About us
Let’s start with saying we are people, something that seems obvious, but not so much in these times where AI lets you create content and even whole websites automatically. It’s not our case.
And clarified that point now we have two options: list names and resumes —which is what almost everyone does— or do our way and explain to you in a different way not only who we are but why we created LOODENS.
How about we do it differently? How about a little of narrative?
This story is not based on real facts. These are real facts.
Barcelona, 1st August 2020
I open my eyes at 7:12 and there’s nothing left to do. Once the sunlight passes through my pupils, there is no way for me to fall asleep again so I decide to take advantage of the freshness of the early hours of the day because it is expected again a hot day of August in Barcelona.
I go out to the backyard and enjoy the gentle swing of the family seesaw while I smile remembering the laughs we had yesterday playing the Liar game.
I’ve always loved playing with my children. When they were babies, I’d do whatever silly thing made them giggle. Their laughter was the best prize I could imagine.
As they grew, I encouraged them to play all sorts of games. Often, they were simple, made-up games to pass the time in a restaurant or to chase away a moment of boredom at home.
I smile at the thought that some of those early experiences stuck with them. Laura still loves to play with family and friends. Joel takes a little more convincing—damn video games!—but once he’s at the table, he enjoys it as much as we do. And my wife Ana? She’s always up for a game if it promises some laughter and togetherness.
Today is Laura’s birthday. My little girl turns 18. Sadly, we have to celebrate it without the rest of the family because of the Covid-19 restrictions. We’ve prepared a nice celebration, but it just won’t be the same. My heart aches for her.
After lunch, I thought we could have some fun by teaching them some of the card games I used to play as a child with my sisters and cousins. There was one we played all the time. What was it called again? Brisca! And how did it go? I can’t quite remember. Was it a 1 and a 3? I decide to look it up.
I open my iPad and start searching. One website, two, three… none of them clear or definitive. I turn to YouTube: one video, two, three… Finally, piecing together a bit from here and there, I start to remember the game and how to explain it to my children.
I organize my thoughts, craft short and clear phrases, anticipate the questions they might ask. It’s the teacher in me—22 years of teaching math to telecommunications engineering students leaves its mark. Explaining something complicated in a simple way so it’s impossible not to understand? That’s my specialty.
When I’m done, I can’t help but wonder… why did I have to spend 25 minutes piecing together information that could be explained well in three? And then, an idea sparks.
When my children wake up, I gather them together and propose a family project that combines fun, learning, and even a potential way to earn something— a win-win, as I like to call it.
—What do you think about us creating a website together that explains all the card games we know?—
I looked into their eyes and at that moment, I knew something good and beautiful had just begun.
F. Cruz
2 December 2022
Hello!. My name is Francisco Cruz and I’m the one behind the content and design of LOODENS.
That little story I shared explains where and how the seed of what became this larger project was planted—a project that’s not just about card games, but about all kinds of games that bring friends and family together to laugh, play, and create memories.
A lot has happened since that August 1st, 2020. It wasn’t until February 2022 that the conditions were finally right for me to dedicate enough time and energy to building the first version of LOODENS. After a brief period of testing online, we were thrilled to finally share it with the world in December 2022.
The content on LOODENS will keep growing—steadily and consistently. I’ve made sure of that with the help of SILAN Productions, the production company I created to ensure it. It’s a family affair, with everyone pitching in, and alongside LOODENS, we’re excited to develop other online projects that are just as fun and engaging.
I want to thank our family and friends for their advice and great ideas, and all the contributors and users who have helped us search for, refine, and test the rules and instructions of so many games. Thank you, all of you. Just enjoy your life.
And I want to end by saying that this project wouldn’t have been possible without the support and encouragement of my wife, Ana, and my two children, Laura and Joel. LOODENS is for them ❤️
