iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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CMYK @cmyk.games · 29/09/2026

Our new game GRABBLE is out today. It's a 5-minute frenzy of grabbing mismatched game pieces out of a box, then having a weirdly intense showdown with them. www.cmyk.games/products/gra...

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Gail Simone @gailsimone.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

First was Krampus Kave, in Leavenworth, Wa. What a great store! It’s a small town, but this store had games, books, toys and a great selection of comics. We bought these here!

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Bryan Bornmueller @bbornmueller.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I will be at Essen SPIEL this October looking at prototypes. I will be taking pitches for original board games and card games designed with the hobby game market in mind for some of the tabletop studios at Asmodee.

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BoardGame Animal 🐕 @boardgameanimal.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

You wanted a late night post…right? Better Card Games 1 ✨Top 25 Trick Taking Games✨ youtu.be/wmzeE3mbotQ?... Ft games by @indigopotter.bsky.social @dnlnwmn.bsky.social @tricktaking.bsky.social @seandavidross.bsky.social @bbornmueller.bsky.social @nickferris.bsky.social @allplay.bsky.social

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Bryan Bornmueller @bbornmueller.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Board games at the Minnesota State Fair: Agricola cake Wingspan Crop Art @elizhargrave.bsky.social Also Gollum in the Forbidden Pool (I understand this more than many folks, and it’s funnier for it.)

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Camilla Zamboni @czamboni.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Omg we finally finished LOTR - the Two Towers trick-taking game! The last two chapters were absolutely brutal, we all felt the pain of being ensnared by Shelob... Good job to @bbornmueller.bsky.social (though with a bit of sadism...). Then we played Inkwell again to celebrate! I loved it again.

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LoadingReadyRun @loadingreadyrun.com · 20/08/2026

Tonight on AFK Matt, Ben, James, and Jordynne are playing The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Trick-Taking Game. Anyone wanna take a guess at which character James is starting with this evening? If you don’t want spoilers don’t look at his head. twitch.tv/loadingready...

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Dan Thurot @danthurot.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Board games! I played some this week. What did you get to the table?

board games: Scribbly Gum, Six-Sided Seas, Dawn of the Zeds, Greylune, Revolutions, The Guerrilla Generation, Stakeout, Pond, Thunder Road: Ignition, The Lord of the Rings: Circle of Conflict, Torchlit, Schadenfreude

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Brooke @proptartmn.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

One more performance of Magical Athlete: Stadium Showdown today! Go see it!

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Daniel Newman // New Mill Industries @dnlnwmn.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

The vendors for the 2026 Indie Games Night Market have been decided on! www.newmillindustries.com/ignm

newmillindustries.com

Indie Games Night Market — New Mill Industries

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Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now! @gengelstein.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

“After it published the absolute slammer that is The Lord of the Rings Trick-Taking Game, my hopes were high. Now I've demoed Circle of Conflict myself, my hopes are even higher.” www.wargamer.com/lord-of-the-...

wargamer.com

This epic new Lord of the Rings board game is a dynamic roll-and-write where you play both sides of the battle

Do we really need more Lord of the Rings board games? When the mechanics are this interesting, my money is on 'yes'.

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Elizabeth Hargrave @elizhargrave.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

One major purpose of TTGDA is to help tabletop game designers negotiate better publishing contracts. We just released the rubric of what we look for -- and info on how different publishers scored on the rubric. Soon we will also release a model contract. More at www.ttgda.org/contract-bas...

