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Dominic Crapuchettes

@dcrapuchettes.bsky.social
667 followers 127 following 1.1K posts

Board game designer Nature, Evolution, Oceans, Wits & Wagers, Say Anything Founder of NorthStar Studio Father, plays soccer, has dogs. Interested in artistic endeavors and the long arc of history.

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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 3h
My grandmother was a missionary in China for 20 years. She travelled by “sedan chair” in the mountainous regions in China. The locals would carry her. When my father visited a missionary relative living in Africa, he was appalled to learn his uncle was unabashedly racist.
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 5h
“It must be the covfefe.”
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 8h
Beautiful space. Well done!
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 10h
Congrates Connie! This is a great one. I hope it becomes wildy popular.
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Sticky Doodler 🔜 PeopleCon 3 @stickydoodler.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
"Nature" is, appropriately, the results of years of iteration from "Evolution." During that time @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social has taken the game in a direction I rarely see when systems evolve: stripping away rather than adding complexity. The result is faster and more accessible than the...
"Nature" game (base set and Flight in foreground); a "Designed in the DMV" sticker is prominent on the boxA game of "Nature" underway;
foreground: screen and food chips;
mid ground: several species dials and trait cards;
a hand is pointing at one of them
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
He’s looking for “actionable solutions… meant to keep America a dominant military power” For starters, how about not starting wars that cost billions while depleting our country’s arsenal?
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
It sounds like you’re in good spirits, but my heart is with you none the less. I’ll be sending good vibes.
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
But you’re pointing to the left!
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I was just emailed the signed document. It ended up being 152 pages of signatures.
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I couldn’t tell you, other than to protect the business assets of a billionaire that lives in California. I only read some of titles and a few accidental sentences as I was signing each page. The billionaire owns 120 different apartment complexes across the US.
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
When the laws are increasingly designed to consolidate weath in the hands of fewer and fewer people, it's no wonder an increasing number of people are distrustful of the government.
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I have to sign a 120 page apartment lease. Their digital system is making me sign every page. Every. single. page. I've spent over 30 minutes signing each page and waiting 10 seconds for the next page to load. It's frustrating that a big corporation can waste so much of my time.
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
When the laws are increasingly designed to consolidate weath in the hands of fewer and fewer people, it's no wonder an increasing number of people are distrustful of the government.
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I just backed an art book from one of my favorite artists. I've been following her work for nearly a decade. It's worth checking out if you have any interest in beautiful things. www.kickstarter.com/projects/nao...
kickstarter.com
Where the Sky Begins Art Book - A Decade of Magical Worlds
A deluxe 164-page art book filled with paintings, sketches, stories, and the creative journey behind them.
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
“To the victor belong the spoils…” It’s been clear Trump holds this world view, but saying it out load at the UN makes me wonder if he’s a bit out of touch. First striking a country to get access to their oil seems clearly anti-American. Is that not obvious to most Americans including #MAGA?
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
*did
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
😎
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Jacqui Davies. She also disappoint the Roses for us. She’s fantastic.
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Punitive action designed to change what a news organization says is censorship. Are we really ok with state sponsored media censorship? #GOP #Conservatives #TCOT #FiscalConservative#2A #RedWave #MAGA #Trump2024 #TrumpSupporters #AmericaFirst
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
😂
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
It’s a cozy engine building game with broad appeal. It has almost no conflict, but it seems to work for a lot of players that don’t like multiplayer solitaire. I’m considering the best way to present it so it reaches the right people.
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Which do you prefer?
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Which do you prefer?
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Haha. I’m not paying for Photoshop right now or I would have removed that.
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Which title treatment do you prefer for this 30 - 45 minute cozy engine builder? RIGHT or LEFT? boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/46...
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
"This is his biggest shift over time: He increasingly believes you can simplify the interface without simplifying the strategy space. Accessibility is not the enemy of depth." SO VERY TRUE!! I finally feel heard. Thank you AI.
static.klipy.com
Bunnymeyer: 'Seen Felt And Heard' Expression
ALT: Bunnymeyer: 'Seen Felt And Heard' Expression
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
