Tessera

Rob Harper@harperrob.bsky.social · 2mo ago

I only played this (Grab Bag Jungle) as a prototype but it was an absolute delight. Still keen to play more of it. Hope some reviewers get a look in and help it get the publicity it deserves.

Are there any UK-based boardgame reviewers (in any format) around here who might be interested in having a crack at a cute, family weight game that came out last year but hasn't had a lot of coverage? The publisher has a few copies available, so feel free to DM me if you want to discuss.

Recently had a nice chat with Deej from Mojo Nation. Link to interview in the comments.

Image of me, Mandela, smiling while holding a stack of my games; Sankore, Ayar, The Shakespeare Game, The Jane Austen Game, Glasgow, and Overstocked.

Made a new game 🎲✂️ yesterday in time for Expo. May have legs...time will tell. One challenge is that knowledge of the 12 cards helps a lot...and you don't see them all at the start. Will first time players find this too frustrating? Or embrace that first play chaos?

Generic looking board game with a map, cubes and cards.

On my way to #UKGE. Some clothes, toiletries and the rest of the bag filled to the brim with prototypes. Feel free to say hello if you see me. Helping at Playtest UK Saturday morning then have my own slot there in the afternoon.

Mandela F-G@mandelafg.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Yay, now with English trailer (in comments). Debuting at Tokyo Games Market this weekend but will also be available to demo/purchase next week at UKGE.

For Green City, my next game with @flopiano.bsky.social, they've just released a trailer and it's delightful.

Osprey Games 🎲@ospreygames.bsky.social · 3mo ago

📢 JUDGE'S AWARDS FINALIST BEST BOARD GAME EURO-STYLE – Ayar: Children of the Sun @ukge.bsky.social: https://bit.ly/3YC1RPM Congratulations to @flopiano.bsky.social, @mandelafg.bsky.social & @ianotoole.bsky.social! 👏 You'll be able to vote in the People's Choice Awards at the show this month...

A photo of the board game Ayar set up with the box behind it: a large central board depicting various paths through the Andes, a sub-board depicting lake Titicaca, and 4 player boards for each player – all covered with various cardboard and wooden pieces of different shapes and colours. In the bottom right corner is the crest for the UK Games Expo Awards.

Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 3mo ago

For Green City, my next game with @flopiano.bsky.social, they've just released a trailer and it's delightful.

Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Playful, entertaining, and creative video on the origin of his Sherlock Holmes Baker Street Irregulars set and how it set his entry into game design. I'd expect nothing less of Dave Neale. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXwA...

The Day Sherlock Holmes Changed My Life: Designing SHCD The Baker Street Irregulars

YouTube video by The Mystery Maker (Dave Neale)

youtube.com

Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 4mo ago

I often get a lot out of the playtest just from experience of explaining the rules.

Mike Berg, We 🧡 Games@weheart.games · 4mo ago

If you dread having to explain a rule in your game, that is a giant blinking sign that reads: CHANGE OR REMOVE THIS RULE 🎲✂️

Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 4mo ago

A rematch was requested today, which seemed like a good sign...a clear loss of interest halfway through, less so. We abandoned the play. Want to value testers' time. Making a game that plays well once can be a big leap to one that stands up to repeat plays. Lots to work on here. 🎲✂️

Mandela F-G@mandelafg.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Playtested the newest design tonight with Jane. I'm not a fan of when it feels like a game is forcing close scores, but understand why they do. It was very satisfying and dramatic to finish 139-139. 🎲✂️

Colourful, large Euro-style board game with various wooden and plastic cubes around. Fields, alpacas, and cotton icons can be seen.

Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Pleased to see the official announcement of my next game with @flopiano.bsky.social, Green City. The game is about improving public transport. Building infrastructure and, at the end of the game, you are penalised for everyone that still drives. It's the lightest game Fabio and I have...

Bright, cartoon-style box cover showing a simplified city with a pedestrian, cyclist, tram, and bus as well as various landmarks. The title in the centre (both in Japanese and English) reads 'Green City'.