Tabletop Game Designers Association (TTGDA) Releases Scoring Rubric and Tabletop
Market Contract Analysis to Promote Equitable Industry Standards

Bridgewater, NJ – The Tabletop Game Designers Association (TTGDA) today announced the
launch of their Contract Scoring Rubric and publication of its Tabletop Market Contract Analysis
– 2026, a comprehensive industry report designed to share information about contract practices
and advocate for fair treatment, intellectual property protection, and designer involvement in the
tabletop game publishing process.
The report, developed by the TTGDA contract & grievance committee—led by industry veterans
Geoff Engelstein, Elizabeth Hargrave, Matt Leacock, and James Lowder—seeks to address the
wide disparity in publishing agreements across the industry. With many first-time game
designers accepting terms that may be disadvantageous, the TTGDA has developed a rigorous,
objective scoring rubric to evaluate publisher contracts.
“Our intention is to shine a light on these industry practices and lead to more equitable
standards,” says TTGDA Vice President Sen-Foong Lim. To assist in this effort, the TTGDA will
be releasing model contracts that adhere to the criteria established in the scoring rubric.
The full report can be downloaded at www.ttgda.org/contract-basics.
Key Industry Findings
The analysis of contracts from over 50 publishers reveals several critical areas where many
standard publishing agreements fall short of fair practices:
● Advances: Only two-thirds of publishers offer a baseline advance above the
TTGDA-recommended minimum of $1,000, while 20% offer no advance at all.
● Designer Involvement in Expansions: 40% of publishers retain the right to create
expansions without consulting the original game’s designer.

Intellectual Property Rights: 75% of publishers retain the rights to a game’s name after
the publication agreement concludes and rights to the design revert to the creator.
● Financial Transparency: One-third of publishers deny designers the right to audit their
books, and 10% include non-standard deductions to revenue before royalties are
calculated.
Moving Toward Standards
The Tabletop Market Contract Analysis includes aggregate results, with summary scores for
each individual publisher available to TTGDA members. However TTGDA would like to highlight
the top five scoring publishers (alphabetically): 25th Century Games, Fireside Games, Lunar
Punk, Plaid Hat Games, and UP Games.
“These results are not a call to avoid specific publishers,” says TTGDA President Geoff
Engelstein. “Rather they are a tool for designers to negotiate terms that include fair payment,
intellectual property protection, and a meaningful role in the final product.”
The organization plans to release semi-annual updates to the Tabletop Market Contract
Analysis as more contracts are reviewed and publishers revise their standard agreements.
About the Tabletop Game Designers Association
The Tabletop Game Designers Association is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization dedicated to
supporting designers of all types of tabletop games, including board games, role playing games,
card games, miniature games, and others, whether mass market, specialty, or hobby. Learn
more about us at www.ttgda.org.

Contact:
Geoff Engelstein
President
Tabletop Game Designers Association
president@ttgda.org
www.ttgda.org

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Bryan Bornmueller @bbornmueller.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

A lovely game of @marcelineleiman.bsky.social ‘s Dino Racer with the family today!

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Lupe Gonzalez 🌈 🔜 Essen @adalupe.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Lupe, what nails have you done? Great question! I've done Cozy Stickerville, The Lord of the Rings The Fellowship of the Ring Trick Taking Game, River of Gold, and Fate of the Fellowship.

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BoardGameWire 🔜 Spiel Essen @boardgamewire.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

The Ukrainian publisher of board games including Catan and Exploding Kittens is fighting for its existence after a Russian missile strike destroyed its warehouse, wiping out its entire stock of about 200,000 games: boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...

A fire engine outside a burnt out warehouse, with a burnt out van outside. Smoke and steam are still rising from the destroyed building. Photo shows damage to Ukrainian board game publisher Rozum's warehouse following a Russian missile attack on August 1. Photo Credit: Rozum.

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Bryan Bornmueller @bbornmueller.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

I won a Dice Tower award for best coop game! Very grateful.

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Elizabeth Hargrave @elizhargrave.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Today at 4: if you have access to the Gen Con Game Designer Academy, come see me ask @beyondsolitaire.bsky.social (Leder) @bbornmueller.bsky.social (Asmodee), @hcap.bsky.social (KTBG), and Josh West (Ravensburger) about how to make a good impression on publishers. What do you want to know??

