A while ago @flopiano.bsky.social and I had a chat with @fredserval.bsky.social on the history (and mythology, and blurry lines between the two) informing the design of our game Ayar: Children of the Sun (link in the comments).

Recently had a nice chat with Deej from Mojo Nation. Link to interview in the comments.

One test on the train with Denholm and another on arrival with @flopiano.bsky.social and @thedarkimp.bsky.social joining. Early verdict seems to be that it's got legs, interesting stuff but far too chaotic.

Made a new game 🎲✂️ yesterday in time for Expo. May have legs...time will tell. One challenge is that knowledge of the 12 cards helps a lot...and you don't see them all at the start. Will first time players find this too frustrating? Or embrace that first play chaos?

On my way to #UKGE. Some clothes, toiletries and the rest of the bag filled to the brim with prototypes. Feel free to say hello if you see me. Helping at Playtest UK Saturday morning then have my own slot there in the afternoon.

For Green City, my next game with @flopiano.bsky.social, they've just released a trailer and it's delightful.

Playtested the newest design tonight with Jane. I'm not a fan of when it feels like a game is forcing close scores, but understand why they do. It was very satisfying and dramatic to finish 139-139. 🎲✂️

A night on the tiles. Getting the prototype ready 🎲✂️ on a new design in time for AireCon this weekend. This took quite a while so hopefully the design is perfect on its first outing.

I finally playtested the game and it was terrible. Irredeemably so. Time well spent. I regret nothing. 🎲✂️

Yip. Went through a phase when other designers told me it was my 'thing' to have triangles in my games but really I was just trying not to waste all those bonus off-cuts.

Also playing at 2p, there is a variant rule I recommend; when the Ayar reunite in the night phase, smooch your opponent.

After complaints from Jane that she never gets to play my published games, have played Ayar a couple of times recently. Have enjoyed revisiting it, and trying out a new strategy.

I'm very amused by the idea that this guy has rating bombed Sankoré: The Pride of Mansa Musa as part of his anti-Pride agenda.

Played Jane Austin, and the requested rematch. Had fun losing both times but I rarely play my own games. Always new stuff to try, new prototypes to test. I suspect I'm not alone among designers in struggling not to think about things you'd like to change in a design, even after its hit print. 🎲✂️

Played 'Careers' for the first time the other night by James Cooke Brown and quite enjoyed it. Very nice mechanism that I'd like to see more is that you choose your victory condition at the start of the game and, satisfyingly, you win immediately upon reaching that secret objective. 🎲✂️

One of the joys of being a board game designer is tapping into the global network of designers and meeting all kinds of new and interesting people. Yesterday, I popped into Darmstadt, Germany and had a wonderful day playtesting. Tomorrow, Stuttgart to stay with a publisher friend.

Facebook is showing me images from 6 years ago when I was messing 🎲✂️ around with this design. Exciting to see it come to wide release very soon and with, I have to concede, improved art & graphic design thanks to @ianotoole.bsky.social, and much better gameplay thanks to @flopiano.bsky.social.

Some last minute prototyping 🎲✂️ on my way to @manorcon.bsky.social. Will be my first time. Look forward to demoing Ayar, hopefully some playtesting, and lots of playing new games. Feel free to stop me if you fancy some playtesting.

Elation for some and consternation for others as another Ayar retires and is reunited with his partner. @ospreygames.bsky.social @flopiano.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social

And here's some of those pretty playing cards.

Received 'Brilliant Bugs' insect cards from Quarto/Kaddo. I was a consultant entomologist for these. A fun wee job where I got to choose some cool insects for the game, did some fact checking, and text wrote for the accompanying booklet. It came out very nicely.

If you're interested in hearing some thoughts and tips 🎲✂️ from me and @thedarkimp.bsky.social about co-designing, please have a listen here as I was treated to be being a guest on her excellent podcast series: thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

Wonderful day spent playtesting and sketching out new design ideas with @thedarkimp.bsky.social in the delightful Wellcome reading rooms. 3 new games to prototype, 3 cleaned up for pitching/playtesting. 🎲✂️

I'll be at AireCon tomorrow and through the weekend. Don't know who is all going but will be nice to see some folks. Will of course be carrying some prototypes 🎲✂️ (pictured) if anyone wants to test let me know. Always happy to playtest others' games. Maybe even play some 'real' games.

Steak and ale suet pudding with a spot of playtesting. I suggested pausing when food arrived but the request to play on feels like a good sign. Clear improvement on the game with a new mechanism which means the more conservative your play, the more your opponent is rewarded.

Day off work for a bit of fun travel and time for a wee playtest over a coffee break. Have had this wee racing game for a while. Think this was the worst play of it so far...but also feel it sparked some solid good ideas that could give it life. Look forward to changing and testing.

What a pleasant surprise and honour to see Sankoré nominated for a Cannes As D'Or. Seems we did well @flopiano.bsky.social @ospreygames.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social and SuperMeeple for the VF.

For the first time in a long time, it's Gloomhaven day. Last session was 2022.

Just finished the first day of my new Saturday job on this bright and frosty day - teaching game design to young people. Fun and fulfilling. It's in Kew Gardens so additional bonus of this view from the classroom

Good bit of prototype making at the weekend. Most demanding prototype I've ever made. 🎲✂️