Yet again the public @playtestuk.bsky.social at UKGE this year proved to be a real high point. It's hard to explain the excitement and vulnerability of sitting down with strangers and sharing something half imagined, half finished, half made and half broken to explore its possible futures.

@ukge.bsky.social was a blast as always and this year we got to pitch at the publisher Speed Dating. This was a real challenge and unlike anything I had done before, but we got our script down and tag teamed our way through! We also finally decided to get some business cards.

Last minute component grab ready for @ukge.bsky.social This year I will be public playtesting a co-design and a solo design and pitching the co-design. #GameDesign #Playtesting #DesignThinking

I should certainly thank the wonderful @stuffbybez.bsky.social for reminding me years ago how much I enjoy the creative process. I know it's true that for many people her incredible drive, along with the brilliant ELL deck, are a delight and inspiration. #gamedesign #boardgamedesign #creativity

Three months into my journey I bit the bullet and took a prototype to the UKGE Playtest zone run by @playtestuk.bsky.social The test was… not great but reflecting on the experience was priceless. Be sure to check out the Playtest zone at UKGE! www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/whats-on/show/playtest/

I think everyone does this at least once when caught up in an idea - spend far too long creating components for a concept before figuring out if it might actually work as a game. #GameDesign #BoardGameDesign #UX #DesignThinking

Then once you get going you need to spend time being bad, learning your craft, honing your skill and discovering your style. This was a horrible design, but it taught me so much. #GameDesign #BoardGameDesign #UX #DesignThinking

And once you start you realise how little you know. The first time I took a design to a Playtest meetup I tested my 'game' with game developer @lukeevison.bsky.social and a well regarded designer. It was a humbling, but inspiring experience. #GameDesign #BoardGameDesign #UX #DesignThinking

Where to start? At the beginnning. How to begin? #JustStart #GameDesign #BoardGameDesign #UX #DesignThinking