iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Brooks Barber

Lunarpunk Games @lunarpunk.games · 28/09/2026

Color Jam has funded! We're so, so excited about making this coloring game a reality. Thanks to everyone for sharing, supporting, and helping this exist! And a major thanks to the incredible game designers Gene Koo and Joe Kell, as well as artist Erin Laue. You all made this something truly special.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

If you’re a fan of powerful puzzles in small packages, check this game out. It’s mechanically simple, fast playing, with lots of fun decisions to be made. It good! www.seahorseandhummingbird.com/shop/rune-ri...

seahorseandhummingbird.com

Rune Rite - The Seahorse and The Hummingbird

Coming to Kickstarter on Oct 13th! Rune Rite is a witchy flip-and-write of runes, rites and polyomino conjuration. Build custom polyominoes to score big.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Often, by accepting an investment like this, the owners are attempting to save something of their own investment at the expense of everyone else. Lower level folks won’t benefit from this unless the investment pays off. But they could benefit from a strategic sale or shutdown.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Im not blaming anyone for anything. I don’t know enough about the terms of the deal. It’s hard to trust a company with a history of bad decisions and questionable business practices. I’m sure they’re just trying to survive, but deals like this often implode.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

But that’s the thing. No one is handing them cash. At that level of investment, there is equity involved, and that means return on investment and paying it back and needing to meet revenue and profit requirements. This sounds like a way to leverage into taking over

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I backed this today, and I couldn't be happier to do so! I've had as much fun playing this with my five year old as I have with groups of friends over beers while yelling at each other. The design is ingenious in that it drives your behavior but lets you to bring what you want to the game. Get it!

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

So, you can collect sets via tableau building, but it would be difficult to build a tableau via set collection, although I guess it could be possible. In the end, there is crossover because these aren't mutually exclusive and serve different design purposes.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Tableau building, on the other hand, is usually used to facilitate in-game action or a sense of progression, not just points. Something like Through the Ages or 7 Wonders might be the best examples here.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I see their functions within design as different. To me, set collection is typically used as a way of scoring. The classic examples are things like poker, rummy, mahjong, etc. More recent ones are Ticket to Ride or Great Western Trail.

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Reposted by Brooks Barber

Zach Hoekstra @zhoekstra.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

🎲✂️ If the Pact gamefound campaign makes at least $2 million, @wulfhorngames.bsky.social has promised to dress up in a Jenna mascot costume for the entirety of next Spiel. This is definitely something I have discussed with him beforehand. Help me make this happen, folks.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Turns out one of the biggest blunders in history is a solid source of content! It I were being super pendantic, I’d say they should have used period (1920s) appropriate flags, and maybe included the Hashemite Kingdom of Arabia in there too. But otherwise, top marks!

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Okay but how many ibuprofen have you taken to manage the headache that place provides free with your power card?

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

You might look at the Gaming the Past starter pack for ideas of folks on Bluesky. It's historically focused, but lots of educators in there using games and studying games. @beyondsolitaire.bsky.social has done several interviews in the past few years with folks operating in this space as well.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Check this one out folks! It's fun!

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Another Hawk & Dove announcement this week. I can't wait to see this one through to the end. Please check it out!

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

I think there's a complex history here, but that most American bars descend from cocktail-focused establishments accessible primarily to wealthier socialites of the 1800s while many British pubs retained their original feel of being localized/neighborhood social gathering spots.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Found two. Good luck! www.zazzle.com/the_5_great_... officiallakeontariostore.com/product/huro...

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

This is probably the first time reading a rulebook has increased my desire to play a game. It's just delightful. I especially enjoyed the footnotes within other footnotes.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

No Stuart, Fruit is a different game.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Every one of these games is deserving. If you haven’t already, check them out. Congrats to all the nominees!!

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I look forward to trying this one!

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Wrote a little today about Painkillers, the history that inspired the game, and what I’m trying to do with it. Enjoy!

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

I would love to hear more about this! I’m finding myself drawn this direction too, and it’s a bit of a struggle.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

In my new home Utrecht, NL, there’s Subcultures, which supports monthly Playtest and open game nights, and also Het Lab, which hosts game nights and lets me and my friend Playtest there once a week LOL. www.subcultures.nl www.lab-monkey.nl

subcultures.nl

Welkom bij Spellenwinkel Subcultures

Subcultures is een spellenwinkel in Utrecht en online.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

My former home Austin, TX had Tanuki Games, a small space with one of the best curated selections I’ve ever seen. Plus, they’ll order almost shutting for you. And they have a great collection of imports from Tokyo game market and other East Asian countries. www.tanukigamesatx.com

tanukigamesatx.com

Tanuki Games

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Reposted by Brooks Barber

Fred Serval @fredserval.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

This Sunday @joedewhurst.bsky.social and I will start a The Guerrilla Generation campaign "Resisting Reagan". It will be three episodes, and it will be epic 🔥 - poke @gmtgames.bsky.social youtube.com/live/VvERhDj...

youtube.com

The Guerrilla Generation: Resisting Reagan – Campaign Playthrough | Part 1

YouTube video by Homo Ludens

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Reposted by Brooks Barber

YoYoni @yoyoni.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Pack your torches and hammers, it's time to smash some machines ⚒️🔥 "The Nights of King Ludd" is coming to Kickstarter Sept 2. We're kicking it off with a game trailer: youtu.be/cToamg7Zvek Animations by @ronengoldstein.bsky.social, voice over by @5g4d.bsky.social #boardgames #luddite #wargames

youtu.be

The Nights of King Ludd Game Trailer

YouTube video by The Dietz Foundation

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I’m sorry you’re in this kind of environment. Did it for more than a decade and it’s the absolute worst. No better way to stifle the creativity required to make great games.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I replaying a game like this as akin to replaying an RPG. The narrative is the point, and exploring multiple narratives would be fun (to me).

