People are finding beauty in previously unfound places: in errors, typos, things that are anything but the average of expressions that AI forces down our throats. I encourage everyone to find these things in their lives and hobbies that prove undoubtedly that humanity speaks.

I recently had a chance to play @ianzang.bsky.social's Roads With No Name for the third time, and it's still great. This was my first experience GMing a game, and though I have a lot to learn we had a wonderful time. Can't wait to play this again!

I am so happy that this week is full of friends and good games! @boardgameghee.bsky.social @bookofnerds.bsky.social @phantommeeple.bsky.social Cole Smith @peterlmcpherson.bsky.social 📺 www.twitch.tv/panda8ngel 📺 www.youtube.com/@Panda8ngel @urbanprogames.bsky.social @kidstablebg.bsky.social

My flights are booked for GenCon—my first time back since 2019 (not counting the time I got COVID on day 1 in 2022)! Also booked train tickets for PAX Unplugged. Besides Adirondacon, these are probably my only cons for the year but I'm excited to see friends and play games!

Got a chance to try out a prototype of Walkable City from @drawnonward.bsky.social. The prototype and draft rules I had weren't finished yet so there were questions here and there, but I really loved working with other players to build out transit options for the residents. 🧵

Missing Pieces is looking for your game design questions! Our pile is low right now, so your questions has a good chance of being answered in an upcoming @ttgda.bsky.social newsletter. Here are some of my favorite recent questions we've received. Submit yours here: forms.gle/53QtYWvZqJvA...

My first attempt at naan turned out pretty great! We enjoyed it with some (not homemade) masoor daal. That's two from-scratch bakes I've learned this year. Next up are tortillas!

I recently saw someone try to make the "if a game is good, it'll find an audience" argument the other day and I've been mad about it since. Success is never guaranteed. You can do everything you can to improve your chances, but I wish more people recognized that quality work ≠ guaranteed audience.

I added a "games looking for homes" section to my site with links to rulebooks, sell sheets, and digital prototypes. If you're a publisher and any of these look like a good fit, please reach out! petermcpherson.com/games-looking-for-homes

A couple of additions to the game design resources page on my site: Swiss Knife Calculator (which has an excellent custom deck probability calculator) and the amazing Green Games Guide. I'm up to over 40 resources—it's been fun building out this list! sites.google.com/view/petermc...

Do you design or publish board games? Do you want to protect the planet? Earlier this month, the Green Games Guide team updated the website and the Guide to include more info to help you make more eco-friendly games. Please check it out and share! greengamesguide.com

Another random game design thought: Sometimes playtesters share TOO many ideas and my brain becomes chaos. GET OUT OF MY HEAD all you darn ideas! Anyone else experience this? How do you deal with too many ideas coming at you all at once? ✂️🎲

Come watch Amanda and I play Lodge at 3pm ET today!

Walkable City is now LIVE on Kickstarter!

Ashwin and Rob have poured so much work and love into this amazing roll-and-write—check it out!

Leaf Blowers, by @peterlmcpherson.bsky.social: Players put colorful autumn leaves into arrangements on a board, creating patterns as they go in an attempt to clear out lines of leaves and keep their own yards clear while overwhelming others'. I lost :( Puzzly tile-placement that can be a li'l mean.

I love Chicken Fried Dice from @boardgameghee.bsky.social & @coinflip.games Great Combotastic moves and dice manipulation. If you are worried about the real time ingredient plucking, check out @ourfamplaysgames.bsky.social playthrough youtu.be/uZ3uuBLwt8A?... www.kickstarter.com/projects/urb...

Q for boardgame publishing folks: What's your estimate of volume and/or % for each of these in your company, per year? A. How many pitch requests get to pitch? B. How many pitches result in you taking a prototype for review? C. How many prototypes under review get a contract? 🎲✂️

Insta-backed! This real-time roll & write doesn't sound like it should work, but it 100% does, and is a one-of-a-kind experience b/c of it. Ashwin is also one of the most passionate designers I know and dedicated to making the design community better for everyone. www.kickstarter.com/projects/urb...

Back home from another amazing Unpub. I feel like I got to spend more time with friends new and old than ever, but as always I missed out on hanging with so many people. Thank you to everyone who playtested Runes and Leaf Blowers! The countdown to Unpub 2027 begins.

Almost exactly 3 years ago I started working on a game about public transit & reducing car dependency. And on Wednesday the Kickstarter campaign for the game goes live! Link to our page - www.kickstarter.com/projects/fow...

Roads with No Name by @ianzang.bsky.social at Unpub It was 1:30AM. For hours, 5 archaeologists of different fields had discussed, analyzed, and unearthed a lost civilization. No one mentioned game mechanisms the whole time. We were just immersed. One of the best gaming experiences I've had.

