iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

With five games left to provide feedback on for Cardboard Edison, I've reviewed every video and rulebook for my allotted entries. These are my final observations:

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

I'm wrapping up the review of the first third of my assigned entries for the Cardboard Edison award and the creativity is awesome! I really do think that there are many more ways to make engaging, unique board games, even if they share characteristics of others.

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Calling all gamers! I'll be showcasing Gumball World at @bostonfig.bsky.social on Dec 15th. Fill some gumball machines, match patterns and use put quarters into your machine to activate awesome abilities! #letsgo #bostonfig

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

It was announced that my game Gumball World is a finalist for @bostonfig.bsky.social for 2025! But not only did I make it in the finals, so did my friend Mark from my playtest group! Nebraska game designers will be representing in Boston in two weeks and that’s pretty damn cool 😎

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

A very late update about Archimede from September: 13th out of 30 finalists and 246 total games. I’m always driven to do better but I’m proud I hung with the group and had a respectable score. It was an amazing experience!

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

I'm a finalist for Premio Archimede as one of the final thirty for my game Stacking Frogs! The ceremony will be broadcast live on Twitch at 2:30PM CEST/7:30AM CDT at www.twitch.tv/iogiocotv if you want to watch it!

twitch.tv

Twitch

Twitch is the world

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

This is a playthrough video for Rome & Write, a game releasing via Roll and Write Revolution on Kickstarter on 9/3. I run through the rules and a quick game, trying not to make the Emperor angry and make the cheapest blueprint. Many thanks to Benny Sperling! youtu.be/pU3aAl11-TU

youtu.be

Rome and Write Playthrough (Roll and Write Revolution Kickstarter- 9/2025!)

YouTube video by Aaron Kempkes

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

Hey everyone, I'm teaming up with Benny Sperling from Roll and Write Revolution for Rome and Write, a game where you are city planners in Ancient Rome trying to stay within the budget and unrealistic expectations of the emperor. Launching September 1 for only $5 as a PNP. bit.ly/3GJUvUz

bit.ly

Coming soon: Rome and Write

Build your Roman city as efficiently as possible to benefit your future citizens!

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

It's been officially announced that three of my games are semi-finalists (top 60/246) for Premio Archimede 2025 in Venice! I'm so honored to have been chosen among games from designers who are past winners, fellow Ion Award finalists, published designers and newcomers alike.

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

I discovered back in March I was a semi-finalist (top 30 of 126 entries) for the Boulogne Billancourt International Design Contest. I discovered this morning that I didn't advance to the finals. Although I was really hoping for another chance to present in Paris, I wish the finalists good luck.

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

I got the nomination certificate and now I wait until the award ceremony in a little over 2 hours!

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

I’m nominated for Best Board Game at Fastaval! Thank you to everyone who has welcomed me with open arms & provided kindness, guidance &great conversation throughout the last few days. Congratulations to my fellow nominees & to the designers who didn’t get nominated.

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

It’s oddly comforting to have this taste of Scandinavia again 🙂 on my way to Aalborg to settle in for Fastaval. Hoping Caps can do well but there’s some great competition!

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

Congratulations to the Ion Award finalists! I did not advance this year.

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

I just found out I’m a semi-finalist for the Ciutat de Granollers International Design Contest with Hectic Harvest, which I co-designed with my sister Amber Kempkes! Our game is one of 20 games picked out of 122 entries. The other four I entered were in Tier A and just missed the cut.

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Website official! Woooo! Congrats to all of the winners and thank you to everyone who played our games during @bostonfig.bsky.social!

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

I didn’t ever think I’d be posting that I won an award at BostonFIG. But it happened! I won Best Family Game and was nominated as one of the three nominees in two other categories: Best Game In Progress and Best In Show! Thanks for a welcoming and amazing Fest @bostonfig.bsky.social!

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

Calling all gamers! ️ I'll be showcasing Thar It Rolls at @bostonfig.bsky.social on Dec 15th. Come test it out and join the barrel rolling shenanigans! bostonfig.com

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

It has been said the sky is bluer here so I'm heading over to check it out :)

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

I can't wait to present Thar It Rolls as a finalist for BostonFIG's Tabletop Showcase! My prototype is ready, my sign is ready and I look forward to visiting Boston for the first time and meeting all of the awesome local designers and gamers.

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Aaron Kempkes @aaronkempkes.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Can't wait to present Caps at Fastaval in April! It will my first time attending Fastaval as a finalist and I look forward to visiting Denmark again.

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