Welp, I think I've finished all the design work on one of my games and now all I have to do is pitch it... Now the hard part begins.

Just listened to a recording of the very first playtest of a game I am co-designing with another designer. It’s a strange new feeling that a game I helped design was played for the first time and I wasn’t there to be a part of the experience. I haven’t even held the physical version yet!

Been working on a game mechanism in one of my designs and trying to find an alternative that feels better. My current one solves an issue keeping unwinnable scenarios from occurring and at this point I will probably just keep it as all alternatives don't work or make the math even more complicated.

The new Godzilla King of Tokyo is gorgeous.

Got our felon a new shirt.

Well hello there new game!

Finally finished the prototype rulebook for my game Pentacle and I’m thrilled with the result. Easily the best rulebook I have made, not like that’s saying much, but it’s still nice to see a noticeable improvement in my skill set.

It’s been an interesting day. Found this guy in our yard, not acting normal and ended up driving him to a wildlife rehab center.

Catching up on #Horror movies: They Will Kill You Okay, so the only thing I knew going in was that this was gonna be something similar to like “Ready or Not”, but wow did it surprise me. Not what I expected and really enjoyed it.

As always, working on the early stages of a new game design and I couldn't go any further until I came up with a name for the project that I was happy with.

The rulebook for my game that was kickstarted is now up on BGG and since I hadn’t seen the final product I read the entire thing… Reading my own rulebook isn’t weird right? It being out feels like another step towards it being a real thing and not just a fever dream I’ve had the past couple years.

I spent 10-12 hours the past two days taking our washer apart multiple times, cleaning it, and trying to troubleshoot an issue and I guess now the thing decides to die on us…

Angry Office Worker Destroys Monitor

ALT: Angry Office Worker Destroys Monitor

static.klipy.com

I'm the Director of Game Design at Taco Cat Games. I'll be at Gen Con Friday (July 31st) and Saturday (August 1st), taking pitches from game designers. Specifically in the Hyatt Regency Atrium. If you'd like to pitch, grab a half-hour time slot here: calendly.com/nickobento/g... 🎲✂️(1/2)

Catching up on #Horror movies: Backrooms Even though I am well aware of it, I'm glad I was able to watch this with very little actual knowledge of the source material. Loved the first person POV shots and could have watched the entire movie this way.

Back home from our now biannual design retreat at The Tabletop Inn! Lots of work, lots of play, and they serve an absolute top-tier breakfast every day. Amazing time all around!

Started working with Affinity this past week to make the rulebook for my game Pentacle and to say I’m excited is an understatement. The fact I can now print out booklets is a game changer for me. #gamedesign

ON MY BIRTHDAY! THEY ARE RELEASING MY ALL TIME FAVORITE SCOOBY-DOO SERIES ON BLU-RAY ON MY BIRTHDAY!!!... Sorry... got a little excited there...

CN News/Schedules@cnschedules.bsky.social · last mo.

Warner Archive is releasing Scooby-Doo! Mystery Inc on Blu-ray August 25. $40.

End of an era. I don't think I was in the credits for the original Black Flag, but it's nice to see this as one of the last Ubisoft titles with my name on it.

One of the few moments where our cat Ioh isn’t a complete ball of chaos.

You've got one month left to submit your application to be a vendor at the Indie Games Night Market! Submissions close on August 1! Get to it! www.newmillindustries.com/ignm-app

Catching up on #Horror movies: Five Nights at Freddy's I'm a sucker for film adaptations of video games. Having only played the first game, I didn't have a lot to go off of. Kinda wished they had focused more on the horror aspect as the story felt a little all over the place.

Sometimes you just have to spend half an hour finding a replacement icon for one of the symbols in your game. #gamedesign

Catching up on Horror movies: Smile Primarily wanted to watch this one because I heard the sequel was quite good. Planning to watch that one soon-ish. While a bit predictable, there were some tense, suspenseful moments and had me questioning everything I was seeing.

Catching up on Horror movies I haven't seen: Terrifier Having seen Art the Clown on social media, I’m glad I now have more context for the character. I think it nails what it’s going for: a practical, gritty slasher film. Overall, I enjoyed watching it, though I don’t see it as one I’ll rewatch.

Ran two simultaneous playtests of my two player game Pentacle at yesterday’s design meetup. Not sure I would recommend everyone try running two at once, but it’s definitely interesting to analyze two different experiences with the game in real-time.

Acquired Tarot sized cards and card sleeves, and thus my powers of game design have grown beyond control!

Yeah a cup of coffee might wake you up, but have you ever tried smashing your finger in a sliding window?

After close to 14 years at Ubisoft, I found out yesterday that my position is being terminated due to mass layoffs. While I’ll be looking for something new, I’m probably gonna take this opportunity to further focus on that whole professional game designer thing I’ve been working towards for years.

Went to see a movie and the fiancé had one request… bring back movie theater popcorn.

While in Atlanta this past week, some friends and I went to a place called Blue Moon Pizza and I had what is probably one of the best pizzas of my like. Santa Fe Chicken Black bean sauce/house cheese blend/seasoned chicken/pickled jalapeño peppers/red onions/spicy ranch/cilantro/fresh avocado