Stephanie Smith
@biffybeans.bsky.social
Writer / Visual Artist. Solo board / historical game enthusiast & designer - 2024 Zenobia Award semifinalist. TEDx Speaker. Occasional percussionist. Late dx Autistic/AuDHD
Stellarion is a sad no f/ me. Love the art & the idea of gameplay but the symbols make my head swim + some actions are unintuitive. Rulebook text is hard to see against the background art.
I’m 1 for 3 w/ Oniverse games. Still have Aerion but passed on Nautilion.
Which Oniverse games do you like?
I’m 1 for 3 w/ Oniverse games. Still have Aerion but passed on Nautilion.
Which Oniverse games do you like?
November 25, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Stellarion is a sad no f/ me. Love the art & the idea of gameplay but the symbols make my head swim + some actions are unintuitive. Rulebook text is hard to see against the background art.
I’m 1 for 3 w/ Oniverse games. Still have Aerion but passed on Nautilion.
Which Oniverse games do you like?
I’m 1 for 3 w/ Oniverse games. Still have Aerion but passed on Nautilion.
Which Oniverse games do you like?
Anyone else enjoy making game components with no real intention to design a finished game? I imagined these were the remains of a lost civilization & had a blast trying to figure out how to play it.
This painting is mine, as are all the hand carved stamps used to create the game pieces. ✂️🎲
This painting is mine, as are all the hand carved stamps used to create the game pieces. ✂️🎲
November 24, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Anyone else enjoy making game components with no real intention to design a finished game? I imagined these were the remains of a lost civilization & had a blast trying to figure out how to play it.
This painting is mine, as are all the hand carved stamps used to create the game pieces. ✂️🎲
This painting is mine, as are all the hand carved stamps used to create the game pieces. ✂️🎲
I’m curious what my wargamer/historical gamer friends think of The Anarchy by Garphill Games.
The Anarchy in about 3 minutes
YouTube video by 3 Minute Board Games
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 1:15 AM
I’m curious what my wargamer/historical gamer friends think of The Anarchy by Garphill Games.
I am thrilled about this! I loved watching Vine videos. I was really sad when the whole thing just got nuked.
Jack Dorsey backs diVine, a Vine reboot that includes Vine's video archive of 6-second, looping videos.
Jack Dorsey funds diVine, a Vine reboot that includes Vine's video archive | TechCrunch
Jack Dorsey backs diVine, a Vine reboot that includes Vine's video archive of 6-second, looping videos.
techcrunch.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:05 AM
I am thrilled about this! I loved watching Vine videos. I was really sad when the whole thing just got nuked.
I loved it. Jacob Elordi played the best Monster. 😭 like a baby. It will surely win awards.
🍁
🍁
November 12, 2025 at 3:49 PM
I loved it. Jacob Elordi played the best Monster. 😭 like a baby. It will surely win awards.
🍁
🍁
I’ve always been a voracious reader, so why has it taken me a year to read half of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest? It’s an excellent book- so why can’t I get through more than a few pages at a time? My best guess is b/c it’s so different to experience the story through Chief’s eyes. More to absorb?
October 29, 2025 at 4:42 PM
I’ve always been a voracious reader, so why has it taken me a year to read half of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest? It’s an excellent book- so why can’t I get through more than a few pages at a time? My best guess is b/c it’s so different to experience the story through Chief’s eyes. More to absorb?
Watched Casino tonight f/ the 1st time in many years (on Prime) & things were changed/edited from the original version which was a total turn off.
Having ditched almost all of my physical media ages ago, maybe I finally get why some people have held onto theirs.
Having ditched almost all of my physical media ages ago, maybe I finally get why some people have held onto theirs.
October 29, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Watched Casino tonight f/ the 1st time in many years (on Prime) & things were changed/edited from the original version which was a total turn off.
Having ditched almost all of my physical media ages ago, maybe I finally get why some people have held onto theirs.
Having ditched almost all of my physical media ages ago, maybe I finally get why some people have held onto theirs.
Why is Amazon using UPS to deliver books in plastic bubble mailer bags? There was no question that my copy of American Passage: The History of Ellis Island would be damaged once I opened it. (It was) 😔
October 29, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Why is Amazon using UPS to deliver books in plastic bubble mailer bags? There was no question that my copy of American Passage: The History of Ellis Island would be damaged once I opened it. (It was) 😔
Played Finspan f/ the 1st time today- played solo w/out the Nautoma b/c I wasn’t interested in it. Instead, I just played BYOS, scoring -2 per card w/ the group icon per one of the designers.
