iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

A while ago @flopiano.bsky.social and I had a chat with @fredserval.bsky.social on the history (and mythology, and blurry lines between the two) informing the design of our game Ayar: Children of the Sun (link in the comments).

Old painting of a the first Inca, Manco Capac (Ayar Manco) after donning the fringe, looking to his father, Inti, the sun.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

I only played this (Grab Bag Jungle) as a prototype but it was an absolute delight. Still keen to play more of it. Hope some reviewers get a look in and help it get the publicity it deserves.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Recently had a nice chat with Deej from Mojo Nation. Link to interview in the comments.

Image of me, Mandela, smiling while holding a stack of my games; Sankore, Ayar, The Shakespeare Game, The Jane Austen Game, Glasgow, and Overstocked.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Made a new game 🎲✂️ yesterday in time for Expo. May have legs...time will tell. One challenge is that knowledge of the 12 cards helps a lot...and you don't see them all at the start. Will first time players find this too frustrating? Or embrace that first play chaos?

Generic looking board game with a map, cubes and cards.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

On my way to #UKGE. Some clothes, toiletries and the rest of the bag filled to the brim with prototypes. Feel free to say hello if you see me. Helping at Playtest UK Saturday morning then have my own slot there in the afternoon.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Yay, now with English trailer (in comments). Debuting at Tokyo Games Market this weekend but will also be available to demo/purchase next week at UKGE.

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Osprey Games 🎲 @ospreygames.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

📢 JUDGE'S AWARDS FINALIST BEST BOARD GAME EURO-STYLE – Ayar: Children of the Sun @ukge.bsky.social: bit.ly/3YC1RPM Congratulations to @flopiano.bsky.social, @mandelafg.bsky.social & @ianotoole.bsky.social! 👏 You'll be able to vote in the People's Choice Awards at the show this month...

A photo of the board game Ayar set up with the box behind it: a large central board depicting various paths through the Andes, a sub-board depicting lake Titicaca, and 4 player boards for each player – all covered with various cardboard and wooden pieces of different shapes and colours. In the bottom right corner is the crest for the UK Games Expo Awards.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

For Green City, my next game with @flopiano.bsky.social, they've just released a trailer and it's delightful.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Playful, entertaining, and creative video on the origin of his Sherlock Holmes Baker Street Irregulars set and how it set his entry into game design. I'd expect nothing less of Dave Neale. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXwA...

youtube.com

The Day Sherlock Holmes Changed My Life: Designing SHCD The Baker Street Irregulars

YouTube video by The Mystery Maker (Dave Neale)

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

I often get a lot out of the playtest just from experience of explaining the rules.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

A rematch was requested today, which seemed like a good sign...a clear loss of interest halfway through, less so. We abandoned the play. Want to value testers' time. Making a game that plays well once can be a big leap to one that stands up to repeat plays. Lots to work on here. 🎲✂️

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

Playtested the newest design tonight with Jane. I'm not a fan of when it feels like a game is forcing close scores, but understand why they do. It was very satisfying and dramatic to finish 139-139. 🎲✂️

Colourful, large Euro-style board game with various wooden and plastic cubes around. Fields, alpacas, and cotton icons can be seen.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Pleased to see the official announcement of my next game with @flopiano.bsky.social, Green City. The game is about improving public transport. Building infrastructure and, at the end of the game, you are penalised for everyone that still drives. It's the lightest game Fabio and I have...

Bright, cartoon-style box cover showing a simplified city with a pedestrian, cyclist, tram, and bus as well as various landmarks. The title in the centre (both in Japanese and English) reads 'Green City'.

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Nick Bentley Makes Games @nickbentley.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Taco Cat Games is now taking pitches from outside designers. We've sold over 13 million games, through all major US retailers. Read about what we're looking for and how to submit here: bit.ly/pitch-taco-cat This thread also covers it so you don't have to click through. 🎲✂️(1/19)

bit.ly

How to pitch games to Taco Cat Games and what we’re looking for | Notion

We’re thrilled you’re considering pitching to us! First we’ll describe what we’re looking for, then how to submit your game and what to expect after.

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Matthew Dunstan @matthewdunstan.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Big Pasti's latest video, entitled "The 7 Deadly Sins of Board Game Design", had a real effect on me, and today's video is a response to his. I think there is a better way we can talk about game design. youtu.be/BY7TeikZcBw 🎲✂️

youtu.be

We need a better way to talk about game design

YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Never stops being a thrill seeing your games enjoyed in the wild.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

A night on the tiles. Getting the prototype ready 🎲✂️ on a new design in time for AireCon this weekend. This took quite a while so hopefully the design is perfect on its first outing.

Photo showing tiles (the board game component type) of various shapes and colours on a cutting mat.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

I finally playtested the game and it was terrible. Irredeemably so. Time well spent. I regret nothing. 🎲✂️

Prototype card game being played. Several cards out on the table with a series of convoluted effects.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

New artwork samples day is always a good day.

