Dean Ray Johnson ⚪
@boardgametextbook.com
Indie video game, music, and board game nerd. AuDHD. Dedicated rulebook hater. Author of Every Board Game Rulebook is Awful.
www.youtube.com/@BoardGameTextbook
boardgametextbook.com/EBGRIA.pdf
www.youtube.com/@BoardGameTextbook
boardgametextbook.com/EBGRIA.pdf
Pinned
Dean Ray Johnson ⚪
@boardgametextbook.com
· Nov 13
boardgametextbook.com
I used to rewrite board game rulebooks as a hobby. I was getting good at it, but something still felt wrong about it.
Then I took grad school classes in technical writing.
And then I started to hate all rulebooks.
And I had to write 90 pages and a new rulebook about it.
Latest draft on my site.
Then I took grad school classes in technical writing.
And then I started to hate all rulebooks.
And I had to write 90 pages and a new rulebook about it.
Latest draft on my site.
Okay, teachers, suggestion:
Every time a kid says 6-7, force the whole class to watch the AYBABTU video
I'll bet you shut that down real quick
Every time a kid says 6-7, force the whole class to watch the AYBABTU video
I'll bet you shut that down real quick
25 years ago today, ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US began its worldwide invasion on @newgrounds.com.
February 17, 2026 at 12:52 AM
Okay, teachers, suggestion:
Every time a kid says 6-7, force the whole class to watch the AYBABTU video
I'll bet you shut that down real quick
Every time a kid says 6-7, force the whole class to watch the AYBABTU video
I'll bet you shut that down real quick
Look my stupid brain got hyperfocused on a question about a game that I rarely ever play anymore, but I wasted brain cells on it so I may as well say it
What should happen if Magic goes back to Mercadia?
See, the failure of Masques Block was one of the biggest stories of my MtG era...
What should happen if Magic goes back to Mercadia?
See, the failure of Masques Block was one of the biggest stories of my MtG era...
February 17, 2026 at 12:41 AM
Look my stupid brain got hyperfocused on a question about a game that I rarely ever play anymore, but I wasted brain cells on it so I may as well say it
What should happen if Magic goes back to Mercadia?
See, the failure of Masques Block was one of the biggest stories of my MtG era...
What should happen if Magic goes back to Mercadia?
See, the failure of Masques Block was one of the biggest stories of my MtG era...
Reposted by Dean Ray Johnson ⚪
The ‘bel’ in ‘decibel’ is for Alexander Graham Bell.
Since the ‘B’ in 'dB' is a name-derived unit, it is capitalized when abbreviated.
Since the ‘B’ in 'dB' is a name-derived unit, it is capitalized when abbreviated.
February 16, 2026 at 3:34 PM
The ‘bel’ in ‘decibel’ is for Alexander Graham Bell.
Since the ‘B’ in 'dB' is a name-derived unit, it is capitalized when abbreviated.
Since the ‘B’ in 'dB' is a name-derived unit, it is capitalized when abbreviated.
I actually think McNeely got one thing wrong: I don't think AI will fundamentally replace pop music. It may replace the producers and composers of pop music, but like...
Do you think a single woman works on the design teams of these AI music companies?
Do you think a single woman works on the design teams of these AI music companies?
Just watched @adamneely.bsky.social’s excellent documentary about AI music, how it ties into the neofascist movement, and what the future could hold for live and recorded music in general.
It got me thinking enough to make my own bold prediction.
(Long 🧵 incoming!)
It got me thinking enough to make my own bold prediction.
(Long 🧵 incoming!)
February 16, 2026 at 6:33 AM
I actually think McNeely got one thing wrong: I don't think AI will fundamentally replace pop music. It may replace the producers and composers of pop music, but like...
Do you think a single woman works on the design teams of these AI music companies?
Do you think a single woman works on the design teams of these AI music companies?
Reposted by Dean Ray Johnson ⚪
let me share my favorite shivaratri story (again).
There was a hunter who had had an incredibly rough time finding food for his family. Indeed, he hadn't had anything to eat or drink all day while trying to find anything to bring home. He wandered through the woods fruitlessly for hours.
There was a hunter who had had an incredibly rough time finding food for his family. Indeed, he hadn't had anything to eat or drink all day while trying to find anything to bring home. He wandered through the woods fruitlessly for hours.
February 15, 2026 at 8:26 PM
let me share my favorite shivaratri story (again).
There was a hunter who had had an incredibly rough time finding food for his family. Indeed, he hadn't had anything to eat or drink all day while trying to find anything to bring home. He wandered through the woods fruitlessly for hours.
There was a hunter who had had an incredibly rough time finding food for his family. Indeed, he hadn't had anything to eat or drink all day while trying to find anything to bring home. He wandered through the woods fruitlessly for hours.
Reposted by Dean Ray Johnson ⚪
the AuDHD urge to put additional context in parentheses in texts so others know there’s more than one thought happening at the same time
February 14, 2026 at 7:01 PM
the AuDHD urge to put additional context in parentheses in texts so others know there’s more than one thought happening at the same time
Imagine thinking the Irish would fight for British culture
"American culture, with its English-Scotts-Irish origin, is great and worth fighting for."
