Tim Clare
@timclare.bsky.social
(he/him) Author, podcaster & tabletop games writer. Books: The Game Changers, Coward, The Honours & The Ice House.
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-game-changers-how-playing-games-changed-the-world-and-can-change-you-too-tim-clare/7687024
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-game-changers-how-playing-games-changed-the-world-and-can-change-you-too-tim-clare/7687024
Just tried out the Monotropism questionnaire. Monotropism is a model of a key autistic trait - the tendency to focus intensely on a few interests. I answered honestly & scored pretty highly. It's an area with some research behind it & lots of community discussion.
dlcincluded.github.io/MQ/
dlcincluded.github.io/MQ/
November 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Just tried out the Monotropism questionnaire. Monotropism is a model of a key autistic trait - the tendency to focus intensely on a few interests. I answered honestly & scored pretty highly. It's an area with some research behind it & lots of community discussion.
dlcincluded.github.io/MQ/
dlcincluded.github.io/MQ/
By the way my official geeky festive jumper season has started. I'll be observing it daily until the end of 2025.
November 3, 2025 at 2:55 PM
By the way my official geeky festive jumper season has started. I'll be observing it daily until the end of 2025.
Played some Mandala again this evening. Lovely little game for precisely two players - all about area control, where the order in which you acquire cards determines what each of the six colours scores you at the end of the game. The cloth board is a nice bonus.
October 31, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Played some Mandala again this evening. Lovely little game for precisely two players - all about area control, where the order in which you acquire cards determines what each of the six colours scores you at the end of the game. The cloth board is a nice bonus.
Been looking through my dad's The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics book. I used to flick through it so much when I was a child, before I even really knew the songs. It sparked my imagination so much, & probably contributed to The Beatles becoming a special interest
October 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Been looking through my dad's The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics book. I used to flick through it so much when I was a child, before I even really knew the songs. It sparked my imagination so much, & probably contributed to The Beatles becoming a special interest
If you are thinking of gifts for Xmas this year, my book about tabletop games, The Game Changers (UK, other territories) / Across the Board (US, Canada), is out in paperback, audiobook & ebook. I think it is good for anyone who loves boardgames old or new, or who likes stuff on culture & history.
October 26, 2025 at 10:40 AM
If you are thinking of gifts for Xmas this year, my book about tabletop games, The Game Changers (UK, other territories) / Across the Board (US, Canada), is out in paperback, audiobook & ebook. I think it is good for anyone who loves boardgames old or new, or who likes stuff on culture & history.
Hey friends. Would anybody be willing to tell me a small, neat or fun & happy moment or thing that you've experienced this week? From like a terrific slice of cake through to some great news, or something you saw, or a little job you got crossed off or an achievement. I could use some positivity!
October 23, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Hey friends. Would anybody be willing to tell me a small, neat or fun & happy moment or thing that you've experienced this week? From like a terrific slice of cake through to some great news, or something you saw, or a little job you got crossed off or an achievement. I could use some positivity!
Look I'm not going to preempt my full review, but NNNNGH what a pure game
October 11, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Look I'm not going to preempt my full review, but NNNNGH what a pure game
You *should* reach out to Pikachu ex though. Pikachu's vibrant colours will recharge your heart
September 29, 2025 at 1:01 PM
You *should* reach out to Pikachu ex though. Pikachu's vibrant colours will recharge your heart
Oh go on then. Fussy Joraku it is
September 27, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Oh go on then. Fussy Joraku it is
After 2 weeks on ADHD meds, today the pharmacist agreed to double my dose. If this continues, in a little over a year I will be consuming the entire world's supply of Ritalin daily. Then you will know my true power.
September 26, 2025 at 12:29 PM
After 2 weeks on ADHD meds, today the pharmacist agreed to double my dose. If this continues, in a little over a year I will be consuming the entire world's supply of Ritalin daily. Then you will know my true power.
Fuck. I genuinely think Psyduck's design might have been inspired by Tetsuo Shima in Akira. Headaches caused by uncontrolled psychic powers. I can't believe I never saw it before. Inside you there are two very autistic wolves.
September 23, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Fuck. I genuinely think Psyduck's design might have been inspired by Tetsuo Shima in Akira. Headaches caused by uncontrolled psychic powers. I can't believe I never saw it before. Inside you there are two very autistic wolves.
