Why Paul launched a card game in memory of Megs

Designer Paul Kirk set up Flaming Arrow Games with his wife Megs, before she passed away last December. Here, he explains why the first fun card game, The Hunt for Bigfoot, has been launched in her honour

Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Paul Kirk, widower and Dad to two amazing grown-up kids who I’m so proud of. I’m the owner of Paul Kirk Design, a local design company who does print design, web design and packaging design. I’ve been freelance for over 12 years having previously worked at a local design agency for many years.

If you could describe your life in a paragraph, what would you say?

My life has changed in ways I couldn’t have foreseen since Megs passed away. Everything I thought was ahead of us was cruelly taken away. Days are emotionally unpredictable, but I’ve learnt to embrace the bad days along with the good. I love what I do and have been grateful for some understanding clients during some low days but I’m now building the business back up having slowed down to look after Megs during her treatment. I’m still trying to ‘find’ myself since Megs passed and trying to understand what my purpose is now.

What would you like to tell readers about Megs?

Where do I begin? She was the most beautiful, kind and selfless soul I’ve ever met. She was my rock, my soulmate, my wife, my lover and my best friend. She was always helping other people and touched so many lives in a positive way both professionally and personally. She was so humble and never realised just how talented she was – she was an amazing poet and had also written a range of unpublished children’s books while she was battling cancer. Her drive and passion for learning saw her complete a Masters in Child, Adolescent & Family Mental Health and get a Distinction, all while going through chemotherapy and radiotherapy – her determination and positivity was unwavering. She also gave the best hugs, hugs that made you feel safe and took away all your stress. I miss those so much.

What has led to the launch of The Hunt for Bigfoot? Is it something you and Meg started together and you wanted to finish?

‘The Hunt for Bigfoot’ was a game idea I’d had for a while. We’d discussed it, along with other ideas, but it wasn’t until Megs got her cancer diagnosis that the idea progressed. Early in 2024 Megs ordered some decks of playing cards and blank stickers and one rainy weekend we sat and made the first prototype version of the game – without her the game would still have been just an idea. Over the coming months we refined the game mechanics and play tested it extensively with family and friends. On a visit to the Norwich Games Convention in 2024 we both decided we could sell our game and made a goal to do it in 2026 – Megs was so excited! Sadly in December 2024 Megs lost her battle with cancer and passed away.

I was struggling mentally and emotionally at the beginning of the year but a chat with my brother-in-law Andy and my kids Nush & Jason persuaded me to book a table for the Games Convention in August 2025 – the deadline gave me something to focus on, to channel my spare time and emotions.

Even now I’ve no idea how, in the space of around 8 months, I was able to develop the game from a basic prototype to a fully designed and printed card game. For me I wanted to do it to honour Megs and for it to become part of her legacy. To think that, so far, over 80 families have our game in their homes, is amazing. I think she’d be so excited with what we’d achieved and what’s to come.

How would you describe the game?

‘The Hunt for Bigfoot’ is a fun, family friendly, card game for ages 8+ and 2-4 players. You collect evidence to see if you can find Bigfoot, but beware, as other expeditions are also trying to find Bigfoot and will do anything to thwart you. There’s lots of devious ‘action’ cards that you can play on other players at different times of the game – meaning your luck can go up and down and just when you think you’re about to win everything can suddenly change!

When did you launch it and how has it been received so far?

‘The Hunt for Bigfoot’ launched at the Norwich Games Convention in August and was really well received – we sold a lot more than I was expecting. A second edition is in the works, after a limited initial print run of 100. We’ve some copies left so if you want one, you can grab it at the limited time price of £16.99.

How can people find out more about Flaming Arrow Games?

You can visit us at flamingarrow.games where you can also purchase your first edition copy of ‘The Hunt for Bigfoot’. We’re also on Instagram @flamingarrow_games and on Facebook @flamingarrowgames.

What would your message be to anyone who has recently lost a loved one? Has developing the game helped you navigate your way through grief?

It will slowly get easier to bear. Your bad days will become less but the loss and emotions will always be there because of the love you shared. I never truly appreciated how, even when surrounded by family and friends you can still feel so lonely – but it’s those times that you have to be kind to yourself. It was those evenings and weekends that I spent developing the card game. It was something positive to keep me occupied. I’m now focusing on other game ideas we had and illustrating Meg’s children’s books for launch in 2026.

Talk to friends – some will stick with you; others will fall by the wayside. Try a support group – it might not be for everyone but my support group at Star Throwers in Wymondham has been a huge help. Being able to talk to people who are going through similar circumstances makes you realise you’re not alone.

There’s no timescale so just embrace the grief, be thankful for the good days and try to look back at your life with them with a smile and treasure the memories.

Visit Flaming Arrow Games where you can also purchase a first edition copy of ‘The Hunt for Bigfoot’. Follow @flamingarrow_games on Instagram and @flamingarrowgames on Facebook.

Featured images – supplied