I seem to have made the line up for the Tabletop Gaming World Cup 😂. This is pretty cool. I've never played football in my life, but if I did, this is the team I'd want to be on! www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/features/wor...

We've shared the Threaded design diary from designer @thedarkimp.bsky.social over on our website blog 😍 Learn the story of how this crafty worker-placement game came to life: https://bit.ly/4sWIZqO 🧵 Available now 🪡 https://bit.ly/4nOJ9iz

Threaded designed by @thedarkimp.bsky.social is out today! 🧵🐱 Establish a thriving needlecraft studio by designing and stitching your own gorgeous bargello embroidery in this crafty worker placement game... ▶️ Pick up your copy now: https://bit.ly/4nOJ9iz

My Designer Diary for Threaded (from @ospreygames.bsky.social) is now on BGG. boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...

🧵 In our crafty worker-placement board game Threaded from @thedarkimp.bsky.social, establish a thriving needlecraft studio! Acquire equipment cards, gather your thread cubes, take on commissions to earn points, and create stunning canvases... 23 April UK // 21 April US // https://bit.ly/4nOJ9iz

🧵 Create brilliant bargello embroidery in this crafty worker-placement game from @thedarkimp.bsky.social! Hunt for the perfect thread, fulfil intricate commissions, seek out artisan equipment, and create stunning canvases. 23rd April 2026 // 21st April 2026: https://bit.ly/4nOJ9iz

New game! Threaded from Osprey... Gorgeous art, cube tower, mini craft kit? I mean come on!

Osprey Games 🎲@ospreygames.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Our board game Threaded by @thedarkimp.bsky.social, out next month, comes with a mini bargello kit to make your own first player marker – and a 3D cardboard cube tower! Find video advice on how to put them together on our website:https://bit.ly/4lP794I 👉 April 23 UK // 21 US:https://bit.ly/4nOJ9iz

Working on a new game. It's got a nice drafting mechanism and a satisfying tile placement puzzle, but the economy is totally broken.

Who's going to London Toy Fair next week?

Great to see some love for our Jane Austen Game @mandelafg.bsky.social

This time on BTC, I talk to @chrisbacke.bsky.social about how game designers can make use of digital tools. Chris shares his go-to programs for virtual playtesting, insights into TTS and the pros and cons of testing games online versus in person. thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

New BTC episode! I talk to Chrissy Fagerholt about Chrissy’s approach to social media, balancing authenticity with strategy, and the importance of sharing both successes and failures online. thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

A huge thanks to @thedarkimp.bsky.social for this wonderful chat about board game visuals and publishing. Grab a coffee and go have a listen.

Ellie Dix@thedarkimp.bsky.social · 10mo ago

New BTC podcast! I talk to Ross Connell about the vital role of art and marketing in game design—from how visuals shape a game’s identity to what publishers expect when reviewing a pitch. Find out how art and marketing can make your games stand out. thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

New BTC podcast! I talk to Ross Connell about the vital role of art and marketing in game design—from how visuals shape a game’s identity to what publishers expect when reviewing a pitch. Find out how art and marketing can make your games stand out. thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

Co-design with @thedarkimp.bsky.social tested above. The man in the blue shirt leapt over the table to where I'm standing to grab a die and win the game. I had to catch him to soften the landing. Not a metric I'd usually rely on, but it feels like a good sign for the game. Was a highlight for me.

New episode of BTC! I talk to @stuffbybez.bsky.social about the importance of building & embracing your brand as a game designer. We discuss tailoring games to resonate with an audience, defining a clear creative purpose, and leaning into that vision to strengthen your work. Link in comments...

How exciting! My game Early Bird, published by Hootenanny Games just won the "Best for Fast Paced Fun" award from Parents Best Toys for 2025. Hootenanny have done a fabulous job with the production of this game. I'm excited for people to play it. www.parents.com/parents-best...

I've just published a guest blog post from Chris Backe on The Dark Imp Blog. In this post, Chris talks about TabletopPublishers.com and how it can support designers with the pitching process. www.thedarkimp.com/blog/2025/09...

I've been talking to Matthew Dunstan about building and maintaining relationships with publishers. We discuss: 📬 Making first contact 🔁 Balancing persistence & pressure 💬 Positive publisher experiences 🧩 When publisher ties still matter in self-publishing thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

I've been talking to April Mitchell about the power of sizzle reels in pitching games. April looks at what makes a great sizzle reel and we discuss the dos and don’ts of showcasing your game on video & practical tips for making your reel stand out. thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

On Behind the Cardboard, I talked to Fertessa Allyse, designer of Cascadia Junior, about Sell Sheets. We talk about why sell sheets matter, what to include, & how to craft one that grabs attention. Have a listen! thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

Doing a (solo) 4-player test of a new game to work out how many cards are needed... while on a narrowboat... Space is challenging.

I had a brilliant conversation with Dominic Crapuchettes from North Star Games. It's a BTC special episode! We cover capturing a game’s intended experience, the role of playtesting & the creative tension between fun vs. marketability. Listen here: thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

Very helpful discussion about sell sheets by @thedarkimp.bsky.social and @fertessa.bsky.social 🎲✂️

New podcast! In this episode of Behind the Cardboard I talk to Sydney Engelstein about delivering a winning pitch. We talk about what separates good pitches from bad and how designers can present themselves with confidence. Have a listen! thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

This year's family holiday was very different. It was inspired by the TV show Race Across the World and organised by my sister. We didn't know where we were going at any step. There were points to be won each day... so who won the holiday?? www.thedarkimp.com/blog/2025/07...

I'm thrilled to be a finalist in the WIT Wonder Woman Awards. An honour! I'm nominated in the Designer/Inventor Independent category. I'm in terrific company. How brilliant! Here's a link to all the finalists: www.womenintoys.com/nominees

@thedarkimp.bsky.social did a great job interviewing me about the art of pitching tabletop games. I talk about my process, the essential skills designers need, and how to approach pitching materials. Enjoy! thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

I'm so excited to receive copies of my new game - Early Bird - published by the wonderful folk at Hootenanny Games! Early Bird is a fast, frenzied family game. There's even a very cute worm in the box! Another one to add to the shelf :)

If you've never designed a game but are keen to try - perhaps this article will help. Today I've been writing about "First steps in board game design". I'd also love it if experienced designers have other tips for people who'd like to get started. www.thedarkimp.com/blog/2025/06...

First steps in game design - The Dark Imp

thedarkimp.com