iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

You gave me flashbacks to when i tried to google “Pictures” to help explain the game.

Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

A friend has gone #vegan so I’m into the vegan and #glutenFree section of The Loopy Whisk’s Element Of Baking Book. I made these Pesto Bread Rolls. I was very surprised how soft they were! #baking

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I’ve not shared games for a while. But tonight i played Vanuattu. Im left with the feeling of going with out mates and getting horrifically drunk* before beating each other up and being best mates after. The game won. They dont make glorious #boardgames like this more. *analogy from a teetotaler

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I’ve not done proper #baking in ages, and I keep picking up Italian cookbooks in Rome. So ive made Torta Caprese, a flourless almond cake. I tried a British version of the before and it was quite dry. This is like a gooey chocolate marzipan and its amazing. #glutenFree

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

It might be an age thing. This was from 1963. Its like someone making a Brexit referendum game in 2079! Both huge in UK political history but less remebered by generations later.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Basically Im hearing the the theme isnt widly enough known outside the UK to make it sell internationally.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Shall i sent you the pitch then?! 😉

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I love this idea. The problem I’ve found pitching my game about The Beeching Axe is no one wants to touch the theme as “its too British”.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

My understanding is if you visit Pisa then taking this photo is a legal requirement.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Ti divertenti! Visiterò a milano nel decembre prima un’esame l’italiano a Roma. Vado Pisa e Firenze venerdì! C’e molte canale sul YouTube per giochi da tavolo!

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Ive loved having an event close to home. Its been like boardgaming christmas, I’ve had the same room in a bnb every year too. There are other events near by (the several times a year Manchester Boardgames convention and the excellent Beyond Monopoly in York) but Airecon always felt special.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

I’ve switched the team i work in at my job. I’m now “all my co workers are about 15 years younger than me” years old.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Mine all get a mark in the corner if I’ve made it. I often make notes as to if the baking time seemed very wrong or mistakes i made.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

I’ve never done it for a rule book. My cookery books however are covered in writing and personally notes!

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

2 visits ago airport security in Italy assured me i could take flour through security. I wasnt sure carrying 1kg bags of white powder was a good idea but i had no issues. This italian #glutenFree flour really is amazing. Best tasting bread ive had since #coelaic diagnosis. Shame its so expensive!

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Ive done this many a time too. The dead line of the playtest is so motivating!

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Scoring comes under the “you win by…” part of explanation. One good friend of mine always points out what symbol is used for points as it’s not always obvious.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I’m in team ‘learn as you go’. I try to frame a first game as a learning game to avoid the “id have made better decision” complaint. I find this way if teaching only works if the person teaching realy knows the game well and can make sure players understand options.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

When i teach i have a script. “You are…” “You win by…” “On your turn you….” I get many rules explanations explaining edge cases until i get to “on your turn you play a card and most points wins” Sadly Im learning less new games as I take games to events i can teach to avoid bad rules.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Im not vegan but i will keep making vegan omlette. Trying nutritional yeast to add cheese flavour for the first time. It tasted so much better than expected it to be.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Ive a similar memory of being at school at people being excited at finding writing on the inside of the side of the OK Computer CD. It could only read holding the case at a certain angle. Didnt involve the fun of distruction though.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

I know that game. This was just oblongs that made an end game scoring reveal

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

#boardgames hive mind…. Im trying to recall the name of a game i olayed about 20 years ago. I think it was by Knizia. Each round players got a long rectangle. At the end of the game they were laid out and longest track won. I don’t recall specifics or the theme. Just the mechanic to hide scoring

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

I found my self the other needing the etymology of ‘mullet’. All the sources i found claimed it was a word invented by The Beastie Boys. Any idea if this is really true?

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

I played it tuesday and forgot tonpost it. Played alot on BGA too. I will never play GWT again. Streamlined for the win for me. GWT had way to much faff

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

On my way to Leeds Board Games Festival. I would dispute Garfoth is Leeds! Its taking same tome to travel here from where i live in Leeds than it would to get to manchester or harrogate! Still a weekend or games awaits. Ive packed lots of smaller things.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Ive really struggled to get The Beaching Axe to work 2 player or solo. I starting to think future games i go ‘solo first’. That what is also makes early iterations quicker to get through as well

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Ive said before and I will say again. The best gelateria in Italy in Gelo Sia in Lido Di Ostia. The dark chocolate and orange, and the apple and cinnamon were amazing. And all #GlutenFree.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Today is my 2 year anniversary of learning Italian. Obviously that means being in Rome! Its much easier to keep up with learning a language when there are many good reasons to. Ive not been Englished once, clearly I’m starting to sound like i know what I’m saying when i ask for Caffe Lungo!

