John Zinser
@aegjohnz.bsky.social
Pinned
John Zinser
@aegjohnz.bsky.social
· May 11
I’m looking one turn back at the moments, mistakes, and sparks of luck that shaped my path in publishing, and the second half of my life. Sixty years old and thirty-plus years in, I still feel like I’m learning how to play #1TBZ
I am in a football pool where every week you pick every game including the spread. 2/3 of the way through the season I am 86-86. Which proves that when I pick games it is not better than a coin flip.
November 26, 2025 at 10:49 AM
I am in a football pool where every week you pick every game including the spread. 2/3 of the way through the season I am 86-86. Which proves that when I pick games it is not better than a coin flip.
“Is GAME X worth the hype?” Is a question I see on social quite a bit. I am a bit surprised when people post about games that have been hits for years. I get asking if a new release is worth the hype but asking that about a game that has been around for years…. Come On. :)
November 19, 2025 at 10:22 PM
“Is GAME X worth the hype?” Is a question I see on social quite a bit. I am a bit surprised when people post about games that have been hits for years. I get asking if a new release is worth the hype but asking that about a game that has been around for years…. Come On. :)
I am going full Cool Hand Luke for my sustenance today.
November 14, 2025 at 2:05 PM
I am going full Cool Hand Luke for my sustenance today.
One of the original playtests of the super fun game. At the AEG #Larkstone house Oct 2019
Got the final ingredients needed to really get production of Fold & Fly! into high gear before PAX Unplugged. 🌈🛫
Now just gotta get printing & gluing!
Now just gotta get printing & gluing!
November 12, 2025 at 5:54 PM
One of the original playtests of the super fun game. At the AEG #Larkstone house Oct 2019
We launched a new Card Crafting game from John D. Clair on Kickstarter today. Our first game with John was Mystic Vale and this game is the evolution of that game and card crafting in every way. Proud of this project and the team putting it together.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ald...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ald...
Mystic Lands, Card Crafting Evolved from AEG
In the afterglow of the creation of the world, the Druids seek perfection in a new Card Crafting System game from John D Clair
www.kickstarter.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:18 PM
We launched a new Card Crafting game from John D. Clair on Kickstarter today. Our first game with John was Mystic Vale and this game is the evolution of that game and card crafting in every way. Proud of this project and the team putting it together.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ald...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ald...
Ryan and I got to talk about the thing we did together that started it all. Could not imagine doing it with anyone else. L5R 30. www.facebook.com/legendofthef...
Legend of the Five Rings
“30 Years of Legend of the Five Rings” is a series of interviews celebrating 30 years since the debut of L5R at Gen Con 1995.
This second series of the 'Play to Win podcast from Aconyte Books'...
www.facebook.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Ryan and I got to talk about the thing we did together that started it all. Could not imagine doing it with anyone else. L5R 30. www.facebook.com/legendofthef...
Time to make the donuts
October 23, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Time to make the donuts
Up at 4AM is my habit. On weekends my best days start with golf early. Today I have a tournament and don't T-Off until 11 so I am passing time getting ahead on some work. Mystic Lands? Smash-Up? A completely new project? It's exciting to have no priority and great choices.
September 20, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Up at 4AM is my habit. On weekends my best days start with golf early. Today I have a tournament and don't T-Off until 11 so I am passing time getting ahead on some work. Mystic Lands? Smash-Up? A completely new project? It's exciting to have no priority and great choices.
We just flew past 1000 backers in the Fun Factory Kickstarter in the first 3 hours. Super excited to see how they engage with the gamification now that they are inside. www.kickstarter.com/projects/ald...
Into the FUN FACTORY from AEG
The Fun Factory is open! Get great deals on great fun, from new expansions to exciting reprints, and a NEW TITLE-- INTO THE MACHINE!
www.kickstarter.com
August 26, 2025 at 7:11 PM
We just flew past 1000 backers in the Fun Factory Kickstarter in the first 3 hours. Super excited to see how they engage with the gamification now that they are inside. www.kickstarter.com/projects/ald...
Spending a few minutes this morning posting our Fun Factory list link across socials, looking for comments on what we might be missing.
Always amazed at the ideas the community sees that we don’t.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
#1TBZ #boardgames #FunFactory
Always amazed at the ideas the community sees that we don’t.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
#1TBZ #boardgames #FunFactory
AEG Fun Factory Kickstarter
Fun Factory Kickstarter – Planned Titles This is the draft of games that will be in the AEG Fun Factory Kickstarter that launches next Tuesday. New titles, reprints and evergreens. Into the Machin...
docs.google.com
August 23, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Spending a few minutes this morning posting our Fun Factory list link across socials, looking for comments on what we might be missing.
Always amazed at the ideas the community sees that we don’t.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
#1TBZ #boardgames #FunFactory
Always amazed at the ideas the community sees that we don’t.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
#1TBZ #boardgames #FunFactory
We’ve reached the stage with the Fun Factory Kickstarter where tough choices have to be made. Which great ideas make it in, and which get saved for the future?
I love this stage when there are too many good ideas, and you still feel like you’re getting enough done.
