Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

OrcaCon @orcacon.bsky.social · 12d

Welcome back to the con!

Brandi York Fine Art and Random Geekery brings the classic style of Art Nouveau into the modern era, with a geeky twist. With subjects from tabletop, including Critical Role, and video gaming to pop culture and literature, her geekdoms run far and wide. brandiyorkart.com

Brandi York Fine Art and Random Geekery

A collection of geeky and gaming art nouveau-inspired art. Shop prints, metal bookmarks, t-shirts, and more!

brandiyorkart.com

1

OrcaCon @orcacon.bsky.social · 12d

It's early, but if you are interested in a low-key inclusive tabletop con in Tri-Cities, Washington, check it out: tabletop.events/conventions/...

1

Reposted by OrcaCon

Dr. Jessie Christiansen @aussiastronomer.bsky.social · 13d

This week (!) is the 30th anniversary of the announcement of 51 Pegasi b, the first exoplanet found orbiting a star like our Sun - since then, we've found over 6,000!

To celebrate, @alexwitze.bsky.social and @nature.com collected some astronomers' favourite planets:

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

These alien planets are astronomers’ favourites: here’s why

Space scientists look back on 30 years of exoplanet discoveries — from rows of massive ‘super-Earths‘ to worlds with perfectly synchronized orbits.

www.nature.com

4 54 200

OrcaCon @orcacon.bsky.social · 13d

It's the most exciting time of the year! Okay, everything is the most exciting time of the year when it comes to OrcaCon. First batch of Special Guest invites have gone out! If you know some great local industry folk who would be a great fit, please let us know! Drop an email to info@ orcacon.org!

a little girl wearing sunglasses and a blue shirt says so excited ha

ALT: a little girl wearing sunglasses and a blue shirt says so excited ha

media.tenor.com

2 9

OrcaCon @orcacon.bsky.social · 13d

A big welcome to Bird Brain dice, who's joining us for their first OrcaCon in January! Beautiful dice, along with eyeglasses chains, keychains, earrings, and more!

birdbraindice.etsy.com

1 4

Reposted by OrcaCon

Board Game Hot Takes Podcast @boardgamehottakes.bsky.social · 15d

Like board game podcasts? Checkout Reggie's video that calls out some great shows (and introduced me to a few).

And check out Reggie's new podcast, Board States!

rollingreggie.bsky.social @rollingreggie.bsky.social · 15d

😎 Ahem youtu.be/Oqut3lPOY1A?...

My Favorite Board Game Podcasts

YouTube video by RollingReggie

youtu.be

1 5 18

Reposted by OrcaCon

Cassie aka Lamia @intersectionscch.bsky.social · 14d

GOOD NEWS! the PAX Together Demo Days Program has found funding and is returning to PAX Unplugged 2025!

Are you a BIPOC Indie Game Dev (analog) with a game kickstarting or coming out? Would you like space and support to demo and market your game on the expo floor?
Apply tinyurl.com/PAXDemoDays25

PAX Unplugged 2025 :: Leap Conventions

tinyurl.com

1 68 83

Reposted by OrcaCon

Board Game Blitz @boardgameblitz.bsky.social · 14d

In today’s episode we’re joined by special guest @panda8ngel.bsky.social to talk about cozy games! We also talk about a bunch of @allplay.bsky.social games we played recently! Check it out on your podcast app or YouTube!
#boardgames
youtu.be/tqvXbSkvpRc?...

Episode 245 - Cozy Games

YouTube video by Board Game Blitz Podcast

youtu.be

2 6

OrcaCon @orcacon.bsky.social · 14d

On this lovely fall day, we'd love to highlight returning vendor to our Merchant Hall, Art by Erika Rae Heins. www.etsy.com/shop/erikara... We love her adorable art style!

1 1 4

Reposted by OrcaCon

Banzainator @banzainator.bsky.social · 16d

Kalypso from Inside Up Games! This is a cozy tile-laying game where you're building up your settlement in the sea.
Kickstarter link: www.kickstarter.com/projects/ins...
#boardgames

1 2 15

OrcaCon @orcacon.bsky.social · 16d

It's the most lovely time of the year! We're rolling out our exhibitor list for 2026. First up, meet Alchemical Press. Step into the world of Mice of Legend, a thrilling tabletop RPG campaign setting where adventurers are transformed into daring, clever mice. alchemicalpress.io

Image features a mouse wizard in brown robes, carrying a dark brown staff. The mouse is touching a snail, and a dragonfly is on its shoulder.

2 6

OrcaCon @orcacon.bsky.social · Sep 10

OrcaCon is now accepting game submissions! Go register for the show so you can submit games to the schedule or sign up for games. We will be updating the schedule as the game submissions come in; you can keep checking for new things!

Register today!

www.orcacon.org/registration...

