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Rob Harris

@playtestuk.bsky.social
239 followers 259 following 21 posts

Games designer, developer and producer, runs Playtest UK: meetup.com/Playtest & Ludonaut for pervasive, freeform & educ. games - ex Modiphius, he/him

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Reposted by Rob Harris
Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
Another fun day or #playtesting at #Leeds @playtestuk.bsky.social event. I think In Bocca Al Lupo is just about done. I need to make a few small changes… the prettify it. Then i think its ready to start pitching!
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Rob Harper @harperrob.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Had a great trip to Bristol today for a @playtestuk.bsky.social meetup. Aside from playing a game about lobsters and a press-your-luck exploration game (which I really liked), we got a 4-player test of Magical Artifacts, which left me with plenty to think about and had a nice meeple stack built.
A prototype of a board game with coloured domino tiles, assorted meeples on the tiles, and a tall stack of pink meeples in the middle.
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Jeremy D Norton @jdnorton.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Yet again the public @playtestuk.bsky.social at UKGE this year proved to be a real high point. It's hard to explain the excitement and vulnerability of sitting down with strangers and sharing something half imagined, half finished, half made and half broken to explore its possible futures.
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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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Rob Harris @playtestuk.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
This is a great competition for your as-yet-unpublished prototype.
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Rob Harris @playtestuk.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
That’s fantastic! Great to see the South London Playtest group go from strength to strength.
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Scott - Minerva 🦉 @minervatabletop.co.uk · 01/01/2026
Playtesting successes in 2025! Last year we had a total of NINE games published that had been designed by our South London playtest group or playtested at Playfest London 🤯 Congratulations to everyone involved! Which games have you played/are looking forward to? #BoardGameDesign 🎲✂️
Published in 2025:
21x (Naylor Games)
Chroma Arcana (Roc Nest Games)
Crumbs! (Minerva Tabletop Games)
Divide & Conker (No Drinks On The Table)
Grab Bag: Jungle (Rob Harper & Mike Harrison-Wood)
One For Sorrow (Kevin Newman)
Pandora Celeste (Guntower Games)
Sakana Stack (Huff No More)
Tricky Landing (Huff No More)
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Mike Harrison-Wood @mikeharrisonwood.bsky.social · 29/11/2025
Cheers Dragonmeet, it was awesome and tiring! Fantastic playtest as well, really getting somewhere with a couple of these games
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jo kelly @miasmacorp.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
Next Bristol Friday daytime playtesting event is on 28th November! Sign up on the Meetup event to join. @playtestuk.bsky.social www.meetup.com/playtest/eve...
meetup.com
Bristol Daytime Playtest meetup, Fri, Nov 28, 2025, 10:30 AM | Meetup
If you're working on a game, whether it's an early idea or almost done, we want you! Board games, card games, puzzle games, silly or serious, short or long, any kind of gam
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Black Cats Gaming @blackcatsgaming.bsky.social · 09/11/2025
Just four hours left in the campaign and we are FUNDED! Thank you to everyone for your support! www.kickstarter.com/projects/287... If you haven't backed yet, don't miss your chance! - #ttrpg #tabletop #TheSpyGame
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Iain McAllister @giantbrain.co.uk · 09/11/2025
My new cast with @ava.foxfort.net and @timclare.bsky.social is out for your auditory pleasure. Each episode we answer ludological questions from listeners! Would you like to have your question answered on a future cast? Get in touch! open.spotify.com/show/02ctAw2...
open.spotify.com
Deranged in my Promiscuity
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Scott - Minerva 🦉 @minervatabletop.co.uk · 03/10/2025
We had over 40 different games played at Playfest London last weekend, with prototypes ranging from white paper to beautifully-produced copies. Here are a selection of prototypes played throughout the day. Which games do you like the look of? More in the next post 👇🏻 @playtestuk.bsky.social 🎲✂️
Horrors from the Campfire by Richard LawtonSalmon Falls by Denholm Spurr and Mandela Fernandez-GrandonThe Leningrad Symphony by Jacob KeetVolley Brawl by Nik Butler
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Jess- Allies or enemies games @alliesorenemies.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
Hi all! We are nervously launching Last Week of Summer on Kickstarter tomorrow at 4pm UK time. Shawn has been working on this game for over three years, and it has been a blast to play with people at conventions. Any support would be greatly appreciated! www.kickstarter.com/projects/all...
Jess and Shawn holding up their board game Last Week of Summer
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Luke 🦆 @aethercorp.games · 13/08/2025
All my bobbins are now available on another continent! Do poke your FLGS to see if they'll kindly stock them or order direct from the lovely people at IPR.
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Scott - Minerva 🦉 @minervatabletop.co.uk · 06/08/2025
We had one of our busiest playtesting sessions last night at The Ludoquist in South London, with three full tables playing ten different game designs! These are the games I played 👇🏻 @playtestuk.bsky.social 🎲✂️
A picture of a number of people sat at tables in a board game cafe, playing board game prototypes.
