iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 17/09/2026

Did a play of Cat Paper Scissors this past weekend! We're not done with the game quite yet, so expect some more news coming soon. 😉

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 12/09/2026

Played Wingspan Pocket last night. I reallt liked it! The original Wingspan never quite clicked with me, so I was pleasantly surprised. It hits a good balance between the simplicity and the crunch. You also are constantly running your engine, which is very satisfying.

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 10/09/2026

Now that I've attended every (in-person) indie game market at least once, I wanted to share my thoughts on each of them. I sold Propaganda, Coupon Clipper, and/or Tricked Out at each market. Coupon Clipper is a more typical game, while Propaganda and Tricked Out are more out there.

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 10/09/2026

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 09/09/2026

Had a great time at PAXWest over the weekend. It was my first time ever going, so I spent most of it just wandering the convention and checking everything out. Logically a lot of video game stuff, though it was interesting how it was almost entirely indie. You can tell the industry's been hit hard.

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 08/09/2026

I was going to post about PAX West today but ended up sleeping for 15 hours instead 😴. Suffice to say it was good; more details to follow tomorrow.

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Joseph Z Chen 🔜 PAX Unplugged @fanfactories.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Today is the day! Come swing by the PNW Tabletop Game Market at #PAXWest tonight at Summit 0. You'll find 20 uniquely indie tabletop games that you can only get directly from these designers! A lot of loving care and craft goes into these games. So come check it out after the expo hall closes! ♥️🎲

Poster that says PNW Tabletop Game Market at PAX West from 7 to 10 pm.

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 05/09/2026

The fact it's a rebrand of PAX South (as a few comments mentioned) is really interesting to me. It's a sign of both the (ongoing) decline of the video games industry, and the continued success of the tabletop industry. I don't think I would've ever predicted PAX South would've become an Unplugged.

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 03/09/2026

I'm going to be at PAX West in 3 days! Come by the PNW Tabletop Game Market at 7:00pm to pick-up a copy of Tricked Out or Coupon Clipper (and of course to check out all of the other awesome games on sale).

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 03/09/2026

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Going Analog @goinganalogshow.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

We ran a 10-player game of The Gang at LFG CON. It initially sounded like a bad idea to us, but the tweaks to the gameplay make it work (the 7-10 player expansion adds zero and exit chips). w/ @panda8ngel.bsky.social @silvermedaltavern.bsky.social

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 18/08/2026

Had a great time over the weekend at LFG Con. It had about double the people as last year, which is a good sign. LA really needs a good con. (I love Strategicon but it has... issues.)

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 18/08/2026

@marcelineleiman.bsky.social Was talking to some friends over the weekend, and one of them mentioned how he really wanted to try Dino Racer. It was cool hearing about your game in the wild!

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 16/08/2026

People are talking about how we need better board game critics, but I'm skeptical people would actually watch anyone who was routinely critical. I think they would be seen as mean and just dismissed out of hand.

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 06/08/2026

Check out my and Amanda's playthrough of Growing Groves tomorrow on Twitch! We're nearing the final few days of the Kickstarter, so if you're curious about the game and wanna learn more before the Kickstarter closes now's your chance.

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 05/08/2026

An interesting thing about seeing all the GenCon haul photos is just how few games overlap between them. There are just so many games out there you guys.

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 05/08/2026

Just took inventory of everything post-GenCon. Looks like I sold all but 4 copies of Tricked Out! But don't worry, I'll get another print run done in time for PAX West! (And needless to say the Indianapolis Game Market went well. Such an amazing opportunity to get my stuff out there.)

A photo of 4 copies of my cars game Tricked Out.

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Amanda Panda 🔜 BGG Con, PaxU @panda8ngel.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

🔴I'm back!!! I'm so tired but I miss you all too! Lots to talk about and see from SDCC and Gen Con. Chris Lawrence will join me to teach his game, Growing Groves on KS. Fri is BGA games w/ Mr. Peebles! See you soon! 📺 www.twitch.tv/panda8ngel 📺 www.youtube.com/@Panda8ngel

Amanda Panda's Twitch Stream Schedule

SDCC & Gen Con ReCap (No Haul)
Pictures and Chatting
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026
3 PM PDT / 6 PM EDT / 10 PM UTC
Twitch.tv/Panda8ngel
Youtube.com/@Panda8ngel

