iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Lunarpunk Games @lunarpunk.games · 28/09/2026

Color Jam has funded! We're so, so excited about making this coloring game a reality. Thanks to everyone for sharing, supporting, and helping this exist! And a major thanks to the incredible game designers Gene Koo and Joe Kell, as well as artist Erin Laue. You all made this something truly special.

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Marceline Leiman is Racing Dinos @marcelineleiman.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Color Jam is live—and it looks fantastic!🖍️ I love seeing the thoughtful design innovations happening over at @lunarpunk.games. What might look like a simple coloring game has real quality of design behind it! @stickydoodler.bsky.social The incredible people there is half the joy of supporting! 😊

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Sticky Doodler 🖍️ Color Jam @stickydoodler.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Color Jam goes live on Kickstarter in just 11 days! Find your next creative cozy game that you can play with friends or by yourself. It's a surprisingly challenging, authentic coloring experience. Link after the jump...

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Lunarpunk Games @lunarpunk.games · 18/09/2026

It's almost time to Color Jam! This cozy, puzzle-y coloring game by @stickydoodler.bsky.social and Joe Kell launches on September 22nd. Trying to get your favorite colors in the right spots is harder than it looks! We can't wait to see your cool art. 🎨 www.kickstarter.com/projects/lun...

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Manda Shafer @mandashafer.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Some info on how I plan to produce 50+ copies of my game at home (Yes, I may be a little bananas).

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Hawk and Dove Games @hawkanddovegames.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

This month, we're pleased to announce another game we've brought into our pipeline. Small Steps to Fight Fascism is a codesign by @goatgruff.bsky.social and Joe Kell about the ICE occupation of Minneapolis in late 2025 and early 2026. Read more about it here: www.hawkanddovegames.com/blog/small-s...

hawkanddovegames.com

small steps to fight fascism — Hawk and Dove

How our third board game fits with Hawk & Dove.

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A Man Possessed is Kickstarting Rune Rite! 🔮 @amanpossessed.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Over four years in the making. That's a bit of a dramatic intro; I wasn't working on it every day for four years. I was figuring out *games* for four years. But it's finally here. 💎 Rune Rite is coming to crowdfunding on October 13th. Follow this prelaunch page for a notification then. #boardgames

kickstarter.com

Coming soon: Rune Rite Flip-and-Write Game

Sharpen your quill and unstopper your inkwell! In this flip-and-write game for 1-5 players, you'll conjure your own polyominoes to win.

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Soucy Games @soucy.games · 02/09/2026

Today feels like a good day to announce it! I'm preparing for my first crowd funding campaign! Bot Builders is an engine building game about robots and the people who make them, inspired by real life robotics competitions.

kickstarter.com

Coming soon: Bot Builders

Recruit your team, build your robots, and complete objectives to win in this game inspired by real-life robotics competitions.

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Tabletop Game Designers Association @ttgda.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Today TTGDA released what we believe is our most important effort so far - our Licensing Contract Rubric. This is an objective scoring metric that can be used to partially evaluate the quality of a contract. We applied it to a huge swath of the industry, and this chart shows how they scored. 🧵 🎲✂️

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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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Lunarpunk Games @lunarpunk.games · 10/08/2026

Games can be games without a hierarchical result. We must broaden traditional definitions of tabletop games to give designers the agency and opportunity to express themselves in new, exciting, and challenging ways. We should be creating new ways to explore artistic mediums, not shutting them down.

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David Masnato 🔜 PAX U @davidmasnato.com · 09/08/2026

After almost 2 months waiting in the pending queue and a contentious submission process, Pax Playground is finally on BoardGameGeek. Despite having a ruleset and player objectives, BGG didn’t want to list the game because the ending doesn’t explicitly identify players as winners or losers.

