iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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

Today, when Mama Quilla and Inti unite over Europe seems like a great time to share this. I'll also tag 🎲✂️, as I recall it we did talk about the design challenges and approach of integrating the theme. youtu.be/QcKgjNEyq_8?...

youtu.be

Ayar - The History behind the Boardgame

YouTube video by Homo Ludens

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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

Thanks. It felt more just like a chat, Deej is very easy to get on with. I was surprised the extent to which playtesting, particularly outwith your immediate group, is considered a bit of a novelty for many inventors of toys and mass market stuff.

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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 · 29/05/2026

Interestingly that is exactly the comparison one tester made after trying it. I certainly have tolerance for it but wonder about it more broadly. I'm happy with a rolling teach but some people seem very set on knowing everything up front. Likely overlap there.

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

One test on the train with Denholm and another on arrival with @flopiano.bsky.social and @thedarkimp.bsky.social joining. Early verdict seems to be that it's got legs, interesting stuff but far too chaotic.

Designer Denholm Spurr testing the game and pulling a silly face.

Bunch of wooden pieces on a simple map game.

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

Always keen to test what youse two are cooking up, hopefully get a chance soon.

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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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Reposted by Mandela F-G

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

Thanks. Incidentally, we did have interest from a USA publisher earlier who decided that the theme was too controversial.

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

Nice. Yes, they should have it for sale. I see on BGG they said their stall is 2-961 but they just didn't know how to add it to the BGG preview.

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

Actually to my shame, I've not yet played Baker Street Irregulars. Keen to as enjoyed Dave's other output and really liked the original.

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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

Thanks. I like the tone-appropriate art they've gone for. Re. distribution in the UK...that is a good question to which I don't know the answer. For Expo, SYNKA or their partner Moaideas will be there I presume selling directly.

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

Certainly prefer when cities don't seem so reliant on it. To call on our shared touchpoints, it has always been a big part of the appeal of Glasgow and London to me.

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

designed. We hope it will work well for families, as well as gamers who enjoy a decent dose of luck in their strategy. It will release at Japan Game Market Spring and will be at UK Games Expo shortly after. See more info on BGG (boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/46...) or feel free to ask anything.

boardgamegeek.com

Green City

Build a shared network and connect your commuters more efficiently than the others.

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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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Reposted by Mandela F-G

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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Reposted by Mandela F-G

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 · 12/03/2026

Aye. A good chunk of the design will be on TtS since co-designer and I don't live in the same country. Particularly keen to get this one to the table though as I fear some of the physical elements will be too fiddly in real life but not so bad on TtS.

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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

Actually that is not true. Once, it was not but at least co-designer and I were in agreement and publisher was happy to change it. *New artwork samples day is almost always a good day.

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

Now booked for Airecon and looking forward to it. Let me know if you want a playtester one of the days (not on Sunday though, which will be dedicated to playing 'proper' games).

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Reposted by Mandela F-G

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

I forget sometimes how nice it is to just noodle on a design. To have a wee break from the rest of one's obligations, from the world, and just enjoy sitting in that design space where it is all possibility and no failure.

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

But mostly 'wrong' in my approach. I've been failing very slowly – spending ages theory crafting, deliberating over presentation, and making all the components before I’ve tested any of it. I've still not playtested it and it's been weeks. I don't really expect it to go anywhere.

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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 · 26/02/2026

Yip. Went through a phase when other designers told me it was my 'thing' to have triangles in my games but really I was just trying not to waste all those bonus off-cuts.

Board game prototype. Picture of a llama with lots of little triangle components.

Prototype board game showing various geodes on hexes and lots of wee triangle tokens.

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

Yes...and no. I feel it would make me a bit more selective about which game nights I attend.

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

Likewise, and if I'm about I always enjoy a bit of playtesting.

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

Also playing at 2p, there is a variant rule I recommend; when the Ayar reunite in the night phase, smooch your opponent.

Wooden Male and Female Inca pieces smooching.

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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 · 25/02/2026

Nothing booked...however, it is on my to do list today to look into it. Hoping to go.

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

Maybe start by getting to know some of them better, meet up with them in real life, and just see where things go.

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

Probably something gay but a .5 extra just in case it's not?

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