Interesting thread about transporting prototype board games at #Unpub2025.
My take-away from both this discussion and the event is: Don't worry about fancy demo game components. People are there to try new games, and they don't care if they look fancy or not. #boardgames #unpub
My take-away from both this discussion and the event is: Don't worry about fancy demo game components. People are there to try new games, and they don't care if they look fancy or not. #boardgames #unpub
Tabletop designers 🎲✂️, how do you transport your prototypes? And what does that say about you?
At #Unpub2025, the most common solution was a box cannibalized from a published game.
I learned that the Hargrave household had combined Dominions, so expansion boxes became available.
1/▶️
At #Unpub2025, the most common solution was a box cannibalized from a published game.
I learned that the Hargrave household had combined Dominions, so expansion boxes became available.
1/▶️
April 4, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Interesting thread about transporting prototype board games at #Unpub2025.
My take-away from both this discussion and the event is: Don't worry about fancy demo game components. People are there to try new games, and they don't care if they look fancy or not. #boardgames #unpub
My take-away from both this discussion and the event is: Don't worry about fancy demo game components. People are there to try new games, and they don't care if they look fancy or not. #boardgames #unpub
#Unpub2025 always has a chill vibe; it's all about the creative endeavour. I met a couple travelling the US parks and making a game of it WITH THEIR OWN PHOTOS. A lovely mom with amazing art making a game about doggos. Everyone was friendly and cool. 9/10
April 3, 2025 at 2:14 PM
#Unpub2025 always has a chill vibe; it's all about the creative endeavour. I met a couple travelling the US parks and making a game of it WITH THEIR OWN PHOTOS. A lovely mom with amazing art making a game about doggos. Everyone was friendly and cool. 9/10
I did #Unpub2025 this year and got some great playtests in. I got a lot of honest feedback from people new to my game, which was badly needed. The 'Always Kill Your Darlings' advice was present. Some lessons I learned: 1/10
April 3, 2025 at 2:14 PM
I did #Unpub2025 this year and got some great playtests in. I got a lot of honest feedback from people new to my game, which was badly needed. The 'Always Kill Your Darlings' advice was present. Some lessons I learned: 1/10
Tabletop designers 🎲✂️, how do you transport your prototypes? And what does that say about you?
At #Unpub2025, the most common solution was a box cannibalized from a published game.
I learned that the Hargrave household had combined Dominions, so expansion boxes became available.
1/▶️
At #Unpub2025, the most common solution was a box cannibalized from a published game.
I learned that the Hargrave household had combined Dominions, so expansion boxes became available.
1/▶️
April 2, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Tabletop designers 🎲✂️, how do you transport your prototypes? And what does that say about you?
At #Unpub2025, the most common solution was a box cannibalized from a published game.
I learned that the Hargrave household had combined Dominions, so expansion boxes became available.
1/▶️
At #Unpub2025, the most common solution was a box cannibalized from a published game.
I learned that the Hargrave household had combined Dominions, so expansion boxes became available.
1/▶️
So this is the game that stole my heart at #Unpub2025. Push a little boat around, pick up animals to bring back home, and clean up any spills you make -- my heart is a-squee ❤️🔥.
But what makes this game a contender to be a mass market breakout is how toyetic it is in the fullest sense of...
1/▶️
But what makes this game a contender to be a mass market breakout is how toyetic it is in the fullest sense of...
1/▶️
March 31, 2025 at 3:00 AM
So this is the game that stole my heart at #Unpub2025. Push a little boat around, pick up animals to bring back home, and clean up any spills you make -- my heart is a-squee ❤️🔥.
But what makes this game a contender to be a mass market breakout is how toyetic it is in the fullest sense of...
1/▶️
But what makes this game a contender to be a mass market breakout is how toyetic it is in the fullest sense of...
