Today is the fifth day of Best Week! Did you know that 2025 contained an unusually high number of games about human relationships? An unusually high number of *good* games about human relationships? Now you do! Read about them here: spacebiff.com/2025/12/29/b...

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Just read this today and I’m, of course, glad that the Economist reached out to two people I would have shortlisted to talk about how EU5 fits in the history learning space.

My friend Russell Ginns has created this fantastic Twilight Struggle accessory just in time for Christmas, check it out.

Queen of Spies is live! Go back my first game with @djackthompson.bsky.social to make it to print. We are so proud! @saltandpeppergames.bsky.social gamefound.com/en/projects/...

"Does this feel like or look like a well-run competent administration? It took them 10 months to discover that the United States doesn't grow bananas and that therefore if we tariff bananas that that's not going to bring banana factories on shore."

Literally at steal at $8.49. Nab it.

Never leave home without it. @devirgames.bsky.social @gmtgames.bsky.social

How to Win At Imperial Struggle (@jasondcmatthews.bsky.social @gmtgames.bsky.social), tip #3: Use initiative wisely: cliosboardgames.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/h...

ICYMI: Here’s my strategy primer on #ImperialStruggle (@jasondcmatthews.bsky.social @gmtgames.bsky.social)

A tip for all my fellow Star Trek fans visiting Andorra. They’re not blue. And they don’t have white hair. In fact, they’re basically indistinguishable from other Catalans. I felt silly wearing my antenna.

Great game on an unexplored topic.

How to Win At Imperial Struggle (@jasondcmatthews.bsky.social @gmtgames.bsky.social), tip #2: Board position first, VP second: cliosboardgames.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/h...

Not only was I expecting the Spanish Inquisition, I walked a mile and a half to see it. This official blazon of the Inquisition still exists on a wall opposite Barcelona’s Cathedral. It was once the kings prison. “Auto-da-fes” — Catholic public humiliation ceremonies — were held in the square.

Did you know Ted Racier’s Path’s of Glory inspired Francesco Nepitello’s amazing War of the Ring? Me neither, until we all hung out at Devir Fest. Obviously this pic is entitled The Lady Killers. @tdraicer.bsky.social @gmtgames.bsky.social @deviriberia.bsky.social

Tory’s modern classic, Votes for Women, on display en Español courtesy of our friends and partners @deviriberia.bsky.social @fortcircle.bsky.social @downtowntbrown.bsky.social

The was the speaker lineup (in game box form) for the panel discussion on “The future of wargames” at the Dau Festival. According to @tdraicer.bsky.social it was his FIRST panel appearance!!! Hey wargame convention organizers, Ted should be on your shortlist. @downtowntbrown.bsky.social

With this lovely gilded frame, perhaps the President would like to add this to the Oval Office? @gmtgames.bsky.social @deviriberia.bsky.social

One of the most special moments for me at Dau Barcelona 2025 was watching young Catalan girls listen absolutely wrapped to @tdraicer.bsky.social explain I, Napoleon. It was magical to see. @gmtgames.bsky.social @deviriberia.bsky.social

I am so greateful to my friends at Devir for inviting me to celebrate their 25th year at the Dau Game Festival in Barcelona. Not only did I get to hang with old friends, I made some amazing new ones! Daniele Tascini of Marco Polo fame and Germán Millán of Bitoku! @deviriberia.bsky.social

If you’re in Barcelona and are tired of decorating your offices in Picasso and Gaudi, Rodger MacGowan is the next best choice. @gmtgames.bsky.social @deviriberia.bsky.social

That time DC took over the Devir offices in Barcelona. @elizhargrave.bsky.social @deviriberia.bsky.social @torybrown.bsky.social

This looks pretty damn spectacular.

How to Win at Imperial Struggle (@jasondcmatthews.bsky.social @gmtgames.bsky.social):

"A citizens group in Ontario, California is spearheading an effort to make the community aware of incidents involving federal immigration agents. They're placing signs at the locations that read, 'ICE stole someone here'..." abc7.com/post/ontario...