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Rob Harper @harperrob.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Woohoo! The game I co-designed with @mikeharrisonwood.bsky.social is now officially released. You can get it from the publisher's website, or a small but growing number of other places. Here we go...! 😁 gibsonsgames.co.uk/collections/...
gibsonsgames.co.uk
Grab Bag Jungle
THE GAME Embark on a thrilling jungle adventure with friends and family in this immersive animal rescue game!   Together, you'll race against the clock to save jungle animals by reaching into the Grab...
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Scott - Minerva 🦉 @minervatabletop.co.uk · 21/07/2025
Tickets for Playfest London are now available! Featuring all-day playtesting, a games raffle, and a special guest talk, this is the perfect opportunity to test your designs and play upcoming games. Find out more and register here: www.minervatabletop.co.uk/playfest 🎲✂️ #BoardGameDesign
A picture of Playfest London 2024, a hall filled with board game designers and players sat at tables playing games. The text reads 'Playfest London '25, registration now open!'.
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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
Made it today to the @playtestuk.bsky.social Meetup in #Leeds Very happy to have to go to the table something terrible I made last night that feels like half an idea. Very happy we that these group exist and we induldge each by playing games in literally any state of development.
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Iain McAllister @giantbrain.co.uk · 23/07/2025
@timclare.bsky.social, @ava.foxfort.net and I are embarking on a new audio endeavour. Send us all your tabletop gaming related questions. We want to hear about your dilemmas, historical mysteries, and anything else you can think of. I can be reached here or below giantbrain.co.uk/our-work-rev...
giantbrain.co.uk
Our Work, Review Policies, and Contacting Us - The Giant Brain
On this page you'll find information about the work we do, our review policies, and our contact form if you would like us to cover your game.
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Rob Harper @harperrob.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
Following up on UK Games Expo nearly a couple of months back, I had some thoughts on conversations I had with new game designers wanting advice on how to proceed, so here is a blog post about that. 🎲✂️ firsttakesomedice.blogspot.com/2025/07/gett...
firsttakesomedice.blogspot.com
Getting In The Zone
Volunteering at the Playtest Zone at UK Games Expo is always a privilege and a pleasure (if one that completely wipes me out, both physicall...
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Rob Harris @playtestuk.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
Great Playtest UK session at the Sunday meetup yesterday. We played a murder mystery party game prototype and then a thematic pub crawl board game prototype. Lots of potential for both designs.
Playtesters try a new game design themed on a pub crawl night out.
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Rob Harris @playtestuk.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
There are still spaces available for designers to playtest their prototypes at the Playtest Zone @ North East Tabletop Expo 11th-13th July. Details on how to sign up here: meetu.ps/e/P2RDN/1w7T...
meetu.ps
Playtest Zone @ North East Tabletop Expo, Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 12:00 PM | Meetup
Playtesting returns to Gateshead from the 11th to 13th of July this year! Showcase your tabletop game in our dedicated Playtest Zone at the North East Tabletop Expo where e
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Sabrina.C @sabrinac.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
This is where I plug the Horizon Fellowship program: if you're a newly established retailer or publisher in the BG industry, check out the program and see if it might make sense to apply. Applications open until July 31st! www.gama.org/Horizons
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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
Another useful playtest today of Dwarf Union: the first public playtest with four players. Militant faction needs more fun choices, but I'm happy with the direction the Ruler has taken - feels a much fuller experience. Players began negotiating above the table almost immediately which was a joy ☺️ 🎲✂️
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Rob Harris @playtestuk.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
Great turnout for the London weekend Playtest meetup last Sunday. 3 full tables of prototypes across 3+ sessions. From pandas to pirate mutinies to the Zodiac to epic snail adventures. The creativity is always astounding. Search out your local friendly Playtest meetup here: www.meetup.com/Playtest
A game prototype being played by four smiling playtesters A small space themed prototype in the middle of a playtest. Three playtesters enjoying a game prototype with a pirate theme. A game design prototype with lovely components with two playtesters and the designer.
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Rob Harper @harperrob.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
At #UKGamesExpo with @playtestuk.bsky.social and the Playtest Zone is getting good and busy.
Lots of people playing games in a big hall
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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
I'll be there playtesting on Friday morning at 10am!
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Rob Harris @playtestuk.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
Playtest UK is running the Playtest Zone @ the UK Games Expo 2025 next weekend: Friday 30th May-Sunday 1st June. 169 designers are signed up to playtest their prototypes, with more drop-in spaces available on the day. Here is the schedule: tinyurl.com/2umhtv55
tinyurl.com
Playtest Zone 2025 Schedule
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Drentsoft Games - (Derwent) @drentsoftgames.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Looking forward to UKGE next weekend. Have a 3 hour playtest session booked in the afternoon at @playtestuk.bsky.social Will be there on Saturday. Drop by to try Domino City and maybe a couple other games!
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jo kelly @miasmacorp.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
The next Bristol Friday daytime playtesting event will be on 23rd May. Please sign up if you're interested! @playtestuk.bsky.social www.meetup.com/playtest/eve...
