Player count problems and solutions: What makes games flexible or inflexible at certain player counts, and what can designers and publishers do about it?

This was excellent. This has been my most anticipated game since preordering it long ago. I teach government and economics: this feels like a game made for me.

I played the upcoming space rails game from @tabletapasgames.bsky.social last night and had a blast. Streamlined rules for what is ultimately a mid point between a cube rails and 18xx game. Look for this when it hits crowdfunding!

Part 2 of my love letter to Root is up today! The new (jumbo sized) episode of @decisionspace.bsky.social is all about the expansions and how they make the game more dynamic for players who want to dive deep. Brendan and I just didn't want the episode to end! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...

Lifestyle games: what they are, what kinds of games can become lifestyle games, designing one today, and more, via @decisionspace.bsky.social

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t... Today's episode of @decisionspace.bsky.social is a sort of love letter to the modern trick-taking design renaissance, a subject very near and dear to my heart.

I finally watched @perryjon.bsky.social 's GDC talk about tabletop design influencing UFO 50 and WOW. It was an excellent look at game design principles. The explanations of modular rules and chunky decisions will ABSOLUTELY inform my own design work moving forward. gdcvault.com/play/1035154...

Catching up on video uploads for @decisionspace.bsky.social and you can now WATCH us geek out about my favorite game ever! I’m proud of this episode and we’re recording part 2 on expansion factions soon! @leder.games @patrickleder.bsky.social @colewehrle.bsky.social m.youtube.com/watch?v=QFOY...

I was delighted to chat with Jamey Stegmaier about Vantage, his first-person open-world exploration game. Listen while we discuss Jamey's inspirations, games-within-games, and the secret inspirations for Vantage. spacebiff.com/2025/08/06/s...

New episode of @decisionspace.bsky.social with very special guest @danthurot.bsky.social ! We discuss open world games and use Earthborne Rangers and Vantage (my two current obsessions) as case studies. @stonemaiergames.com @earthbornegames.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...

A highlight of Gen Con was playing the upcoming Root Homeworlds expansion with @patrickleder.bsky.social @lordoftheboard.bsky.social and Arnie the puppet! I can’t wait to play these new factions and maps with my group at home. Getting amazing new stuff for my favorite game is such a treat!

My Gen Con haul! Most excited to get to play an early copy of @tabletapasgames.bsky.social upcoming Stellar Ventures!

Seal of excellence for a game I did development on! They specifically shoutout the theme that I made for the game. Excited to demo this for folks at Gen Con! m.youtube.com/watch?v=ce65...

Vantage is going to be on a lot of GOTY lists. Lovely first play of the final product. A really special game and my favorite @stonemaiergames.com release since Scythe, which is one of my all time faves.

Tiles are math? Tiles are math! And math is tiles! You are going to learn a thing or two from @paulsalomon27.bsky.social and Brendan in this episode.

So much of game design boils down to (i) developing a super clear idea of the game you want to make (ii) having the determination & means to just keep looping through the iteration cycle.

Just finished watching Superman and it 100% worked for me. Just what I want from this character. Gunn certainly loves the same version of the character as me. All Star and For All Seasons are the compass points for me and this movie delivered those vibes. I need a sequel immediately.

Had a game day yesterday and played: Rebel Princess Hot Streak Calimala Here Lies Chicago Express Avalon Root Fives Ito Treasure Island Dominion Bacon Earthborne Rangers

Slowly getting podcasts uploaded either video to YouTube. This one became our most viewed video in only a day! Maybe not a huge surprise the algorithm likes this one. youtu.be/bu6XsKFIDUA?...

Huge congrats to the folks at @stonemaiergames.com for the launch of Vantage! Hard to imagine working on a game for 8 years so I can't imagine how good this must feel for Jamey.

VERY impressed by my first full game of Earthborne Rangers last night. The system for card interactions is so immersive. It took us the whole “day” to leave the station with the biscuits. We just messed around and chatted with people and it was so so clever. Bravo @earthbornegames.bsky.social !

I haven't regularly played RPGs in a few years, but this is the 2nd time I've ordered a book because of a @itsquinns.bsky.social review. The vibes are EXTREMELY my shit and it seems to not be laborious to run. What are the odds I actually play it? Place your bets! www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4-u...

