iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

This is a delightful little game design, and you can back it for just $8! I never expected coloring to be so strategic. This is also an excellent example of letting players define their own terms for what winning looks like.

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Disclaimer on Apple tv is one of the best shows that nobody is talking about. Fantastic script, directing and acting. It's an intense watch that's not for everyone, but I can't stop thinking about it after finishing.

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I'm really happy that Pegasus will be publishing the German version of Positano next month. I love their games, and I've had rather good experiences pitching prototypes to them (even in rejection).

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I had a fun discussion about BGA, Soothsayers, and Positano with Ryan on this podcast

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

This review of Positano by Chairman of the Board warms my heart. "Definitely one of the surprises of the year for me. I think it's a wonderful design." www.youtube.com/watch?v=mec9...

youtube.com

This Board Game Feels Like A Modern Classic

YouTube video by Chairman of the Board

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Soothsayers hit general release on BGA less than 2 weeks ago and is already rolling past 10,000 games played. It'll be back in stores soon. Pre-orders are up on some sites.

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

My next game will be in the Slime Rancher universe! And you can play it in 90 seconds!

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

For the next 3 days, I'll be farting for science! flatus.science

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Protospiel Chicago is happening Sept 11-13! Come playtest with me! If you've not attended a Protospiel, they're great fun and an excellent way to get lots of quality feedback on your game designs. 🎲✂️ tabletop.events/conventions/...

tabletop.events

Protospiel Chicago 2026

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Soothsayers is out of beta and now in general release on BGA!

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

I play a lot of kubb (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kubb), and I realized that it may be the only sport / outdoor game with an arc. The beginning is totally different than the middle, which is totally different than the end. The tension ratchets up as each game goes on. What other sports have arcs?

en.wikipedia.org

Kubb - Wikipedia

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Who wants to go to the beach? Positano is now in beta on BGA! boardgamearena.com/gamepanel?ga...

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

@boardgamehottakes.bsky.social on Soothsayers: "If you're scared of butts, beware of this game"

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Record of games played by a group of 8 at a long weekend of gaming, including @bexagons.bsky.social

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Curious about my Soothsayers game? Check out the new tutorial in alpha on BGA from the fabulous Nekonyancer: boardgamearena.com/tutorial?game=soothsayers&tutorial=2137

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

I'm considering releasing games on BGA before pitching them to publishers. What are the downsides or risks of this plan that I haven't thought of? 🎲✂️

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

In unguided playtests, I've noticed that most playtesters skip examples entirely, even when they clearly don't fully understand the rules. Anyone have any 🎲✂️ rulebook writing tips to address this tendency?

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Game design shelfie with before and after pics. I finally got around to organizing my prototypes and bits into something that no longer resembles a pile of hot garbage. What does your 🎲✂️ space look like?

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Whoa! @tabletopbellhop.com said Soothsayers was their favorite game at GAMA. And they played A LOT of games there, including some bangers like Trickarus and the Twinkle Starship remake. I know Soothsayers is not for everyone, but I so love to see some people really connect with it.

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Props to the Ikea engineer that included hexagons in the Kallax assembly kit

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Soothsayers has now hit beta on BGA! boardgamearena.com/gamepanel?ga... I did the coding on this one myself and would be happy to answer any questions anyone might have related to that.

boardgamearena.com

Play Soothsayers online from your browser

Play Soothsayers online from your browser with the whole world!

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

There's never been a video that so perfectly summed up the 3 archetypes of the Democratic Party: 1. The Compromised 2. The Confused 3. The Courageous

youtube.com

It's a simple yes or no question | Kat Abughazaleh For Illinois

YouTube video by Kat Abughazaleh

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

"[GAME]: The Dice Game" are the cover songs of the board game world

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

I've just finished my @cardboardedison.com judging, and here's my final 🎲✂️ observation: The competition is strong. Nearly every game I reviewed was competently designed. How do you stand out? HOOKS! Make sure you have crystal clear and awesome theme, mechanic, and/or component hooks.

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

The Game Boy Geek just reviewed Soothsayers! "Overall, this game's fantastic!" "It's pretty simple mechanically, but man, this has tons of depth" "Lots of player interaction" "Very tense at the end"

youtube.com

Soothsayers - Tableau Building with Interaction!

YouTube video by Game Boy Geek

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

Soothsayers is holding strong at an 8.2 on BGG after 75 ratings. Most recent: "Banger hidden in this little box. This has great inspirations, you can feel the love for classic games the designer has. The direct interaction is spicy af! I just love it."

