Brooks Barber
@rollplusfun.bsky.social
Tabletop game designer - mostly historical but not always. Designer of Sykes-Picot from Hollandspiele. Forthcoming games Spindletop and Painkillers.
Pinned
Brooks Barber
@rollplusfun.bsky.social
· Apr 28
Sykes-Picot, a trick-taking game about the secret treaty to partition the Ottoman Empire, is now available.
Sykes-Picot
Game Design: Brooks BarberArt: Amabel HollandHex Number: 88Duration: 60 minutesPlayers: 2Solitaire Suitability: LowTheme: WWIMSRP: $35.00
During the First World War, the British and French made a secr...
hollandspiele.com
It's here! Check it out, and let me know what you think!
This was the most affecting board game experience of my life, and I don’t see that ever changing. Although I know each person at the table had their own unique response, Dan does an incredible job here of putting words to it.
I don't know how to introduce this one. After three titles about opium peddling, I figured the rest of SDHistCon would be breezy by comparison. I was wrong. The next day, I experienced one of the toughest board games I've ever played. Perhaps *the* toughest. spacebiff.com/2025/11/24/u...
Unnameable
After the first day of SDHistCon, where I played three games about opium peddling, I figured the second would be easier on my stomach. I could not have been more wrong. It has no name. Its designer…
spacebiff.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:27 PM
This was the most affecting board game experience of my life, and I don’t see that ever changing. Although I know each person at the table had their own unique response, Dan does an incredible job here of putting words to it.
Reposted by Brooks Barber
Hollandays ends tomorrow night. Let's take a look at our best-selling games during this year's sale!
(1) City of Six Moons (2024, Holland)
Probably not a surprise, our bestselling game of all time continues to sell strong during the sale.
hollandspiele.com/products/cit...
(1) City of Six Moons (2024, Holland)
Probably not a surprise, our bestselling game of all time continues to sell strong during the sale.
hollandspiele.com/products/cit...
City of Six Moons
City of Six MoonsDiscovered by: Amabel HollandMSRP: $35.00
Europeans: You can order our game through Second Chance Games in the UK. We do not ship to Europe directly. If you are unable to place an or...
hollandspiele.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Hollandays ends tomorrow night. Let's take a look at our best-selling games during this year's sale!
(1) City of Six Moons (2024, Holland)
Probably not a surprise, our bestselling game of all time continues to sell strong during the sale.
hollandspiele.com/products/cit...
(1) City of Six Moons (2024, Holland)
Probably not a surprise, our bestselling game of all time continues to sell strong during the sale.
hollandspiele.com/products/cit...
Love to see a deep dive history thread that counters revisionism.
The myth is circulating again that it was more radical otg activists and assimilationist gays ("boots and suits") teaming up that was responsible for queer communities' gains late '60s on.
The history doesn't back this up. What actually happened is more revealing. 🧵
Let's start with Stonewall...
The history doesn't back this up. What actually happened is more revealing. 🧵
Let's start with Stonewall...
November 21, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Love to see a deep dive history thread that counters revisionism.
Good luck to all the 🎲✂️ folks at PAXU this weekend! Hope your testing goes well and your pitches succeed!
November 21, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Good luck to all the 🎲✂️ folks at PAXU this weekend! Hope your testing goes well and your pitches succeed!
Tough to choose but probably:
Pax Pamir
Lisboa
War of the Ring
Age of Steam
Maria
Chess
Axis and Allies
Arcs
Spades
Nemesis
Pax Pamir
Lisboa
War of the Ring
Age of Steam
Maria
Chess
Axis and Allies
Arcs
Spades
Nemesis
board game enthusiasts of bluesky, what are your top 10 board games of all time
November 15, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Tough to choose but probably:
Pax Pamir
Lisboa
War of the Ring
Age of Steam
Maria
Chess
Axis and Allies
Arcs
Spades
Nemesis
Pax Pamir
Lisboa
War of the Ring
Age of Steam
Maria
Chess
Axis and Allies
Arcs
Spades
Nemesis
The sale is on! Obviously, I think you should pick up a copy of my game. But also there are so many other cool things to check out. Do yourself a favor and peruse the catalog of one of the most interesting publishers in gaming!
The debut game from @rollplusfun.bsky.social , Sykes-Picot is an acerbic negotiation-based 2P trick-taker that lets you color in its map. The form of the game reflects & critiques the way colonial powers casually disregard the colonized.
hollandspiele.com/products/syk...
hollandspiele.com/products/syk...
Sykes-Picot
Game Design: Brooks BarberArt: Amabel HollandHex Number: 88Duration: 60 minutesPlayers: 2Solitaire Suitability: LowTheme: WWIMSRP: $35.00
During the First World War, the British and French made a secr...
hollandspiele.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:40 PM
The sale is on! Obviously, I think you should pick up a copy of my game. But also there are so many other cool things to check out. Do yourself a favor and peruse the catalog of one of the most interesting publishers in gaming!