The Barcelona honeymoon photo with me and @tdraicer.bsky.social that you didn’t know you needed. @devirgames.bsky.social

More SDHistCon highlights. A Teach & Play session of Drachen, the upcoming recon series game centered on World War 1 Verdun, designed by @volko.bsky.social. Fascinating exploration of fog-of-war, intelligence, and hidden information. #boardwargames #boardgames @gmtgames.bsky.social

Interesting.

Remember, remember the 5th of November! But not for some odd British version of Halloween. Because it’s Wargame Wednesday! Tonight at 6:00pm we’re joined by Jason Williams who will discuss his epic design on the Middle Ages, Swords and Sails. Join us at Labyrinth tonight.

Vote tomorrow and play Wednesday. Join us for the final Wargame Wednesday of 2025 with Jason Williams designer of the epic Swords & Sails. As always, we kick off at 6 with a question and answer session followed by a demo and open historical gaming. See you at Labyrinth on Capitol Hill.

If you would like to learn about great design by @jasondcmatthews.bsky.social & AnandaGupta - Imperial Struggle (via @gmtgames.bsky.social) - we created a video review. You will find there also some strategy tips there! Enjoy! ⬇️ theboardgameschronicle.com/2025/03/30/i...

Fun conversation I participated in with the Dragoons on the history and future of wargaming in GAMA. armchairdragoons.com/podcast/s15e5/

Germany’s parliament met only 20 times during the Nazis’ 12-year reign, and didn’t meet at all in the last 3 years. MAGA Mike Johnson is going after that record.

Its amazing that just 5 years after Twilight Struggle was created, an international league spawned the globe with intense competition from all over the world. Join the ITSL for its 15th!!! Season. Thanks to Tasos and the ITSL League for all their work! @gmtgames.bsky.social

Good. Even if this doesn’t work, it’s time to go on offense. www.newsweek.com/jb-pritzker-...

Happy 250th Birthday to the greatest guarantor of Freedom of the Seas that there has ever been, the United States Navy.

If you want to register for Circle DC, now is the time to do it. We are going to send an email to our entire customer list (14000+ folks) that will include, among other discussions, a link to the registration at circledc.com. The dates are April 10-12, 2026. We only have 102 badges left.

Very excited about this. Congrats to the whole team.

Had a superb time this last weekend in Rochester NY representing the GAMA @gamaofficial.bsky.social Education Committee at the Board Game Academics conference. The conference was held at the Strong Museum of Play which was an absolutely magnificent venue.

Gov. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, a Republican and the chairman of the National Governors Association, on Thursday criticized the deployment of Texas National Guard troops to Illinois as a violation of his beliefs in federalism and “states’ rights.”

🚨🚨🚨Chicago - NOW!🚨🚨🚨 1/2

Michigan Avenue right now.

Someone needs to check the weather in hell. Has it frozen over??? Here is an actually uplifting story about wargaming/wargamers.

I am genuinely excited about this project and you should be, too.

The Federal Government may close but there is no stopping Wargame Wednesday! Joins us Labyrinth Games at 6:00 pm to preview the exciting IADs the Game (Integrated Air Defense System) by the husband and wife team Madonna & Ric Rebulanan! See you there!

The South Korean Ministry of Defense has awarded medals of merit to 11 officers for disobeying direct orders of superiors during the martial law fiasco, orders that they deemed to be contrary to the constitution and endangerment to democracy. www.chosun.com/english/nati...

Hunh. I thought this was only for Protestants. Well, so long suckers.

#OTD 45 years ago, the Iran-Iraq war began. Both countries exhausted themselves in the process of the war. (Image from #TwilightStruggle @jasondcmatthews.bsky.social @gmtgames.bsky.social)

Really engaging read on Hawaiian cultural preservation through the lens of their ancient board game, Konane.

France had strategic depth in the 18th century, juggling four theaters in the global struggle with Britain (image from #ImperialStruggle @jasondcmatthews.bsky.social @gmtgames.bsky.social). The nascent USA had none. Read more about their alliance: cliosboardgames.wordpress.com/2025/09/07/t...