iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

1/3 On the occasion of Anne Carson winning the nobel prize for literature, I pulled her book off the shelf and opened it to where I left a bookmark 20-some years ago when I first read it. I easily found the passage that captured me back then:

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

What a ridiculous premise. That would never happen.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

In other news, I'm old. Generated using: my9games.net/en

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Went to local board game night yesterday and had a great time playing Gallieo Galilei! I've been meaning to get out and do more public play, and board games seem an easier fit than ttrpgs right now.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

From the first game to the last of the season! Already renewed pur tickets for next year. Go Tempo!

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I'm stuck in an empty airport for a few hours (my own fault, sortted out.) And this clesning droid comes rolling along, and it's the most sci-fi life has ever felt.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Last day spent in New Brunswick yesterday, the notables of the day were these fairy-tale-sized mushrooms. (And yes, i know they're the bad kind, still look neat.)

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

On vacation, but swung by the FLGS - as one does. This time it's Heroes Beacon in Saint John. They have a great ttrpg selection, and I grabbed a copy of Arcana Unleashed.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

On today's episode of "Roadside Disappointments"...

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I don't usually take bathroom selfies, but when I do...

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

There's a bunny on the grass...

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Zero Company, I barely knew ya. Great times and very Star Warsy moments in the last few missions too. If you're also done, and want more tactical goodness, check out: Top Pick: Cyber Knights (probably best in genre) Midnight Suns Lamplighters League Mutant Year Zero Jagged Alliance 3 Showgunners

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Look, there's no wrong way to play a game. But if this is not your favourite character in Zero Company...

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

PoV: putting 12 hours into Zero Company in two days. Really enjoying it. It may not quite hit the writing highs of Midnight Suns or the tactical depth of Cyber Knights, but it's still a top notch entry in the genre. Also, it's really pretty, and Star Wars! #videogames

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Help! I opened the GameholeCon's new app and it attacked me immediately.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

BlueSky has a lot more faith in my linguistic abilities than I do.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Ok, Portland, you win this round.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Had a great board game day with a bunch of people this weekend! Got almost everything from Gencon and UKGE to the table, including: Spooktacular Night at the Zoo Digging for Dinos Railway Porters 3 Chapters Also got to the silly but fun Hot Streak.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Last day of Gencon gave me the fanboy moment of my life: meeting Timothy Zahn - the man whose books made me fall in love with Star Wars. His characters - Mara, Thrawn, Talon - have stayed with me through the decades. Thanks to Catalyst Game Labs for hosting him! Sick art print by Joe Corroney.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Checks to resist purchasing things are always at a disadvantage in the Monte Cook Games room at Gencon I got away with a small purchase and picked up Cypher 2 player guide!

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Look, it's taking the super tiny snails a while, but they're almost at Gencon.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

I got to try out Bagged & Boarded board game at GenCon yesterday, doing a full playthrough in about 90min. Really really great game about collecting comic books. It has very intuitive mechanics and a great theme. Looks intimidating, but actually pretty simple. Way loghter than a euro.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

So when I posted all the places you can get something I worked on at Gencon, I neglected to mention that Grim Hollow is also available at.... THE FREAKING DND TOWER OMG OMG OMG!

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Gencon - Day 1 of the con itself! I contributed to some stuff that's here! You can check out the ennie-nominated Grim Hollow campaign guide at the Ghostfire Gaming booth 2935 You can also pick up the Devoured Labyrinth at either the Shadowdark booth 2464 or Creature Curations 2245! #dnd #ttrpg

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

We crossed it when we got there. Gencon tomorrow!

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Jr. Designer: the problem is that people keep thinking owlbears are cute and want to adopt them! Sr. Designer: hold my Molson Canadian. (From the new Daggerheart book apparently.)

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Cheers to Galaxy of Heroes for just leaving no dark corner of star wars untouched. (Apparently there are bunnies?!)

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

The Toronto Tempo inaugural season's bringing me great moments on a weekly basis. The first WNBA game I saw live was only a couple of years ago in Vegas. Before the Tempo existed. Now the Aces are here, in our building, playing our team! Surreal.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

As far as wnba tie-in products - well done, coors, well done.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Free RPG day at 401 Games in Toronto! Snagged some interesting reading. :)

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

If my math is right, Mabrey just hit 50. Go Tempo!

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

The Dream are likely the best team the Toronto Tempo have had to face at home so far. Gonna be tough, need a full 40 minute effort! #wnba

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Heading out from UKGE early on Day 3. Snuck in a demo of Mariners board game with one of the designers. It wasn't on my shortlist but kinda blew me away. Unfortunately it's still pre-ks, so a long wait. Said my goodbyes, loaded my noble steed, grabbed a cornish pasty for the road and off I go!

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

UKGE day 2 continued: Walked around the show after, hit a few booths including En World before playing my one scheduled game - the fantastic D&D AL epic Flotilla of Fate. Had a great DM and it was really well run overall. After that hung out and chatted with folks - even a real live wizard.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Long day 2 at UKGE! Tried two board games: the wild "fantasy meets foolery" game of Shug, and Druids if Edora - a dice placement-ish game i've been meaning to check out.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Played demos of Night at the Zoo, 3 Kobolds in a Trenchcoat, and Train Porters. Enjoyed all of them, Night is sure to be a smash at Gencon. On the fence about Kobolds due to price.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Chatted with Ukrainian game designers who're behind Aridnyk and the upcoming 1984 game. I came for the former but loved hearing about the latter - super strong art and theme, and mechanics reinforcing the super dark tone. Apparently oppression is like bad.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

More board games stuff from UKGE day 1! Checked out and picked up L'oaf and Steery. Both are the sort of small quickplay games you can pull out anytime.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

UKGE Day 1... There was good buzz about the board game Railway Porters ahead of the con, and a good play video sold me on it. So it was my first stop in the morning. Massive line up and it sold out for the day very quickly. I grabbed a copy, going to try to get a hands-on play later.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

UKGE DAY 1! Let's Gooo! Checking out Thee Kobolds in a Trench Coat at the FanCrafted booth

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Helping my friends from Limithron set up the Pirate Borg booth at UKGE. Got to check out their sweet starter set as part of set up. So much stuff in it! Can't wait to explore the con properly over the next couple of days.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Made it to Birmingham ahead of UKGE! It's pretty meh. Everyone I know arrives tomorrow, and i'll perhaps avoid accosting strangers with "psst, got a board game?" and just hang out in my room. Tomorrow will head over to the con to help friends with booth setup.

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Andrew B. @swordcompass.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

After 3 amazing days of food, theater, and sights in London, I'm off to Birmingham for UKGE!

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