In Bugchums – Mini-Mart Merchant you’ll run a shop that sells bugchums, snacks, trinkets, and other stuff we all need! Print out this dice game at home or anywhere you get printing done. Then all you’ll need is five dice and a pen. Play solo or with as many friends as you want. Buzzzzaah!

Preview the rules

View the rules for Bugchums – Mini-Mart Merchant here. The game’s a snap to learn and has something for all types of gamers.

What’s this all about?

In Bugchums – Mini-Mart Merchant, you'll try your hand at running your own bug-themed shop. Hatch a variety of ugly-cute bug-minis. Sell them to patrons looking for new bug companions. Gain perks from your vending machine and invest in neat shop upgrades too. The shopkeeper who earns the most zinny by closing time wins!

How do I get the game?

Download it from my shop! Bugchums – Mini-Mart Merchant is a game you print at home. All of the content is delivered in PDF format and ready to print in color or greyscale (low-ink). I also include both Letter and A4 sizes. Once you print out a gamesheet for each player and review the rules, just grab five dice (d6) and a pen to start playing!

What inspires this project?

We all know bugs are amazing. Without them Earth’s ecosystems would collapse entirely. (If you’re really a fan of bugs, you should look up E.O. Wilson’s work.)

So, being really into bugs, I’m excited to create a fictional setting where bugs are the heroes and their role in the environment is highlighted. Of course, I’m inspired by other creature-driven worlds, such as the TOHO monsterverse, all the “–mon” stuff out there, Monster Hunter games, the works of Hayao Miyazaki, the list could go on!

In the end, Bugchums is a chance for me to feature all my bug-related doodles in a fun experience people can play solo or share with friends and family.

Why print at home?

Print-and-play tabletop games have been around a while, but they boomed in popularity starting in 2020. Here’s why I like these games:

  1. More sustainability — Printing a game at home produces way less waste for the environment.

  2. Lowers costs for us all — No printing, packaging and distribution fees for my business means lower costs for you.

  3. Avoids shipping fees — We all know shipping fees are skyrocketing, this is one way to limit them.

  4. Focus on gameplay — I can invest more time in the actual game elements rather than trying to account for #1—3! Which ultimately reduces development time.

  5. Sharable worldwide — Print at home games can be shared all over the world, again: no shipping costs needed!

See below for answers to more questions you may have.

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Design Notes

Bugchums – Mini-Mart Merchant is a dice game you print on your home printer or at local print shop. Download all the files from my shop, grab some dice and a pen and go! I grew up playing dice games like Yahtzee, so drew a little inspiration from those experiences. The result is a snappy roll-and-write game that can be played solo or with lots of chums.

Made For

Fans of cozy games – The cozy genre of video and tabletop games is growing fast. These experiences are all about casual, feel-good gameplay, with little to no gotcha-mechanics.

Nintendo gamers – Imagine Nintendo video game vibes in a tabletop game. Think of Super Mario Bros Wonder, Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, Pikmin, Stardew Valley and Turnip Boy.

Friends of ugly-cute bugs – When you think of it, lots of IRL creatures are ugly and cute at the same time. Pug pups, little brown bats, pink fairy armadillos, axolotls,…

Optional In-Game Achievements (2025—2026)

Below you’ll find a list of optional challenges you can add to your game! Browse the list, select an achievement (or two) and play the game as normal. When you successfully complete an achievement, use the Seasonal Achievement line in the Scoring Ledger to write in your earnings.

Butterpuff Huff (001)

“We need five Butterpuffs! Each of our sprigs wants one and we’re kinda scared to say no. Ugh. Help us out!” –Anxious Parents Bo and Buzzelle

Hatch and sell five Butterpuff by Round 5 — Gain +40z

Bee Specialization (002)

“I’m hearing about some interesting synergies between Jollybee and Cinnabee when it comes to honey and wax production. We’ll take three of each please!” –Bug Rancher Lillybelle

(ALL PLAYERS) – Be the first to hatch and sell three Cinnabee and three Jollybee by endgame — Gain +70z

The Mote Broker (003)

“It’s simple – I’ll pay you well for each mote you have by the end of business.” –Wandering Trader Burrbil

Stockpile your motes. For each mote you have at endgame — Gain +20z

One Jollybee for Me (004)

“I have a hard time making friends. Ma says Jollybee are good pets for book worms like me cause they like being read to. Do ya have one we can buy?” –Shy Student Essma

(ALL PLAYERS) – Be the first to hatch and sell one Jollybee only during Round 8 — Gain +60z

Gumfairy Tales (005)

“I’m writing a book about a marshland runaway and a grumpy Gumfairy who team up against pirates! A new hatchling would be great for inspiration.” –Storyteller Margo

(ALL PLAYERS) – Be the first to hatch and sell one Gumfairy only during Round 4 — Gain +50z

The Bug Watchers (006)

“I’m leading a group of sprigs on a bug watching tour this coming Spring. I need at least three Bug Runner’s Whistles! Gotta train these littles on how to use ‘em properly.” –Bug Ranger Gumbie

Sell three Bug Runner’s Whistles from your vending machine — Gain +50z

Taffybeedle Bonus (007)

“Taffybeedle are great at moving soil and helping build things. We sure could use a few at our new farm. We’ll pay you well for a trio!” –Budding Farmers Rody and Riven

Hatch and sell three Taffybeedle by Round 8 — Gain +80z

Mini-Mart Upgrades (008)

“My sister and I only spend our zinny at the finest mini-marts. If you want our business, you’ll have to have at least three upgrades completed. Otherwise, ewww!” –Snooty Sisters Beela and Shellbee

Complete three mini-mart upgrades before the end of Round 6 — Gain +100z

A Guide for Grandpop (009)

“Our grandpop can’t see so good these days, but he still insists on adventuring. If we had a Chocomoth, we could train it to help him on his travels.” –Considerate Grandson Bilbee

Be the first to hatch and sell a Chocomoth — Gain +50z

Q & As

  • Bugchums – Mini-Mart Merchant is a game you print at home. I design all of the content, finalize the files in PDF format and deliver everything to you ready to print on your home printer. I'll include Letter and A4 sizes in both color and greyscale (low-ink) versions. After you print out a game sheet for each player, grab five dice (d6) and a pen to start playing!

  • Lots of reasons! They help the environment, produce less waste and don't require expensive shipping for starters. They're also playable solo or with friends AND are quite cost-effective. Not to mention loads of fun if you like rolling dice.

  • Gotcha covered. Each download includes low-ink (greyscale) versions of the gamesheets.

  • There are some options! 1) Visit a print shop in your area and get a laminated sheet, 2) Use a tablet and notes app, 3) Use a browser on your computer and a program like Sketch.io. You can also type "Roll 3 d6" in Google to roll digital dice. (Or 4 or 5 dice!)

  • Adults and children will find things to love. Our testing included a range of folks from 8 years old to mid 50s. There are layers of complexity for gamers who love that and at the same time, young ones can easily follow along and do well.

  • I created this game from scratch. The game mechanic, art direction, illustration, design and world-building. I tested the game using volunteers online and locally here in the Phoenix area.

  • Bugchums are ugly-cute creatures found only in the Bumble Isles. They come in lots of different types, or swarms as folk around here call them. Most are friendly, some are grumpy and others are kinda mysterious about stuff and would rather not be bothered by folk.