Author | Lightnews

Craig Somerton @craigsomo64.bsky.social · Jul 16

Blown away by this stunning short from Danny at Board Game Sanctuary, showcasing my latest game trick-taking - Farm Hand.

Kickstarter backers should be receiving their copies soon, and it should be hitting retail in Oz sometime next month, and worldwide later this year.

youtu.be/IlPkROzgdfM

Trick Your Friends in this Charming Card Game 🚜🐄🌾 #boardgames #tabletopgaming #familygames

YouTube video by Board Game Sanctuary

youtu.be

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Craig Somerton @craigsomo64.bsky.social · May 22

My first published game - Farm Hand is being delivered to backers in Asia, with Australia and elsewhere arriving sometime next month (4 months ahead of schedule) - great work @grailgames.bsky.social .

Chuffed at the first review on BGG from Board Games with B7 boardgamegeek.com/thread/35141...

And the best trick-taking game of 2025 goes to... | Farm Hand

Farm Hand Overview, Tutorial & Review A Rootin’ Tootin’ Trick-Taking Game! “Life is more fun if you play games.” -Roald Dahl A Note from the Author: I want to take a moment to express that writing ...

boardgamegeek.com

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Craig Somerton @craigsomo64.bsky.social · Jan 28

Matthew Dunstan latest video raises some very salient issues about being a game designer, and questions how we should best move forward.

I would strongly encourage more people to watch and share it as widely as possible.

Matthew Dunstan @matthewdunstan.bsky.social · Jan 27

New video is out! Discussing the topic of earning a living designing board games - why is it so difficult?

youtu.be/wy9g2o5WqHU?...

Can you make a living from game design?

YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan

youtu.be

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Craig Somerton @craigsomo64.bsky.social · Jan 19

Very excited to see my game "Farm Hand" being published.

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Craig Somerton @craigsomo64.bsky.social · Jan 11

Loved it. Such an amazing show.

The incredible effort that goes into each scene is mind-blowing.

How does that penguin convey so much menace with a face that barely moves?

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Craig Somerton @craigsomo64.bsky.social · Jan 11

Cowboy for no apparent reason.

Is that like the man with no name?

Craig Somerton @craigsomo64.bsky.social · Jan 11

Fun episode. Love the banter.

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Craig Somerton @craigsomo64.bsky.social · Jan 11

Well deserved Matt.

Thank you again for posting these summaries. Your humility, candour and transparency is inspiring for many of us aspiring designers, and it's great to see all your hard work, over many years, paying dividends.

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Craig Somerton @craigsomo64.bsky.social · Jan 9

Nobody is going to altruistically provide that, well... not for very long. Someone has to pay for it at some stage.

The only real way to do it is to have advertising 🤬 or expect users to pay.

I for one would happily pay for a service that keeps-out much of the filth that inhabits the other places.

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Reposted by Craig Somerton

J from 3 Minute board games @3mbg.bsky.social · Jan 8

A dozen versions of Ticket to Ride, a bunch of different Catan's, so many pandemics and a gazillion monopoly games.

But when Stonemeier games announce a spinoff for Wingspan, people lose their minds and call them hacks.

It's fascinating looking at the threads about finspan.

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Craig Somerton @craigsomo64.bsky.social · Jan 9

I'm holding-out until Jamey releases the "rock n roll" version.

Craig Somerton @craigsomo64.bsky.social · Jan 8

So many gamers seriously underestimate the work involved in designing, developing and publishing a game, along with the substantial investment in time and money.

If you have a formula that works, why would you change it significantly?

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Craig Somerton @craigsomo64.bsky.social · Jan 8

For those who were waiting patiently.

Craig Somerton @craigsomo64.bsky.social · Jan 1

I feel so seen.

Spaghetti Carbanana @zwejas.bsky.social · Jan 1

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Craig Somerton @craigsomo64.bsky.social · Jan 1

Thanks I will. 😀

I had plans to attend PAXAU in 2024, but my wife needing urgent retinal surgery put paid to that. Shrug, such is life.

Am definitely hoping to get to more conventions in 2025.

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Craig Somerton @craigsomo64.bsky.social · Jan 1

A shame, but completely understandable. We do miss you guys a lot.

Hopefully, we can catch-up at another con sometime.

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Craig Somerton @craigsomo64.bsky.social · Jan 1

Will we ever see you back at BorderCon?

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Craig Somerton @craigsomo64.bsky.social · Jan 1

Since everyone else seems to be posting their 2024 summary...

Living remotely, I'm very thankful for BGA.

The biggest surprise was 52 Realms from @matthewdunstan.bsky.social for converting me into a solo gamer.

I'm definitely excited by the prospect of having my first game published this year.