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Community: Abed Nadir's Thumbs Up

Finally, I got to spend some good time with my friends and get a perspective on the Tabletop industry. I am glad that the indie, "ars gratia artis" ethos is still so strong. My love of tabletop is rooted in expression, community, and creativity, and I am glad that so many others share that (5/5)

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Alt: Community: Abed Nadir's Thumbs Up

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This was the first major testing of Complicit (name subject to change), a 2 vs 2 worker placement + card game I'm developing with @nerdparker.com . We came away with a laundry list of changes (fully expected), but I'm heartened because the testers really seemed to love the game. (4/5)

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Train of Thought seems to be in an overall good place, with the playtesters really digging the theme and core systems. There are some small changes required to the board and some components, and I need to test a couple of changes to the Teach system, but things feel on track (ha ha) (3/5)

Some fine folks playtesting Train of Thought at the Unpub area

Hench sold out*, which is great! I think the packaging was a major factor, but it's nice to feel validated in pursuing something more approachable. For lessons learned, my booth layout was inefficient, I should have a copy set up for folks to see how it plays *I traded a few copies away (2/5)

Two goofs getting ready to move some Merch (at the Hench booth before the night market)

Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

#PaxWest 2026 is in the books. It went amazing, and I want to thank @tedmannschaller.bsky.social and @connor.alwaysawake.games for organizing the PNW Tabletop Game Market, @nerdparker.com for helping me at the event, and all the other folks who helped to make things happen. Deets below- (1/5)

The Space Needle, seen from a divey breakfast jawn nearby.

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It's happening!!! Come to the PNW Tabletop Game Market on level 0 of summit at Pax West if you want some quality games, and also Hench.

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Hollis makes games @hollis.computer · 05/09/2026

One day and a few hours from now, DAGnabbit! will be available at the PNW Tabletop Game Market, along with a bunch of other fantastic games by local designers. Find us all on Summit level 0 from 7-10pm tomorrow!

A close-up of a bag of DAGnabbit!. The label describes it as “A puzzly little flip-and-write game for 1-6 players, in 15 or so minutes, designed by David Hollis”

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Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Night market dinner was a success! Look at #PaxWest, we are ready to sell some games!

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Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I like the wooden indicators, and I think making the form-factor smaller is a good move. How hard are the indicators to make?

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Monster Wasteland @monsterwasteland.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

MONSTER WASTELAND IS NOW A KICKSTARTER #PROJECTWELOVE SORRY ABOUT THE CAPS THIS IS JUST INSANELY COOL I'M FREAKIN OUT A LITTLE BIT 💖

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Dan Thurot @danthurot.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

The Nights of King Ludd follows up @yoyoni.bsky.social's Chicago '68 with a very different sort of public demonstration: breaking stocking frames, burning mills, and forever having your movement's name tarred by propaganda. My preview: spacebiff.com/2026/09/03/n...

spacebiff.com

All Hail King Ludd

What recourse is there for the public when their leaders will not listen, their employers have broken the compacts that bind society, and their bellies gnaw with hunger? If two examples are suffici…

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Unpub @unpub.org · 03/09/2026

Playtest new games with Unpub at PAX West! Browse the game gallery and plan your visit: f.mtr.cool/79ms0ulk1d Or just show up! 🎲✂️

UNPUB at PAX West promotion over Seattle skyline with the Space Needle; invites visitors to game gallery — unpub.org/paxwest

Floor plan of Summit Level 2 convention hall with an arrow and "UNPUB" highlighting the tabletop freeplay area.

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Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

For folks interested in Rex Regnat, I hoped to have the 2nd printing before Pax West, but things have been slower than expected. However if you're interested in a Print N' Play copy, I've set up an itch page here - damonic-designs.itch.io/rex-regnat Let me know if you encounter any difficulties!

damonic-designs.itch.io

Rex Regnat - Print n' Play by Damonic Designs

Joseph Z Chen 🔜 PAX Unplugged @fanfactories.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

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Here's what I'll be selling w/ my son this Saturday night at the PNW Tabletop Game Market at PAX West. Brick Brick Go, a brick building party game of creative prompts. Beyond Klask, six unofficial new days to play Klask!

Top down view of a bunch of cards and legos around a drawstring bag that says "Brick Brick Go".

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Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

I'm interested! Always love when you do deeper dives, like your long post about biblical criticism and understanding texts.

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Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Yup! But they both happen in the Fall (after conflicts), so for new players, it's easy to play a card with Deploy into a conflict, which you then can't really unwind/fix.

Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Rally and Deploy were easy to confuse for my group, particularly because our printing only had 1 aid sheet, but have very different effects. Also, supporters are gone once used until something gets them back.

Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Heck yeah! I will let you know when I am doing open play

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Last is a newer project with @nerdparker.com - Complicit, a card / worker placement game for 2 teams of 2 in 45 minutes. You and your partner are trying to complete a heist in a cyberpunk future before the other team does. It's early days, but a lot of fun! Testing Saturday 5th 10:30am-2pm

Heist movie stills, along with the text Complicit

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Second is Train of Thought, a combination of 18xx-mechanics and classical philosophy, using a tightly contested worker placement system at the core. It plays 2-6 and takes about 90-120 minutes. It's pretty far along, and I'll be testing it Friday the 4th from 2-5 (as well as other times maybe...)

