Our Story
Hop in the DeLorean, because we’re heading back to everyone’s least favorite year — 2020. Cue these two cuties - AKA Devon the “Grod” and Kathryn the “Khahn” — high school sweethearts who fell in love with games and each other. We are board gaming out of our minds in a tiny Boston apartment through the COVID lock-down, making poor choices in Pandemic: Legacy, and wondering who had a better misery farm in Agricola.
Then, the spark hit. It had to be sometime between the transition to cloth masks and investing in new paint for our growing mini collection that we got the grand idea: let’s make our own games.
Oh, and we wanted to self-publish…
What’s the Vision?
For us, games have always been more than entertainment —
For Kathryn, they stretch the mind, spark creativity, and — most importantly — bring people together. In a world that’s always online, there’s nothing better than gathering around a table for laughter, strategy, connection and digitally detoxing with friends and family.
For Devon, games are a way to share a story, compete, and take on new personas. They’re a chance to think deeply (yes, he’s sometimes a human rain delay), and escape into unknown places and obscure spaces.
We don’t want to make games, we want to make great games — ones with immersive narratives and deep strategy that keep players coming back for more. Or, in Devon’s words: “A defensible fortress of quality games that will stand the test of time.”
Why “Grod” Games?
Devon’s last name, Grodkiewicz, has its roots in the Polish / Slavic word gród — meaning castle, stronghold, or fortified settlement. Beyound the literal symbology in our first title Estate: Raise the Realm, the word carries deep meaning for us. A gród is a place where communities gather, where strategies are forged, and where stories unfold.
In 2020, our kitchen table became our design studio, and our tiny Boston apartment became our gród. Now, the gród gates are open — and you’re invited to join us on this publishing journey.
At Grod Games, we design and publish tabletop experiences that are:
Strategic yet Accessible – easy to learn, but layered with depth.
Replayable & Richly Thematic – no two playthroughs feel the same.
Community-Centered – built to connect friends, families, and gaming groups.
For us, games are a gateway: to stronger connections, bigger ideas, and shared stories. Grod Games is our way of building those gateways for players everywhere.
Our Mission
In 2025, we hit the road to share Estate: Raise the Realm across tabletops nationwide. Follow along on Instagram (and soon TikTok) as Grod and Khahn road-trip across the U.S., visit game shops and conventions.
We want to see you on our trip!!! Do you have a friendly neighborhood gaming shop or a local con we should look into? Send us a message on our socials or email us at contact@grodgames.com.
