More game talk! I am strongly against the iterative design idea of "just throw in everything and simplify after playing" That breaks my brain. I cannot work on a game without a clear execution of vision, and want even the first testable prototype super streamlined And still need to simplify.

Game talk! Had a couple exciting projects cancelled (which sucks, but it's nature of the biz when you do this a high level) But out of that came a brand new project which I got so excited about I designed the "easy first 80%" overnight and it feels like it's chasing goals similar to Reterra

America is becoming the third world dictatorship that Americans are taught only happens in brown countries.

Talking to so many game designers lately, we all share this insane low level burnout. Like, wtf are we doing making toy soldiers and nature simulators when everything is on fire every day? And how to resist yeeting folks who offer the helpful "hey just try not being burned out"

I don't give a rat's ass about Kimmel. But I care a lot about fascism.

🧵 We have a rare healing opportunity 🧵 Many who defended Charlie Kirk as “nothing more than a good Christian” are being forcibly exposed to his hateful bigotry - a side of him algorithmically omitted from their social media diet. People with a conscience are likely expressing shame and regret.

A better world is possible.

Wolfgang Kramer is probably my most influential designer overall. So many of today’s board game building blocks were invented by this man—and in many cases, still unsurpassed. … nothing happened, btw! I just felt like fanboying

Political violence has no place in civilized society Abolish ICE

TCG design is fun cos everyone thinks they can do it, very few can, and nobody who needs to read this will believe it 😂

When was the last time you encouraged a woman you know to design a board game?

"This feels balanced" is like the most backhanded feedback I can imagine for an exceptions based game. If it's the only feedback, and the game was mine, I'd probably throw it away.

So excited my Blood Rage: Valhalla vod is cleaned up and uploaded on YouTube! If you missed the playthrough with @ericlang.bsky.social and Sam, you can watch it here: youtu.be/AjrRIRuFcCw #boardgames

When you criticize a creator's work - even with brutality - fine, your feelings are valid When you make it personal (declaring them a hack / fraud / any-flavor-of-bad-person) because you didn't like their work You've mirrored their most demonic self-talk, and your cruelty is effective. Congrats!

I'm at the point where I can't read comments anymore, and should probably just get off social media

Holy smokes, just saw that @pcgamer.com covered the Palestine games charity bundle too!!! Thank you so much for the coverage!! ❤️ www.pcgamer.com/games/you-ca...

Beware powerful people who flatter your passion and hard work They want to exploit you

Nihilism and apathy are so boring. It’s cool and sexy to give a shit.

Hear me out House of Cards meets Weekend at Bernie's Directed by Michael Moore

You mean this absolute gem?!

Two streams on Tuesday, what?? I'll be checking out Blood Rage: Valhalla during my normal stream time at 5:30 pm PT/ 8:30 pm ET on September 2! @ericlang.bsky.social and Sam from Tycoon Games will be joining me. Follow my channel to get notified when I go live: twitch.tv/Banzainator #boardgames

Damn I need more panda meeples

I discard far more game concepts - and especially "clever" game mechanics - than I'll ever publish And without fail, whenever I show a discarded thing, the reaction is always OMG SO COOL WHY NOT DO THAT Because concepts without context and accountability almost always sound amazing

I talk some smack about Toronto but gosh we do get a lot of easy but thoughtful practical wins just right

Fucking hell the last few weeks have sucked ass. The "career highlight" project I've been so excited about was just cancelled. I should just retire and be done with this shit (I don't really mean that, but god it feels like that sometimes)

If it looks like a nazi and governs exactly like a nazi, it's a fucking nazi

I genuinely envy creatives who are able to detach from their work. If you can't, the rejections are CRUSHING. Comments are unreadable. Public exposure feels like radiation poisoning. And it compounds in the most toxic way. Experience doesn't help. Callouses temper it a bit. Not much. Not enough.

While spiralling over the state of the western world I came up with a ridiculous mass market party game that I haven't seen before. And I want to publish it. More importantly, I want to play it RIGHT NOW. Stay tuned

I feel like Zohran Mamdani is emblematic of both the soul of "the best of America" and, ironically, why the DNC (who rejects him) is terrible Important, though: Zohran is the figurehead of a powerful network and movement of social democrats with strong political savvy and clear ethical mandates

the zohran campaign mobilizing the masses to go outside and meet each other and get to know the city through a twee little scavenger hunt is advanced 22nd century levels of social democratic regime mass politics strategy while everyone else is still stuck on carrot & stick or pokemon go to the polls

Blood Rage: Valhalla Gamefound is now live!

Re-hype for I HEART MANATEES Of all my games, I think this one has the most "sleeper" potential - if such a thing is possible in today's overcrowded market I designed this game to play with my extended family and fellow like-minded conservationists. My most selfishly personal game in many years.

Hey. You there. When you make a thing, there will be endless smart people telling you everting you did wrong in your thing As long as you’re not harming anyone? Fuck em It’s your thing I’m proud of you

I think I’ve decided that food is my favourite thing to eat

When it comes to tariff policy The instability is the goal So he’s succeeding with flying colours Our move

If you take a public stand for any social or political issue - ANY issue Inevitably, many will swoop in to berate you for not standing for different issues. Others will berate you for not standing up enough. Or "correctly" (ie. their way) That's their problem, not yours. Take a stand anyway.

One of my favourite types of games are dexterity+special powers. They uniquely use complexity as an accessibility feature for adults to even the playing field with (generally) much more skilled kids. I want more games like this

“You just call everyone you disagree with a nazi” is basically an autoblock at this point. Nah. Life’s too short.

Playtested another quick card game I designed most of today, between meetings. I like it! It’s psychological and highly social, feels like a 90s euro in my favourite ways. My first drafts of simple games are noticeably improving and I feel just happy about that

Generally speaking, I work really hard on games during design to make sure you - the player - don't have to work too hard during play.

Re-hype for the MASS EFFECT board game, co-designed with @ithayla.bsky.social If you want a tight but epic campaign experience, focused on choice and consequence, but compact (potentially one evening if you're focused!) this could be your game! My name is Eric and I endorse this message

I think the only types of games I universally dislike are “both dumb and complicated” Like, who are they for? Not me for sure I totally get the appeal of “dumb” and also of “complicated” Games that are both? Ugh. Triggers my autism or something.

Sigh. Another day, another casual racism all over a “hot game” at Gencon. Way to go, game industry circa 2025 🙄 (And no, I’m not link-boosting the offending game)

I have a mantra on my desktop reading Money isn’t real. People are. I’ve used it to recalibrate more often than I’d like to admit

Designing content for social party games is VERY DIFFICULT. After four years with Exploding Kittens, my standards for this type of design went through the roof, and I can't enjoy party games with decent rules but mediocre content. The skillset for this type of design is so bespoke it's wild

Sigh. Tapping the sign again. My feed is an unsafe space for terfs and bigots. You'll be blocked, reported multiple times and submitted to block lists. Just don't bother. Go touch grass.

Every time a friend comes out as LGBT++, I’ll admit it chokes me up a bit. It’s a combo of sharing the sheer joy of self-actualization, and someone reclaiming their power in defiance of an admittedly cruel world. It’s inspiring and uplifting! Y’all have my unlimited and unconditional support ❤️

Please don't repost AI-created content, even if to dunk on it.

If you’re at Gencon come get demoes of Life in Reterra with or without the new Moonrise expansion! It’s at the Avalon Hill booth in the e event hall (big logo overhead for easy locating) Also featured: ticketed demoes for Elizabeth Hargrave’s upcoming game Sanibel!