iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I've been a little busy with interviews and other things. But I have everything printed to make the first paper prototype of Die Dullahan and testing of the game in general has been going well (even though I'm taking a short break from testing too).

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

As a huge fan of the mecha genre, I spend a lot of time thinking about what I would do with it for a tabletop game, and my mind always ends up around the same place. Brainstorming for a future Mecha Dueling Card Game [Integrity & Connection] luckyforeststudio.wordpress.com/2026/09/17/b...

luckyforeststudio.wordpress.com

Brainstorming for a future Mecha Dueling Card Game [Integrity & Connection]

Just the first thoughts on an idea.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

There's definitely still a world where I want to lower defensive options during the first boss even more, but I'm happy with where it's at for now. #boardgamedesign #soloboardgame

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Now, you just don't really have that luxury. Instead of getting 2-3 shields and 2-3 life potions throughout a game, I've been getting 2-4 total defensive items (obviously variance and luck matters a lot). But it means that I've been going into the second boss with half my max life, which is good.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Previously the number of inventory dice you would find was just too high, it caused the first boss to be more about running in circles gathering resources and staying at full life until the second boss.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Made a medium sized change to Die Dullahan over the weekend and really enjoyed the playtests after the change. The balance of how defensive the player can be feels much better because of the change, and exploring feels like a real choice now more often than it did.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Figured I'd pin the Tabletop Simulator Prototype for my solo dice boss battler board game here just in case. If you'd like to give it a try, there is a link to a rules PDF and video in the prototype description. steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/...

steamcommunity.com

Steam Workshop::Die Dullahan [Prototype]

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

It's funny, because I had the same concerns as their initial feedback, but then they talked me out of the concern too.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

We realized, at least for now, the game seems to almost self correct itself. I don't think that will always be the case, but it's been funny.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Had a friend playtest phase 2 of Die Dullahan last night. I'm happy with how it went generally, a decent number of small tweaks but they enjoyed it. At the end I asked for general feedback so I can keep a record. And they gave feedback, and then talked themselves out of it 😂.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

What losing during the learning game (first boss) looks like. There was definitely a different decision I could have made. (The Dyemon, or boss, still had 5 dice left out of 8 (so 5 life essentially)).

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I've never made it to the second boss with full life, I was just incredibly lucky with the boss rolls. It came back for me though. I was honestly worried I was making the game too easy, but if you can go from winning handedly to not being sure if you'll win the whole game...I'm pretty happy.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Just had one of the weirdest playtests for die dullahan yet. (I'm playtesting beyond the learning game). I made it to the second boss with full life. Over the course of the game I had functionally around to 28 life (my max actually 18, but shields and healing). Won the game with 1 life left. Lol

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

My dream is that each expansion featuring new bosses comes in a pretty compact box you can put on a shelf like a book, and just have the dice be something that's purchased once, if you even need to.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

I'm hopeful that the number of total dice in the game will go down, since the amount on the prototype mod is kind of arbitrary and just more than people are likely to need through a whole game. The good thing is the rest of the components are all going to be very minimal.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

This means the only dice that would come in an expansion would be unique to that product and likely a very small number. I've also thought about using mini dice instead of standard dice to help with this issue.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

I do think the most cost effective version would be to package the dice separately from the rest of the game. It would make it much easier to sell different expansions after, and still have the dice available for people who come into the game later.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

It's very far off, but I've been thinking about the production costs of Die Dullahan. Since it's a game that needs a lot of dice since you and the boss upgrade them throughout the game, I do have real concerns about it. Especially for a solo board game.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

In case you missed it. I'm pretty proud of this one.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

I started keeping a record of my wins and losses testing my solo dice boss battler boardgame since the prototype has been released publicly... 1 Win - 3 Losses lol

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

I finally finished the how to play video for Die Dullahan, my solo board game prototype. Watch the video and then try a learning game on the Table Top Simulator mod (found in the description or pinned comment). #boardgames youtu.be/K2PCI-nOq1A

youtu.be

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Easily boss/creature designs. I think giving something to help the players visualize what they're fighting against is useful for my playgroup.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

After getting completely destroyed in the solo board game I'm designing last night, I decided to track my wins and losses during testing. I woke up this morning and won, so we're even for now I guess. #boardgames

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Becoming more than a novice. Tried to do something interesting with only half a d4 helmet. It kind of worked, but I kind of like the flame coming out of only one slit more.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Attempted to illustrate an updated version of a Novice Dullahan for Die Dullahan. It took...an embarrassingly long time, but it is an improvement. I actually can't wait to see where someone else takes it, since my skill is so limiting right now. #boardgamedesign #soloboardgame #boardgames