Found it! Hiding behind a layer of manga
September 22, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Found it! Hiding behind a layer of manga
Ah thank you for the context. I thought it was probably coins but I muddled the knave on my initial post so I thought I would err on the side of caution! You can see the Sicilian Ace of Coins with the bird below, with the rate stamp space
September 22, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Ah thank you for the context. I thought it was probably coins but I muddled the knave on my initial post so I thought I would err on the side of caution! You can see the Sicilian Ace of Coins with the bird below, with the rate stamp space
It's not that I *dislike* the French-suited 'standard' deck. It's just that, in another timeline, had this hunting-themed deck from Stuttgart caught on, Motörhead might have given us a banger called The Ace of Ducks.
September 22, 2025 at 8:08 AM
It's not that I *dislike* the French-suited 'standard' deck. It's just that, in another timeline, had this hunting-themed deck from Stuttgart caught on, Motörhead might have given us a banger called The Ace of Ducks.
The British equivalent was the Ace of Spades. Eventually they devised a system where you'd go to the duty office & purchase your Ace of Spades separately. The art was very elaborate, to deter forgeries, which is why to this day the Ace of Spades is often fancier than the other cards in the deck.
September 22, 2025 at 8:05 AM
The British equivalent was the Ace of Spades. Eventually they devised a system where you'd go to the duty office & purchase your Ace of Spades separately. The art was very elaborate, to deter forgeries, which is why to this day the Ace of Spades is often fancier than the other cards in the deck.
Today, cards have never been so diverse nor ubiquitous. I love the possibilities of specialisation, & the many directions designers are taking cards in. But historical decks are our shared heritage as humans, & you can learn & play many, many great games just by picking up a deck.
September 21, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Today, cards have never been so diverse nor ubiquitous. I love the possibilities of specialisation, & the many directions designers are taking cards in. But historical decks are our shared heritage as humans, & you can learn & play many, many great games just by picking up a deck.
America, having inherited a sprawl of delicious, diverse card traditions, briefly tried to make a fifth suit happen, Eagles. This did not catch on, but I always appreciate diversity & innovation.
September 21, 2025 at 10:07 AM
America, having inherited a sprawl of delicious, diverse card traditions, briefly tried to make a fifth suit happen, Eagles. This did not catch on, but I always appreciate diversity & innovation.
I love Hanafuda, some of the most unique playing cards on the planet thanks to the set of cultural pressures influencing their evolution. 12 suits of 4 cards each rather than the 4 suits of 12 cards in the Portuguese decks that influence d them. Some are minimalist, others are packed with detail.
September 21, 2025 at 10:01 AM
I love Hanafuda, some of the most unique playing cards on the planet thanks to the set of cultural pressures influencing their evolution. 12 suits of 4 cards each rather than the 4 suits of 12 cards in the Portuguese decks that influence d them. Some are minimalist, others are packed with detail.
Indian Ganjifa cards are basically the only time we see round cards until Dobble. They're gorgeous, & also round cards have no corners & thus are less liable to dog-earring. In the 19th C, the British Empire's card makers' steam-powered factories drove many Indian Ganjifa makers out of business.
September 21, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Indian Ganjifa cards are basically the only time we see round cards until Dobble. They're gorgeous, & also round cards have no corners & thus are less liable to dog-earring. In the 19th C, the British Empire's card makers' steam-powered factories drove many Indian Ganjifa makers out of business.
I like German decks which convert Clubs & Spades into Acorns & Leaves. (Spades were originally Swords in Spanish decks but the Spanish for swords 'espadas' eventually mutated into Spades in English & the images on cards followed the transliteration)
September 21, 2025 at 9:52 AM
I like German decks which convert Clubs & Spades into Acorns & Leaves. (Spades were originally Swords in Spanish decks but the Spanish for swords 'espadas' eventually mutated into Spades in English & the images on cards followed the transliteration)
At my talk on the history of cards last week, someone asked what my favourite deck is, (after I said the French-suited 'standard' 52 card deck's popularity was the result of colonialism rather than being the best). I don't have one answer but I have some highlights. I like the Sicilian Ace of Clubs.
September 21, 2025 at 9:46 AM
At my talk on the history of cards last week, someone asked what my favourite deck is, (after I said the French-suited 'standard' 52 card deck's popularity was the result of colonialism rather than being the best). I don't have one answer but I have some highlights. I like the Sicilian Ace of Clubs.
It will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me that Pokémon Concierge is a show I like a lot. The 3D animation style & gentle storylines might as well have been custom-made to work as comfort viewing for me. I watch it with my girls & compulsively try to name Pokémon as they appear. Also Psyduck
September 21, 2025 at 7:13 AM
It will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me that Pokémon Concierge is a show I like a lot. The 3D animation style & gentle storylines might as well have been custom-made to work as comfort viewing for me. I watch it with my girls & compulsively try to name Pokémon as they appear. Also Psyduck