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Mark Jackson

@akapastorguy.bsky.social
225 followers 129 following 894 posts

follower of Jesus, husband, father, former pastor, boardgamer, writer, blogger, Legomaniac, Disneyphile, likely to have the same Christmas list at age 62 as he did at age 12

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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
My apologies. I’m traveling today (ah, the joys of air travel) and my humor detector failed. Good luck on the launch.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
No offense intended, but jumping onto my account and posting when we have no prior connection is not a good way to publicize your KS.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
I’m a lot older (ha!) and I pretty much avoid any video content that either (a) feels like it was recorded/edited by someone on amphetamines, or (b) is constantly begging me to support them in some way. So, I don’t watch a lot of video.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
Have you considered taking up kickboxing? It’s the sport of the future.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
It’s worth playing multiple times - your first game is likely just rummaging about in the system. I developed a deeper appreciation for it once I had a second & third play under my belt.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Much better in person
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
It’s really chew-y but I like it. Looking forward to playing again.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
My newest post on the Opinionated Gamers site: a preview/review of Excursions from Kinson Key Games that lands (or blasts off, depending on the metaphor you find most compelling) on Kickstarter this morning! opinionatedgamers.com/2026/10/06/e...
opinionatedgamers.com
Excursions – An Opinionated Preview
Once upon a time, there was a tiny company located in a small town in Tennessee…and through hard work and careful planning and taking the time to get it right, they managed to produce a game that w…
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
The second part of my RenegadeCon Heroscape recap - March 2027 is G.I. Joe month (plus some toxic terrain). You can read it on the Opinionated Gamers site. opinionatedgamers.com/2026/10/03/h...
opinionatedgamers.com
Heroscape: RenegadeCon October 2026 Report (Part 2)
This is part 2 of my recap Renegade Games virtual “convention” (RenegadeCon) and the new information they revealed about the next wave of armies and terrain (due to be released in the first half of…
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
My latest post on the Opinionated Gamers site - the first of three posts about the Heroscape news from RenegadeCon (thanks to Renegade Game Studios). opinionatedgamers.com/2026/10/02/h...
opinionatedgamers.com
Heroscape: RenegadeCon October 2026 Report (Part 1)
Well, fellow fans of Heroscaper (and those who are weirdly fascinated by my obsession with this crazy miniatures combat system), it’s time once again to recap Renegade Games virtual “convention” (R…
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
My newest blog post on my personal blog... a short but encouraging reminder about the process of "reconstructing my faith". akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/09/reco...
akapastorguy.blogspot.com
Reconstructing My Faith: "Not Every Doubt is Departure"
I have a lot of books on my list of "need to read" volumes - many of them focused on the current state of evangelical thought & theology: L...
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
As a non-drinker, it always makes me laugh a bit when I turn out to enjoy games about drinking (The Red Dragon Inn) or owning a bar (The Taverns of Tiefenthal or Volle Hutte) or making liquor (Distilled). What's up with that?!
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
My latest review on the Opinionated Gamers site - this time, it's the Cocktails expansion for the excellent game Distilled from @paverson.bsky.social. opinionatedgamers.com/2026/09/27/i...
opinionatedgamers.com
“I’ll Have a Wicked Game”: A Review of Distilled: Cocktails
As a youngster, we used to drive by a bar/lounge every time my family went most weekends to visit my grandparents. As neither of my parents drank, I kept peering at the neon sign on the side of the…
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Working on my review of Distilled: Cocktails from @paverson.bsky.social… it goes live tomorrow morning on the @opinionatedgamers.com site!
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I consider Geoff a friend… and this may be one of the best things he’s written. Well done, sir!
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I know nothing about the video game - but it's Mindclash, which automatically makes me sit up and take notice.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Hadn’t thought about that… interesting idea! What do you think, @brettspiel.bsky.social?
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Deep dive into Roll Player Adventures… it’s possible my character has made some unhealthy life decisions. :-)
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
My latest review on the Opinionated Gamers site - Thunder Road: Ignition from @restorationgames.bsky.social. opinionatedgamers.com/2026/09/20/m...
opinionatedgamers.com
Mark Jackson – Thunder Road: Ignition Review
Cue the game description, thanks to the Restoration Games website: “Like its bigger sibling, Thunder Road: Vendetta – in Thunder Road: Ignition your crew is racing through the wastelands – get your…
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
My newest post on the Opinionated Gamers site - a report on my solo gaming (so far!) in 2026. opinionatedgamers.com/2026/09/15/s...
opinionatedgamers.com
Solo Gaming 2026: The First Eight Months
The new era of well-designed automata and solo modes for multiplayer games, coupled with excellent new solo game designs, is actually quite heartening to someone (me!) who finds something very sati…
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
We remember. NYC Shanksville, PA Washington DC Final image is my own photo of the New Jersey 9/11 Memorial.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Excursions… coming soon to KS from @kinsonkeygames.bsky.social.
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Reposted by Mark Jackson
David Thompson @djackthompson.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
With just a few hours left to go, it’s cool to see that Rebels Against Rebellion has reached #5 on the BGG hotness. Really awesome for such a niche topic. @trevormbenjamin.bsky.social @kwanchai.bsky.social www.kickstarter.com/projects/mar...
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