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Board Game Blitz @boardgameblitz.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Here it is, our final podcast episode! We recorded it live at Crystal’s in Vegas since Ambie and her family went there for vacation! We talk about Color Jam and Rosetta: Second Edition and reminisce about the podcast and our friendship. @lunarpunk.games @dvcgames.bsky.social youtu.be/-PO5fsoKyiAo

youtu.be

Episode 267 - The Final Episode

YouTube video by Board Game Blitz Podcast

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Dan Thurot @danthurot.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Houdini's Last Act is a magic trick of an indie game, an investigation of medium hucksters and wavering teammates. It isn't often that we get a small game this handsome or intriguing. My review: spacebiff.com/2026/07/28/h...

spacebiff.com

Revealing the Medium’s Secret

Houdini’s Last Act feels like a magic trick. And not only because designers Chris Zinsli and Suzanne Zinsli (no relation) (okay, maybe there’s some relation, but it’s rude to assu…

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Dan Thurot @danthurot.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Today I discuss three paper games: one about origami, another with coins, and a third that's all about coloring by numbers. Read about them here: spacebiff.com/2026/07/24/o...

spacebiff.com

Playing with Cellulose Fiber

Paper! Despite the meddling of the internet, it’s still everywhere. There’s a good chance you have some in your very own home. In fact, it’s probably within arm’s reach righ…

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Sen-Foong Lim @senfoonglim.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

More to what I was talking about re: proper attribution. The @ttgda.bsky.social is working to reduce instances where publishers, media outlets, and content creators fail to acknowledge the creatives behind the games. irp.cdn-website.com/2b6905d0/fil...

To download a screen-readable PDF, go here:

https://irp.cdn-website.com/2b6905d0/files/uploaded/Press+Release+-+Credit+For+Game+Designers+V2.pdf

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Lunarpunk Games @lunarpunk.games · 22/07/2026

Excited for our first book club on July 28th at 8pm EST! We'll discuss C. Thi Nguyen's "Games: Agency as Art", an excellent text about how games convey agential experiences, and the risk of losing our values to scoring systems. Hosted by @ericdittmore.bsky.social ! discord.gg/NrqwRTm4?eve...

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David Masnato 🔜 PAX U @davidmasnato.com · 08/07/2026

There's tons of tabletop game design advice out there now. Some is valuable. Much of it is well intentioned but unhelpful "best practices" served as gospel. The most recent video from @beyondsolitaire.bsky.social feels vital in a way this space rarely sees. www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRFY...

youtube.com

This is What Separates Great Games from the Rest

YouTube video by Beyond Solitaire

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Hawk and Dove Games @hawkanddovegames.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Another Hawk & Dove update went out today via our newsletter! Progress on Painkillers and announcing our attendance at several conventions across the EU this fall. As always, if you're interested in what we're up to, please share and subscribe! www.hawkanddovegames.com

hawkanddovegames.com

Hawk and Dove

Hawk & Dove is a historical board game studio focused on delivering challenging player experiences.

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Always Awake Games (Connor) 🔜 PaxU @connor.alwaysawake.games · 06/07/2026

These kinds of reviews make me very happy : ) And if you’re into this sort of thing as well, make sure to follow the KS! www.kickstarter.com/projects/alw...

A review for Out of Sorts on BGG that says: “Thoughts:
This game was absolutely fascinating. Co-op, Real time, symbol sorting. I kind of hated it and it stressed me out BUT I also Could. Not. Stop. Thinking About. It. We spent about an hour discussing it and I had already messaged someone to buy it by the time I got home bc I wanted to try it again. I don’t even know if it’s more of an experience than a game but something about the absurdity of trying to order these symbols and describe them is really unique. Supposedly it’s similar to Wilmot's Warehouse but I haven’t played that as I am, generally, not a fan of memory games. (4/4/26)”

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Lunarpunk Games @lunarpunk.games · 06/07/2026

One of our favorite things about Color Jam is seeing how people build a story around their coloring choices. Due to the game's puzzle, we stylized some spaces to be interpreted in different ways. In the photos below, the spaces in the middle right either be a hot air balloon or a part of a cactus!