Reposted by Brooks Barber
This past weekend, I was delighted to attend @sdhistcon.bsky.social, where on Saturday I played not one, not two, but three games about selling opium. It was quite the day. Read about it here: spacebiff.com/2025/11/13/s...
SDHist 2025: Day of Copium
This past weekend, I attended SDHistCon in San Diego, the most interesting board gaming convention currently running. Here are the official snapshots: the Summit Award went to War Story: Occupied F…
spacebiff.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:51 PM
This past weekend, I was delighted to attend @sdhistcon.bsky.social, where on Saturday I played not one, not two, but three games about selling opium. It was quite the day. Read about it here: spacebiff.com/2025/11/13/s...
If you’ve been waiting to pick up Sykes-Picot, this is a great time to do it! Definitely check out Persuasion by @xoe.gay!! Or Oblique or Table Battles or or or so many other great games from Hollandspiele!
November 13, 2025 at 12:40 AM
If you’ve been waiting to pick up Sykes-Picot, this is a great time to do it! Definitely check out Persuasion by @xoe.gay!! Or Oblique or Table Battles or or or so many other great games from Hollandspiele!
And now that I've had a decent night's sleep, a more in-depth recap of my time in San Diego this past weekend at #SDHistCon. It was only my second time there, and I got even more out of it than I did the first one. This convention is consistently excellent in what it delivers.
November 11, 2025 at 7:29 PM
And now that I've had a decent night's sleep, a more in-depth recap of my time in San Diego this past weekend at #SDHistCon. It was only my second time there, and I got even more out of it than I did the first one. This convention is consistently excellent in what it delivers.
#SDHistCon was as great as ever this year. Flying home today after an incredibly enriching experience. I’m always grateful for the opportunity to meet new people, to see old friends, and especially to check out all the cool games people have in the works! Thanks to @sdhistcon.bsky.social as always!
November 10, 2025 at 10:09 PM
#SDHistCon was as great as ever this year. Flying home today after an incredibly enriching experience. I’m always grateful for the opportunity to meet new people, to see old friends, and especially to check out all the cool games people have in the works! Thanks to @sdhistcon.bsky.social as always!
When you realize on the plane to the convention that you forgot to update your cards and ask the hotel to print them for you and borrow their scissors… 🎲✂️
November 7, 2025 at 12:36 AM
When you realize on the plane to the convention that you forgot to update your cards and ask the hotel to print them for you and borrow their scissors… 🎲✂️
On my way to SDHistCon today. It’s such a great place to catch up with friends, see games in development, and just get some stuff played! Can’t wait
November 6, 2025 at 3:58 PM
On my way to SDHistCon today. It’s such a great place to catch up with friends, see games in development, and just get some stuff played! Can’t wait
A really great read. I'd argue that what we're witnessing in the United States right now is a concentrated effort to reshape the national mythos to serve cruel and dangerous ends. This is what makes it feel so much like 1930s Germany.
My essay on nationalist myth making in Middle-earth is still free to read on Speculative Insight! #LateNightWrite
November 4, 2025 at 10:01 PM
A really great read. I'd argue that what we're witnessing in the United States right now is a concentrated effort to reshape the national mythos to serve cruel and dangerous ends. This is what makes it feel so much like 1930s Germany.
Go back this folks!!! A fun bundle from an indie creator doing interesting things. Only needs a little more help! 🎲✂️
#boardgames
#boardgames
November 2, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Go back this folks!!! A fun bundle from an indie creator doing interesting things. Only needs a little more help! 🎲✂️
#boardgames
#boardgames
I wrote a thing. Check it out.
Games As Art Forms https://armchairdragoons.com/games-art-forms/
armchairdragoons.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:32 PM
I wrote a thing. Check it out.
I’m very pleased to see this one begin to come together. It was the first design I ever brought to playtesting, and it’s had quite a journey! Threed has a unique ambiguous trick taking system with a spatial puzzle that tickles the right parts of the brain. I’ve got a soft spot for it. Check it out!
Behold! This ain't yer granny's sliding-puzzle trick-taking game. What was once known as Triptych (the Cardboard Edison Award Finalist by @rollplusfun.bsky.social) is now:
•:| THREED |:•
#boardgames 🎲✂️
•:| THREED |:•
#boardgames 🎲✂️
October 29, 2025 at 5:47 PM
I’m very pleased to see this one begin to come together. It was the first design I ever brought to playtesting, and it’s had quite a journey! Threed has a unique ambiguous trick taking system with a spatial puzzle that tickles the right parts of the brain. I’ve got a soft spot for it. Check it out!
Chilled with my gnomey at the pumpkin fest this weekend.
October 14, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Chilled with my gnomey at the pumpkin fest this weekend.
As soon as I found out this game existed, I went to pre-order it. I’m fascinated by the history of urban “development” and NBS has accomplished something important and fascinating here. Can’t wait to get this one to a table soon.
September 30, 2025 at 6:32 PM
As soon as I found out this game existed, I went to pre-order it. I’m fascinated by the history of urban “development” and NBS has accomplished something important and fascinating here. Can’t wait to get this one to a table soon.