Poster with details for Playtest UK Bristol: Friday 23rd May, Excelsior!, 51-53 Merchant Street, Bristol, BS1 3EE, 10:30-16:30
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jo kelly @miasmacorp.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
The next Bristol daytime playtest meetup is on 25 April at Excelsior! Please see the Meetup page for more information and sign up for a slot if you're coming. @playtestuk.bsky.social www.meetup.com/playtest/eve...
meetup.com
Bristol Daytime Playtest meetup, Fri, Apr 25, 2025, 10:30 AM | Meetup
If you're working on a game, whether it's an early idea or almost done, we want you! Board games, card games, puzzle games, silly or serious, short or long, any kind of gam
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Rob Harris @playtestuk.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Game designers & playtesters please join us this Sunday at The Jugged Hare pub in Vauxhall for the London Playtest UK weekend meetup. First-timers welcome. We’re a friendly bunch. meetu.ps/e/NNBcb/1w7T...
meetu.ps
London Playtest weekend meetup, Sun, Mar 16, 2025, 1:00 PM | Meetup
If you've designed a game, bring it along and give it a play or just enjoy playing other people's prototypes in a friendly and constructive atmosphere. If you would like t
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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
Yesterday was the #Leeds @playtestuk.bsky.social Meetup. I don’t seem to had time to work on anything recently. How do people manage to find time to do everything they want to do!
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Minty Noodles Ltd. @mintynoodles.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
We always love playtesting! It's one of the most valuable things we do to make sure all new aspects of our game development work 😵‍💫 Join us 21st February for a Playtest UK event at LHG Brewpub, Bristol. Dm us to sign up! #boardgame #boardgamedevelopers #playtest #bristolboardgaming #bristol
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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
What a pleasant surprise and honour to see Sankoré nominated for a Cannes As D'Or. Seems we did well @flopiano.bsky.social @ospreygames.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social and SuperMeeple for the VF.
Images of nominees from FIJ As d'Or press release. Daybreak, Kutna Hora, and Sankoré: The Pride of Mansa Musa are the 3 games shown.
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Pollyaula @pollyaula.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
Anyone interested in boardgame design? In Sheffield UK today? The local Sheffield branch of PlaytestUk have our monthly meet up today (Saturday 18th January) at noon at Patriot Games, organised by Tom Coldron. Come along just to play or bring your test prototype. @playtestuk.bsky.social #boardgames
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Rob Harper @harperrob.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
Earlier this month I was at a weekend board game design meetup and had a great, though exhausting time. Really great exercise doing some high speed game jams as part of it. 🎲✂️
firsttakesomedice.blogspot.com
Jams and Playtesting
A couple of weekends back, I was lucky to be invited to a board game designers' weekend. It was just a small event, held in a private house,...
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Rob Harper @harperrob.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
Thanks everyone for a really enjoyable day. Great to meet some new people and play some cool prototypes.
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Rob Harris @playtestuk.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
Thank you to all the awesome designers and playtesters who came to the Playtest Zone @Dragonmeet Special thanks to @harperrob.bsky.social for all your hard work. #Dragonmeet #PlaytestUK
Designers and playtesters playtesting game prototypes with the Playtest UK banner in the foreground. Designers and playtesters playtesting game prototypes with the Playtest UK banner in the background.
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Rob Harper @harperrob.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
If you're at Dragonmeet on Saturday, come and see the playtest tables in the open play area.
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Rob Harris @playtestuk.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
Here is the schedule 10am-6pm for the Playtest Zone @dragonmeet on Saturday: tinyurl.com/24y64ux8 Myself and @harperrob.bsky.social will be in the red Playtest UK t-shirts. Look forward to seeing you there.
tinyurl.com
Playtest Zone Dragonmeet 2024 Schedule
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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
Today i attended the #Leeds @playtestuk.bsky.social Meetup. As usually loads of cool idea in different stages of development. Annoyingly I had no time to make anything for this month but still good to go a long and try out what other #boardgames are being made.
Using prime numbers to claim compound numbersBreeding cows!A first draft of a semi auction semi negotiation game.
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Connie @connievdc.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Over the last few years, I've learned a lot about game design (and I still have a ton more to learn!). In the interest of helping others, I wanted to share a few key concepts that I've picked up. Note that this is geared toward pitching to publishers, and as with any wisdom, YMMV. A thread. 1/ 🎲✂️
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James Wallis @jameswallis.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Next week in London I'm giving a talk on 'The History of Warhammer'. from its origins to the present day, with the people, lore, and key moments of this billion-pound game. Tickets are still available, and it'll be livestreamed too. Do come, it'll be fun! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-histor...
eventbrite.co.uk
The History of Warhammer with James Wallis
Discover the history behind the legendary tabletop games of fantastic and futuristic war. Followed by Q&A.
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Rob Harris @playtestuk.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Hello new place. Looking forward to running a small Playtest Zone @dragonmeet this Saturday. I’ll also be playtesting a new deduction game design prototype. Hope to see you there.
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