Tron:Ares was pretty. The AI that wrote it needs some coaching. Like most movies have characters instead of sentence-delivery-objects. It also would have benefited from a plot.

I'm starting an independent board game journalism site, Board Game Beat (wericmartin.com ...passcode 9763 to preview). We received a sample of the crocheted dice bags my wife had made for subscribers at the Deluxe Edition membership tier! We wanted something different, handmade & made in the US.

What a year, huh? Lemon, it’s January 9th.

Favor: If you're a member of GAMA and you haven't submitted your nominations for the Origins Awards yet, I'd appreciate you considering "3 Witches" under the Light Strategy category. The publisher is Allplay and the URL is www.allplay.com/board-games/...

Insecure grown-@$$ man question: I’ve been invited for interviews for 2 segments on our local news. 1) web-only longer segment on tabletop game design. 2) a 3-minute on-air interview about getting a game published. Question: what do I wear to each? Recorded different days

Pretty sure this Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick.

"Iron laws of the world"? Some of America's most important national accomplishments are about leading humanity away from this kind of bullshit. If we let ideologues like Stephen Miller drag us back into a world where brute force is all that matters, all of us will be less safe.

I'd love to hear your ideas for a game launch party. I'm working with our wonderful FLGS, Epic Loot, to coordinate the event. We're thinking we'll start with a fun tutorial. I'll present the rules using a silly PowerPoint presentation w/South Park-like graphics showing 3 members of the EL team.

Gearing up for a 🧙🧙🏾🧙🏻 release party at Epic Loot (in Centerville, OH) in a few weeks. Allplay is supporting the event, including providing copies of the game for prizes. We’ll be teaching the game and holding a tournament. I’ll share details when I have them

I guess my form of “self medicating” to combat all the tearing down and destruction I’m seeing committed by the country I used to love is to watch dozens of YouTube videos of artisans repairing antiques or making hand-crafted items. Doesn’t help the world, but my head is in a better place.

Um, Hegseth? Nobody needed a reminder that you're a pissant.

Last night my daughter asked about the Greek vs Roman pantheons of gods. I likened it to the MCU vs DCU and I'm still chuffed at how clever I was for coming up with that.

I'm enjoying many lists of top games from 2025. I'm learning about so many games that I missed! Nice review of "3 Witches" at 38:38. I listened to the AI-generated English translation. Not sure what "a game made to the millimeter" means, but I think I like that. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIxB...

Name a board game LEAST in need of an insert. Not meaning that the included one is adequate, but that it doesn’t need one at all. Most small (non-CCG) card games certainly qualify, so let’s leave those out.

@pattonoswalt.bsky.social likes board games? Ok, I’m not floored by that. It just makes me dig him more. I am curious about what kinds of (or weights) he prefers.

That was a fun watch! If you’ve been hoping to see a full game of 3 Witches, check this out. They got everything right in terms of the rules. I need to clarify a bit on communication when an 👁️ is played. I’d say no passing in that case. It gives away info, defeating the purpose of the 👁️. Well done!

I was thinking we’re in the “fiddling while Rome burns” phase but it seems more like the “toddler with a loaded handgun” phase

In some parts, this would be a double 🦨

Heading into 2026 in a bit of a funk. I've plateaued at my day job. While my wife and kids are all doing wonderfully, I'm very concerned about what the year holds for my mom (Alzheimers) and siblings. I have 2 tabletop game designs I'd love to work on, but I'm dealing with designer's block.

I tried to come up with one of these, but 2024 was 10x worse for me than 2025.

Another example of AI just making shit up. This is a summary of tactics it provided about "3 Witches" I corrected it, and it then told me that the game's designer posted about this topic and that I'm correct. Good to know...

My sister and have been using the phrase “Jamaican Fried Chicken” much the same way the military folks use Whiskey Tango Foxtrot or Tango Uniform

I just finished enjoying the Earthsea books on Audible. While fantasy, they reminded me of William Gibson’s short stories and books. Lovely, slow world building, then OMG I HAVE 20 PAGES LEFT‽ How can they land this in that much space? Then they kind of do, but it feels rushed.