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Elizabeth Hargrave @elizhargrave.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Reviewers: if something doesn't seem right about a game, please take a moment to re-read the rules or even reach out to the publisher or designer for clarification before publishing a review. That extra step can save heartache and damaged reputation on both sides.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Been really enjoying designing a game all 'wrong' recently. I mean against general advice; it doesn't have a distinctive hook, low market appeal, restrictive player count etc. 🎲✂️

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

After complaints from Jane that she never gets to play my published games, have played Ayar a couple of times recently. Have enjoyed revisiting it, and trying out a new strategy.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

I'm very amused by the idea that this guy has rating bombed Sankoré: The Pride of Mansa Musa as part of his anti-Pride agenda.

Excerpt of a BoardgameGeek's user ratings giving 1's to games with overt queer themes (The Queer Agenda, Love Letter Princess Princess, Cards Against Humanity: Pride Pack) and a 1.5 for Sankoré: The Pride of Mansa Musa.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Played Jane Austin, and the requested rematch. Had fun losing both times but I rarely play my own games. Always new stuff to try, new prototypes to test. I suspect I'm not alone among designers in struggling not to think about things you'd like to change in a design, even after its hit print. 🎲✂️

The Jane Austin Board game laid out on the table. Picture shows the colourful board with lots of cards and tokens.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Played 'Careers' for the first time the other night by James Cooke Brown and quite enjoyed it. Very nice mechanism that I'd like to see more is that you choose your victory condition at the start of the game and, satisfyingly, you win immediately upon reaching that secret objective. 🎲✂️

Some paper money, a rulebook, and a game board showing the game 'Careers' on the table with play about to start.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Have just completed this survey and, if you fit the criteria and have a moment, would encourage others to do the same. Their infographics are really useful and I can only see more transparency in the industry as a good thing.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

This was wonderful to see. A downside for me (maybe plus for some) with designing non-hobby games is that you rarely get to see them spoken about, especially by their target audience.

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Matthew Dunstan @matthewdunstan.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

My first video looking back at 2025 - this one focussed on the state of the board game industry and what it means for designers. A very happy holiday season to everyone! youtu.be/XH4o2alaNoA 🎲✂️

youtu.be

The state of the board game industry for designers in 2025

YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan

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Osprey Games 🎲 @ospreygames.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

We were so happy to have Ayar designers @flopiano.bsky.social & @mandelafg.bsky.social on stand at SPIEL Essen for signings & demos! The game was a sell-out success with packed tables all 4 days – we couldn't be prouder of the team 🔥🔥 Available now: bit.ly/4oFvT0y

A photo of the designers of the board game Ayar, Mandela Fernández-Grandon and Fabio Lopiano, sat smiling behind a table holding a copy of the game, with a banner behind them with the game's cover art.

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Osprey Games 🎲 @ospreygames.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

PROMOS @ SPIEL Essen 🚨🚨 Essen SPIEL kicks off tomorrow – come to Stand 3.M600 to pick up promotional holographic stickers for our hot new release Ayar and its spiritual predecessors Merv & Sankoré! We'll also have stock of Imperium: Horizons, Ofrenda and Battalion promos from previous shows.

A photo of holographic circular stickers with the cover art for the board games Merv, Sankoré and Ayar being held in someone's hand catching the light. Copies of the board games are in the background behind the.

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Matthew Dunstan @matthewdunstan.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

In today's video I talk about ways to level up as a game designer - practices I have seen in other designers and myself as they become more experienced and improve their craft. Hopefully useful whether you're just starting out, or reflecting on how far you have come! youtu.be/qPWgQCNkRsM 🎲✂️

youtu.be

How to level up as a game designer

YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan

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Osprey Games 🎲 @ospreygames.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

🐪 🎲Ayar: Children of the Sun is out now, completing our trilogy of historical eurogames. We asked Mandela what makes the series unique? 🎲 Ayar: Children of the Sun ✏️ @flopiano.bsky.social & @mandelafg.bsky.social 🎨 @ianotoole.bsky.social #ospreygames #ayar #merv #sankore #eurogame #BoardGames

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Osprey Games 🎲 @ospreygames.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

Play the spiritual successor to Merv & Sankoré on Stand 3.M600 next week @ SPIEL Essen! The designers @flopiano.bsky.social & @mandelafg.bsky.social will be on stand for signings on Thursday @ 3pm & will be teaching a few select demo slots over the weekend. 👉 Available now: bit.ly/4oFvT0y

An image with the box of the board game Ayar alongside close-up photo of its elaborately illustrated board and intricate meeples, below the words "FABIO LOPIANO, MANDELA FERNÁNDEZ-GRANDON & IAN O'TOOLE RETURN", a sticker reading "STAND 3.M600", and above the SPIEL Essen and Osprey Games logos.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

For those curious about the design 🎲✂️ process, you can now pop over to BGG and read the design diary from @flopiano.bsky.social and me for our newly released game, Ayar: Children of the Sun. boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...

boardgamegeek.com

Designer Diary: Ayar: Children of The Sun | BoardGameGeek News

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

It's live. Look forward to it getting out there and finding its audience. Designer diary will be published tomorrow for those who want to learn more about the game and process behind its design.

