Echoes was a hit with my parents! It’s a 1-6 player game where you use an app to scan cards, listen to the “echoes,” and solve a mystery by putting events in order.

I had a lovely time interviewing @nopunincluded.com for this week's podcast! youtu.be/wMI5YpJQu9U

Spending this week at a remote cabin and no cell service. A perfect time to polish Oath rules, read, nap, and enjoy perfect sunsets over the water.

This situation is actually terrifying, but thanks to Jon Stewart for making me laugh anyway. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GXN...

Paul Wright and I have been having a blast working on Foxes & Lions, and you can tell by reading the card text.

It's the right time of year to break out Loreena McKennitt.

Guess I need to play more Elder Scrolls…

Signs of good taste on the Chip Theory game shelf. @chiptheorygames.bsky.social @leder.games

Wargaming Research: Solo War & Historical Gaming 2025 — Last Call! For the past few years, the Dragoons + @beyondsolitaire.bsky.social teamed up for a survey on your solo wargaming prefs 3rd annual survey closes on 15 SEP, so this is your reminder to go weigh in! wp.me/pae4WL-cIJ

The other queen in my life also dropped today. Behold, the Queen of Shadows from Oath's cooperative mode, and the first piece of Kyle Ferrin art that's ever been done for one of my work projects. 🤩

I could not be happier to finally have a Gamefound landing page to call my own! Check out Queen of Spies, co-designed with @djackthompson.bsky.social and published by @saltandpeppergames.bsky.social, with art/graphics from Meeple Foundry. gamefound.com/en/projects/...

I can't wait for this to become a reality. My second co-design with @beyondsolitaire.bsky.social, brought to life by @saltandpeppergames.bsky.social and Meeple Foundry! gamefound.com/en/projects/...

We're proud to announce the 2025 Bobby Nunes Memorial Award finalists, recognizing exceptional pieces of gaming media from 2024 by @amabel.bsky.social, @fredserval.bsky.social, @charlietheel.bsky.social, and @danthurot.bsky.social. More on their nominated works here: sdhist.com/2025-bobby-n...

The topic is a tough one, but Cliff Ando was an absolutely delightful guest. If you care about history--even if it's only in your games--it's worth listening to him. youtu.be/YhLkq0mSFfs

We've finally hit the part of the year when I can open my window, grab a blanket, and have a cozy nap.

I picked up a bunch of solo journaling RPGs at GenCon and have started to play through them! Here is a short video about Caveat Emptor from @exeunt.press youtu.be/sh3va0LzO5U

I'm sick as a dog and not up for much of anything. So I decided to watch KPop Demon Hunters. It's cute! Also I need a goofball messenger cat.

Circle DC 2026 will be held on April 10-12, 2026 here in lovely Washington, DC. The convention will be capped at 250 attendees and we have opened up badge registration this morning. tabletop.events/conventions/...

For this week's podcast episode, I spoke with @425suzanne.bsky.social about her work at Restoration Games, and about what it means to "restore" a game. youtu.be/_zTBevjBYEo

I have started a goofy new project and you should all start following my weird Roman facts on TikTok. (Also on Reels and Shorts.) www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6Got5jn/

Unboxing new games is fun. Unboxing your friends’ games is even better. Excited to play this early copy of Deckers, designed by Richard Wilkins (Ricky Royal).

Cato supervises my weekend design activities.

AI is always trying to ruin my fun.

Some days I feel like a "real game designer," and other days I don't. But today I'm formatting rules for the Servant (competitive solo bot for Oath) and I feel good about the work Ricky and I have done.

It's Minnesota State Fair time! It's time for Minnesotan folk art! Here, for example, is Saturn Devouring His Corn, in the seed art category!

And just like that, I found myself demoted to 3rd favorite child.

The Residence is fantastic. Murder mystery, fun characters, birding? I need more of Cordelia Cupp immediately.

We had balloon time during Seigo’s song, and then Mudonna found a new use for them… #saintpaulsaints

What the Ace of Spades art should have looked like.

For today's podcast, I had a fascinating chat with Gabe Barrett, who is a noted podcaster himself and is now publishing a solo game of the month series with some excellent titles. youtu.be/OxqHOnEg-CQ

Getting excited to see what NIN has in store tonight.

I just got back from visiting family in Texas. Harley is super happy I am back, but she’s also still mad. 😅

Time for the 2025 survey! 📆 Wargaming Research: Solo War & Historical Gaming 2025 🎲🎲 For past few years, we've partnered w/ @beyondsolitaire.bsky.social for a survey about your solo wargaming prefs ✅ It's year 3 & we're still at it! Survey open thru 15 Sep wp.me/pae4WL-czn

About to blow off a bunch of steam by seeing Ghost.

Yesterday's UChicago email was so enraging that I feared I was being trolled. But nope, it is all fleshed out in this excellent piece published by Clifford Ando. The University of Chicago should be ashamed. Many thanks to Prof. Ando for his willingness to speak up. www.compactmag.com/article/the-...

Teaching my parents to play Cat in the Box! #boardgames

I had a great time speaking with @friede.bsky.social for today's podcast episode! youtu.be/zFT5JiY11C8

"PhD" means having carefully cultivated a garden patch amidst a vast field of knowledge, one that is truly perceived and understood by maybe a dozen people. Or: It's a "license to drive" for an intellectual journey, one that only *begins* through the disciplined process of finishing a dissertation.

Jungo is going over well with the family!

More Elder Scrolls mischief from me this week! youtu.be/-c2Fg_ISbog

Game night was a good one! We played Fliptoons, Jungo, and Toy Battle, all of which I enjoyed.

Ticketmaster just emailed to ask if I want to sell my Ghost tickets for next week. Excuse me?!?

Trying out Caveat Emptor, one of the solo journaling RPGs I picked up at GenCon. I am currently trying to sell cursed objects to desperate customers.

This week on the pod, @jreylee.bsky.social stops by to discuss his new book, Unsettling Catan, which is the inaugural title in an accessible yet academic series about board games. youtu.be/HRddjBkWcGo

My greatest achievement of the con: I spent $40 on this tumbler from our hotel. It included free (non alcoholic) refills all weekend. I have just started refill #20, bringing me down to $2/drink.

Having an intense discussion of Ahoy with my new colleague. #gencon

Data for this day.

Lightning Train! #gencon

Up and getting ready to run the Orc Stomp 5k! Have I lost my sanity at last? #gencon

Enjoying the pre-con chill period. But I did start gaming the moment I got on the plane.