It also provided some compaisons to other game designers: "Crapuchettes is basically “Knizia + theme that actually matters.” "Crapuchettes is like a “mass-market Wehrle”—theme with meaning, but far more approachable." 2/3
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
My Dad asked ChatGPT about my design philosophy: "If you boiled it down to a single design goal, it might be: Create systems that are simple to learn, rich in interaction, and meaningful enough that players feel something—not just solve something.” 1/3
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
It's probably time to listen when the CEO of 3 competing US companies and the leader of China are all worried about a technology they're developing.
static.klipy.com
Big Brain Meme Gesture
ALT: Big Brain Meme Gesture
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
This is the first time I’ve won Race for the Galaxy with only points for buildings.
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
You can’t use your tongue though. That would be gross.
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Fantastic photo! Nice work Marcie.
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Google used to be idealistic, with a vision of making knowledge free and available to everyone. I loved that Google. Renaming Lake Ontario to appease political power is cowardly and opportunistic.
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I love the game Brett and Dave originally designed, but those changes do sound intriguing! I’m noticing their names are not on the new box. I’m curious how that works if the games are similar.
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Fun! I’m excited to hear more. I love passion projects. That’s my life in a nutshell.
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Reposted by Dominic Crapuchettes
Sticky Doodler 🔜 PeopleCon 3 @stickydoodler.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
I'm pleased to announce our PeopleCon 3 keynote panelists: Talia Rosen, designer of First Monday in October, and @brendanballou.bsky.social, author of When Companies Run the Courts. The panel will illuminate how these two media formats show different perspectives on the US judicial system. RSVP ...
PeopleCon 3: A festival of locally-crafted independent games.
Game & Book Talk: Talia Rosen, Designer, First Monday in October; Brendan Ballou, Author, When Companies run the Courts
People’s Book, 7014 Westmoreland Ave, Takoma Park, MD
Sat, Oct 17th
Market: 12-5pm
Talk: 2:30-3:30pm
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
I love when my parents visit. We have so much fun together. They're helping me test the games in our upcoming NorthStar Cafe line. Cluster Flock is their favorite!
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Few things make me happier than a superfan geeking out about my work.
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Elizabeth Hargrave @elizhargrave.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Interactions like this are the absolute highlight of Gen Con for me
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Jack Hopkins-The Original @therealjackhopkins.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
“The place you’re more likely to live out the American dream, now…is Denmark, and I want that to be America.” -Pete Buttigieg
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
"Humans are an impressive species. Finding small connections in an infinite world, and weaving them into a likely story. Predicting the future to smooth the oscillations of their anxiety, and finding joy in the cracks of uncertainty. " - author unknown
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Beautiful photo! I’d love to learn more about the process for the Spiel des Jahres. Do you go to BGG Spring? I’m thinking of going next year.
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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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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
I had a great time chatting with the Shelf Stable crew (and partaking in all sorts of tomfoolery). We talked about deck builders, Starlines (my deckbuilder without words on the cards and without shuffling), and second editions.
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Guilty as charged! But we talking about interesting things. 😊 (at least to us)
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
At GenCon this year, a fan gave me art created from the Oceans punchboards. I live for moments like that. 🥰
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Ross 💙🎲 MoreGamesPlease @moregamesplease.com · 12/08/2026
After over 8 years working in the tabletop industry here's the main lesson. Effort, talent and care do not reflect commercial success. This industry is filled with passionate humans creating beautiful things too easily missed. So much respect for all the makers out there trying to find a way.
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DAPPER DON DHARSHI @dapperdondharshi.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Chimpanzee and tortoise sharing an apple.
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Lauren @tinylongwing.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
If you see this, post your marine-themed art! #SciArt #Invertebrates
Illustration of an underwater view of Miami, implying future fantastically dramatic sea level rise. Tall skyscrapers are barely visible through blue water, rays of sunlight, and coral crusts, while in the foreground, overpasses and walkways are covered in colorful coral reef and visited by various small fish. An old highway sign on the overpass reads "Miami Aquarium Next Right".
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Dominic Crapuchettes @dcrapuchettes.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Nature: Climate is releasing into retail this month! It's a redesign of Evolution: Climate, shaped by feedback from more than 400 fans. This image shows how the climate moved during 200,000 simulations of the game.
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