Makawa Games
Our Story
We are a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Woman-Owned, Minority-Owned, LGBTQ+-Owned Small Business
founded in Maryland, USA
Makawa Games designs accessible, culturally grounded tabletop games and accessories that spark creativity and replay, strengthen connection, and are crafted sustainably so everyone can join in, start quickly, and build lasting memories.
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The name Makawa is a tribute to the barangay (village) in the Philippines where my mother was born and raised - a place she has always cherished. By naming this company after our home, I’m honoring our roots and the stories she shared with me.
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One of the first board games I ever learned was sungka, a traditional Filipino game played with shells and a carved wooden board. My mother taught me how to play, and those afternoons of dropping shells into each pocket sparked my lifelong love of board games. Sungka taught me patience, strategy, and the joy of gathering - but most of all, it gave me memories of home, family, and connection.
That same spirit is at the heart of Makawa Games. Just like Makawa is full of memory and meaning, we want our creations to bring warmth, belonging, and shared joy to every table we reach.
Core Values
Culture
We honor heritage and the stories people carry. Our settings grow from living traditions with context that feels real: names and languages, customs and food, music, craft, and the places people call home. We invite curiosity, listening, and pride in where people come from. Players step into spaces that feel human, layered, and alive.
Adventure
Each of our games is a journey powered by creativity and imagination, full of memorable stories and epic moments. We keep rules light so you can settle in quickly and find the flow of play. Your choices shape what unfolds, sessions grow and change with your group, and small tweaks keep each return trip fresh. Every run feels familiar yet new, inviting you to explore one more path.
Connection
Life is short. We want your table to be a place where people set things down, look up, and share the moment. Our games make space to be present, laugh together, and build lasting bonds. Stories turn into inside jokes that return weeks later, and traditions grow as you revisit favorite characters and scenes. The game table becomes a place where everyone has a turn and a voice.
Accessibility
You (yes, you!) belong at our game night. We design so everyone can join and play with confidence, whatever your body, mind, or background. Inclusive language and flexible formats welcome different needs and play styles. You will see diversity in our characters, stories, and art, so it is easier to recognize yourself at the table. We aim for belonging: a space where each voice matters and every player feels at home.
Sustainability
We choose eco-friendly materials wherever possible, including biodegradable PLA, recycled filaments, FSC-certified paper, and water-based inks. Packaging is minimal and recyclable, and components are built to be durable and repairable so games last longer. Sustainability guides how we source, print, and ship, helping play leave a lighter footprint.
Our Commitment to Sustainable Craftsmanship
​Here at Makawa Games, we believe in making products you'll love, using materials you can feel good about. Our commitment is simple: we create high-quality items while taking care of the planet.
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That's why we choose to work with materials like PLA filament, a special plastic made from plants, not oil. You'll also find we use natural wood and other recycled materials whenever possible. This is how we ensure that every item you receive is not only beautifully made and durable but also a step towards a more responsible future.
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My commitment to this mission is personal. When I go home to Makawa, I walk along the beach at sunrise with my mother, picking up the trash that has washed ashore. This ritual reminds me of how far-reaching our choices are and makes me think deeply about how our packaging and products affect the environment. This experience fuels my dedication to creating a business that is part of the solution, not the problem.
Our Process
Protecting Quality from the Start
High-quality prints begin with properly maintained filament. PLA and other 3D printing materials are hygroscopic, meaning they naturally absorb moisture from the air. Even small amounts of humidity can cause bubbles, stringing, brittleness, or inconsistent extrusion during printing, ultimately weakening the finished product. To prevent this, we take filament storage seriously.
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Every spool is kept in an air-tight container equipped with humidity readers to monitor and maintain optimal conditions, typically below 20% relative humidity. We use desiccant packs that we regularly recharge to absorb residual moisture, and each container is sealed immediately after use to avoid unnecessary exposure. This controlled environment ensures that our filament stays dry, stable, and ready for reliable, consistent printing.
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Before any order leaves our workshop, every piece is carefully inspected by hand. If anything appears warped, brittle, or otherwise questionable, we reprint it to ensure that only components meeting our standards reach our customers. By safeguarding our materials from the very beginning and enforcing rigorous quality checks at the end, we guarantee that each meeple, cube, and token we produce is sharp, smooth, and dependable - exactly as it was designed to be.