Box art for @fortcircle.bsky.social's upcoming "Peace 1905". I love this.

A conversation digging into all the ins and outs of submitting to board game design contests… like the Cardboard Edison Award, via @meeplesyrupshow.bsky.social

It's the FINAL DAY FOR CARDBOARD EDISON AWARD SUBMISSIONS! We'll have a final count tomorrow, but let's just say we and our judges will be quite busy in the coming weeks! cardboardedison.com/award

If you have any interest in making games, playing games, or just like to think about games... this is a very fun event. I went last year for the first time and was really impressed with both the panels and the playtesting. Happy to be going back again this year.

Designers: There are STILL a handful of tables available to playtest at Unpub. Don't miss out -- time's running out... 🔥....⏰

Did an unguided playtest of Hench yesterday, but had to step in a couple of times because the testers skimmed the rules and missed critical info (like the whole turn flow). Clearly I need to restructure the rulebook

Finally got a full tournament scenario of Churchill in. It has a lot of rough edges, but I enjoy the focus on the political aspect of the conflict, rather than the actual fighting. I had the most points, but lost to the Soviets because I was too far ahead, which is little weird, but that's the game

It can be tricky balancing a multivictor game that rides the line between cooperative and competitive. Come listen to us chat with @zesock.bsky.social about the lessons he learned balancing his game Thieve's Dilemma for both playstyles. youtu.be/sjFR6lWrGWc

The Force Unlimited previews three more cards today! Watch here: youtu.be/bHrr9ODiMxI?...

This is exactly how I play tabletop games.

After a long hiatus the game I designed, Honeypot, is finally coming to Kickstarter next month! Play as secret agent bears setting traps & avoiding traps in this "I stack, you choose" card game. Would mean a lot to me if you checked it out! Reposts welcomed. www.kickstarter.com/projects/fla...

Gary Larson: In my cartoon I invented Cow Tools as a cautionary tale Cows: At long last, we have created the Cow Tools from classic newspaper comic Cow Tools

Among my most anticipated historical board game releases of 2026: Peace 1905, a delicate balancing act of peace, national interest, and face-saving (@writegameread.bsky.social @fortcircle.bsky.social). Read more: cliosboardgames.wordpress.com/2026/01/11/m...

Really solid test of Hench with the @breakmygame.com PDX crew! Game feels really dialed in and the players were super positive. Need a couple of card tweaks and then I think we're ready for unguided testing✂️🎲

🎲✂️ Buzzing with nervous and excited energy after a great digital Pact playtest with a group of designers who were both very excited to tell their story of Branchbourne, but also give critical and actionable feedback on graphic design. We're on the right track! And yet still have so far to go!

✂️🎲 Had a really lovely test of Train of Thought with the Protospiel folks. Feels like it's in a really good place now (with some of the more fiddly systems removed and turns reduced from 13 -> 9). Now to actually write the blessed rulebook and start making pitching materials 😓

Had a really lovely test of @zhoekstra.bsky.social 's Pact. It's a great adaptation of COIN mechanics into a much more approachable space. Excited to see where it goes!

Want to make the most of Unpub Festival? Worried about late-night FOMO? Stay onsite to maximize the fun! Book by Feb 11th for attendees-only discount:  https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1747848194805&key=GRP&guestreslink2=true&app=resvlink&inventoryMissing=true 🎲✂️

You can find more about our new venture here. buriedgiantstudios.com

I have an important announcement. Kyle and I are going to be leaving Leder Games to start a new venture. It has been an honor to spend the past eight years working with them. We wish them all the best of luck, and cannot wait to show you what we are working on next. ledergames.com/blogs/news/a...

Another solid test of Train of Thought with some simplification to the tile laying. Ran a little long/slow, not sure if that was due to think-ier players or game systems. Going to make some actions cheaper for a looser economy and some more "sanding" on some of the rules to make it faster

Another very positive playtest for Train of Thought. Sounds like it's time to print a copy and start inflicting it on my friends. Who knew 18xx + classical philosophy would work so well?

Excellent test of Train of Thought. It's amazing how quickly It's come together

Hey board game designers! Just SIX DAYS left until submissions for next year's Cardboard Edison Award open! Get your pitches and prototypes ready! cardboardedison.com/award

First test of Train of Thought was mixed (unsurprising), but I think there's some juice there. A punny name goes far!