More thoughts: - Tenby is a cozy solo game... but has more teeth as a multiplayer. - Heat with Heat: Legends makes for a very full track (which is good). - Claustrophobia is a long-time favorite... like Space Hulk crossed with Kingsburg. - Hot take: Barbecubes > Tinderblox.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
My son was in town for a long weekend… much gaming occurred! - The Game Makers was a hit with both groups that played it. - I seem to be getting worse at SETI the more I play it. - Distilled w/Cocktails is a lot… but I liked it. - Queen’s Gambit still rocks.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Or the name of your very cool emo/postpunk/EDM band.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
3. A report from June's RenegadeCon about all the new Heroscape goodies coming this fall! opinionatedgamers.com/2026/07/09/h...
opinionatedgamers.com
Heroscape: RenegadeCon June 2026
Not quite a month ago, the good folks at Renegade Game Studios hosted yet another RenegadeCon – an online “convention” with new product reveals, painting videos, playthroughs, and…
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
2. Gulf Games convention report (including my thoughts on Natera, Nucleum, and Revenant) opinionatedgamers.com/2026/08/02/c...
opinionatedgamers.com
Convention Report: Gulf Games 56
Gulf Games started in 1998… and I’ve had the honor of being a part of it (on and off, due to living halfway across the country for a decade) for twenty-eight years. In 2015, I started b…
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Three recent posts from me on the Opinionated Gamers site: 1. Tenpenny Parks (review of base game & expansions) opinionatedgamers.com/2026/08/06/t...
opinionatedgamers.com
Tenpenny Parks: The Game, The Expansions, & The Nifty Storage Solution
Those of you who’ve followed my writing and social media posting over the years know I have a very special place in my heart for the Disney theme parks… and, prior to becoming the guy who turns a c…
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
The original game is in my top 100 games from earlier this year... akapastorguy.blogspot.com/2026/02/95-d...
akapastorguy.blogspot.com
#95: Die Schlacht der Dinosaurier (Mark's Top 100 - 2026)
Die Schlacht der Dinosaurier BoardGameGeek rank: 13,203 rating: 6.3 published: 1993 designers: Stephen Baker & Roger Ford Print Status very,...
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
What?! Oh, man... really curious to see what they do with this classic dice-chucker.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
My newest review on the Opinionated Gamers site - this time, it's Tenpenny Parks (and the expansions) from designer Nate Linhart and @thunderworksgames.bsky.social. opinionatedgamers.com/2026/08/06/t...
opinionatedgamers.com
Tenpenny Parks: The Game, The Expansions, & The Nifty Storage Solution
Those of you who’ve followed my writing and social media posting over the years know I have a very special place in my heart for the Disney theme parks… and, prior to becoming the guy who turns a c…
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
You saved the best for last, @wesmolebash.com… way to stick the landing! Everyone else: go read the whole trilogy.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
My newest blog post on the Opinionated Gamers site - a recap of the wonderful time I had (and all the games I played) at Gulf Games 56 last week! opinionatedgamers.com/2026/08/02/c...
opinionatedgamers.com
Convention Report: Gulf Games 56
Gulf Games started in 1998… and I’ve had the honor of being a part of it (on and off, due to living halfway across the country for a decade) for twenty-eight years. In 2015, I started b…
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
July face-to-face gaming… the spike is Gulf Games.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
I just backed Rebels Against Rebellion on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/mar.... Two reasons: 1. @djackthompson.bsky.social 2. as a resident of TN, it's an important part of the history of the state
kickstarter.com
Rebels Against Rebellion
From David Thompson and Trevor Benjamin (Undaunted, Resist!) a card game about a Tennessee county that battled secession.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
For me, it's The Princess Bride. The book pales in comparison to the film (and, yes, I know that William Goldman wrote the book and the screenplay).
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
It does… App is free, btw. Different than digital version of the game.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Suggestion: use the app (Dire Wolf) for the House Hagal deck. It has some extra "cards" that remove cards from the purchase line so it doesn't stagnate. Plus, there's some creepy Dune-ish music playing as well. :-)
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Left to right: - owned - played but not owned - never played
Box & cards for The Game Makers
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Not yet… have one planned for later this month.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
The Collector's Edition box storage system is top notch as well.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Congratulations to @thunderworksgames.bsky.social on the two new expansions for Tenpenny Parks… both Innovation and Winter Lights & Spooky Nights add great twists without overwhelming the excellent base game.
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Lost Revenant yesterday solo in a TIE against the Corrupted Crew. Dadgumit… Just means I’ll need to play again!
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
As someone who had the privilege of playtesting "The Game Makers" over the last two years... it's really wonderful to see the process to build/publish such an amazing game on film. Doesn't hurt that I just got my delivery notice for my own copy - it'll be here next week!
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
My newest post on the Opinionated Gamers site - a recap of all things Heroscape from RenegadeCon in June. @renegadegamestudios.com opinionatedgamers.com/2026/07/09/h...
opinionatedgamers.com
Heroscape: RenegadeCon June 2026
Not quite a month ago, the good folks at Renegade Game Studios hosted yet another RenegadeCon – an online “convention” with new product reveals, painting videos, playthroughs, and…
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Use the StreetSoccer rules - play 25 turns each. So glad this great design is easy to get again!
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Really enjoying Kinfire Chronicles (way to go, @kevinwilson42.bsky.social!)… and still waiting to get my hands on a physical copy of Dewan. (For now, I’m playing it on BGA.)
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Finally, online plays (mostly BGA)
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Mark Jackson @akapastorguy.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Second, solo plays.
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