Chris Backe
@chrisbacke.bsky.social
Making board games since 2016.
🎲 Game designer (https://entrogames.com)
🖥️ Game publisher https://shinypigeongames.com/shiny-pigeon-printables/)
🏢 Entrepreneur (https://tabletoppublishers.com, https://puzzlerun.co.uk)
Hobbies:
🏃♂️ Running
💪 HYROX
🌍 Travel
🎲 Game designer (https://entrogames.com)
🖥️ Game publisher https://shinypigeongames.com/shiny-pigeon-printables/)
🏢 Entrepreneur (https://tabletoppublishers.com, https://puzzlerun.co.uk)
Hobbies:
🏃♂️ Running
💪 HYROX
🌍 Travel
One of my signed games has just been announced!
Presenting Tiberpunk, a medium-weight, dice-rolling, sandbox, story-telling game set in a world where aliens crash-landed in ancient Rome...
More here: idventure.de/games/tiberp...
Go follow the Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/idv...
Presenting Tiberpunk, a medium-weight, dice-rolling, sandbox, story-telling game set in a world where aliens crash-landed in ancient Rome...
More here: idventure.de/games/tiberp...
Go follow the Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/idv...
Tiberpunk: Streets of Rome – Strategy Board Game
idventure.de
November 20, 2025 at 4:07 PM
One of my signed games has just been announced!
Presenting Tiberpunk, a medium-weight, dice-rolling, sandbox, story-telling game set in a world where aliens crash-landed in ancient Rome...
More here: idventure.de/games/tiberp...
Go follow the Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/idv...
Presenting Tiberpunk, a medium-weight, dice-rolling, sandbox, story-telling game set in a world where aliens crash-landed in ancient Rome...
More here: idventure.de/games/tiberp...
Go follow the Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/idv...
Making games means dealing with the puddles in your path. Here’s how to choose your path and hold yourself accountable:
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
#boardgamedesign #accountable #accountability
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
#boardgamedesign #accountable #accountability
Puddles happen
So what are you going to do about them?
open.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Making games means dealing with the puddles in your path. Here’s how to choose your path and hold yourself accountable:
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
#boardgamedesign #accountable #accountability
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
#boardgamedesign #accountable #accountability
Great review of Packing Party!
pnptime.com/packing-part...
"What happens when you fuse Tetris with colors, puzzles, roll-and-write AND the holiday season? You get a combo you’ve never quite seen before, especially when it comes with not one but two unique narratives to spice things up."
pnptime.com/packing-part...
"What happens when you fuse Tetris with colors, puzzles, roll-and-write AND the holiday season? You get a combo you’ve never quite seen before, especially when it comes with not one but two unique narratives to spice things up."
Packing Party - pnptime.com
Colors meet dice rolls and Tetris in Packing Party, a festive roll-and-write! Dive into my game review to unwrap this holiday treat.
pnptime.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Great review of Packing Party!
pnptime.com/packing-part...
"What happens when you fuse Tetris with colors, puzzles, roll-and-write AND the holiday season? You get a combo you’ve never quite seen before, especially when it comes with not one but two unique narratives to spice things up."
pnptime.com/packing-part...
"What happens when you fuse Tetris with colors, puzzles, roll-and-write AND the holiday season? You get a combo you’ve never quite seen before, especially when it comes with not one but two unique narratives to spice things up."
Holiday game? ☑️
Simple to learn? ☑️
Family-friendly good times? ☑️
Replayable? ☑️
Will arrive in plenty of time for Christmas? ☑️
Draft a marker and die to draw a gift into one of your boxes, and score points in a few different ways.
More details: www.kickstarter.com/projects/189...
Simple to learn? ☑️
Family-friendly good times? ☑️
Replayable? ☑️
Will arrive in plenty of time for Christmas? ☑️
Draft a marker and die to draw a gift into one of your boxes, and score points in a few different ways.
More details: www.kickstarter.com/projects/189...
Packing Party Double Feature (Santa's Helpers + Moving Day)
Perfectly pack either holiday gifts or moving boxes in these tetris-style roll & write games!
www.kickstarter.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Holiday game? ☑️
Simple to learn? ☑️
Family-friendly good times? ☑️
Replayable? ☑️
Will arrive in plenty of time for Christmas? ☑️
Draft a marker and die to draw a gift into one of your boxes, and score points in a few different ways.
More details: www.kickstarter.com/projects/189...
Simple to learn? ☑️
Family-friendly good times? ☑️
Replayable? ☑️
Will arrive in plenty of time for Christmas? ☑️
Draft a marker and die to draw a gift into one of your boxes, and score points in a few different ways.
More details: www.kickstarter.com/projects/189...
So you want to make a print-and-play game (NOT just a print-and-play version of your board game design)? Welcome to the rabbit hole. Let’s dive in.