1/▶️
I've given away so many copies of Scout the Show; this SdJ runner-up makes a perfect gift to introduce friends to more complex games. So it blew me away that @emilykeepskitties.bsky.social captured the same feel while ironing out Scout's rougher edges. A big #Unpub2025 keepsake memory! (No photo)
March 31, 2025 at 2:44 AM
I've given away so many copies of Scout the Show; this SdJ runner-up makes a perfect gift to introduce friends to more complex games. So it blew me away that @emilykeepskitties.bsky.social captured the same feel while ironing out Scout's rougher edges. A big #Unpub2025 keepsake memory! (No photo)
As a Matrix fan, I'm biased in my appreciation of Cody's trilogy of board games where you jack in and out of virtual reality. I've enjoyed her "Hovercraft" and "Operatives" games separately, and at #Unpub2025 I experienced them spliced together for the first time.
It's an ambitious...
1/▶️
It's an ambitious...
1/▶️
March 31, 2025 at 2:31 AM
As a Matrix fan, I'm biased in my appreciation of Cody's trilogy of board games where you jack in and out of virtual reality. I've enjoyed her "Hovercraft" and "Operatives" games separately, and at #Unpub2025 I experienced them spliced together for the first time.
It's an ambitious...
1/▶️
It's an ambitious...
1/▶️
"Hench" captures the plight of the 80s-era cartoon beta villain in an action-bidding game. Who doesn't want to channel their inner Tri-Klops? My main complaint to @nomadotto.bsky.social is that the bad guys aren't supposed to win!
Played at #Unpub2025
Played at #Unpub2025
March 31, 2025 at 12:29 AM
"Hench" captures the plight of the 80s-era cartoon beta villain in an action-bidding game. Who doesn't want to channel their inner Tri-Klops? My main complaint to @nomadotto.bsky.social is that the bad guys aren't supposed to win!
Played at #Unpub2025
Played at #Unpub2025
Final playtest at #Unpub2025 is done! Learned a lot.
March 30, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Final playtest at #Unpub2025 is done! Learned a lot.
In Rex Regnat, establish Poland's 1791 constitution -- through trick taking! (Sort of). @nomadotto.bsky.social's game offers a neat way to explore an important moment in European history -- I really felt like I embodied the Establishment facing a disruptive political movement.
#Unpub2025
#Unpub2025
March 30, 2025 at 7:18 PM
In Rex Regnat, establish Poland's 1791 constitution -- through trick taking! (Sort of). @nomadotto.bsky.social's game offers a neat way to explore an important moment in European history -- I really felt like I embodied the Establishment facing a disruptive political movement.
#Unpub2025
#Unpub2025
It's Sunday at #Unpub2025, and we are tinkering away at the games of the future. It's exciting to know that some of these games will be on our shelves someday soon!
March 30, 2025 at 5:33 PM
It's Sunday at #Unpub2025, and we are tinkering away at the games of the future. It's exciting to know that some of these games will be on our shelves someday soon!
My favorite party game of #Unpub2025 so far is Guesstrictions by
@coreychoosesfun.bsky.social. Someone described it as a drinking game with no drinking: the cognitive overload is better than alcohol. In this run-through, we had to roar, give a card CPR pumps, and shoot a hoop. So. Good.
@coreychoosesfun.bsky.social. Someone described it as a drinking game with no drinking: the cognitive overload is better than alcohol. In this run-through, we had to roar, give a card CPR pumps, and shoot a hoop. So. Good.
March 30, 2025 at 2:44 PM
My favorite party game of #Unpub2025 so far is Guesstrictions by
@coreychoosesfun.bsky.social. Someone described it as a drinking game with no drinking: the cognitive overload is better than alcohol. In this run-through, we had to roar, give a card CPR pumps, and shoot a hoop. So. Good.
@coreychoosesfun.bsky.social. Someone described it as a drinking game with no drinking: the cognitive overload is better than alcohol. In this run-through, we had to roar, give a card CPR pumps, and shoot a hoop. So. Good.
I always have kid's games at the ready for boardgame conventions for that one family that isn't quite finding a fit. For #Unpub2025 I had "This Kitchen has Fairies" in my back pocket, so when that family dragged by, I got a good playtest, and they got happy kids. Win-win!
March 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM
I always have kid's games at the ready for boardgame conventions for that one family that isn't quite finding a fit. For #Unpub2025 I had "This Kitchen has Fairies" in my back pocket, so when that family dragged by, I got a good playtest, and they got happy kids. Win-win!
I think there's a lot of riches between board and role-playing games, and @mistergross.bsky.social is masterminding the perfect heist. Use blackjack mechanics to get in and get out -- I want to see this one get the payoff.