#1TBZ #boardgames #FunFactory
I love this stage when there are too many good ideas, and you still feel like you’re getting enough done.
#1TBZ #boardgames #FunFactory
August 22, 2025 at 6:51 PM
We’ve reached the stage with the Fun Factory Kickstarter where tough choices have to be made. Which great ideas make it in, and which get saved for the future?
I love this stage when there are too many good ideas, and you still feel like you’re getting enough done.
#1TBZ #boardgames #FunFactory
I love this stage when there are too many good ideas, and you still feel like you’re getting enough done.
#1TBZ #boardgames #FunFactory
Proof graphics for our Ding Ding hard enamel turn token. It is our free gift for newsletter subscribers during the Fun Factory Kickstarter.
If you are not signed up for our newsletter you should. AEG has lots of fun things planned www.alderac.com/sign-up-for-...
#1TBZ #boardgames #FunFactory
If you are not signed up for our newsletter you should. AEG has lots of fun things planned www.alderac.com/sign-up-for-...
#1TBZ #boardgames #FunFactory
August 17, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Proof graphics for our Ding Ding hard enamel turn token. It is our free gift for newsletter subscribers during the Fun Factory Kickstarter.
If you are not signed up for our newsletter you should. AEG has lots of fun things planned www.alderac.com/sign-up-for-...
#1TBZ #boardgames #FunFactory
If you are not signed up for our newsletter you should. AEG has lots of fun things planned www.alderac.com/sign-up-for-...
#1TBZ #boardgames #FunFactory
I’m up early like a kid on Christmas morning.
The Forge Fire POD site is in soft launch, you can check out the presents, but I would suggest you wait to open them. We are still waiting on a few items.
connect.forgefire.games/pages/produc...
The Forge Fire POD site is in soft launch, you can check out the presents, but I would suggest you wait to open them. We are still waiting on a few items.
connect.forgefire.games/pages/produc...
August 15, 2025 at 8:36 AM
I’m up early like a kid on Christmas morning.
The Forge Fire POD site is in soft launch, you can check out the presents, but I would suggest you wait to open them. We are still waiting on a few items.
connect.forgefire.games/pages/produc...
The Forge Fire POD site is in soft launch, you can check out the presents, but I would suggest you wait to open them. We are still waiting on a few items.
connect.forgefire.games/pages/produc...
It is amazing to me how many introverts are working in the gaming industry. I have always been a do think do person and my staff are think do think people. I hope they have done the thinking they need to do because this is a DO week.
August 11, 2025 at 2:04 PM
It is amazing to me how many introverts are working in the gaming industry. I have always been a do think do person and my staff are think do think people. I hope they have done the thinking they need to do because this is a DO week.
I always wonder about the round-trip timing for a spoiler that drops like this.
Will it travel through the Smash Up player grapevine?
Will it lure curious fans over here to Blue Sky?
Guess we’ll find out soon enough. 🤡
#1TBZ #SmashUp #boardgames
Will it travel through the Smash Up player grapevine?
Will it lure curious fans over here to Blue Sky?
Guess we’ll find out soon enough. 🤡
#1TBZ #SmashUp #boardgames
Serious Statement from the Clowns Faction
Look, we specialize in disorganization, chaos, and surprise reveals but we promise that we are not running the Smash-Up POD launch.
Even, we wouldn't schedule a major launch right after Gen Con.
POD cards will be available by no later than August 15
Look, we specialize in disorganization, chaos, and surprise reveals but we promise that we are not running the Smash-Up POD launch.
Even, we wouldn't schedule a major launch right after Gen Con.
POD cards will be available by no later than August 15
August 6, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I always wonder about the round-trip timing for a spoiler that drops like this.
Will it travel through the Smash Up player grapevine?
Will it lure curious fans over here to Blue Sky?
Guess we’ll find out soon enough. 🤡
#1TBZ #SmashUp #boardgames
Will it travel through the Smash Up player grapevine?
Will it lure curious fans over here to Blue Sky?
Guess we’ll find out soon enough. 🤡
#1TBZ #SmashUp #boardgames
This one is totally on me. I don't want any of my hard working team to get blamed for this boneheaded move. The weeks before and after Gencon are scared ground. I know that.
Did AEG know better... We should have and this week is the reminder.
Hold tight! Once our team is back at full strength, the cards will be available for download next week.
Now you know... and knowing is half the battle!
Hold tight! Once our team is back at full strength, the cards will be available for download next week.
Now you know... and knowing is half the battle!
August 5, 2025 at 9:41 PM
This one is totally on me. I don't want any of my hard working team to get blamed for this boneheaded move. The weeks before and after Gencon are scared ground. I know that.
Back from Gencon with lots of amazing memories. I do have one that is evading me. One of my friends gave me this printed 20 sided die. I can remember the moment it happened, them going into their bag to get it. I cannot remember who it was. I want to thank them for this die that NEVER misses. HELP
August 5, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Back from Gencon with lots of amazing memories. I do have one that is evading me. One of my friends gave me this printed 20 sided die. I can remember the moment it happened, them going into their bag to get it. I cannot remember who it was. I want to thank them for this die that NEVER misses. HELP
On my way to Gencon. I expect I will be giving more than one quick teach of this amazing new game we are launching at the end of August. I think everyone will be stunned at the deals in the Fun Factory kickstarter. Some of our best work yet.