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
How to Make a Print-and-Play Game
Make something awesome.
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:13 PM
So you want to make a print-and-play game (NOT just a print-and-play version of your board game design)? Welcome to the rabbit hole. Let’s dive in.
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
Becoming a better #gamedesigner means examining and re-examining your beliefs / mindsets to discover the best ways of accomplishing your #design goals…
And also, my next #pnp game is coming very soon!
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
And also, my next #pnp game is coming very soon!
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
The 4 Mindsets That Made Me A Better Game Designer
Before getting to today’s post, go check out my next print-and-play game, Packing Party, coming to Kickstarter later this month:
open.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Becoming a better #gamedesigner means examining and re-examining your beliefs / mindsets to discover the best ways of accomplishing your #design goals…
And also, my next #pnp game is coming very soon!
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
And also, my next #pnp game is coming very soon!
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
My next #pnp #game is coming next month: Packing Party, a game of packing gifts and polyomino drafting. Like a lot of my games, they start simple so you get your bearings, then gets more strategic. Full of replayability.
Click 'Notify me on launch': www.kickstarter.com/projects/189...
Click 'Notify me on launch': www.kickstarter.com/projects/189...
Coming soon: Packing Party Double Feature (Santa's Helpers + Moving Day)
Perfectly pack either holiday gifts or moving boxes in these tetris-style roll & write games!
www.kickstarter.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:01 AM
My next #pnp #game is coming next month: Packing Party, a game of packing gifts and polyomino drafting. Like a lot of my games, they start simple so you get your bearings, then gets more strategic. Full of replayability.
Click 'Notify me on launch': www.kickstarter.com/projects/189...
Click 'Notify me on launch': www.kickstarter.com/projects/189...
My designer’s diary for Travelers: Tokyo is live! This game was seven years in the making, and I was proud that it debuted at Essen Spiel 2025. Read about the behind-the-scenes journey here:
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
Designers Diary: Travelers Tokyo
A behind-the-scenes look at a seven-year journey.
open.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:35 PM
My designer’s diary for Travelers: Tokyo is live! This game was seven years in the making, and I was proud that it debuted at Essen Spiel 2025. Read about the behind-the-scenes journey here:
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
Around the World in 15 Minutes is now out there for backers to enjoy... AND announcing Packing Party, our next #printandplay #doublefeature game coming next month! www.kickstarter.com/projects/189...
Did you miss it? Go #aroundtheworld at shinypigeongames.com/shiny-pigeon...
Did you miss it? Go #aroundtheworld at shinypigeongames.com/shiny-pigeon...
Update 6: Ready for Takeoff! 🛫 · Around the World in 15 Minutes (Print & Play Vacation Game)
All Flights Now Boarding! 👩✈️It's time for your dream vacation! Files for Around the World in 15 Minutes have been delivered digitally and should be in your Kickstarter inbox (as well as any add ons ...
www.kickstarter.com
October 26, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Around the World in 15 Minutes is now out there for backers to enjoy... AND announcing Packing Party, our next #printandplay #doublefeature game coming next month! www.kickstarter.com/projects/189...
Did you miss it? Go #aroundtheworld at shinypigeongames.com/shiny-pigeon...
Did you miss it? Go #aroundtheworld at shinypigeongames.com/shiny-pigeon...
5 Easy Ways to Come Up With Your Next Game Idea
Where do ideas come from? I guess I could also have titled this post 5 Ways to Start a Game Idea from…?
In any case, it’s time to make a game =) Where would you like to start?
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
#boardgamedesign #boardgameideas
Where do ideas come from? I guess I could also have titled this post 5 Ways to Start a Game Idea from…?
In any case, it’s time to make a game =) Where would you like to start?
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
#boardgamedesign #boardgameideas
5 Easy Ways to Come Up With Your Next Game Idea
A game idea can come from anywhere, and it can start in a lot of different ways.
open.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM
5 Easy Ways to Come Up With Your Next Game Idea
Where do ideas come from? I guess I could also have titled this post 5 Ways to Start a Game Idea from…?
In any case, it’s time to make a game =) Where would you like to start?
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
#boardgamedesign #boardgameideas
Where do ideas come from? I guess I could also have titled this post 5 Ways to Start a Game Idea from…?
In any case, it’s time to make a game =) Where would you like to start?
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
#boardgamedesign #boardgameideas
Ever wondered how publishers think about #gamedesign? Obviously every publisher is different, but a few have talked about their design thought process publicly.
How Do Publishers Think About Game Design?
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
How Do Publishers Think About Game Design?
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
How Do Publishers Think About Game Design?
5 examples to help you craft your your own design philosophy
open.substack.com
October 6, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Ever wondered how publishers think about #gamedesign? Obviously every publisher is different, but a few have talked about their design thought process publicly.
How Do Publishers Think About Game Design?
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
How Do Publishers Think About Game Design?
