG-WOW + Fun! Each new project excites me because it offers the opportunity to push creative boundaries—whether that’s through leading in-depth research with my talented team, engaging in thorough beta testing to gather authentic feedback, or embracing innovative ideas that enhance the enjoyment and quality of our games. For me, combining professionalism with a spirit of fun is at the heart of building experiences that both delight and inspire.
Q2: You have multiple versions of the game Make Your Words Count, from the base game to the version with the blended sounds included; a STEM version where you are attempting to make words with the chemical element symbols (C for Carbon, O for Oxygen, etc.) and a mathematical version (Make Your Numbers Count). A cursory look at these, and one immediately sees word and numbers games. But once you look deeper, it is obvious you have a passion for educational material; for example, Make Your Numbers Count delves into financial literacy. What drives the desire to teach? When teaching, what drives you into the realms of Reading and Math?
A2: As CEO, my motivation to teach stems from my own educational experiences, where access to quality resources was limited compared to today. Those formative years taught me the value of practical learning and the importance of perseverance in developing new ideas. This background fuels my commitment to creating products that empower others to learn and grow. I believe that words hold incredible power, and just as numbers are straightforward to interpret, letters can unlock understanding in meaningful ways. By channeling these concepts into our games, we have been able to make a real difference—whether it’s helping a young child with dyslexia find confidence in word formation through Make Your Words Count! or witnessing parents connect with their child’s learning journey for the first time using our games. The joy on customers’ faces as they grasp how our games work and imagine sharing them with loved ones is deeply rewarding. Our company’s vision is to elevate literacy and learning, one individual or group at a time, through engaging, thought-provoking games and books designed to inspire positive change.
Q3: When we met, I also saw your game All In Win, Win. This is a game that explores scenarios and teaches individuals to find the option where everyone comes out ahead. I find the idea very interesting and quite uplifting. How did this idea and game design come about? What other areas of education/self-help/guidance would you like to delve into? (for example: you are in fantastic shape! Any chance we will see something dealing with healthy eating and activity choices?)
A3: Creating All In Win, Win came about due to my fascination with developing focused mindsets based on true scenarios in life. With today’s technology, we can easily get away from truth and perspective individually. All In Win, Win helps to talk about what are situations that benefit both people or the opposite. This type of discussion helps to cultivate a greater sense of unity and understanding that creates healthy relationships and thoughts. There is still a competitive edge and objective to the game which is to be the first to achieve 30 points by receiving 2 points for each correct response. My game g.r.o.w.t.h. focuses on breaking habits in 21 or 30 days and players encouraging each other in the process.
Q4: As a game designer, are there other areas of game design you would like to explore? Do you see any and all designs you work on being educational/self-help/guidance in nature? What do you see as the ultimate goal, the final form if you will, or Alpha Earl Apps & Games? Would you like to collaborate with someone in the board gaming industry? If so, who? If not, why not? What about others in the educational sphere? Self help?
A4: As a business-minded game designer, I recognize that strategic partnerships and an expanded professional network are essential for accelerating both the reach and impact of my work. I am actively seeking opportunities to collaborate with established industry leaders, publishers, and fellow creatives who share a passion for innovative gameplay and educational value. While the continued growth of my games and books remain top priorities, I am equally committed to bringing a new wave of engaging, light-hearted yet challenging party games to market.
Alongside game development, I am also focused on broadening my publishing portfolio—titles such as Better Than Winning and the MYWC Puzzle Book have already received excellent feedback and robust sales, reinforcing my vision for Alpha Earl Apps, Games, and Books as a dynamic force in the industry. I welcome conversations with anyone interested in collaborating to further diversify and elevate the world of games. I am currently co-developing a new game title with a renowned game designer whose work is distributed by a major publisher; partnerships like these are key to breaking new ground and driving sustained business growth.
Q5: In addition to your game designs, you have written poetry (always nice to meet a fellow poet), books on relationships and keeping them strong, and so on. When you and I spoke, we touched on the fact that you have both secular and faith-based versions of these books. Can you tell us how you managed to find yourself in that publishing space? How has your personal faith, and/or your personal relationship experience, informed your writing and/or your game design?
A5: It’s a pleasure to connect with a fellow poet. Over the years as a seasoned game designer, I have drawn inspiration from many sources—including my personal beliefs—which have subtly informed both my writing and creative process. After immersing myself in several relationship books rooted in faith, I was motivated to author three and a half works of my own. Titles such as Better Than Winning and Invest In Your Best Fest represent the depth of insight I’ve accumulated and my commitment to sharing meaningful ideas with others.
My approach to game development is intentionally inclusive, crafted for audiences from all backgrounds and perspectives. The constructive feedback received from customers—even after considerable time has passed remains invaluable in refining my designs and ensuring continued success.
Q6:The last time we spoke while at the convention, I asked you about the fixation with Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars—you had a lot of those on display! Your description of how you got into that hobby was beautiful! Can you share that with the readers, and perhaps expound upon it some? Are there other areas your interests have taken you for similar reasons? What other sorts of hobbies do you have? Are there other areas where we are likely to find the Alpha Earl imprint in the future?
A6: Reflecting on the invaluable role of feedback in my journey, a defining moment occurred while exhibiting at a Literacy Association event in Pennsylvania. There, a business owner resonated with my innovative approach—using Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars as engaging tools to reinforce learning. By having students move a car along the path of a newly formed word or equation within my educational games, attention is naturally drawn to the board’s content, making the learning experience dynamic and memorable.
This creative integration not only validated my passion for collecting hundreds of cars but also highlighted how imaginative strategies can transform traditional education. My interests extend beyond game mechanics into the artistry of crafting—designing custom wooden boxes and collaborating with talented partners to produce unique card holders for our games. At Alpha Earl Apps, we actively seek partnerships with creators who share our vision for quality and innovation, believing that collaboration unlocks new possibilities and brings innovative ideas to life that might otherwise remain undiscovered.
Looking ahead, the trajectory for Alpha Earl Apps is clear and ambitious. Establishing a non-profit organization is a pivotal next step—one that will allow us to amplify our impact through strategic collaboration with established leaders in education and social good. Continued app development remains a cornerstone of our growth, and we are dedicated to expanding our digital presence at www.alphaearlapps.com with an ever-growing portfolio of innovative products. We are also committed to supporting educators by providing high-quality activities for classroom and after-school programs, with dedicated resources and website enhancements to better serve their needs. The journey is ongoing, and much more is on the horizon as we work to empower learning communities and inspire positive change.
Omega Dave
Alpha Earl Apps and Games is an interesting small business operated by a fascinating man. My experience in getting to meet him and speak with him, as well as to play some of his games, has been a joyous one. In my review of his game Make Your Words Count, I have some criticisms of his games. This is not something that should distract from what he has created here. I have a tendency to want to tweak, adjust, and mess with games and I always have. I can count on one hand how many games over the years I have enjoyed where I have had no notes.
Mr. Patterson has a way about him that makes you feel comfortable speaking and sharing. He listens—I mean, he actively listens. For those moments, you feel like you are the only thing that matters to him. I am sure that this is why he has people create custom 3D printed boxes to hold the cards for his games, share that fact, and find that he has become a customer who purchases them for sale at his events (such as the one where we met).
Thank you, sir, for your time and your creative energy!. Keep doing what you are doing.