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Observation on Day 3 of 🎲✂️ @cardboardedison.com judging: Keep your core gameplay loop as close to "Do 1 Thing" as possible. This is particularly true for family-weight games, but even heavier games can deliver a lot of depth with just "play 1 card" or "place 1 tile."

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Today's 🎲✂️ observation after judging 10 @cardboardedison.com entries: Strive for high coherence across your components, mechanics, and theme. When all 3 align, the mechanics are easier to learn, it's satisfying to use the components, and players feel immersed in the world.

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

A new Soothsayers review is up, and it gets a Seal of Approval! Between this and Positano, I'm apparently now the designer of games that are mean but don't actually feel mean. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl-a...

youtube.com

Soothsayers Review: Forsooth, You Say?

YouTube video by The Dice Tower

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

I'm a judge for Cardboard Edison this year. After every 5 entries that I review, I'll post an observation. Here's the first: Get specific with your theme. Set your game in a particular time, place, and/or culture (which may be fictional) and give it an overarching tone.

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

How many publishers do y'all pitch to simultaneously for the same game before receiving feedback (or assuming you've been ghosted)? I've been going with 5, when I force myself to do the pitch thing. 🎲✂️

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Double top ten day! Dice Tower reviews for my games today: 🦊 Outfox the Fox: #2 Party Game of 2025 www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIuX... 🍨 Positano: #5 Family Game of 2025 www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7Jk...

youtube.com

Top 10 Party Games of 2025 - with Tom Vasel

YouTube video by The Dice Tower

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

From @liegeofgames.bsky.social's review of Soothsayers: "If you want something like Arcs in card form or a meaner Res Arcana, this will be up your alley ... It looks like an engine builder; it plays like a knife fight." www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP2C...

youtube.com

4 Card Games That Look Simple...And Absolutely Aren’t

YouTube video by Liege of Games

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

In honor of the @cardboardedison.com 🎲✂️ contest, here are my 2-min. pitch video tips: 🪝 Push the hook(s) from the beginning 🧀 Be cheesily excited about your game 🫴 Show and tell, but mostly show 😲 Highlight the emotional highs 🪝 Keep everything connected to the hook(s) Script template below...

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

🎲✂️ I'm thinking about making a personal website showcasing my game designs. If you have one, or if you know of a good one, share it! I'd also like to hear opinions on what's worth including, as well as hosting recommendations.

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

2025 game design accomplishments: 🟢 1st year of published games! Positano, Monkey Mayhem!, Outfox the Fox, and Soothsayers all hit shelves and got some excellent reviews. ✒️ 2 signed games. Not bad, but hoping for more. 🥇 Ion Awards: Magmapunk - not yet signed! 🥉 Cardboard Edison: Branching Out

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

My top movies of 2025: 1. Flow 2. I'm Still Here 3. Warfare 4. Sinners 5. KPop Demon Hunters 6. Frankenstein 7. Memoir of a Snail 8. Mickey 17 The rest don't belong on a best of list. What movies am I missing?

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

How is it that the post office can run out of stamps? They're basically like printing money and take up essentially no inventory space.

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Positano was just named #1 Family Game of 2025 by the Game Boy Geek! It's been a crazy good month for reviews coming out about my games. I feel like the hard work of the past 4 years is suddenly starting to culminate in some meaningful recognition. It feels really, really good.

youtube.com

Top 10 Best Family Games of 2025

YouTube video by TheGameBoyGeek - Hi Quality Hi Energy Board Game Reviews

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

@decisionspace.bsky.social I love the shout-out to Timesplitters 2 in your video game episode. What I particularly liked about that game was the built-in level designer. Finding that I enjoyed designing levels more than playing the game should have been a clue to get into game design earlier.

media.tenor.com

a computer generated image of a t-rex with its mouth open in front of a blue background

ALT: a computer generated image of a t-rex with its mouth open in front of a blue background

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

Hot dang, Soothsayers has hit its 30 ratings on BGG and is coming in at a blistering 8.2!

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

For the second time this week, OUTFOX the FOX has landed in a top 5 party games of the year list! This time, it's from the Game Boy Geek. www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SZL...

youtube.com

Best (Top 5) Party Games of 2025!

YouTube video by TheGameBoyGeek - Hi Quality Hi Energy Board Game Reviews

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Jeff Grisenthwaite @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

When you're trying to simplify a game, removing mechanics is fine and all, but removing whole components is really where it's at. 🎲✂️

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