If you're at Unpub, check Leaf Blowers during my 5–9pm slot tonight! Spatial puzzle about using one of the worst inventions ever to keep your board free of leaves while overwhelming your neighbor's yard.

Unpub Wildflower walk at 11:40—meet in the lobby!

"ai made this" is not pronounced "i made this"

Hey #Unpub friends—anyone want to go on a wildflower walk Friday morning at the nearby Cascade Falls trail? I'm thinking around 11 a.m. I'll bring the flower guides!

🔴Live now! I have a bunch of games I want to get played so let's Banz BGA, unbox them, and get them ready for the table! What games do you want to get played next? 📺 www.twitch.tv/panda8... 📺 www.youtube.com/@Pan...

It's my birthday today! Woohoo! I'm 42 (but mentally still in 2006, hah!) I'd be so grateful if you shared my art today! Original art shop: www.albaillustration.com Signed decks, art prints, stickers, etc at: albaillustration.etsy.com (Image: 4 of Wands from the Everyday Witch Tarot)

A playtest of "I Spirate" the other night. Not sure there's enough there to pursue it, but it was a fun, goofy activity.

@fanfactories.bsky.social and Shawn from @flatoutgames.bsky.social will be joining me tomorrow to teach and play the newest games on KS, Honeypot and Forage! Come root for your fav! 📺 www.twitch.tv/panda8ngel 📺 www.youtube.com/@Panda8ngel www.kickstarter.com/projects/fla...

Selling these botanical bookmarks for 5 each. Msg if you want em! 💙📚

guess what nerds it's time for space trains hollandspiele.com/products/ray...

I present: "I Spirate." All the components are pictured here. You just need an area with lots of hiding spots for small objects. The "crew" hides the treasure behind an object, then a saboteur secretly hides the curse token. A "captain" player uses spyglass to describe what they see...

Anyone interested in playtesting a Tiny-Towns-style game tomorrow at 8:30pm ET? Online playtests take about 2 hours start to finish. Join my Discord if you want to help playtest! Invite code: hvSuTk3XJF

Disclosure: I’ve not played this game nor even watched the video. I am backing it to reward a theme and vision so endearing I want it to succeed. www.kickstarter.com/projects/fow...

Y'all, this game is such a delight. Great theme. Deeply rewarding and satisfying gameplay loop. Clever asymmetrical co-op puzzly-ness. And don't get me started on what a kind person the designer is ❤️

Last week I judged a few Cardboard Edison Award game design entries. The first round includes a 3min video + rulebook. It's unfortunate that pitching and game design are different skillsets, which means brilliant designs may fall to the wayside if not pitched effectively. (1/3)

🔴Live now! Jessiye joins me for a Friday Funday stream! She loves Azul, so I asked if she wanted to learn and play Azul: Summer Pavilion from Next Move games. She said yes! What's your favorite version of Azul? 📺 www.twitch.tv/panda8... 📺 www.youtube.com/@Pan...

Are you going to be at GAMA? I'll be there with @pandagm.com . I'd love to chat with you about quoting, designing with manufacturing in mind, or anything else! Comment below and I'll send you my scheduler link!

I started a new design and have a playable version and clear next steps—I'm going to walk through my process here 🎲✂️ Step 1: Quick brainstorming in a digital note. Core gameplay is that each player creates runs of cards in front of them to play "ability" cards, which are also points. ~1 hour.

I tend to struggle with the short description but I think I nailed it this time

The Lodge Kickstarter campaign wrapped up with 2,235 backers—thank you all for your support! I hosted another demo night at Bard & Baker board game cafe and had a great turnout. Perfect way to end this campaign!

🟣 LIVE NOW: Forage playthrough solo mode from @flatoutgames.bsky.social! 🍓🫐🌲 twitch.tv/Banzainator

the #HugoAwards nominations are open and i am eligible (???!!) in the Pro Artist category for the tarot / oracle cards i illustrated. if you enjoyed the ROOK & ROSE trilogy, please nominate us and/or spread the word! #Hugos #SFF #illustration

Despite being back at work, Kickstarter is retaliating against our teammates for our legally-protected strike action from last year. Tell Kickstarter’s CEO this is both ILLEGAL and UNACCEPTABLE

Just a few hours left to back Lodge! $1 pledges help, and so does sharing the Kickstarter page ⛷️ We've passed the $140,000 mark. Eternally grateful to everyone who supported this game!

Leslie Herman surprised the whole Lodge team with amazing hand-drawn portraits! Love this so much.

Something I've been mulling over lately is the level of self-advocacy needed as a game designer. There is no guarantee that publishers will notice your awesome work. None at all. In a perfect world that might happen, but in reality publishers will just choose from the games sent to them.

Good on John and the team at AEG for doing the right thing. It can’t be easy to make the call. Long relationships are so hard to untangle. No one wishes for this situation on anyone, but it had to be done and I’m proud of them for making the right call. Here’s to a bright new future for AEG! ☀️