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Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now! @gengelstein.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Gencon! I will be at the Asmodee booth every day demoing Circle of Conflict! Please come by and say hi!

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Bryan Bornmueller @bbornmueller.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

They put up stained glass windows again at Gen Con!

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Gail Simone @gailsimone.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Okay, this sounds weird, but I am hankering for a Tolkien board game, and I honestly don't know which ones are the most fun. Has anyone played either of these? How crunchy are they, rules-wise? Any other suggestions?

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Shut Up & Sit Down @shutupshow.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Whoa! Board Games Direct? That's right! We're pummelling your brains with 60+ board games in just ONE. HOT. WEEK. Today, we're giving you just a little quick peek at a whole bunch of Card Games - games with cards! For your hands! www.shutupandsitdown.com/videos/card-...

shutupandsitdown.com

LOOK AT THESE CARD GAMES | Board Games Direct #5 - Shut Up & Sit Down

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Shut Up & Sit Down @shutupshow.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Board Games Direct is BACK! This week we'll be showcasing a ton of new & upcoming games, bringing the excitement of a board game convention straight down a big pipe and into your home. Feast your eyes and/or brains on PART ONE: Thematic Games! youtu.be/qAMo_cAEb7U

youtu.be

LET'S GET THEMATIC! │ BGD 2026

YouTube video by Shut Up & Sit Down

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Looney Labs @looneylabs.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Play some games that bring fantasy to your game table! The Princess Bride Adventure Book Game by Ravensburger, LOTR The Fellowship of the Ring Trick-Taking Game @officedoggames.bsky.social, A Game of Thrones: The Board Game @fantasyflightgames.bsky.social, or Fantasy Fluxx @looneylabs.bsky.social!

Bring fantasy back into your playtime! written above an illustrated dragon and castle with game boxes for The Fellowship of the Ring, Fantasy Fluxx, A Game of THrones The Board Game, and The Princess Bride

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Steve Kenson ❌👑 @stevekenson.com · 15/07/2026

HEADS UP, GEN CON ATTENDEES! The Saturday of Gen Con, disgraced former Border Patrol Cmdr Greg Bovino is holding a rally 30 minutes from downtown Indianapolis. There may be some charged-up racists in the area before and after. Plan accordingly and exercise caution.

Text of an online invite from https://www.heritagerallies.com

Greg Bovino
FORMER U.S. BORDER PATROL COMMANDER AT LARGE
Saturday, August 1, 2026 | Fishers, IN
A rally to energize the base and help us save our nation.
$50 general admission - dinner, 2 drinks, and networking with fellow patriots who care.
By invitation only. Request yours now.

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Taylor Reiner @tricktaking.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

And we're live!! The Game Market Indianapolis page is now up, and highlighting loads of amazing indie designers who have their works at this Gen Con market!🙌😁🎉 sites.google.com/view/gmindy/...

sites.google.com

GMI

Game Market Indianapolis at JW Mariott: 3rd Floor Foyer August 1st at 7pm

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Leder Games @leder.games · 27/06/2026

Today is #TwinCitiesPride! With the Homeland Expansion we finally have meeple colors for the Progress Pride Flag! 🥳We welcome you to our table, as you are, and love you for being you. HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! 🏳️‍🌈

The Progress Pride Flag built out of meeples from a variety of Leder Games board games.

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Bryan Bornmueller @bbornmueller.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Very proud to see Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game as one of the winners of the Meeple's Choice Awards for 2025! As someone who remembers the Spielfrieks group from long long ago it's a real treat to be among so many other winners from the past decades opinionatedgamers.com/2026/06/22/2...

opinionatedgamers.com

2025 Meeples Choice Award Winners Announced

The voting for the 2025 Meeples Choice Awards is complete and, due to ties, there are more winning games than usual. Instead of the usual three winning games, this time there are five. The winner…

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Bryan Bornmueller @bbornmueller.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Nice Schadenfreude photo in here 👇

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Cole Wehrle @colewehrle.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

I'm delighted more folks will soon be able to enjoy the best modern trick taker out there. If you love this genre but feel a little worn out by the disposable gimmicks and complexity that sometimes get piled on, check this one out. It's the sort of trick taker that begs for years of play.