1 4 6

Reposted by OrcaCon

Queer Games Bundle @queergamesbundle.bsky.social · Sep 8

4️⃣2️⃣ You have 42 hours left to buy Queer Games Bundle 2025. Get over 600 radical, heartfelt games and projects for $60 (or $10+), less than the price of one AAA game. This morning, we've passed $80,000 for queer artists.

itch.io/b/3062

pixel art shows the numerals 1 through 80 over a background of genderfluid pride flag colors. each number is on a section of a ribbon shape creating a woven appearance, with rainbow and transgender pride flag colors and various textures.

180 160

OrcaCon @orcacon.bsky.social · Sep 8

Hello OrcaCon friends! We are looking for some great volunteers to fill all sorts of roles for OrcaCon 2026 in January. We're looking for folks to fill some key roles in planning, along with a lot of on-site roles. Go to our website for information and our application!

www.orcacon.org/volunteers/

4 4

OrcaCon @orcacon.bsky.social · Sep 5

We love to support our local communities, charities, and other non-profit organizations! We’ll have a mix of game groups, other local conventions, and charity organizations in Community Row. Are you with an org who'd like to join us?

Apply here: www.orcacon.org/community-row/

2

OrcaCon @orcacon.bsky.social · Aug 12

Merchant Hall applications are live! You can learn more about it and apply for a spot in our 2026 show in January. We're looking for tabletop games focused Merchants, so if that's you, apply soon! Applications close in September.

www.orcacon.org/merchant_hall/

OrcaCon

Games are for Everyone!

www.orcacon.org

4 6

OrcaCon @orcacon.bsky.social · Jul 24

Good morning OrcaCon friends!! Registration is now open for OrcaCon 2026! You can also book your hotel room. We'll be updating everyone as we have new fun things happening on the schedule. Go forth and register today! www.orcacon.org/registration...

3 6

Reposted by OrcaCon

Valentine Barker 🔜 Thought Bubble @valentinebarker.com · Mar 6

The con exclusive prints this year are Vi and Jinx from Arcane! They're limited to 50 each, so be sure to get them early! And don't forget that the secret print is making a return this year and has a boy on it!

A cartoon drawing of a woman performing a flying knee.

A cartoon drawing of a woman with a handgun and a tank of a of a questionable material over her shoulder.

2 21 52

OrcaCon @orcacon.bsky.social · Mar 5

We agree!

2

OrcaCon @orcacon.bsky.social · Mar 3

Good morning, OrcaCon Friends! Be sure to check your email for the post-OrcaCon 2025 survey. It has gone out to everyone who had a badge for the show.

Also, we are all working hard to get the 2026 contract signed, so as soon as we have the dates and such locked in, we'll make an announcement!

a picture of a whale jumping out of the water with the words incoming orca below it

ALT: a picture of a whale jumping out of the water with the words incoming orca below it

media.tenor.com

3

Reposted by OrcaCon

Jason Koebler @jasonkoebler.bsky.social · Jan 29

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a declassified World War II-era CIA guide to sabotaging fascism in the workplace has become one of the most popular free ebooks on the internet:

www.404media.co/declassified...

Declassified CIA Guide to Sabotaging Fascism Is Suddenly Viral

The World War II-era "Simple Sabotage Field Manual" is full of steps that office workers can take to resist leadership.

www.404media.co

1.2K 28K 67K

Reposted by OrcaCon

Okami 🔜 PAX Unplugged @keichiokami.itch.io · Jan 30

So proud to be apart of this event! Haus of Dreams is partnering with this event. Watch, donate, and celebrate Black Excellence with us! #actualplay #charitystream #wanderhomerpg #blackhistorymonth #ttrpg

Apochromatic Unlimted @apocunlimited.bsky.social · Jan 30

The ApocU 2025 BHM TTRPG Celebration is proud to announce this year’s sponsor - TRANSPLANAR RPG!

Transplanar RPG has always walked the walk and talked the talk supporting marginalized folks and we couldn't be more excited for their support in bringing you this year's events and fundraising! 🤜🏿

5 11

OrcaCon @orcacon.bsky.social · Jan 30

Yay! So excited to see the tie-dye shirts out in the wild!

1 1

Reposted by OrcaCon

Cardboard Time 🔜 PAX Unplugged @cardboardtime.bsky.social · Jan 23

It was an honor to share a panel at @orcacon.bsky.social with such wonderful advocates for accessibility.

Abby @thebakermeeple.bsky.social · Jan 23

Here is @cardboardtime.bsky.social , @weirdgiraffegames.com , @tinychaosmouse.bsky.social , and I discussing why accessibility in gaming is important from OrcaCon!

youtu.be/C4o0Lyy6iTs?...

OrcaCon 2025 Accessibility in Gaming-Why is it important?

YouTube video by TheBakerMeeple

youtu.be

1 9

Reposted by OrcaCon

John Bultena🧙‍♂️🔮 Professor of TTRPGs @onlyplaywizards.com · Jan 11

Something that @beautybot.bsky.social really wanted at @orcacon.bsky.social was a round of Thunder Road & we got it! Lot of fun with Victor & @jacobmundell.bsky.social & special thanks to Bud for sharing his copy with us.
#OrcaCon

Victor, Claire, and Jacob playing Thunder Road with a hand reaching out to move pieces.

5 17