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
It was an honor to chat to James over at the #BoardGameBinge!
We got into my origin story and a fair bit about #TabletopPublishers, especially a lot about the 4 new tools in our toolbox: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E7U...
We got into my origin story and a fair bit about #TabletopPublishers, especially a lot about the 4 new tools in our toolbox: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E7U...
Episode 366: Chris Backe, Tabletop Publishers
YouTube video by Board Game Binge
www.youtube.com
October 3, 2025 at 3:02 PM
It was an honor to chat to James over at the #BoardGameBinge!
We got into my origin story and a fair bit about #TabletopPublishers, especially a lot about the 4 new tools in our toolbox: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E7U...
We got into my origin story and a fair bit about #TabletopPublishers, especially a lot about the 4 new tools in our toolbox: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E7U...
Last weekend was the Playfest in London - an all day playtesting event, and a great chance to catch up with friends. How did it go? Go have a read:
Destination: Playfest London 2025 and lessons learned
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
#playtesting #playtestuk
Destination: Playfest London 2025 and lessons learned
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
#playtesting #playtestuk
Destination: Playfest London 2025 and lessons learned
A full day of playtesting, anyone?
open.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Last weekend was the Playfest in London - an all day playtesting event, and a great chance to catch up with friends. How did it go? Go have a read:
Destination: Playfest London 2025 and lessons learned
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
#playtesting #playtestuk
Destination: Playfest London 2025 and lessons learned
open.substack.com/pub/entrogam...
#playtesting #playtestuk
It's always great when you see a game you had a small hand in on Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/dou...
Cabriole is a gateway-plus worker placement game about building furniture in 18th century London. Some fun mechanical stuff happening in the game, and I'm a big fan of the art style.
Cabriole is a gateway-plus worker placement game about building furniture in 18th century London. Some fun mechanical stuff happening in the game, and I'm a big fan of the art style.
Cabriole
A queue-based worker placement board game about furniture-making in late 18th-century London for 1-4 players.
www.kickstarter.com
September 30, 2025 at 2:27 PM
It's always great when you see a game you had a small hand in on Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/dou...
Cabriole is a gateway-plus worker placement game about building furniture in 18th century London. Some fun mechanical stuff happening in the game, and I'm a big fan of the art style.
Cabriole is a gateway-plus worker placement game about building furniture in 18th century London. Some fun mechanical stuff happening in the game, and I'm a big fan of the art style.
It took more of the morning (and afternoon) than I thought it would, but I've made several videos taking everyone on a tour through Tabletop Publishers. If you're brand new to the site, start here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXLr...
Enjoy!
#gamedesign #tabletopdesign
Enjoy!
#gamedesign #tabletopdesign
Tabletop Publishers overview
YouTube video by Tabletop Publishers
www.youtube.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:51 PM
It took more of the morning (and afternoon) than I thought it would, but I've made several videos taking everyone on a tour through Tabletop Publishers. If you're brand new to the site, start here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXLr...
Enjoy!
#gamedesign #tabletopdesign
Enjoy!
#gamedesign #tabletopdesign
Great article about being intentional with your design choices: www.whatifgames.co.uk/choices-feel...
Choices, Feel, and Crescendos: Inside Jackson’s Design Philosophy – What If Games
www.whatifgames.co.uk
September 25, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Great article about being intentional with your design choices: www.whatifgames.co.uk/choices-feel...
In search of a #cofounder for Puzzlerun - you are ideally a runner in the UK with a talent for organizing, working with people, and/or marketing. PM or @ me :) #putitoutthere
September 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
In search of a #cofounder for Puzzlerun - you are ideally a runner in the UK with a talent for organizing, working with people, and/or marketing. PM or @ me :) #putitoutthere
Two videos to share today:
First, I gave a talk about Tabletop Publishers a little while ago: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLjY...
Second, we got a nice review of Around the World in 15 Minutes: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF1G...
#gamedesign #gamedesigner #review
First, I gave a talk about Tabletop Publishers a little while ago: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLjY...
Second, we got a nice review of Around the World in 15 Minutes: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF1G...
#gamedesign #gamedesigner #review
SAGA Session Chris Backe Tabletop Publishers
YouTube video by Swedish Annual Game-design Awards
www.youtube.com
September 23, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Two videos to share today:
First, I gave a talk about Tabletop Publishers a little while ago: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLjY...
Second, we got a nice review of Around the World in 15 Minutes: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF1G...
#gamedesign #gamedesigner #review
First, I gave a talk about Tabletop Publishers a little while ago: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLjY...
Second, we got a nice review of Around the World in 15 Minutes: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF1G...
#gamedesign #gamedesigner #review
Or, how games *really* get made. My newest blog post is about keeping momentum going to get your game done:
entrogames.substack.com/p/how-to-kee...