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Robin David @robindavid.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

One of the best compliments I've received is that my games are "idiosyncratic". That's what matters to me. 🎲✂️

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Nico Straccia 🌸 @nicolasstraccia.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

Oooh, now I get what happened! xD I only heard a bang and then just saw him suddenly hanging from the side of the table! It's indeed an unusual metric, but probably also a uniquely significative one? : D It was great having you there! I hope it happens again sometime : )

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

One of the joys of being a board game designer is tapping into the global network of designers and meeting all kinds of new and interesting people. Yesterday, I popped into Darmstadt, Germany and had a wonderful day playtesting. Tomorrow, Stuttgart to stay with a publisher friend.

People sitting around a table with many board games behind them. All clutching dice in their hands, several are laughing.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

Enjoyable designer diary. I appreciate how @kostby.bsky.social deftly navigates around the politics of the game in a way which should keep everyone happy.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

Facebook is showing me images from 6 years ago when I was messing 🎲✂️ around with this design. Exciting to see it come to wide release very soon and with, I have to concede, improved art & graphic design thanks to @ianotoole.bsky.social, and much better gameplay thanks to @flopiano.bsky.social.

A paper gameboard map drawn with Microsoft paint and a hodgepodge of different components scattered across it.

Cubes on a personal player board with a wealth of confusing, but very Euro, iconography. Quipu shown in the background.

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Osprey Games 🎲 @ospreygames.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

📢 Ayar – from @flopiano.bsky.social, @mandelafg.bsky.social & @ianotoole.bsky.social – is out 1 week today: bit.ly/4oFvT0y 🌽 Compete for area majority farming maize ⚱️ Collect sets crafting pottery 🧵 Build your pattern weaving carpets 🛶 Traverse the lake board learning reed bundling

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Chris "Spikeh" Sebok @nineteenninjas.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

That bear is just not capable of attacking anyone. Look at its little face.

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Osprey Games 🎲 @ospreygames.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

☀️ The official Ayar: Children of the Sun tutorial from Getting Games is here: bit.ly/4nRLppj Learn to play this hot new eurogame from the creators of Merv & Sankoré @flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social // 16th OCT UK // 14th OCT US // bit.ly/4oFvT0y

A screengrab of Jonathan Cox from Getting Games from his tutorial video for Ayar: Children of the Sun.

A screengrab from the tutorial video showing a fully set up game with a main board and player boards with various wooden and cardboard pieces arranged around them.

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Osprey Games 🎲 @ospreygames.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

Learn how to play ! 🧐🧐 The Ayar rulebook is now available on the game's @boardgamegeek.com page and our website gaming resources page: bit.ly/4miX3YE Get a head start before release and demos @spielessen.bsky.social next month... October 16th UK / 14th US: bit.ly/4oFvT0y

A photo of the board game box for Ayar: Children of the Sun stood in front of a careful arrangement of different coloured wooden meeples from the game and cardboard score trackers shaped like elaborate golden idols. In the back ground, out of focus, are the board games Merv and Sankoré on a shelf.

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Osprey Games 🎲 @ospreygames.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

Ayar photos are on @boardgamegeek.com! Get a sneak peek at the eurogame from the creators of Merv and Sankoré ahead of release @flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social 📸 boardgameshots // 16th October UK // 14th October US // bit.ly/4n7je5c

A photo of the board game box for Ayar: Children of the Sun stood behind a fully set-up game: a large central board, 4 player boards and 1 side board, all covered with various wooden meeples and cardboard tokens.

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

I've been talking to Matthew Dunstan about building and maintaining relationships with publishers. We discuss: 📬 Making first contact 🔁 Balancing persistence & pressure 💬 Positive publisher experiences 🧩 When publisher ties still matter in self-publishing thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

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Osprey Games 🎲 @ospreygames.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

In our hot new eurogame Ayar you'll balance different minigames with their own rules & benefits as your player clan learns the essentials of Incan life... 🌾Farming ⚱️Pottery 🧵Weaving 🛶Reed bundling OCTOBER: bit.ly/4oFvT0y @flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social

A close-up photo of a side board alongside the main game board in Ayar, depicting a lake with various cardboard tokens and coloured wooden pieces placed around it.

A close-up photo of a player board next to the main game board in Ayar, surrounded with reference cards, a score tracker and various cardboard tokens, and split into different sections with all sorts of wooden meeple placed around it.

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Osprey Games 🎲 @ospreygames.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

Here's your first peek at the beautiful meeples from our hot new eurogame Ayar! In the game you'll be playing as the first clans of the Inca following in the Ayar's footsteps & influencing their journeys... OCT: bit.ly/4oFvT0y 📸 boardgameshots @flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social

A close-up photo of the board of a set-up game of Ayar: Children of the Sun. The board is illustrated with a map with various paths across it, and various different coloured wooden pieces are placed round it. In focus are meeples of robed figures with crowns and details picked out in gold.

Another close-up showing a different area of the board where two of the meeples have been placed together, fitting perfectly as if clasping hands.

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Senet magazine @senetmagazine.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Tonight we are mostly following Incan demi-gods around, in Ayar: Children of the Sun.

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