Has he not heard any American popular music?
Has he not heard any American popular music?
February 15, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Imagine thinking the Irish would fight for British culture
Reposted by Dean Ray Johnson ⚪
Wife gifted me with these homemade bookmarks for Valentines, perfect for when I want to read just one more page...
February 15, 2026 at 12:29 AM
Wife gifted me with these homemade bookmarks for Valentines, perfect for when I want to read just one more page...
There is a guy on BGG who replies to every thread talking about board game rules and accessibility. I've seen him say that he would stop playing a game if the rulebook suggested how he should/should not play his first turns because that prevents him from figuring out ...
I'm so tired.
I'm so tired.
It cannot be overstated how much hobby gamers underestimate how unintuitive and difficult hobby games are to non-gamers.
This is perhaps even more true of professional game designers, publishers and reviewers/pundits, broadly speaking.
This is perhaps even more true of professional game designers, publishers and reviewers/pundits, broadly speaking.
February 13, 2026 at 10:19 PM
There is a guy on BGG who replies to every thread talking about board game rules and accessibility. I've seen him say that he would stop playing a game if the rulebook suggested how he should/should not play his first turns because that prevents him from figuring out ...
I'm so tired.
I'm so tired.
This video won't tell you anything about techbros that you don't already know, but it's intensely bleak, an exploration of just how much these people hate civilized society.
Suno, AI Music, and the Bad Future
www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8dc...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8dc...
Suno, AI Music, and the Bad Future
YouTube video by Adam Neely
www.youtube.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:59 PM
This video won't tell you anything about techbros that you don't already know, but it's intensely bleak, an exploration of just how much these people hate civilized society.
Reposted by Dean Ray Johnson ⚪
So #BoardGame publishers - maybe think about whether or not someone who leaves random sexist comments on board game videos is someone you want in the credits of your rulebook as a proofer/editor.
February 10, 2026 at 7:45 PM
So #BoardGame publishers - maybe think about whether or not someone who leaves random sexist comments on board game videos is someone you want in the credits of your rulebook as a proofer/editor.
Reposted by Dean Ray Johnson ⚪
Very fond of this Mr Hyde by Grickle, look at that lovely Mr Hyde face
February 9, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Very fond of this Mr Hyde by Grickle, look at that lovely Mr Hyde face
Reposted by Dean Ray Johnson ⚪
Wake up babe, new boycott just dropped
Hasbro is the latest corporation to funnel money to JKR's hate campaign. Please stop supporting as many Hasbro products as you can.
Kicking myself as I bought Sanibel literally yesterday...
Hasbro is the latest corporation to funnel money to JKR's hate campaign. Please stop supporting as many Hasbro products as you can.
Kicking myself as I bought Sanibel literally yesterday...
hasbro on Instagram: "IT BEGINS 2027! ⚡️Together with @warnerbros, Hasbro will bring Harry Potter into a bold new chapter of play... and magic.✨🪄#Hasbro…"
IT BEGINS 2027! ⚡️Together with @warnerbros, Hasbro will bring Harry Potter into a bold new chapter of play... and magic.✨🪄#Hasbro#WarnerBrosDiscovery #HarryPotter#PlayingToWin
www.instagram.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Wake up babe, new boycott just dropped
Hasbro is the latest corporation to funnel money to JKR's hate campaign. Please stop supporting as many Hasbro products as you can.
Kicking myself as I bought Sanibel literally yesterday...
Hasbro is the latest corporation to funnel money to JKR's hate campaign. Please stop supporting as many Hasbro products as you can.
Kicking myself as I bought Sanibel literally yesterday...
I thought I had finally burned out on Survivors games, but oh no Deep Rock Galactic Survivors is on mobile and is pretty good so far.
Something about "Survivors but you need to stand in specific places sometimes" is just enough to get the dopamine flowing again.
Something about "Survivors but you need to stand in specific places sometimes" is just enough to get the dopamine flowing again.
February 9, 2026 at 2:59 PM
I thought I had finally burned out on Survivors games, but oh no Deep Rock Galactic Survivors is on mobile and is pretty good so far.
Something about "Survivors but you need to stand in specific places sometimes" is just enough to get the dopamine flowing again.
Something about "Survivors but you need to stand in specific places sometimes" is just enough to get the dopamine flowing again.
Reposted by Dean Ray Johnson ⚪
In my experience, talent is a *detriment* to learning.
I didn't have to practice early on so I *didn't know how*. I didn't start to learn how to practice until my 30s! (When much of my life was taken up with parenting, so I didn't have time!)
I didn't start to improve as a musician until my 40s!
I didn't have to practice early on so I *didn't know how*. I didn't start to learn how to practice until my 30s! (When much of my life was taken up with parenting, so I didn't have time!)
I didn't start to improve as a musician until my 40s!
I'm going to say this again in case you haven't heard this one: I was a talented writer and it did *nothing whatsoever* because I hadn't put in the work, and I put in the work for ten years (subtracting the bit where I had to quit for my mental health) to write Witchmark
talent alone could *never*
talent alone could *never*
February 7, 2026 at 5:57 PM
In my experience, talent is a *detriment* to learning.