#momentum #gamedesign #boardgamedesign #tabletopdesign
entrogames.substack.com/p/how-to-kee...
#momentum #gamedesign #boardgamedesign #tabletopdesign
How to Keep Up Momentum on Your Game to Make Progress
The lifeblood of any project
entrogames.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Or, how games *really* get made. My newest blog post is about keeping momentum going to get your game done:
entrogames.substack.com/p/how-to-kee...
#momentum #gamedesign #boardgamedesign #tabletopdesign
entrogames.substack.com/p/how-to-kee...
#momentum #gamedesign #boardgamedesign #tabletopdesign
Tomorrow's post will be about momentum, and keeping it up as you develop your game...
Want to get it in your inbox? Go sign up for the free newsletter / Substack now: entrogames.substack.com
Want to get it in your inbox? Go sign up for the free newsletter / Substack now: entrogames.substack.com
Entro Games | Chris Backe | Substack
It's time to make some amazing board games. Keep reading for posts to help you do just that. Click to read Entro Games, by Chris Backe, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.
entrogames.substack.com
September 21, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Tomorrow's post will be about momentum, and keeping it up as you develop your game...
Want to get it in your inbox? Go sign up for the free newsletter / Substack now: entrogames.substack.com
Want to get it in your inbox? Go sign up for the free newsletter / Substack now: entrogames.substack.com
Great review of my game Around the World in 15 Minutes on Kickstarter now:
pnptime.com/around-the-w...
#pnp #printandplay #travelgame
pnptime.com/around-the-w...
#pnp #printandplay #travelgame
Around the World in 15 Minutes - pnptime.com
Game review: Around the World in Fifteen Minutes, a casual, replayable print-and-play vacation full of strategy, travel, and adventure!
pnptime.com
September 19, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Great review of my game Around the World in 15 Minutes on Kickstarter now:
pnptime.com/around-the-w...
#pnp #printandplay #travelgame
pnptime.com/around-the-w...
#pnp #printandplay #travelgame
Just signed up for my first marathon.
September 19, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Just signed up for my first marathon.
Go watch a playthrough of our newest map, South America!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYQm...
#pnp #printandplay #crowdfunding #wildlife #southamerica
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYQm...
#pnp #printandplay #crowdfunding #wildlife #southamerica
Around the World in 15 Minutes Playthrough | South America Map
YouTube video by Shiny Pigeon Games
www.youtube.com
September 16, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Go watch a playthrough of our newest map, South America!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYQm...
#pnp #printandplay #crowdfunding #wildlife #southamerica
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYQm...
#pnp #printandplay #crowdfunding #wildlife #southamerica
2nd edition of Around the World in 15 Minutes is LIVE!
Travel, Explore, and Collect souvenirs #PnP
What's new in the second edition?
* Explore South America and snap pics of up to 10 different animals
* A new sheet to track turns for solo and party play
www.kickstarter.com/projects/189...
Travel, Explore, and Collect souvenirs #PnP
What's new in the second edition?
* Explore South America and snap pics of up to 10 different animals
* A new sheet to track turns for solo and party play
www.kickstarter.com/projects/189...
Around the World in 15 Minutes (Print & Play Vacation Game)
Travel the world, explore cities, and collect souvenirs in the second edition of this print & play vacation game! ✈️🌎
www.kickstarter.com
September 16, 2025 at 4:28 PM
2nd edition of Around the World in 15 Minutes is LIVE!
Travel, Explore, and Collect souvenirs #PnP
What's new in the second edition?
* Explore South America and snap pics of up to 10 different animals
* A new sheet to track turns for solo and party play
www.kickstarter.com/projects/189...
Travel, Explore, and Collect souvenirs #PnP
What's new in the second edition?
* Explore South America and snap pics of up to 10 different animals
* A new sheet to track turns for solo and party play
www.kickstarter.com/projects/189...
It's been almost a year in the making, but here it is...
Presenting Tabletop Publishers, a database of board game publishers here to help designers pitch their games better, save time researching, and find the best publishers for their games. Learn more at tabletoppublishers.com 🧵 #gamedesigners
Presenting Tabletop Publishers, a database of board game publishers here to help designers pitch their games better, save time researching, and find the best publishers for their games. Learn more at tabletoppublishers.com 🧵 #gamedesigners
Tabletop Publishers
Get access to a live list of over 570 game publishers that you can use to guide and speed up your game pitching process.
tabletoppublishers.com
September 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
It's been almost a year in the making, but here it is...
Presenting Tabletop Publishers, a database of board game publishers here to help designers pitch their games better, save time researching, and find the best publishers for their games. Learn more at tabletoppublishers.com 🧵 #gamedesigners
Presenting Tabletop Publishers, a database of board game publishers here to help designers pitch their games better, save time researching, and find the best publishers for their games. Learn more at tabletoppublishers.com 🧵 #gamedesigners