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

I will argue forever its one of the greatest 2 player games ever made. 3 player is bearable. Any more and it loses all its charm for me..

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Played 1998: ISS and 1980: Sixtina from @loopinggames.bsky.social. Both are very good. I love the idea of medium weight games in tiny boxes about 1900s history. I can see me buying them all. I’ll 100% try to design games for them in the future! I’d love to have a game in this range. #boardgames

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Started #boardgames tonight with Tenby. Im enjoying this even though i usually prefer games with a little more bite than cosy drafting. Im wondering if adding more players will make a little more cutthroat.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

I we had 4 things we missed. Most easy to retcon… We had a issue when an event was removed before fully stamped, and it just went into the box. We misses that it meant another part was ‘at rest’. It was only before the last game we though we should search why it wasnt

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

I recently finished it as well. I really enjoyed it. My only issue was with all the story stuff we misses one of two little rules and noticed quite late and had to work out how to fix it. But that was a human being problem rather than a game problem.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

I played more Oathsworn. I decided to play a different character and I’m glad i did as i enjoyed it more After 5 chapters my reiview in. Story parts - miles better than Gloom/Frosthaven Game part - nowhere near as good. The puzzle of ‘draw cards or roll dice’ i find really fun though. #boardgames

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Played Brass: Birmingham. I know its a great game when i consistently come last but still want to keep playing. Hits the sweet spot of pain and misery that frankly more games need. I don’t to get bonuses and chaining actions all the time. I want to suffer and the game feel worth it. #boardgames

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Last night i played Frosted Blooms. For what is a fairly normal cosy drafting game i found my self looking around at what other players were doing allot more than i normally would expect to. Which is a good thing. #boardgames

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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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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Slightly related. I only learnt a few weeks ago the etymology of ‘mullet’ as in the hair style. Apparently the word was invented by The Beastie Boys.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

I picked up #GlutenFree a cookbook in Rome. These “chick pea taralli” are a simple chick pea dough with water and olive oil and a bit of oregano. Tbh they needed more seasoning and could use a spicy dip. But I’m testing how many days they keep for GF snacks at big games events. #baking

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

And yes im starting to make copies of #boardgames rules in #Italian for reading practice. Reading with the context of knowing a game is going to help with comprehension of what I’m reading.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Finally today i Played 6 Nimmt. After Diplomacy was probably the very first ‘Simultaneous Action’ game I played. Dare i say it but 6 Nimmt should be up there with the great gateway games of what games Beyond Monopoly can actually be. It feels like every decision matters. #boardgames

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

I played Zack And Pack. I remember playing this 15 years ago and crushing it. Today. Disaster. Im really enjoying playing these older games and wondering if these would be published now. This is just a simple idea done really well without bloat. #boardgames

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

I learnt Pili Pili. I enjoyed this. Every round the rules change. Crucially the total of predictions of tricks players say they will win may not equal number of rounds. There is always a loser. This is the first time I’ve seen that rule. Is is used in other trick takers?! #boardgames

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

I played The Gang with the expansion going up to 10 players. I enjoy the game but i found at full ring this was orobably just a bit to much and random. Also when you have situation where most players are losing to board it was less interesting. #boardgames

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

I learnt Wir Sind Das Volk! I enoyed this alot as a learning game. I prob made terrible decisions, so to lose by one cube to a friend credited as a playtester I’m happy with. Imagine if Twilught Stuggle was icon based with drafting from a shared card supply. I really enjoyed this. #boardgames

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Yesterday I played 1987: Channel Tunnel @llamadice.bsky.social / @loopinggames.bsky.social I enjoyed this more than my first play. I really like the twist on worker placement adding more to think about than “what action do I want?” I also love playing a medium weight game in 45 minutes. #boardgames

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

I will be looking this up. Im a big fan of shorter/streamlined versions of classic. Is this a shorter version of Power Grid. It was one of the first games i played at a games club circa 2006. I loved it except the last round that took linger than all the others as everyone started doing maths!

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Credits. Assets, to me, suggests a object you can use with a power of some sort.

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Robert StartPlayer @startplayer.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

No problem. I suspect seeing the similarity in names that wont be that last time someone does that. Good luck with course!

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