I’m a big fan of explicit rulesets & while I thought this one was pretty good, I still found a 🧵🪡
I’m a big fan of explicit rulesets & while I thought this one was pretty good, I still found a 🧵🪡
October 25, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Played Finspan f/ the 1st time today- played solo w/out the Nautoma b/c I wasn’t interested in it. Instead, I just played BYOS, scoring -2 per card w/ the group icon per one of the designers.
I’m a big fan of explicit rulesets & while I thought this one was pretty good, I still found a 🧵🪡
I’m a big fan of explicit rulesets & while I thought this one was pretty good, I still found a 🧵🪡
Question f/ Solo Board Gamers: Do you prefer playing games strictly designed f/ solo play, or multiplayer games w/ an option to play solo?
If the latter, do you prefer automa/bots, or BYOS games like Glass Road/Nusfjord/Odin when soloed?
Lastly, do you ever solo MP games multi-handed?
If the latter, do you prefer automa/bots, or BYOS games like Glass Road/Nusfjord/Odin when soloed?
Lastly, do you ever solo MP games multi-handed?
October 22, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Question f/ Solo Board Gamers: Do you prefer playing games strictly designed f/ solo play, or multiplayer games w/ an option to play solo?
If the latter, do you prefer automa/bots, or BYOS games like Glass Road/Nusfjord/Odin when soloed?
Lastly, do you ever solo MP games multi-handed?
If the latter, do you prefer automa/bots, or BYOS games like Glass Road/Nusfjord/Odin when soloed?
Lastly, do you ever solo MP games multi-handed?
All of this. #MeToo It’s been 3.5 years since my diagnosis and I’m nowhere close to finding my place in the world b/c there really isn’t support here for people on my part of the spectrum. Best I can do is try hard to find like minded people to converse with to help me feel less alone.
It's a sad irony that for years I was quietly skeptical about rising diagnoses of autism & ADHD, despite being an undiagnosed AuDHDer myself. I had completely internalised the belief I was feckless, stupid, wilfully self-destructive, selfish & weak. I honestly felt people were jumping on a fad.
October 21, 2025 at 3:29 PM
All of this. #MeToo It’s been 3.5 years since my diagnosis and I’m nowhere close to finding my place in the world b/c there really isn’t support here for people on my part of the spectrum. Best I can do is try hard to find like minded people to converse with to help me feel less alone.
So I understand whether or not they’re right for me? Mechanically, thematically, visually, etc., b/c I don’t like wasting money.
I wish more reviewers would talk about simplicity or complexity re: a game’s visual design and how it might enhance or hinder play.
I wish more reviewers would talk about simplicity or complexity re: a game’s visual design and how it might enhance or hinder play.
Question: why do you read/watch/listen to board game reviews? What are your top 5 (or so) motivations? What do you want from a review? Please answer below and reshare. Thank you. 🙂👍 #boardgames #question (Photo by Marcos Luiz Photograph on Unsplash)
October 20, 2025 at 9:56 PM
So I understand whether or not they’re right for me? Mechanically, thematically, visually, etc., b/c I don’t like wasting money.
I wish more reviewers would talk about simplicity or complexity re: a game’s visual design and how it might enhance or hinder play.
I wish more reviewers would talk about simplicity or complexity re: a game’s visual design and how it might enhance or hinder play.
Question for all gamers but especially historic game players and designers. What are some of your go-to simple yet strong, quick solo or two player games that you can play on repeat b/c it’s just so good. I’m thinking playtime in the 5-15 minute range, tops. Quick set up, preferably small Box.
October 19, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Question for all gamers but especially historic game players and designers. What are some of your go-to simple yet strong, quick solo or two player games that you can play on repeat b/c it’s just so good. I’m thinking playtime in the 5-15 minute range, tops. Quick set up, preferably small Box.
I went to Target to buy myself a present after doing a difficult thing & this was staring me in the face so I bought it. 25% off & a $15 gift card = 😁. I intent to play solo without the bot- just beat your own high score. I’m pretty sure there’s a way to do that just by removing some of the cards.
October 17, 2025 at 1:28 AM
I went to Target to buy myself a present after doing a difficult thing & this was staring me in the face so I bought it. 25% off & a $15 gift card = 😁. I intent to play solo without the bot- just beat your own high score. I’m pretty sure there’s a way to do that just by removing some of the cards.
😭 Paid $596 today for a pair of plumbers to resolve a badly clogged drain between our kitchen and bathroom sink.