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Bryan Bornmueller @bbornmueller.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Also can we all take a moment to appreciate this cover!

Schadenfreude cover by Weberson Santiago and Office Dog

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Elizabeth Hargrave @elizhargrave.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Call for proposals from Asmodee's Game In Lab. Each project will be eligible for a maximum grant of €20,000: www.game-in-lab.org/en/internati...

We invite international research teams to submit proposals for fundamental or applied research on
any topic related to board games, broadly defined. Selected research teams will receive a grant
from Game in Lab to support their work. We welcome projects from all academic disciplines, from
sociology to the health sciences, and we particularly encourage interdisciplinary proposals.
This year, we are particularly interested in projects that explore the following areas:
- Sustainability, Justice and Inclusion: The role of tabletop games in addressing crises of
environmental and social sustainability, and in promoting social justice and inclusion.
Gathering and interpreting evidence about the role of games in promoting climate action
and / or driving sustainable transitions in society, as well as in supporting social action on
inclusion or in fostering accessibility and diversity through their mechanics, dynamics and
aesthetics.
- Health and well-being: The potential of games to support healthy lives, therapeutic
applications, and community health and resilience. Additionally, we are interested in
research addressing the pleasures of play, and the role of games in helping players develop
competencies to participate actively in social life.

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CodeMarvelous @codemarvelous.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

My life now I guess

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Bryan Bornmueller @bbornmueller.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Super pleased to see Fellowship of the Ring Trick-Taking Game win Game of the Year in Bulgaria! www-gameoftheyear-bg.translate.goog/%D0%BF%D0%BE...

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Daniel Newman // New Mill Industries @dnlnwmn.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Hey you! Yeah, you! Have you been waiting for the application to be a vendor at the 2026 Indie Games Night Market at PAX Unplugged? Well, it's been up for over a week! It'll be up until August 1. Go submit your game, maybe you'll get picked? www.newmillindustries.com/ignm-app

newmillindustries.com

IGNM App — New Mill Industries

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Bryan Bornmueller @bbornmueller.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

I will be at Gen Con this August looking at prototypes. I will be taking pitches for original board games and card games designed with the hobby game market in mind for some of the tabletop studios at Asmodee. Check below if you want more details on what I’m looking for.

Gen Con VIII catalog cover from 1975 with a troll and a ninja I think illustrated on the cover

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Ursula Murray Husted @umurrayhusted.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

@bbornmueller.bsky.social and I are back from Tokyo Game Market! It was great fun to see Bryan collect some well earned flowers and take a little walkabout following in the footsteps of giants.

Four photographs composited into one. The top row of two shows Bryan Bornmueller posing in front of a Tokyo Game Market photo wall with a goofy yokai dice character and Ursula Murray Husted gesturing deferentially to a walkway with inset tile of Osamu Tezuka's Astroboy character. The bottom row of two shows both artists at Fushimi Inari, one with hat and one without, contrasting with a photograph of two fox statues at Fushimi Inari, one with hat and one without.

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Ursula Murray Husted @umurrayhusted.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

With everyone, I am grieving the loss of Marjane Satrapi today. The world is not kind to artists nor are we always kind to ourselves. This makes being kind to each other even more important. Love your friends and family and make your beautiful books. These actions become more meaningful together.

Holding open a page of Marjane Satrapi's book, "Chicken with Plums".

A cartoon of a girl in hijab with a jacket reading 'punk is not ded' is accosted by school officials. A famous still from Marjane Satrapi's film "Persepolis" based on her graphic memoir of the same name about growing up in Iran during the Iranian Revolution.

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