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Sticky Doodler 🖍️ Color Jam @stickydoodler.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

I'm so excited that the ColorJam Kickstarter page is LIVE! 🖍️ The goal is simple: "Color a nice picture." 🧩 The puzzle is elegant: satisfying for gamers, easy enough for kids. 🤔 But the experience is deep: What, really, is a "nice picture?" I would love if you followed along to learn more! 🩷💚🤎🩵💜💛

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Lunarpunk Games @lunarpunk.games · 01/07/2026

Make your next work of art in Color Jam, a cozy, print-and-puzzle coloring game launching on Kickstarter later this year. Grab your favorite crayons and play solo or with friends. Follow along here for when the project goes live: www.kickstarter.com/projects/lun... The night is for creativity. 🖍️

kickstarter.com

Coming soon: Color Jam: A Print-and-Puzzle Coloring Game

Enjoy cozy and clever coloring at your next game night. Craft the story of each hand-illustrated picture with creative color choices!

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Kyle Cushman @goatgruff.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Oh hey, I was on a board game podcast talking about my one of my games about community resilience and collective action. Incredibly exciting to talk about two of my favorite things!

buildingthegamepodcast.com

Episode 733: Fighting Unchecked Corruption Keeps Institutions Compassionately Equitable – Building the Game

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Cardboard Time @cardboardtime.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Yes, it was an incredible honor to be featured on the @boardgamegeek.com Podcast, but it was even more fun just to chat with my friend @panda8ngel.bsky.social about some of my favorite food-themed games and color vision accessibility! Check it out here: boardgamegeek.com/blog/12153/b...

boardgamegeek.com

Episode 96: Arwen Kathke - Vision Accessibility in Board Games - Top 5 Food-Themed Board Games - Hanging out with loved ones and friends | The BoardGameGeek Podcast

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Matthew Hocker @coo.games · 02/06/2026

You know, when you think about it, a designer had to playtest Jumanji.

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Matthew Hocker @coo.games · 28/05/2026

Yes! It genuinely has never been easier to playtest your game if you're willing to engage in this space on Discord. You can build your own network too, but this is always available and has more peer-to-peer playtesting than any space on the internet.

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BoardGameGeek @boardgamegeek.com · 22/05/2026

BGG Podcast - Episode 95: Emily Vincent - Usability & UI Design in Board Games, 10+ Hidden Small Box Gems, Libraries, and cats calling in the Spring boardgamegeek.com/blog/12153/b...

boardgamegeek.com

Episode 95: Emily Vincent - Usability & UI Design in Board Games, 10+ Hidden Small Box Gems, Libraries, and cats calling in the Spring | The BoardGameGeek Podcast

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Lunarpunk Games @lunarpunk.games · 17/05/2026

Our latest Dialogue at Dusk is now on Youtube! We chat with thelast19digitsofpi about his game Ornithocracy, and how unranked games are particularly powerful for games of negotiation and diplomacy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpGK...

youtube.com

Studying Diplomacy - Dialogues at Dusk

YouTube video by Lunarpunk Games

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Hawk and Dove Games @hawkanddovegames.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

I just sent out our first newsletter to subscribers! The biggest piece of news is announcing our first game - Painkillers, one of my designs. I am immensely proud of this game and how far it has come since its inception. Here's a mini thread on the game as it is now.

Image of the United States in gray, with a teal background. Along the Eastern seaboard runs a collection of pharmaceuticals that roughly make up the shape of the Appalachian Mountains. In large, white letters, it says the name of the game - Painkillers - with a syringe forming both Is in the name, and the final S as a dollar sign. Across the top is the name of the designer - Brooks Barber.

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Chris | Junk Food Games @junkfoodgames.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

I heard y'all are interested in sites that list cool tabletop game designers? How about one made by humans which features local indie designers making 100% human-made games?? www.designedinthedmv.org/designers.html

designedinthedmv.org

Designers

Get to know the game designers near you!

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Manda Shafer @mandashafer.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Learn about my newest game design: open.substack.com/pub/mandasha...