Nick Bentley Makes Games @nickbentley.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Taco Cat Games is now taking pitches from outside designers. We've sold over 13 million games, through all major US retailers. Read about what we're looking for and how to submit here: bit.ly/pitch-taco-cat This thread also covers it so you don't have to click through. 🎲✂️(1/19)

How to pitch games to Taco Cat Games and what we’re looking for | Notion

We’re thrilled you’re considering pitching to us! First we’ll describe what we’re looking for, then how to submit your game and what to expect after.

bit.ly

Matthew Dunstan @matthewdunstan.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Big Pasti's latest video, entitled "The 7 Deadly Sins of Board Game Design", had a real effect on me, and today's video is a response to his. I think there is a better way we can talk about game design. youtu.be/BY7TeikZcBw 🎲✂️

We need a better way to talk about game design

YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan

youtu.be

Never stops being a thrill seeing your games enjoyed in the wild.

A night on the tiles. Getting the prototype ready 🎲✂️ on a new design in time for AireCon this weekend. This took quite a while so hopefully the design is perfect on its first outing.

Photo showing tiles (the board game component type) of various shapes and colours on a cutting mat.

Mandela F-G@mandelafg.bsky.social · 5mo ago

I finally playtested the game and it was terrible. Irredeemably so. Time well spent. I regret nothing. 🎲✂️

Prototype card game being played. Several cards out on the table with a series of convoluted effects.

Been really enjoying designing a game all 'wrong' recently. I mean against general advice; it doesn't have a distinctive hook, low market appeal, restrictive player count etc. 🎲✂️

Elizabeth Hargrave @elizhargrave.bsky.social · 5mo ago

New artwork samples day is always a good day.

Reviewers: if something doesn't seem right about a game, please take a moment to re-read the rules or even reach out to the publisher or designer for clarification before publishing a review. That extra step can save heartache and damaged reputation on both sides.

Been really enjoying designing a game all 'wrong' recently. I mean against general advice; it doesn't have a distinctive hook, low market appeal, restrictive player count etc. 🎲✂️

Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 6mo ago

After complaints from Jane that she never gets to play my published games, have played Ayar a couple of times recently. Have enjoyed revisiting it, and trying out a new strategy.

I'm very amused by the idea that this guy has rating bombed Sankoré: The Pride of Mansa Musa as part of his anti-Pride agenda.

Excerpt of a BoardgameGeek's user ratings giving 1's to games with overt queer themes (The Queer Agenda, Love Letter Princess Princess, Cards Against Humanity: Pride Pack) and a 1.5 for Sankoré: The Pride of Mansa Musa.

Played Jane Austin, and the requested rematch. Had fun losing both times but I rarely play my own games. Always new stuff to try, new prototypes to test. I suspect I'm not alone among designers in struggling not to think about things you'd like to change in a design, even after its hit print. 🎲✂️

The Jane Austin Board game laid out on the table. Picture shows the colourful board with lots of cards and tokens.

Played 'Careers' for the first time the other night by James Cooke Brown and quite enjoyed it. Very nice mechanism that I'd like to see more is that you choose your victory condition at the start of the game and, satisfyingly, you win immediately upon reaching that secret objective. 🎲✂️

Some paper money, a rulebook, and a game board showing the game 'Careers' on the table with play about to start.

Cardboard Edison@cardboardedison.com · 7mo ago

Have just completed this survey and, if you fit the criteria and have a moment, would encourage others to do the same. Their infographics are really useful and I can only see more transparency in the industry as a good thing.

HEY BOARD GAME DESIGNERS! We're updating our reports on publishing contracts! If you've signed a game with a publisher in the past 5 years, let us know (our Gmail is our name) and we'll send you the anonymous survey. See our past reports here: cardboardedison.com/reports And please spread the word!

Snapshot of the top portion of three of Cardboard Edison's reports on board game publishing contracts.