Hey Mom! I m on the video 😄 youtu.be/GmtGb0aXbPI?...

so much trick taking goodness coming! thanks as always @wericmartin.bsky.social for the coverage! boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...

When @neilan.bsky.social says only one survey response listed Root as their number one game this year

Curious about the tweaks @paulsalomon27.bsky.social and I made to Shut the Books? My dev diary for No Loose Ends is up on BGG News! boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...

This game is going to really connect with some people. I got to playtest it a while ago. A true labor of love from @stonemaiergames.com and Dan sums up perfectly what it’s like to explore this strange beautiful box. Can’t wait to get my copy.

Hey, @decisionspace.bsky.social is starting to catch up on Youtube! What are your favorite limited communication co-op games? www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J0V...

Banger episode about a banger game. I’m even more pleased with it because it seems like it’s paving the way for more historical game coverage from the pod.

This @decisionspace.bsky.social episode was so fun to record. It’s a true love letter to what makes the decision space of Root so special. open.spotify.com/episode/7j2l... @leder.games

Excited to record the first episode of our Root deep dive for @decisionspace.bsky.social today! It has been my favorite game of all time since that first Kickstarter arrived at my door in 2018 and I still enjoy playing it with high level competitors AND I love teaching it to new players!

My game is getting demo’d at Gen Con! Lend me a thumb! boardgamegeek.com/geekpreview/...

I'm a teacher officially on summer break! Starting next week, I'm going to begin my summer job of designing games. Here's the current summer project docket: Pitch ladder climbing deck builder Finish party auction game Prototype roguelike soulslike deck builder Design semi co-op government game

Oof. Hey any publishers interested in a ladder climbing deck builder...?

Excited for the first day of Geekway to the West. One of my favorite weekends of the year!

Some real great games here (especially Seers Catalogue) @tricktaking.bsky.social

My most successful attempts at design have been smaller card games. Nothing makes me more inspired/terrified to make the "big" games of my dreams than listening to @colewehrle.bsky.social talk. Someday I'll actually finish the goblin republic and papal schism concepts that live rent free in my head.

Hey look @stonemaiergames.com was on CNN (illustrated by some boardgames you might recognize): "If we shipped all the games to the US that we started making in January, it would amount to around $1.5 million in tariffs."

Really fun Decision Space episode where @paulsalomon27.bsky.social and I discuss what games perfectly encapsulate our own gaming tastes (and we show how well we know each other) www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMB7...

Question for designers/publishers: If I have a design I'm excited about and want to pitch, is it better to wait until the current tariff uncertainty shifts before sending out messages to folks about submitting? I just don't want to be insensitive or tone deaf knowing everyone is scrambling now.

Had my first play of Molly House by @miasmacorp.bsky.social and @colewehrle.bsky.social last night. Wow, what a weird and wonderful game. Everyone played nice and we had a lot of very fun parties and nobody got hanged. The theme really shines through the gameplay. Awesome job @wehrlegig.games !

Grateful to work under the best leadership in the industry. stonemaiergames.com/we-are-suing...

Proud of @stonemaiergames.com for bringing the fight! stonemaiergames.com/we-are-suing...

Decision Space is another podcast I'd highly recommend, especially for designers and those interested in game design. The discussion topics are always interesting, and both the hosts & frequent guests provide important insights about what makes games interesting or compelling. 13/

My games are manufactured in the United States. It is incredibly expensive to produce, there is almost no profit margin, we cannot distribute in stores, and I get frequent complaints about component quality for the pricepoint that allows us to eke out a living... in Detroit, a cheap place to live. 🧵

One of the most powerful pieces of creative advice I've ever come across: Hang out with people who are better than you at things that matter to you. My dad used to say: "Your goal should be to be the dumbest person in the room." In my own life, wow has that turned out to be good advice. 🎲✂️

We’re a very intellectual bunch.

Whoooaaaa @decisionspace.bsky.social is officially up for the Golden Geek for best podcast! Wed so appreciate a vote for our super nerdy show! boardgamegeek.com/geekawards/b...

It’s the last day of Golden Geek voting! Please consider Decision Space for best podcast!

hey! you like trick taking games? i got trick taking games for ya. look at these games. seriously though, my dining room has been taken over, please buy some games. no tariffs on these bad boys, and i typically ship the day after you order (sometimes the same day!) newmillindustries.com