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Always Awake Games (Connor) 🔜 PaxU @connor.alwaysawake.games · 08/05/2026

New episode of Multiple Win Conditions! This time I’m chatting about how often you get told to “just stick to game design” if you ever mention self-publishing and how I don’t think the distinction is quite so clear. youtu.be/Tdzmkc4qQ7w?...

youtu.be

Just Stick to Design? - Multiple Win Conditions

YouTube video by Always Awake Games

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Lunarpunk Games @lunarpunk.games · 01/05/2026

On May 12th at 3pm est, we'll chat with thelast19digitsofpi about his diplomacy game Ornithocracy, and how unranked games are particularly well suited for games of negotiation. discord.gg/d4nMFq3e?eve...

The title card for the Dialogue at Dusk with the text:
"Studying Diplomacy
The night is for negotiation"

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Lunarpunk Games @lunarpunk.games · 27/04/2026

We are accepting submissions for this year's Midnight Market, an annual event where we host a curated library of small-print run games available for purchase for a limited time. If you would like to submit your game, please click here: forms.gle/tJcB22LQe4aM... The night is for indie games. 🌙

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Central Michigan University Press @cmichpress.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

IT'S HERE! Order Keep the Faith, @gregisonthego.bsky.social's storytelling game about a religion in transition with art by @goblinprincete.bsky.social and @momatoes.com. Available at cmichpress.com and some retailers. Ask your local game store! #keepthefaithgame #KTFShareTheLore

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Just Aaron @gameenthus.com · 08/04/2026

Give us a listen!

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

This conversation with Liz was, as always, a delight!

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Always Awake Games (Connor) 🔜 PaxU @connor.alwaysawake.games · 31/03/2026

New Multiple Win Conditions! Today I’m talking about “Find the Fun”. One of the most common bits of advice I got as a new designer youtu.be/vPTe9PlGAP8?...

youtu.be

Multiple Win Conditions: Find the Fun?

YouTube video by Always Awake Games

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Lunarpunk Games @lunarpunk.games · 26/03/2026

We are really excited about publishing Color Jam, designed by @stickydoodler.bsky.social and Joe Kell. It's a cozy, print-and-puzzle coloring game for one or for you and some friends. It's perfect for lazy summer evenings or for when you want a whisper of strategy in your coloring. 🏖️🖍️

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Sticky Doodler 🖍️ Color Jam @stickydoodler.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Just a reminder that The Bonsai Diary print-and-play is 50% off to celebrate its Origins Award nomination. That's a whopping $2.50 off! (And if you truly can't afford it, there are still 27 free community copies available of the ashcan/prototype) stickydoodler.itch.io/the-bonsai-d...

stickydoodler.itch.io

the Bonsai Diary by Sticky Doodler

grow a tree that outlives you

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Always Awake Games (Connor) 🔜 PaxU @connor.alwaysawake.games · 23/03/2026

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about how so much game design advice that’s available is really just business/product advice. It’s got a lot of survivorship bias and as a result, it’s homogenising and dissuading a lot of what’s possible. So…I’m making a little vlog series about it!

youtu.be

Multiple Win Conditions: Welcome!

YouTube video by Always Awake Games

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Steven Vesci @vescis.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

I haven't done nearly as much game design work recently, because I have been working on becoming a game publisher! Starting with a co-design of mine that I really believe in, but hoping to move beyond that if it goes well 😀 Please come along on this journey with me - we all need good diversions!

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Hawk and Dove Games @hawkanddovegames.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Unpub was a great experience! I’m never more creatively invigorated than after a convention full of games, especially one with lots of playtesting new, cool ideas. Unfortunately, I’m also never more exhausted snd unable to think. Here’s a short thread about some of the cool stuff I got to see!

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Sticky Doodler 🖍️ Color Jam @stickydoodler.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

If you love games, come to Unpub, even if you don't design games yourself. I get so much joy from playtesting events from seeing the essence of a game before it's coated in a glossy finish. If, like me, you believe games are art, playing prototypes lets you see the fingerprint of the artist.

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Lunarpunk Games @lunarpunk.games · 11/03/2026

Unpub is this weekend! We're exciting to play your games and share some of ours with you. Our publishing studio focuses on games where any number of players can win or lose OR games where there are no winers and losers, just various outcomes players reach. Here's what we're bringing:

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