iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

I seem to have made the line up for the Tabletop Gaming World Cup 😂. This is pretty cool. I've never played football in my life, but if I did, this is the team I'd want to be on! www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/features/wor...

tabletopgaming.co.uk

Tabletop Gaming - Tabletop Gaming World Cup: Game Designers Starting XI

Ever wondered who’d take to the pitch at a World Cup tournament featuring the best and brightest tabletop designers? Wonder no more as we pick our ultimate squad!

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Osprey Games 🎲 @ospreygames.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

We've shared the Threaded design diary from designer @thedarkimp.bsky.social over on our website blog 😍 Learn the story of how this crafty worker-placement game came to life: bit.ly/4sWIZqO 🧵 Available now 🪡 bit.ly/4nOJ9iz

An image with the box of the board game Threaded against a blue patterned background and wrapped in a ribbon of stitched bargello embroidery matching the cover design in the same, blue, pink, yellow and green colours. Below text reads: "2-5 Players | Worker-Placement | 45min"

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Osprey Games 🎲 @ospreygames.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Threaded designed by @thedarkimp.bsky.social is out today! 🧵🐱 Establish a thriving needlecraft studio by designing and stitching your own gorgeous bargello embroidery in this crafty worker placement game... ▶️ Pick up your copy now: bit.ly/4nOJ9iz

A photo of the game components of Threaded laid out in front of the box. There are various different small cardboard boards with different wooden pieces on them, and one with a 3D cardboard cube tower. The rulebook and a sticker sheet are to one side, alongside a cloth bag and small wooden cubes in bright colours.

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

My Designer Diary for Threaded (from @ospreygames.bsky.social) is now on BGG. boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...

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Osprey Games 🎲 @ospreygames.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

🧵 In our crafty worker-placement board game Threaded from @thedarkimp.bsky.social, establish a thriving needlecraft studio! Acquire equipment cards, gather your thread cubes, take on commissions to earn points, and create stunning canvases... 23 April UK // 21 April US // bit.ly/4nOJ9iz

A photo of components from the board game Threaded: a player board with various slots for equipment cards, wooden thread and assistant cubes, and tapestry cards. All around are scattered illustrated commission cards and more wooden cubes in different colours.

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Osprey Games 🎲 @ospreygames.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

🧵 Create brilliant bargello embroidery in this crafty worker-placement game from @thedarkimp.bsky.social! Hunt for the perfect thread, fulfil intricate commissions, seek out artisan equipment, and create stunning canvases. 23rd April 2026 // 21st April 2026: bit.ly/4nOJ9iz

A photo of the box for the board game Threaded on a table, surrounded by wooden cubes from the game, and balls of thread.

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

New game! Threaded from Osprey... Gorgeous art, cube tower, mini craft kit? I mean come on!

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Working on a new game. It's got a nice drafting mechanism and a satisfying tile placement puzzle, but the economy is totally broken.

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Shame I'll only be there Wednesday and Thursday!

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Who's going to London Toy Fair next week?

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

I only have games I have published on my site. This is published by Laurence King Publishing.

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

Thank you. So lovely to hear 😊

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Great to see some love for our Jane Austen Game @mandelafg.bsky.social

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

This time on BTC, I talk to @chrisbacke.bsky.social about how game designers can make use of digital tools. Chris shares his go-to programs for virtual playtesting, insights into TTS and the pros and cons of testing games online versus in person. thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

New BTC episode! I talk to Chrissy Fagerholt about Chrissy’s approach to social media, balancing authenticity with strategy, and the importance of sharing both successes and failures online. thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

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Ross 💙🎲 MoreGamesPlease @moregamesplease.com · 21/10/2025

A huge thanks to @thedarkimp.bsky.social for this wonderful chat about board game visuals and publishing. Grab a coffee and go have a listen.

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

New BTC podcast! I talk to Ross Connell about the vital role of art and marketing in game design—from how visuals shape a game’s identity to what publishers expect when reviewing a pitch. Find out how art and marketing can make your games stand out. thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

Are you coming to Essen? It would be good to see you.

