Forgettable rules degrade a game. They break flow and cause frustration. Four approaches to this kind of problem: 🎲✂️(1/6)

I completed the most 2026 thing today. Thanks to everyone that believed in me.

Lots of opportunities to design games or meet game designers here in the DC - Maryland - Virginia region. Check out our latest newsletter with event listings right here: dmv-designed-games.beehiiv.com/p/tabletop-g... 🛎️ Subscribe so you don't miss anything!

I may have found a cheat code for us to escape 2026, but it's going to take impeccable timing and a little bit of luck tomorrow.

In today's podcast episode we have a light discussion about the effect of board games on dopamine and share some games that trigger those little dopamine hits of happiness. Listen here: spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/xxnQZ9Cnl2b

@dnlnwmn.bsky.social is the 2015 release year for Fluffy Rite on BGG a typo?

Huge shout out to @petewiss.bsky.social and our guests for facilitating a wonderful conversation about a game that deserves a deep dive as much as any game does.

I’m taking my Board Game Comedy Hour show on the road for the first time! This is the first time anything like this has ever been attempted and I’m really excited. Stay tuned for more details! #boardgames #gamenight #comedyshow #comedytour www.grantsgamerecs.com

In this week's video, I explore some of the different techniques I use to reliably generate new ideas for board game design! youtu.be/uo-MAq_7YxI 🎲✂️

We're almost done with this jigsaw/escape room puzzle game - Pandora's Legacy from @allplay.bsky.social - and it's awesome! Highly recommend if the idea of a Micro Macro, jigsaw puzzle, Exit game combo sounds good to you

Virginia: early voting for the redistricting amendment is happening now through April 18. Protect your voting power and help level the playing field ahead of the midterm elections by voting YES today or on Election Day, April 21.

Big Pasti's latest video, entitled "The 7 Deadly Sins of Board Game Design", had a real effect on me, and today's video is a response to his. I think there is a better way we can talk about game design. youtu.be/BY7TeikZcBw 🎲✂️

I've been working on a contract fulfillment, poker variant for a few months. I came across the Deck Hand design contest a couple weeks ago and it was just the set of restrictions I needed to make it a streamlined game. Down to 13 contracts and 5 asymmetric player powers. Time to test!

I spent a good amount of time at Unpub talking about whether our current tabletop ecosystem serves the reason why the vast majority of us make games, which is NOT to make the "elite 0.2%." Boyd, the owner of @gamekastlecp.bsky.social, came up with the best analogy: music. (🎲✂️ Thread: 1/▶️)

My republican friends: "Redistricting in Virginia is unfair to me" Me: "Pretty woke of you to be so concerned about fairness toward a minority"

@dvcgames.bsky.social Pacts was really good. I played 4 new to me 2-player games last night and this one took the cake. Even beat out the great Kanizia's similar game, Marabunta. Highly recommend giving this a try if you enjoy high interaction. Best new game of 2026 for me so far

Disgusting

In today's video I share some insights from judging entries from this year's @cardboardedison.com award, and some tips that you can apply to your own games, whether you enter them in a contest or not! youtu.be/9_5Wv6CaHKY 🎲✂️

Very fun game day, mostly card games. 12 hours, pretty much straight.

In the last weekish, I've seen a burst of board game design posts here that seem unusually thoughtful and effortful. I want to encourage more of this. Imo our communities are only as good as our contributions, and we undervalue how useful a platform like this could be with high care/effort. 🎲✂️

In today's video I go over what I earnt as a full time game designer in 2025, comparing my income over the past few years and how it varies from game to game. My aim has always been to increase transparency in the industry and help newer designers with what to expect. youtu.be/avLL2siSmyc 🎲✂️

Yesterday morning kids were sent running from their bus stop in panic because ICE showed up. This guy at today’s ICE Out of Lindenwold protest is a must watch 😭. @maddow.bsky.social

Something I’ve seen repeatedly in tabletop game design is designers mistaking a "situated experience" for a marketable game. It looks like this: 🎲✂️(1/19)

Today I delve into the topic of balance in games, and discuss why there might be some much more important things to do than optimising for a perfectly balanced game. I also look at feelings that players might ascribe to imbalance, but that are actually caused elsewhere. youtu.be/7fpbTsZI3EI 🎲✂️

My dog sleeps like a cat

Things I have been paid for include: - Newspaper delivery - Flyer delivery - Mowing yards - Shoveling snow - Performing on trumpet - Video rental clerk - Grocery clerk - Systems and Network Administration - Web and Software Development - IT Manager - IT/ERP Consulting

They're lying!

As a game designer, you may have to fall in love with what you're making to make it well. But then remember there's a broad distribution of opinion about each game, and now you're likely on its positive tail. Now you're at risk of going blind to what folks elsewhere in the distribution think. 🎲✂️

In this week's video, I answer game design questions from my viewers, including how to stay motivated with a design, pros and cons of self publishing, and why I don't design complex games. youtu.be/dDHXlHvcAEU 🎲✂️

SUPER BOWL BOUND The New England Patriots are headed to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2018 season.

Game Night drip

In today's podcast episode we feature Echoes of Time and also discuss some recent plays of Sanctuary and Fearsome Floors. Then we discuss a poll about collecting board games. Listen here: spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/eWALgdZ12Zb #boardgames

Looks like we're headed to WW3, against our allies no less, because orange baby didn't get an award from an organization that isn't in charge of Greenland

Minneapolis feels like a war zone.

A split test is a playtest where players play two games back-to-back and then compare their experiences. It’s now my default testing method. This thread explains why it’s been transformative for me and how to do it well. 🎲✂️(1/18)

FOX: Where’s the protest against the regime that's killing people in the street right now? Trent: They are doing those today. It’s called the ICE protests FOX: Are they talking about Iran at the ICE protests? Trent: No, I think they are talking about the regime that is shooting people in the face

Heiser wants nothing more in life than for someone to be interested in chewing up his toy with him

4-player Lost Ruins of Arnak with all the stuff last night. Came away with a 1 point win and really enjoyed the balance changes to the new board research track. I got magnifying glass and journal to top, but 2nd place didn't come close, and 3rd got 1 to the top.

If players touch the pieces too much in a game, it'll often feel fiddly. It'll also add cognitive burden: using our hands requires surprising brain power (I was once a neurobiologist). Protip: count touches-per-turn in tests 🎲✂️(1/4)

The year of Distilled

My final video for 2025 compiles the lessons I learnt about games design this year, from rethinking how I work, what I want to design, and the people who I couldn't have done without. Thank you everyone who has supported the channel this year, and have a wonderful 2026! youtu.be/62zLZONQc4Q 🎲✂️

At the end of this year we want to thank everyone using our app, sharing stats and supporting us! Please enjoy our End of year overview. This marks the fourth year in a row where all new updates were free! More to come in 2026. #bgstats #boardgames #brettspiele #brettspiel #j2s

After Matthew Stafford's three-interception showing in a loss to the Falcons on Monday night, there's a new MVP betting favorite in town. And his name is Drake Maye. www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootb...

another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls

Relax everyone, we found the Golden Book and saved Christmas!

It's a Christmas miracle! Guess what's hitting the table for game night tonight?

Played This is Not a Game About a Pipe, Pies, Pinatas, Dualis, Venusian Vegas, and I'm Out. Fun day. Pinatas and Pies were highlights, but Pipe was my #1 of the day. It's so good! @macaroobanzai.bsky.social

It's so cool seeing people play a game you've designed. But when they also really like it? The best! 🥰

Some Santa's Workshop tonight (plus Ghosts of Christmas) to get into some holiday spirit @hokiestone.bsky.social