Growing Groves w/ Chris
(KS Preview)
Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026
12 PM PST / 3 PM EST / 8 PM UTC
Twitch.tv/Panda8ngel
Youtube.com/@Panda8ngel

BGA games w/ Chat
MPeebles Co-stream
Friday, Aug. 7, 2026
11 AM PST / 2 PM EST / 7 PM UTC
Twitch.tv/Panda8ngel
Youtube.com/@Panda8ngel
Twitch.tv/MPeebles

SDCC & Gen Con Haul
Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026
12 PM PDT / 3 PM EDT / 7 PM UTC
Twitch.tv/Panda8ngel
Youtube.com/@Panda8ngel

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 01/08/2026

Site of the Indy Game Market in 9ish hours. Er, well I think at least. It's the 3rd floor of the JW at least.

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Elizabeth Hargrave @elizhargrave.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

GAME DESIGNERS AT GEN CON: please join us tonight and help spread the word. 6pm downstairs at the JW. (It should be easy to pop up to the Indy game market - that starts at 7pm, 3rd floor. Both go til 10!)

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 01/08/2026

My flight to GenCon got delayed. As is tradition.

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 28/07/2026

Getting ready for GenCon! I'm briging a ton of copies of Tricked Out and Coupon Clipper, so fingers crossed 🤞 the Game Market goes well.

A photo of a several copies of my game Tricked Out and my game Coupon Clipper.

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BoardGameWire 🔜 Spiel Essen @boardgamewire.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Valor Mountain Games says it is challenging hobby game publishing’s “safe bet” mentality - with owner Christopher High wagering his company can succeed by taking chances on the kinds of titles other publishers are passing over: boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...

Head and shoulders image of a bearded man looking at the camera. He wears a blue baseball cap and clear rimmed glasses, and a purple polo shirt. Christopher High, owner of board game publisher Valor Mountain Games.

Four strange illustrated characters on a path in a green, leafy environment, with a couple of geese in front of them. They are on the cover of a board game box which reads Pilgrims Curious Adventures, on a brown wooden table.

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 16/07/2026

I 100% agree but for a completely different reason. I think the box size sets expectations for the game's complexity, so when a tiny box has tons of complexity it makes me go "hey this isn't what I signed up for!" and I get frustrated.

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 15/07/2026

If you're at PAX West I'll be selling both Tricked Out and Coupon Clipper there, so come by the PNW Tabletop Game Market and check them out!

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 15/07/2026

The old prototype art of Growing Groves vs. what it turned into. (The old art was mostly stock art I googled.) The idea was a fruit-based game but with a fantastical twist. From left to right we have: Swirlberries, glassfruit, cheesefruit, and starfruit. Not shown: The cut fruit with human teeth.

Two rows of treetops with swirlberries, glassfruit, cheese fruit, and starfruit, with an arrow between them.

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Taylor Shuss @drawnonward.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Went to a playtesting event with a small local group and it was a hoot. So many great games at various points in their lifecycles. Realized once I got home that a whopping 80% of the prototypes I brought needed to be playtested in-person!

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 10/07/2026

How often do you think is too often for a newsletter? Like is once a month too much? Or is content dependent? I rarely sign-up for them, so I have trouble gauging how others might feel.

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 09/07/2026

I'm going to be selling both Tricked Out and Coupon Clipper at it, so if you're going to GenCon come by Saturday night!

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 08/07/2026

The Kickstarter for my game, Growing Groves, just launched! It's a trick-taker where won tricks are bids on trees that are gradually growing throughout the game. Bigger trees are worth more points, so you have to balance winning tricks vs. growing the trees. Check it out!

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 08/07/2026

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 18/06/2026

Here's my 9. A mix of games that I wish got more critical acclaim and games I that made me go "this deserved to blow up more".

Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor, Signs of the Sojourner, Umurangi Generation, Smile for Me, The Norwood Suite, Paradise Killer, Path of Achra, Backpack Hero, Cross Blitz

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 16/06/2026

Saw Backrooms and the last episode of The Amazing Digital Circus over the weekend. Both were good. It was nice to be in a theater again. Backrooms is pretty much exactly what I wanted out of the movie. TADC probably could've used another episode, but ended pretty much how I thought it would.