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

Yes! And apparently now I can talk about it!

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Mandela F-G @mandelafg.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Co-design with @thedarkimp.bsky.social tested above. The man in the blue shirt leapt over the table to where I'm standing to grab a die and win the game. I had to catch him to soften the landing. Not a metric I'd usually rely on, but it feels like a good sign for the game. Was a highlight for me.

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Here's the link: thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

thegamedesignroundtable.com

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

New episode of BTC! I talk to @stuffbybez.bsky.social about the importance of building & embracing your brand as a game designer. We discuss tailoring games to resonate with an audience, defining a clear creative purpose, and leaning into that vision to strengthen your work. Link in comments...

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

How exciting! My game Early Bird, published by Hootenanny Games just won the "Best for Fast Paced Fun" award from Parents Best Toys for 2025. Hootenanny have done a fabulous job with the production of this game. I'm excited for people to play it. www.parents.com/parents-best...

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

I've just published a guest blog post from Chris Backe on The Dark Imp Blog. In this post, Chris talks about TabletopPublishers.com and how it can support designers with the pitching process. www.thedarkimp.com/blog/2025/09...

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

I've been talking to Matthew Dunstan about building and maintaining relationships with publishers. We discuss: 📬 Making first contact 🔁 Balancing persistence & pressure 💬 Positive publisher experiences 🧩 When publisher ties still matter in self-publishing thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

I've been talking to April Mitchell about the power of sizzle reels in pitching games. April looks at what makes a great sizzle reel and we discuss the dos and don’ts of showcasing your game on video & practical tips for making your reel stand out. thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

On Behind the Cardboard, I talked to Fertessa Allyse, designer of Cascadia Junior, about Sell Sheets. We talk about why sell sheets matter, what to include, & how to craft one that grabs attention. Have a listen! thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Doing a (solo) 4-player test of a new game to work out how many cards are needed... while on a narrowboat... Space is challenging.

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

I had a brilliant conversation with Dominic Crapuchettes from North Star Games. It's a BTC special episode! We cover capturing a game’s intended experience, the role of playtesting & the creative tension between fun vs. marketability. Listen here: thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

Glad you've found it useful.

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

New podcast! In this episode of Behind the Cardboard I talk to Sydney Engelstein about delivering a winning pitch. We talk about what separates good pitches from bad and how designers can present themselves with confidence. Have a listen! thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

This year's family holiday was very different. It was inspired by the TV show Race Across the World and organised by my sister. We didn't know where we were going at any step. There were points to be won each day... so who won the holiday?? www.thedarkimp.com/blog/2025/07...

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

I'm thrilled to be a finalist in the WIT Wonder Woman Awards. An honour! I'm nominated in the Designer/Inventor Independent category. I'm in terrific company. How brilliant! Here's a link to all the finalists: www.womenintoys.com/nominees

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Danielle Reynolds 🏳️‍🌈 🔜 UNPUB Festival & GAMA Expo @tokengaymer.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

@thedarkimp.bsky.social did a great job interviewing me about the art of pitching tabletop games. I talk about my process, the essential skills designers need, and how to approach pitching materials. Enjoy! thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

I'm so excited to receive copies of my new game - Early Bird - published by the wonderful folk at Hootenanny Games! Early Bird is a fast, frenzied family game. There's even a very cute worm in the box! Another one to add to the shelf :)

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Yep, these are all early prototypes of early games. Some of the first I made. I definitely agree about testing to find the fun 😁

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

If you've never designed a game but are keen to try - perhaps this article will help. Today I've been writing about "First steps in board game design". I'd also love it if experienced designers have other tips for people who'd like to get started. www.thedarkimp.com/blog/2025/06...

thedarkimp.com

First steps in game design - The Dark Imp

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

In the latest episode of Behind the Cardboard I talk to Danielle Reynolds about Preparing for Pitches. Danielle shares what draws her to the process, the essential skills designers need, how to approach pitch decks and avoiding common prep mistakes. thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...

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Ellie Dix @thedarkimp.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Enjoying a Shirley Temple in between playtest sessions in a very sunny Southbank. Love my job 😍

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