Board game designers: In just two weeks we open submissions for the 2026 Cardboard Edison Award! cardboardedison.com/award

If you're stuck on a game design problem because stuff isn't working the way you want, make sure you have a solid thesis for your game. Your thesis is the central thing you want your game to say/prove/do. Then start seeing what design decisions align with your thesis vs work against it.

Got too busy to talk about the test of De Excidio I had Monday. The gameplay is working, but I need to rework up some elements to push the theming harder.

My designer diary for Soothsayers is up on BGG

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Specifically, it's a BOGO day at everyone's favorite c-level, fast-casual, mid-priced burrito joint. Two mediocre burritos for the price of one, don't mind if I do! Don't let anyone tell you miracles don't happen anymore.

PORTLAND, OREGON Rose City Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers WinterCon January 24th, 2026 from 5 pm to 9 pm at Sellwood Community House: 1436 SE Spokane St, Portland, OR, 97202. Doors open at 4:45 pm. rosecitysff.org/wintercon

[Marley's Ghost appears] Scrooge (fearfully: Spirit, what, what are those boxes? Marley (grimly): These are the Magic commons I carried around my entire life and never used. Scrooge: Oh, worm? Marley: You have but to know that I am here to know that you may shun the path I tread. Scrooge: Fuck.

Unrelated to Thanksgiving I was forced to take stock of a variety of tabletop endeavors and how they fit into my life and damn if life isn’t an embarrassment of riches. Really grateful of how much vibrant, inspiring art we have access to in RPGs and board games right now.

It is finished. Silksong is a really great game, but by act 3, the difficulty was taxing, with most bosses taking 20-30 attempts at minimum. That said, most of the game felt fair, and you can really feel yourself getting better, which is a nice change from some of my other hobbies 😄.

We did the thing we had to do: we did a Riftbound episode. Episode 46 of The Force Unlimited is now up. #yaswup This one's a bit of a thread. 🧵 Scroll down for a tale of hubris. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bPa...

I've updated the PACT 🎲✂️ screentop with all the latest rules, cards, and graphic design! screentop.gg/@zhoekstra/p...

Ya'll are gonna want to play this set. I'm obsessed with the new bases we designed the draft format around (not to mention the deckbuilding possibilities for Premier) #FFGStaff

Step into A Lawless Time! A time filled with bounty hunters, smugglers and fearless outlaws in the epic seventh set of Star Wars™: Unlimited. Read our First Look article here: starwarsunlimited.com/articles/a-l...

My article all about Designing Secrets of Power came out today! (Earlier than I expected, but it makes sense given the holiday.) This one was significantly more personal to me #FFGStaff starwarsunlimited.com/articles/beh...

I made a How to Play video for Adulting, for those who aren't big rulebook readers. Not quite on Rodney level, but I did my best! youtu.be/ghcxh8CU2Es

Looking for us at PAX Unplugged? Find us in the Unpub area! # Friday 1:30pm - 4:20pm at table A7 # Saturday 1:30pm - 4:20pm at table A8 # Sunday 10:00am - 12:50pm at table D8 And also generally at Open Playtesting! Looking forward to seeing y'all there!

Laser-cut tokens in every flippin' shape imaginable? Yeah, we can do that 😉 #boardgames

Had a great turnout at Guardian Games today for thr @breakmygame.com playtesting event! There were some really clever and lovely designs showcased, and got some more confirmation that Hench is in polish/pitch mode.

Got back from caving with the scouts, was quite the adventure, glad we were able to make it happen and that the youth had a great time!

The Midnight Market has vanished for now . . . For those who visited humble booths resting beneath the moon's luminescent glow, thank you, and know that your games shall appear soon. We'll see you next time, when the night calls for the market to open once again. 🌖

A little under 3 hours until the Midnight Market opens. It's a waning gibbous moon tonight, which means the games offered will be especially spectacular.

Im a board game designer and am working on a game called Kitten Round Up. Its a family game for 2-4 players age 8+. Ill be demoing it in the Unpub room at #paxunplugged on Fri & Sat night. Ill also be showing it at Metatopia in NJ this weekend in Morristown. feel free to look for me in open gaming.

📣 It’s announcement time! 📣 The pre-launch page for Counterpoint is up on Kickstarter! All the cool kids are saving it! You should too! 🎻🎶 www.kickstarter.com/projects/squ...

Just 24 hours to go and we only need 6 more backers to cross the finish line!