#Unpub2025
#Unpub2025
March 30, 2025 at 12:54 PM
I think there's a lot of riches between board and role-playing games, and @mistergross.bsky.social is masterminding the perfect heist. Use blackjack mechanics to get in and get out -- I want to see this one get the payoff.
#Unpub2025
#Unpub2025
Two good playtest today at #Unpub2025. A lot of good feedback, but lots of fixes and changes to be made.
March 29, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Two good playtest today at #Unpub2025. A lot of good feedback, but lots of fixes and changes to be made.
Set up for first playtest session at #Unpub2025 but suspect I’m not getting any players on this 2 hour slot. I expect 12-4 sessions to be more likely to get players.
March 29, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Set up for first playtest session at #Unpub2025 but suspect I’m not getting any players on this 2 hour slot. I expect 12-4 sessions to be more likely to get players.
Second test of #Unpub2025 is Hatchlings, about baby turtles crawling to the sea. Fun light game. Can use some tweaking, but solid game there. And turtles!
March 29, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Second test of #Unpub2025 is Hatchlings, about baby turtles crawling to the sea. Fun light game. Can use some tweaking, but solid game there. And turtles!
also adds tension to the game that nicely reflects how your attention is also a limited resource in your life.
As in 2023, I believe this is an important game targeted at a specific community that I would love to see succeed -- and I love that it's in a position to really succeed! 2/⏹️
#Unpub2025
As in 2023, I believe this is an important game targeted at a specific community that I would love to see succeed -- and I love that it's in a position to really succeed! 2/⏹️
#Unpub2025
March 29, 2025 at 12:35 AM
also adds tension to the game that nicely reflects how your attention is also a limited resource in your life.
As in 2023, I believe this is an important game targeted at a specific community that I would love to see succeed -- and I love that it's in a position to really succeed! 2/⏹️
#Unpub2025
As in 2023, I believe this is an important game targeted at a specific community that I would love to see succeed -- and I love that it's in a position to really succeed! 2/⏹️
#Unpub2025
"Devour" is a territory card battler where you try to eat, evade, or chase off your opponent's animal, deploying asymmetric powers of your spirit force. I really enjoyed the Raven Spirit that gave special powers to the underdogs.
#Unpub2025
#Unpub2025
March 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
"Devour" is a territory card battler where you try to eat, evade, or chase off your opponent's animal, deploying asymmetric powers of your spirit force. I really enjoyed the Raven Spirit that gave special powers to the underdogs.
#Unpub2025
#Unpub2025
Feeling serious #Unpub2025 FOMO right now 😞
March 28, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Feeling serious #Unpub2025 FOMO right now 😞
...speaks to the maturity, consciousness, and moral commitment of #Unpub2025 attendees. It's refreshing to be here at this moment in time.
3/⏹️
3/⏹️
March 28, 2025 at 3:44 AM
...speaks to the maturity, consciousness, and moral commitment of #Unpub2025 attendees. It's refreshing to be here at this moment in time.
3/⏹️
3/⏹️
In "Paper Plates Voting," you launder your secret superlative through multiple rounds of party game transmogrification, then attempt to pull the original phrase out of a hat. It's the kind of party game that isn't afraid to make you think and ponder (in a funny way).
Designer: Cody at #Unpub2025
Designer: Cody at #Unpub2025
March 28, 2025 at 3:28 AM
In "Paper Plates Voting," you launder your secret superlative through multiple rounds of party game transmogrification, then attempt to pull the original phrase out of a hat. It's the kind of party game that isn't afraid to make you think and ponder (in a funny way).
Designer: Cody at #Unpub2025
Designer: Cody at #Unpub2025
Down to the Wire is a super engaging, cooperative deck-burning game by @jacktose.bsky.social. Really enjoyed playing it with @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social, @imamagnet.bsky.social, and @shadowobsessed.bsky.social. #Unpub2025
March 27, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Down to the Wire is a super engaging, cooperative deck-burning game by @jacktose.bsky.social. Really enjoyed playing it with @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social, @imamagnet.bsky.social, and @shadowobsessed.bsky.social. #Unpub2025