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Made an update to the layout of the class cards that should have been obvious to me. Before, when you stacked the cards on top of each other it looked too confusing, like you either had way more or way less than you actually did. Now it shows your current status much more clearly.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I keep seeing work from artists thinking "something like this style would be great for Die Dullahan" Then I see another, and another, and another.... There are too many good artists. Please calm down.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Let's see if a 4:30 am repost does anything for my first YouTube video in like 2 years. A watch is always appreciated, thank you to those who check it out #boardgames #soloboardgames

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

One day I will sleep through the night, but not this one.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Did I start a new youtube channel to chronicle the development of Die Dullahan, a solo board game? Yes. youtu.be/vAh7T4gZUB0

youtu.be

I'm Designing My Dream Solo Board Game

YouTube video by Lucky Forest Studio

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

I'm pretty excited, we both agreed this is the most complete game I've ever designed. He loved the little Dullahan characters I sketched. And thinks it's a good balance between simple and challenging. Now I just need money to afford an artist. Lol.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Just finished a long learning game /play test / discussion of Die Dullahan with a friend whose opinion I respect. And it went better than I could have hoped. A few kinks, but it's working.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Prototype on Tabletop Simulator is basically ready for a mini version of the game. Going to test with a friend today and try to finish up a rough how to play book and video after. #soloboardgame #boardgamedesign #boardgame

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

While I'm not really an artist by any means, I am into the idea that the different stat cards in Die Dullahan would showcase little drawings of that class living life. As showcased with my sketches here, but I'd like to see little vignettes dispersed throughout basically. #boardgames #diedullahan

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Glad a game idea for these little dudes is finally coming together.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Accidentally designed a small solo boss battler while taking a break from the big project. Dice rolls, action selection, programming, and I don't know how else to put it "free will." Die Dullahan is the title for now. I'll try to get enough of a prototype up on TTS for easy playtesting. #boardgame

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

It wasn't my intention to post the next board game design journal entry so quickly, but I really want to focus on doing some small solo playtests this weekend. Enjoy a quick read on early core gameplay ideas. luckyforeststudio.wordpress.com/2026/08/28/a... #boardgame #boardgamedesign

luckyforeststudio.wordpress.com

A Street of Fiction – Part 5: Early Days Core Gameplay

The fifth in a series of board game development journals by an extremely hobbyist designer.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

This isn't even a little bit sarcasm, I think the greatest skill I've learned in the last year is being able to make quick card game and board game prototypes on tabletop simulator for playtesting. I'm sure I've learned useful life things, but those don't seem as important.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Getting today's hobbyist board game design journal out early today. I look at early prototypes of some of the games core components, and a little bit into how those components might work. Thanks for stopping by. luckyforeststudio.wordpress.com/2026/08/27/a... #boardgames #boardgamedesign

luckyforeststudio.wordpress.com

A Street of Fiction – Part 4: Early Days Core Game Pieces

The fourth in a series of board game development journals by an extremely hobbyist designer.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Another prototype, this time of a simple event card. I'm hoping to free up more space for art eventually. I don't know if you were ever almost run over by a kid on a bicycle when you were young, but I was haha.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

That is really cool and definitely worth looking into.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I have a new giant white board in the apartment dream.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Prototyping is seriously one of my favorite parts of designing anything. Love experiments and trying new ways to convey information. #boardgamedesign #prototype #amateurboardgamedesign #boardgames

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

It really can't be overestimated how much talking through an idea with someone can help clear up any blockage with the idea. And if you don't have someone (like me), writing it up and putting it out into the aether helps to. Sometimes you're closer than you think to it working. #boardgamedesign

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

The first entry of my hobbyist game design journal is out. All about initial ideas and finding inspiration in normal things. A Street of Fiction - Part 1: Being Inspired By Normalcy luckyforeststudio.wordpress.com/2026/08/22/a... #boardgamedesign #boardgames #amateurdesigner #gamedesignjournal

luckyforeststudio.wordpress.com

A Street of Fiction – Part 1: Being Inspired By Normalcy

The first in a series of boardgame development journals by an extremely amateur designer.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

I randomly decided this morning to start a blog chronicling my experience of designing a boardgame from scratch. Find it at luckyforeststudio.wordpress.com Thanks to anyone who checks it out. You’re pretty cool.

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Jason @spookstheboops.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

I had a random boardgame idea heavily influenced by my pretty normal suburban upbringing about adventuring into the woods, fighting with friends, and sneaking through people's houses and backyards, and imagination. Feels strange to take so much influence from my life to be honest. #boardgamedesign

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