The Acropolis of Athens during the classical period, with the text: "Train of Thought" "A Game of Ideas and Arguments by Edward Damon"

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Hench is a strange, lovely beast. It’s as far as it gets from Edward Damon’s previous title, Rex Regnat, and not only because its Saturday morning cartoon vibe is a sharp contrast with …

First is Hench, a 30-minute, 3-6 player game of backstabbing cartoon minions in a VHS case. @danthurot.bsky.social has a great review of it here - spacebiff.com/2026/08/25/h... I'm selling it at the PNW Tabletop Game Market on Saturday 5th 7-10 pm. You can also order from me after the event!

spacebiff.com

Mooks

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Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Hey #PaxWest ✂️🎲 folks! I've got some games to show! If you'll be attending and/or any of these strike your fancy, reach out! I'll have details in the sub-posts below. I will shill these again before events, so don't worry if you miss this post 😄

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I'm going to share the map from Train of Thought, a game I'm working on. It's still a bit busy, but I've really come to love it!

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Always Awake Games (Connor) 🔜 PaxU @connor.alwaysawake.games · 28/08/2026

At first I was like “yay I get to do a countdown!” But now there’s a countdown…. Well, make sure to follow the Kickstarter! www.kickstarter.com/projects/alw...

A screenshot of an Instagram reel with the banner for the Out of Sorts Kickstarter and a countdown above it showing 10 days and 22 hours

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Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

I am a high-player-interaction sicko, so I would want to see the competitive version, but I think a lot depends on the vibe you're going for? The more placid the theme, the less player interaction you can get away with. I know that's not much help, sorry!

Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

I think it's a great idea! There's a lot of design lessons tbat would be super helpful for folks, and are common knowledge for people who have done a lot of design, but aren't obvious for newer designers.

Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

As somone who is considering staring into the kickstarter abyss, it's a very helpful thread. I'd also love to pick your brain about your (more scaled down) approach!

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Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Dan has a lovely review of Hench up! If cartoon backstabbing minions tickles your fancy, check it out at #PAXWest or reach out after the event for a copy.

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Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Thank you so much for your lovely review! Hench was an attempt to make something a bit lighter and more commercially viable, and I'm glad you had a good time with the cast!

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Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

I got a chance to play The Crew: Mission Deep Sea with my (initially somewhat resistant) family and they had a blast! Trick-taking is for everyone, and even older games are new and revolutionary for the right audience. Also tested a bunch of stuff, but that's less fun to talk about.

Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Had a really great @breakmygame.com ✂️🎲 prototyping event at Guardian Games. Train of Thought can use a bit more polish, but it's overall in a great place.

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Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Here in Portland, Oregon, I would shout out two- Guardian Games (www.guardiangames.com), which has a huge selection and a super welcoming space in addition to hosting Break My Game events and Portland Game Store (www.theportlandgamestore.com) which hosts playtesting events most Saturdays!

guardiangames.com

Guardian Games

Guardian Games is a beloved Pacific Northwest retail destination for tabletop board games, collectible cards, miniatures, RPGs, and more. The flagship store is located in the heart of Portland, with o...

Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Heck yeah! Make sure you get something for your voice after 3 hours of intermittent hollering about cubes.

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Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

As a Portland Ebike rider, it's a great way to get around and you can replace a huge amount of short-distance car trips with something more fun.

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Always Awake Games (Connor) 🔜 PaxU @connor.alwaysawake.games · 19/08/2026

Out of Sorts is launching on September 8th and now it has a trailer! No flashy animations here though, just some low budget nonsense. Hope you enjoy! youtu.be/F3Nrsr8m9w4?... Follow on Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/alw...

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Out of Sorts Kickstarter Trailer

YouTube video by Always Awake Games

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Always Awake Games (Connor) 🔜 PaxU @connor.alwaysawake.games · 17/08/2026

PaxWest is gonna be here in a few weeks and I’ll have my first booth! It’s tucked away in the back corner and the text is too small, but it’s there! Come say hi at booth 4504!

A map of pax west summit level 2 zoomed in on the back corner with the always awake games booth highlighted.

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Phil Gross @mistergross.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Give your heart to THE MONOLITH 8.18.26

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Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Last box of Hench is packed (hopefully there will be another run later)! Game is submitted to the arbiters at BGG. Now to just sit and stress for the next month until PAX West...

Packed cardboard boxes of the board game Hench.

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Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Tallycal isn't bad (yet). I use it to schedule board game nights with moderate success.

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Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Dang! That was quick. I will be more vigilant next year

Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Yes, the ones I know of are. I have a vague memory that someone in the EU was trying to do something similar, but not enough to point you in a direction.

Nomadotto @nomadotto.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

In the US, I've published things through the Indie Night Market system (www.newmillindustries.com/ignm is an example). You print 30-50 copies of your game and sell it at the market, so it's a great way for niche titles to be shared without the lift of a true self-publishing.

newmillindustries.com

Indie Games Night Market — New Mill Industries

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Zach Hoekstra @zhoekstra.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

🎲✂️ Get ready to play some politics, starting this October.

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That's my understanding, I want this to be a gentler experience

3) I have a major hand-attack theme in the encounter set. I know some people find discard kinda violating, but it ties in with themes of less, memory, and regret. Not sure if that's enough to justify it vs. the player experience. Anyway, enough talk, pretty cards time!

2) I am cheating by having Parley actions to deal damage ina couple of cases, rather than having two "tracks" of damage. This seems a lot friendlier for mixed groups, but is kind weird thematically. Arkhams demands combat, so it's sort of forgivable, but I don't know if it's immersion-breaking.