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Sticky Doodler 🖍️ Color Jam @stickydoodler.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Tabletop enthusiasts, we need your help putting an event together for PAX Unplugged. Which of these event names would catch your interest? Assume no context; all you see is the title. Please share / repost -- we don't have any other way to poll people! ("We" = @tonytran.bsky.social & me & others)

A grid with four choices: 1. Tabletop Fringe Fest; 2. Impossible Games Gallery; 3. These Games Are Not For Sale; 4. Exhibit of Priceless Games

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Amabel Holland @amabel.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

something I find really unusual about games is the complaint that there are too many of them coming out & the audience can't keep up. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't see people saying there's too much music coming out, too many movies, too many books or comics. 1/3

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 15/05/2026

Taylor just posted his video about the Game Market Vegas games, including Tricked Out! If you don't know anything about Tricked Out, this is probably the best way to learn. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1OE...

youtube.com

Tricked Out, Trickster Gods, & Tricksy Rabbits @ Game Market Vegas 26! ~ Taylor's Trick-Taking Table

YouTube video by Taylor's Trick-Taking Table

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 08/05/2026

I do so much graphic design, rules writing, and video editing just to pitch that it has made me go "why am I not just self-publishing at this point?". The night markets have also definitely made me realize self-publishing is not as hard as it might seem at first glance.

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Grant’s Game Recs @grantsgamerecs.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

My new series is out! Come watch great comedians play fun games in It’s All Funny & Games. Here is our debut episode! #boardgames #tabletopgames #boardgamegeek #comedian #standupcomedy youtu.be/iaqmf8NSTy0?...

youtu.be

5 Comedians Rank the Things They Would Eat Off the Ground! (And Other Fun Scenarios)

YouTube video by Grant Lyon

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Jonathan Tweet @jonathantweet.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

At Wizards, we learned from painful experience that the game designers in R&D could look at sketches and diagrams and evaluate a game proposal without it looking nice. Everyone from other departments needed the game proposal to look nice or else they'd get caught up critiquing the visuals.

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Ruel Gaviola 🇺🇸🇵🇭🀄🎲 @ruelgaviola.com · 21/04/2026

Now on Kickstarter: Pack of Penguins! Place your penguins in the perfect position to score points by laying eggs and catching fish! #boardgames #kickstarter Watch: youtu.be/MWqStIvt4J4

youtu.be

Place your penguins in the perfect position to lay eggs and catch fish in Pack of Penguins!

YouTube video by Ruel Gaviola

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 13/04/2026

TTRPG about me First game: D&D 3.0 orange box Last game: Pathfinder 2e Longest game: D&D 4e, I think? Favourite game: Blades in the Dark Favourite mechanics: No Dice No Masters Favourite art: Tales from the Loop

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 12/04/2026

Fun thought experiment. Tough choice for a few categories. grids.fun/t/about-me-v...

From top left to bottom right: Bloodborne, Signalis, Silksong, Warcraft 3, Dark Souls, Diablo 3, Mark of the Ninja, Shadow of the Colossus, Digimon World, Backpack Hero, Hades, Borderlands 2, Hotline Miami, Left for Dead 2, Persona 5, Gunfire Reborn, Rock Band 3, Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time, Dragon Quest Monsters, Path of Achra

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 11/04/2026

A friend just made this cute little daily polyomino game! It's browser based and doesn't take long to beat, so I highly recommend checking it out: pieceful.place

pieceful.place

Pieceful Place

A daily puzzle game about building a harmonious city.

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 04/04/2026

Tricked Out cameo in Shut Up & Sit Down's latest video!

A list of several trick-takers on Board Game Geek, including Tricked Out.

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Taylor Shuss @drawnonward.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

And I can finally announce my followup project with Tim Fowers - Driveable City! In this 60 minute solo game you get to pave through local communities, meddle with local transit, and play with millions in grants from your government like funny money. Just how Robert Moses would have wanted it!

The cover to Driveable City, an April Fools joke on my crowdfunded game Walkable City. On the cover all the streets have been paved, the title has been changed, and the monorail above the streets has been turned into an inter-city highway.

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 31/03/2026

I went by WonderCon yesterday to check it out. They had a pretty big board game section (several, in fact) which was cool to see. I'm happy the hobby has been reaching out to more and more people.

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Chris Lawrence @chris.eternalstudios.com · 28/03/2026

Game designers with games that are out: Where do you keep them? Do you put them on the shelf with other published games? Do you have a place just for games you've designed? I've been trying to sort my collection and was wondering what other people do.

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