I didn't have to practice early on so I *didn't know how*. I didn't start to learn how to practice until my 30s! (When much of my life was taken up with parenting, so I didn't have time!)
I didn't start to improve as a musician until my 40s!
I didn't have to practice early on so I *didn't know how*. I didn't start to learn how to practice until my 30s! (When much of my life was taken up with parenting, so I didn't have time!)
I didn't start to improve as a musician until my 40s!
Reposted by Dean Ray Johnson ⚪
GET SALTMARSHED IDIOT 🧂
June 16, 2025 at 4:21 AM
GET SALTMARSHED IDIOT 🧂
Reposted by Dean Ray Johnson ⚪
Over the past two weeks I've begun to realize that rich people only started funding chatbots once they could no longer email Jeffrey Epstein
February 5, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Over the past two weeks I've begun to realize that rich people only started funding chatbots once they could no longer email Jeffrey Epstein
Reposted by Dean Ray Johnson ⚪
Sometimes I feel like scammers don't appreciate the work I put into these puns.
February 6, 2026 at 5:31 AM
Sometimes I feel like scammers don't appreciate the work I put into these puns.
Reposted by Dean Ray Johnson ⚪
$350,000 for @translifeline.org! As someone who makes a living off of long-winded videos, I find myself at a loss for words. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Where will we be this time tomorrow?
Donate--> give.translifeline.org/tcc
Donate--> give.translifeline.org/tcc
February 6, 2026 at 3:05 AM
$350,000 for @translifeline.org! As someone who makes a living off of long-winded videos, I find myself at a loss for words. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Where will we be this time tomorrow?
Donate--> give.translifeline.org/tcc
Donate--> give.translifeline.org/tcc
Reposted by Dean Ray Johnson ⚪
It really sucks that Microsoft sunk its claws into so much of the game industry and is attached to a ton of games I wanna play.
What sucks even more is supporting genocide, which is something Microsoft loves doing. I’m very in favor of Microsoft fucking off until it stops loving genocide so much.
What sucks even more is supporting genocide, which is something Microsoft loves doing. I’m very in favor of Microsoft fucking off until it stops loving genocide so much.
Anyway, Microsoft's gaming products are subject to a boycott from the BDS movement, due to Microsoft's ongoing support for the IDF. Bethesda is owned by Microsoft.
nogamesforgenocide.com
nogamesforgenocide.com
No Games For Genocide
The games industry is complicit in genocide. It’s time to divest.
nogamesforgenocide.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:17 PM
It really sucks that Microsoft sunk its claws into so much of the game industry and is attached to a ton of games I wanna play.
What sucks even more is supporting genocide, which is something Microsoft loves doing. I’m very in favor of Microsoft fucking off until it stops loving genocide so much.
What sucks even more is supporting genocide, which is something Microsoft loves doing. I’m very in favor of Microsoft fucking off until it stops loving genocide so much.
my birthday is in march
JLab’s new Bluetooth speaker doubles as supersized headphones
JLab’s new Bluetooth speaker doubles as supersized headphones
It’s not an early April Fools’ Day prank.
buff.ly
February 5, 2026 at 11:47 PM
my birthday is in march
I feel like I'm angry about this pun because it's the kind of thing that one of us should've have thought of five years before now
who the hell called them "podcast hosts with whom I've developed an unhealthy parasocial relationship" and not
. . .
earbuds.
. . .
earbuds.
February 4, 2026 at 11:31 PM
I feel like I'm angry about this pun because it's the kind of thing that one of us should've have thought of five years before now
Someone mentioned Bowie on my other feed, and my mind wandered over to this song for obvious reasons.
"Johnny wants to think of a joke" is a line that haunts me. "Wants to think of a joke" feels like the one criticism of Americans that also lands a critical hit on ME.
"Johnny wants to think of a joke" is a line that haunts me. "Wants to think of a joke" feels like the one criticism of Americans that also lands a critical hit on ME.
David Bowie - I'm Afraid of Americans (Official Video) [4K]
YouTube video by David Bowie
youtu.be
February 4, 2026 at 11:17 PM
Someone mentioned Bowie on my other feed, and my mind wandered over to this song for obvious reasons.
"Johnny wants to think of a joke" is a line that haunts me. "Wants to think of a joke" feels like the one criticism of Americans that also lands a critical hit on ME.
"Johnny wants to think of a joke" is a line that haunts me. "Wants to think of a joke" feels like the one criticism of Americans that also lands a critical hit on ME.
Reposted by Dean Ray Johnson ⚪
Reposted by Dean Ray Johnson ⚪
I saw this charming montage of Naomi Osaka gently removing a butterfly that had landed on her face during a match but instead of simply appreciating what a lovely moment it was, my internet-poisoned brain whipsered "is this loss"
February 3, 2026 at 2:00 PM
I saw this charming montage of Naomi Osaka gently removing a butterfly that had landed on her face during a match but instead of simply appreciating what a lovely moment it was, my internet-poisoned brain whipsered "is this loss"