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

They definitely exist, and some are more prominent than they should be. But generally board game people are pretty chill. However, those who do suck are very loud and very shitty, and, unfortunately, not always held accountable as they should be.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

I think this trend highlights some major biases in modern society. Layered into this is a general disdain not only for those arts traditionally perceived as childish but also for those historically coded as feminine or working class.

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Reposted by Brooks Barber

Hawk and Dove Games @hawkanddovegames.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Reminder about El Pulpo, now with some prototype photos! Check alt text for details. Very excited about this one. We’ll be showing it at several cons over the next few months!

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

All ice cream can be prescription if you crush up your pills and sprinkle them on top.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Same. I feel like this critique could be applied to the entire internet/social media ecosystem, and that board games were relatively late to get infected by it but now it's here and ugh.

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Reposted by Brooks Barber

Zach Hoekstra @zhoekstra.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Happy to announce the launch of Restless Raven Game's landing page! We're a real company now! www.restlessravengames.com

restlessravengames.com

Home | Restless Raven Games

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

This is adorable Marceline! Love the theme and aesthetics. Looking forward to seeing the other two.

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Reposted by Brooks Barber

Elizabeth Hargrave @elizhargrave.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

One major purpose of TTGDA is to help tabletop game designers negotiate better publishing contracts. We just released the rubric of what we look for -- and info on how different publishers scored on the rubric. Soon we will also release a model contract. More at www.ttgda.org/contract-bas...

Tabletop Game Designers Association (TTGDA) Releases Scoring Rubric and Tabletop
Market Contract Analysis to Promote Equitable Industry Standards

Bridgewater, NJ – The Tabletop Game Designers Association (TTGDA) today announced the
launch of their Contract Scoring Rubric and publication of its Tabletop Market Contract Analysis
– 2026, a comprehensive industry report designed to share information about contract practices
and advocate for fair treatment, intellectual property protection, and designer involvement in the
tabletop game publishing process.
The report, developed by the TTGDA contract & grievance committee—led by industry veterans
Geoff Engelstein, Elizabeth Hargrave, Matt Leacock, and James Lowder—seeks to address the
wide disparity in publishing agreements across the industry. With many first-time game
designers accepting terms that may be disadvantageous, the TTGDA has developed a rigorous,
objective scoring rubric to evaluate publisher contracts.
“Our intention is to shine a light on these industry practices and lead to more equitable
standards,” says TTGDA Vice President Sen-Foong Lim. To assist in this effort, the TTGDA will
be releasing model contracts that adhere to the criteria established in the scoring rubric.
The full report can be downloaded at www.ttgda.org/contract-basics.
Key Industry Findings
The analysis of contracts from over 50 publishers reveals several critical areas where many
standard publishing agreements fall short of fair practices:
● Advances: Only two-thirds of publishers offer a baseline advance above the
TTGDA-recommended minimum of $1,000, while 20% offer no advance at all.
● Designer Involvement in Expansions: 40% of publishers retain the right to create
expansions without consulting the original game’s designer.

Intellectual Property Rights: 75% of publishers retain the rights to a game’s name after
the publication agreement concludes and rights to the design revert to the creator.
● Financial Transparency: One-third of publishers deny designers the right to audit their
books, and 10% include non-standard deductions to revenue before royalties are
calculated.
Moving Toward Standards
The Tabletop Market Contract Analysis includes aggregate results, with summary scores for
each individual publisher available to TTGDA members. However TTGDA would like to highlight
the top five scoring publishers (alphabetically): 25th Century Games, Fireside Games, Lunar
Punk, Plaid Hat Games, and UP Games.
“These results are not a call to avoid specific publishers,” says TTGDA President Geoff
Engelstein. “Rather they are a tool for designers to negotiate terms that include fair payment,
intellectual property protection, and a meaningful role in the final product.”
The organization plans to release semi-annual updates to the Tabletop Market Contract
Analysis as more contracts are reviewed and publishers revise their standard agreements.
About the Tabletop Game Designers Association
The Tabletop Game Designers Association is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization dedicated to
supporting designers of all types of tabletop games, including board games, role playing games,
card games, miniature games, and others, whether mass market, specialty, or hobby. Learn
more about us at www.ttgda.org.

Contact:
Geoff Engelstein
President
Tabletop Game Designers Association
president@ttgda.org
www.ttgda.org

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

This 100%. Several recent instances have shown the system is flawed overall. No game should be stuck in the queue for literal months. Having an entry on BGG is, for better or worse, critical to success, especially for smaller or newer creators. And the timing of that can make or break a game.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Love to see it! Say hi to everyone for me!

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Very happy to be announcing this! Dan's game is one of the best I've played in the past few years, and I look forward to seeing it out in the world in earnest. Lots more in store in the future!

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Sure thing! Feel free to DM me here or on Discord

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