Into the Machine isn’t about luck or speed, it’s about timing.
Jump the pack, upgrade mid-race, and pull off plays that feel almost too good to be true. A tactical relay from Kasper Lapp the creator of Magic Maze.
#IntoTheMachine #boardgame
Jump the pack, upgrade mid-race, and pull off plays that feel almost too good to be true. A tactical relay from Kasper Lapp the creator of Magic Maze.
#IntoTheMachine #boardgame
July 28, 2025 at 1:42 PM
On my way to Gencon. I expect I will be giving more than one quick teach of this amazing new game we are launching at the end of August. I think everyone will be stunned at the deals in the Fun Factory kickstarter. Some of our best work yet.
Trying to focus on work but my brain is already at Gen Con, sprinting between demo tables like it’s the board game Olympics.
Can’t wait to play, explore, and maybe sneak in a celebratory cocktail or two.
#1TBZ #GenCon2025 #boardgames
Can’t wait to play, explore, and maybe sneak in a celebratory cocktail or two.
#1TBZ #GenCon2025 #boardgames
July 24, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Trying to focus on work but my brain is already at Gen Con, sprinting between demo tables like it’s the board game Olympics.
Can’t wait to play, explore, and maybe sneak in a celebratory cocktail or two.
#1TBZ #GenCon2025 #boardgames
Can’t wait to play, explore, and maybe sneak in a celebratory cocktail or two.
#1TBZ #GenCon2025 #boardgames
I have been pulled into this vortex. Is learning how to make Tik Tok videos and brainstorming new games ideas work? My Monkey thinks so.
🎲 ✂️Must resist the Instant Gratification Monkey.
Our brains love to say, “Hey, we make games, working on this shiny new idea totally counts!”
Sometimes that’s true.The week before Gencon it’s just clever procrastination.
Thanks, brain.
waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-...
#boardgames #devlife #Gamedev
Our brains love to say, “Hey, we make games, working on this shiny new idea totally counts!”
Sometimes that’s true.The week before Gencon it’s just clever procrastination.
Thanks, brain.
waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-...
#boardgames #devlife #Gamedev
July 23, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I have been pulled into this vortex. Is learning how to make Tik Tok videos and brainstorming new games ideas work? My Monkey thinks so.
If you know you know.
July 22, 2025 at 7:26 PM
If you know you know.
No matter how good your artists are, if you don’t know what to ask for, the path to something great is slow, uncertain, and humbling.
Mystic Lands is teaching me that again.
Vision matters. Language matters Sometimes the magic doesn’t show up until Final_v9_reallyFINAL.psd.
#MysticLands #boardgames
Mystic Lands is teaching me that again.
Vision matters. Language matters Sometimes the magic doesn’t show up until Final_v9_reallyFINAL.psd.
#MysticLands #boardgames
July 21, 2025 at 1:48 PM
No matter how good your artists are, if you don’t know what to ask for, the path to something great is slow, uncertain, and humbling.
Mystic Lands is teaching me that again.
Vision matters. Language matters Sometimes the magic doesn’t show up until Final_v9_reallyFINAL.psd.
#MysticLands #boardgames
Mystic Lands is teaching me that again.
Vision matters. Language matters Sometimes the magic doesn’t show up until Final_v9_reallyFINAL.psd.
#MysticLands #boardgames
GENCON- So many of our early Gencon experiences started with packing a truck and then a road trip across the country. I am glad that is not necessary any longer but sometimes I miss the memories we made on the road.
July 19, 2025 at 4:05 PM
GENCON- So many of our early Gencon experiences started with packing a truck and then a road trip across the country. I am glad that is not necessary any longer but sometimes I miss the memories we made on the road.
I am seeing spoilers for the new Warlord out on the web. They have done a great job upgrading the game. Very exciting stuff.
July 13, 2025 at 3:49 PM
I am seeing spoilers for the new Warlord out on the web. They have done a great job upgrading the game. Very exciting stuff.
I’ve played the Road to Gen Con scenario more than 30 times.
It always starts with: “This year I get ahead of it.”
It always ends with: “How did everything become a fire?”
I have 16 turns left until departure.
Thankfully, I’ve assembled a team of elite firefighters.
#GenCon #LegacyGame
It always starts with: “This year I get ahead of it.”
It always ends with: “How did everything become a fire?”
I have 16 turns left until departure.
Thankfully, I’ve assembled a team of elite firefighters.
#GenCon #LegacyGame
July 12, 2025 at 11:32 AM
I’ve played the Road to Gen Con scenario more than 30 times.
It always starts with: “This year I get ahead of it.”
It always ends with: “How did everything become a fire?”
I have 16 turns left until departure.
Thankfully, I’ve assembled a team of elite firefighters.
#GenCon #LegacyGame
It always starts with: “This year I get ahead of it.”
It always ends with: “How did everything become a fire?”
I have 16 turns left until departure.
Thankfully, I’ve assembled a team of elite firefighters.
#GenCon #LegacyGame