Tony Tinervia - 62 year old Autistic board game developer

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Tony Tinervia is 62 years old.

He was nonverbal until the age of 5.

In 2015, Tony was diagnosed with Autism.

Tony always wanted to escape. He loved nature and would spend hours exploring parks. His fear of running over a box turtle kept him from getting a driver’s license until he was 28.

Growing up Tony said he would ask, “Why did God create me?” As an undiagnosed adult, the challenges were still there for Tony.

“I grew up surviving on low-paying jobs,” he said.

As a teenager, Tony said he never socialized in school, and he spent hours alone in his bedroom creating games in his mind.

“I would have been a board game designer if I had help as a child,” Tony said.

While hibernating in his room, Tony would design dozens of board and card games that he kept in what he called a portfolio.
One game he envisioned was a state capital game for kids. For 24 years, he said he kept his designs secret even from his parents.

Then, at the age of 58, after his diagnosis, Tony decided to revisit his portfolio.

Tony says he had a revelation, “God meant for me to create Keys to the Capitals.”

It was a stressful year developing several prototypes. A manufacturer in Nevada first produced a high-quality version. In 2016, a manufacturer in China made 1,500 units, which took six months to complete.

Golden Bell Studios now owns the trademark. Keys to the Capitals now is available worldwide on Amazon.com. He has won several awards for his game. There may be plans to create a second edition, but the company told Tony it could take years. Tony also reveals that he isn’t receiving any royalties from the sales of his game.

However, Tony said, “I didn’t invent it to get rich.”

He did it to prove that even someone living with Autism has capabilities to invent and create great things.

Tony’s plan is to create more fun and educational games in future. His goal is for his successes to bring hope to individuals living with Autism.