My friend runs a vegan leather shop. Only offers vinyl and Naugahyde. His supplier is an artificial tanner

@restorationgames.bsky.social should consider “Screaming Eagles” Solid, clever game. Spiritual sibling of “Thunder Road”

Need to get one Grinchy thought out of my head so that I can enjoy Christmas in peace. As follow-up movie series go, “The Hobbit” is 3.8x worse than “Star Wars” Eps 1-3. Excuse the precision or lack thereof. Science has its limits.

Thank you Danielle Standring for listening 3 Witches among your top games of the 2025! youtube.com/shorts/1zKgz...

It's the final stretch till Christmas. Here's my gingerboard creation for 2025. May those risky gift requests pay off. @cmyk.games

Being a tiny game that only goes to 5 points, 3 Witches has the potential to end in ties or to have "kingmaker" situations. I was asked about this in a BGG forum. I replied with some potential thoughts but I'd love to hear ideas from others familiar with the game. boardgamegeek.com/thread/36322...

I wrote a designer's diary post about how "3 Witches" came about. coreyyoungcom.wordpress.com/2025/12/22/3...

Today's #boardgame delivery: 3 Witches. Looking forward to trying this @coreyyoung.com three-player trick-taker with the family.

If you see this, post your favorite Star Wars character.

I want to make a game around non-transitive Grime dice. Imagine colored D6s with weird number distributions such that, on average… 🟩>🟥 🟥>🟨 🟨>🟦 🟦>🟪 BUT 🟪>🟩‽‽‽ mathsgear.co.uk/products/non...

Dang interesting. Opposite sides always add to 11. Exact same distribution as 1D6+2.

Even AI couldn’t have generated images as ugly, disjointed, and perplexing as those in that listing. I’ve seen better curated flea market stalls.

Yeah, ha ha, but bullshit. Is your point that there are no new ideas? From which game did I copy the “I play 2 cards, and you 2 play 1 each, then we compare pairs” mechanism? From which did copy “I play 2 cards, but I get 1 back into my hand after each trick” mechanism? Or Gravwell’s movement?

Seconded! Also a great listen on Audible

60 Witches!

I get pretty tired of hearing about people I love dying from direct or indirect consequences of people using powerful illegal drugs. Y'all do y'all, but don't try to call it a "victimless crime." None of us know how our brains will react to doing drugs. Not doing them ever is a legitimate approach.

You won't get it for the holidays, but you can now order "3 Witches" on the Allplay site! www.allplay.com/board-games/...

The prompt: "2025 has been a rough year. What's one piece of art that's brought you absolute joy despite everything?" Tabletop games are art! Hot Streak Rebel Princess Magical Athlete But whooo boy, yeah, Andor

Why do I enjoy the company of people who love tabletop games? It seems today that many people are embracing AI because they'd prefer to let anyone or anything else do what passes for "thinking." People who enjoy tabletop games choose to think for recreation.

@petersagal.bsky.social an actor who might play you? I mean Micheal Kelly is RIGHT THERE

For those who like BGG microbadges, the one for 3 Witches is now available. boardgamegeek.com/microbadge/5...

My brilliant wife's first attempt at sourdough bread. To be clear, she's an experienced amateur baker/cook. It's just her first attempt at sourdough. Sooo freakin' good. I'm spoiled.

Ok @boardgamegeek.com , is getting microbadges approved still even a thing? Yes, it's not that important. Yes, it's irritating. If it's not a supported feature anymore, just state that.

View from our sunroom this morning

Post your favorite ornaments

I work at a tech consulting company that was purchased a year ago by an enormous marketing mega corporation; the one behind most of the AI slop commercials you have to endure. Send me whatever suitable emoji face you like whenever you see one. I need motivation to look elsewhere.

“*I* am not left-handed!”