Brighton's BN1 board game celebrates ten years of play

Paul Stapleton converted his comic strip BN1 into BN1 – The Board Game in 2012.

It explored the lesser-known landmarks of Brighton from a satirical view, and went on to be a huge success.

Paul announced another version of the game in 2014, which saw players fight to get the last train out of Brighton during a zombie apocalypse, and is now set to release a third edition to celebrate a decade of his initial idea.

Now 46, Paul said the new edition will reflect a modern Brighton.

Paul is celebrating ten years of the game

“And Brighton itself, of course, has changed a lot in the ten years since the first game came out," he said.

“There’s quite a lot of places and people in the first edition that aren’t really there any more, like the Brighton Wheel and things like that, so it’s reflecting the changes in Brighton.

“But the game itself has evolved. Now I’ve got ten years of game design, and board games have become more sophisticated over time.”

The new game will include landmarks such as the i360, the wind farm, and The Bevy, the community-run pub in Moulsecoomb.

Paul said that despite its updates, BN1 also celebrates the city’s rich history.

Illustrating the board game was another bridge the former comic strip designer had to cross – which led him to enlist the help of an old friend he worked with in the Brighton comic scene as it boomed in the Nineties.

It features some prominent city landmarks

“The artwork has all been done by Lisa Holdcroft, a beloved local artist,” he said.

“She’s been illustrating in Brighton for about 30 years. Previously I’d done it, but her artwork is incredible. She really captures the feeling of Brighton, whatever she’s drawing.

“She always gets the character of each place she does – whether that’s the Old Market or the Pavilion.”

Paul is hoping to launch the game in September at £35.

Looking back to when he was just starting out, what would Paul say to his younger self?

“You'll still be doing this in ten years, and don't end up bankrupt from this inane vanity project, so stop worrying,” he said.