October 15, 2025 at 5:56 AM
😭 Paid $596 today for a pair of plumbers to resolve a badly clogged drain between our kitchen and bathroom sink.
Made this some 20 years ago during my metalsmithing phase. Sawn/stamped/domed sterling sheet with a wire wrapped natural ruby. I’d primarily worked with cold connections as opposed to using a torch.
October 11, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Made this some 20 years ago during my metalsmithing phase. Sawn/stamped/domed sterling sheet with a wire wrapped natural ruby. I’d primarily worked with cold connections as opposed to using a torch.
I didn’t think BlueSky did algorithms but my last post (Re: TEDx) got ZERO engagement from any of my followers. While I don’t care if people lack interest in my posts, I do NOT appreciate having my content restricted from view. If anyone has any insight, please fill me in- this wasn’t the 1st time.
October 9, 2025 at 11:40 PM
I didn’t think BlueSky did algorithms but my last post (Re: TEDx) got ZERO engagement from any of my followers. While I don’t care if people lack interest in my posts, I do NOT appreciate having my content restricted from view. If anyone has any insight, please fill me in- this wasn’t the 1st time.
I’m up to 55k views on the TedX Talk I gave a while ago. Whee! Truth be told, this wasn’t exactly the talk I wanted to give. It didn’t really need to lean into spirituality but that’s more who I was at the time, and how the talk was subsequently developed under the guidance of the mentoring team.
October 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I’m up to 55k views on the TedX Talk I gave a while ago. Whee! Truth be told, this wasn’t exactly the talk I wanted to give. It didn’t really need to lean into spirituality but that’s more who I was at the time, and how the talk was subsequently developed under the guidance of the mentoring team.
Question f/ historical game designers: While striving f/ accuracy, what are some good rules to follow when condensing a timeline? Or when making any type of editorial decisions about history to make a game more playable? @colewehrle.bsky.social @writegameread.bsky.social @volko.bsky.social
October 3, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Question f/ historical game designers: While striving f/ accuracy, what are some good rules to follow when condensing a timeline? Or when making any type of editorial decisions about history to make a game more playable? @colewehrle.bsky.social @writegameread.bsky.social @volko.bsky.social
Stopped by my local library today to renew my card and visited all my old games that I donated a couple years ago. Awesome to see their game selection continuing to grow.
October 3, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Stopped by my local library today to renew my card and visited all my old games that I donated a couple years ago. Awesome to see their game selection continuing to grow.
I just watched Jim Jarmusch’s Dead Man for the first time via The Criterion Channel. I absolutely loved it.
a black and white photo of a man 's face with the caption johnny depp gifs
ALT: a black and white photo of a man 's face with the caption johnny depp gifs
media.tenor.com
October 3, 2025 at 1:46 AM
I just watched Jim Jarmusch’s Dead Man for the first time via The Criterion Channel. I absolutely loved it.
Games are a form of art. Art succeeds when it makes you feel something. Art can evoke joy, rage, curiosity… Game designers don’t always intend a “fun” gaming experience, so using it as a metric for critique can be short sighted & unhelpful in getting a game into the hands of who will most enjoy it.
For today's article, I'm just griping about why "fun" is a bad word for critics. spacebiff.com/2025/09/30/a...
Anti-Fun
There’s one word I try to never use when writing about board games. The F-word. No, not that one. “Fun.” There it is. My critical curse word. Today I want to talk about why “fun” isn’t an especiall…
spacebiff.com
October 1, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Games are a form of art. Art succeeds when it makes you feel something. Art can evoke joy, rage, curiosity… Game designers don’t always intend a “fun” gaming experience, so using it as a metric for critique can be short sighted & unhelpful in getting a game into the hands of who will most enjoy it.
Yesterday I learned Tiny Towns on BGA (solo) and really liked it- maybe even enough to buy a copy.
Then today, I learned how to play Welcome to the Moon (solo) and liked it- considering how picky I am with Roll/Flip and Write games.
Then today, I learned how to play Welcome to the Moon (solo) and liked it- considering how picky I am with Roll/Flip and Write games.
September 29, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Yesterday I learned Tiny Towns on BGA (solo) and really liked it- maybe even enough to buy a copy.
Then today, I learned how to play Welcome to the Moon (solo) and liked it- considering how picky I am with Roll/Flip and Write games.
Then today, I learned how to play Welcome to the Moon (solo) and liked it- considering how picky I am with Roll/Flip and Write games.
I bought some rocks today. Can you guess what they are?
September 22, 2025 at 3:47 AM
I bought some rocks today. Can you guess what they are?