Long before Tokelau was ready for players, the board game was already being tested in graduate student apartments, board game cafés and around kitchen tables across Waterloo.
For alums Irina Bukhteeva (PhD '25, Physics) and Alexey "Alex" Smirnov (PhD '24, Applied Mathematics), what began as a creative outlet during the demanding years of graduate school has grown into an entrepreneurial adventure rooted in the same curiosity, perseverance and collaborative spirit they developed at the University of Waterloo.
The couple first met while studying physics at Moscow State University before continuing their academic journeys in Canada. At Waterloo, Irina pursued research in biophysics, studying the intersection of physics and biology before continuing into postdoctoral research in molecular biology and regenerative medicine. Alex completed his doctorate in Applied Mathematics before launching his career as an optical engineer in Ottawa.
Despite long hours in their respective research fields, they always made time for one shared passion: board games.
"Waterloo has an incredible board game community," says Irina. "The cafés, the clubs and the people really encouraged us to explore the hobby in a new way."
During Waterloo's long winters, that passion evolved into something more ambitious. The couple began designing what would eventually become Tokelau, a strategy game inspired by exploration, discovery and the challenges of navigating unfamiliar territory.
Friends, classmates and fellow enthusiasts became early play testers, offering honest feedback that helped shape the game through years of development.
Much like scientific research, every new version was an experiment.
"Every play test felt like running another experiment," says Irina. "You observe, collect data, listen carefully and improve. That's exactly what research teaches you."
That scientific mindset became one of the project's greatest strengths.
Before creating artwork or manufacturing prototypes, the pair built timelines, mapped decision trees and carefully tested every aspect of Tokelau. They evaluated player behaviour, measured engagement and revised mechanics repeatedly, treating each session as another opportunity to learn.
"The way research trains you to think is incredibly valuable," says Alex. "You learn to approach complex problems methodically, test your assumptions and keep improving until the solution works. Designing a game isn't that different."
Irina Bukhteeva (PhD ’25, Physics) and Alexey Smirnov (PhD ’24, Applied Mathematics)
For Irina, graduate school offered another lesson that proved just as important: learning how to embrace criticism.
Anyone who has completed a PhD understands the experience of receiving reviewer comments that challenge every assumption. Instead of becoming discouraged, researchers learn to refine their work through constructive feedback.
"The game went through exactly the same process," Irina says. "People weren't always gentle with their opinions, but you learn not to take it personally. You ask what can make the work better, and then you keep going."
That willingness to iterate transformed a handful of early prototypes into Tokelau, a polished, family-friendly strategy game combining exploration, trade and discovery with colourful artwork by Miguel Valenzuela Beltrán that depicts historical details inspired by Polynesian culture.
The journey also reinforced something else the couple had experienced throughout their time at Waterloo: innovation rarely happens in isolation.
Artists, researchers, experienced game designers, colleagues and hobbyists from around the world all contributed ideas that strengthened the final product. Some suggested improvements to accessibility for colour-blind players. Others encouraged them to weave more history into the game or rethink elements of the player experience. Each conversation made the game stronger.
"The community surprised us," says Irina. "People genuinely wanted to help because they loved the hobby."
Today, that work has culminated in their own label, Wagglebee Games, with Tokelau as its first launch. The two-to-six player strategy game draws on the history of exploration and trade across the islands of Polynesia. Players navigate shifting winds as they sail between islands, gather resources, establish settlements and build trading networks.
A modular board can be assembled into thousands of unique island combinations, ensuring that every game unfolds differently and encouraging players to adapt their strategies with every voyage. Designed for ages 12 and up, Tokelau is easy to learn while offering plenty of depth for experienced gamers. Visual cues also allow colour-blind players to enjoy the game alongside family and friends.
After years of development and countless playtesting sessions, Tokelau is preparing for its next chapter. The game is currently featured on Kickstarter, where Irina and Alex hope to launch the project in fall 2026, bringing Wagglebee Games' first published game to life.
For Alex, seeing the finished prototype is especially rewarding.
"It's exciting to hold something that started as an idea during graduate school," he says. "Every round of testing taught us something new. Just like research, you keep improving until you're proud of what you've built."
Although the project has taken them well beyond the laboratory, its foundation remains unmistakably Waterloo. Tokelau was conceived, designed and refined while they were students, with classmates and friends among its earliest players. The habits they developed through graduate research, asking thoughtful questions, embracing feedback and approaching challenges with curiosity, became the blueprint for building something entirely new.
Looking back, the couple sees Tokelau as more than a board game. It is the product of learning, resilience and community, much of it shaped during their time at the University of Waterloo. Whether advancing scientific discovery or creating opportunities for families and friends to gather around a table, they believe the most meaningful ideas are the ones that bring people together.
And for two Waterloo alumni who first imagined Tokelau during winter evenings between experiments and coursework, the adventure is only just beginning.