Been on a bit of a game design hiatus the past 2-3 months. Life got big and needed tending. Slowly working my way back into things now, and it feels...rusty. But also a bit like getting back on a bicycle. I still love it though. 🎲✂️
September 26, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Been on a bit of a game design hiatus the past 2-3 months. Life got big and needed tending. Slowly working my way back into things now, and it feels...rusty. But also a bit like getting back on a bicycle. I still love it though. 🎲✂️
Just found a review for Sykes-Picot in @senetmagazine.bsky.social! That was unexpected! Thanks to @meeplelady.bsky.social for the review.
September 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Just found a review for Sykes-Picot in @senetmagazine.bsky.social! That was unexpected! Thanks to @meeplelady.bsky.social for the review.
Reposted by Brooks Barber
New game day! cross4! Buy it or else. We have not determined what 'else' is yet, but you should buy it to be safe.
cross4
Game Design: Amabel HollandHex Number: 90Duration: 30 minutesPlayers: 1-4MSRP: $25.00
Amabel Holland's throwback to the classic crossword dice games of the twentieth century, cross4 is the first of th...
hollandspiele.com
September 18, 2025 at 10:41 PM
New game day! cross4! Buy it or else. We have not determined what 'else' is yet, but you should buy it to be safe.
A few things:
Nate has an interesting thing going on here. A unique format and approach to be sure.
Can confirm Pyrotechnics is good - check it out when you get the chance!
A lil' nugget at the end about Sykes-Picot and the possibility of serving your conscience through this game. Give a listen!
Nate has an interesting thing going on here. A unique format and approach to be sure.
Can confirm Pyrotechnics is good - check it out when you get the chance!
A lil' nugget at the end about Sykes-Picot and the possibility of serving your conscience through this game. Give a listen!
Episode 100 features:
• Review of the brisk and charming Fireworks 2p card game from @thinkdeepplaylight.bsky.social
• Interview with @liberludorum.com about two wild #indie #ttrpgs from @sandroad.moe: Burnout Reaper and Digital Angel
Hear it all with link in comments 👇
• Review of the brisk and charming Fireworks 2p card game from @thinkdeepplaylight.bsky.social
• Interview with @liberludorum.com about two wild #indie #ttrpgs from @sandroad.moe: Burnout Reaper and Digital Angel
Hear it all with link in comments 👇
September 18, 2025 at 1:46 PM
A few things:
Nate has an interesting thing going on here. A unique format and approach to be sure.
Can confirm Pyrotechnics is good - check it out when you get the chance!
A lil' nugget at the end about Sykes-Picot and the possibility of serving your conscience through this game. Give a listen!
Nate has an interesting thing going on here. A unique format and approach to be sure.
Can confirm Pyrotechnics is good - check it out when you get the chance!
A lil' nugget at the end about Sykes-Picot and the possibility of serving your conscience through this game. Give a listen!
Reposted by Brooks Barber
Trans people are people. What they do with their very own bodies ain't nobody's business but their own. Trans rights are human rights.
Full stop.
Full stop.
“Anti-trans harassment and violence is all the rage. Trans people are afraid to leave the country, let alone leave their houses. The right-wing ecosystem has gladly spent years creating these conditions, while Democrats have by turns avoided saying anything about them at all” 😞
👉🏻 archive.ph/ewBhT
👉🏻 archive.ph/ewBhT
September 16, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Trans people are people. What they do with their very own bodies ain't nobody's business but their own. Trans rights are human rights.
Full stop.
Full stop.
This is an appropriate reaction to Kirk’s assassination and legacy. He was not a paragon of civil discourse but a mouthpiece for white Christian nationalism, and all the awful bigotry that entails. He did not deserve to be murdered. Nor does he deserve to be treated like a martyr of American ideals
September 13, 2025 at 3:04 PM
This is an appropriate reaction to Kirk’s assassination and legacy. He was not a paragon of civil discourse but a mouthpiece for white Christian nationalism, and all the awful bigotry that entails. He did not deserve to be murdered. Nor does he deserve to be treated like a martyr of American ideals
Reposted by Brooks Barber
What a fantastic slate of nominees! Congratulations to @danthurot.bsky.social @amabel.bsky.social @charlietheel.bsky.social and @fredserval.bsky.social for facilitating meaningful discourse about the culture of historical games.
We're proud to announce the 2025 Bobby Nunes Memorial Award finalists, recognizing exceptional pieces of gaming media from 2024 by @amabel.bsky.social, @fredserval.bsky.social, @charlietheel.bsky.social, and @danthurot.bsky.social. More on their nominated works here: sdhist.com/2025-bobby-n...
September 9, 2025 at 8:34 PM
What a fantastic slate of nominees! Congratulations to @danthurot.bsky.social @amabel.bsky.social @charlietheel.bsky.social and @fredserval.bsky.social for facilitating meaningful discourse about the culture of historical games.