iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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SDHistCon @sdhistcon.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

We're 10 days from SDHistCon Winter Quarters 2025 on Sat., Feb. 8. Badges are still available! tabletop.events/conventions/.... Come check out great events, such as @vpjarponen.bsky.social demoing his upcoming "Order & Opportunity" (10 a.m. CET/4 a.m. ET/1 a.m. PT): tabletop.events/conventions/...

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Ardwulf the Traveller @ardwulf.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

As some of you may know, our friend and wargaming legend Rodger B. MacGowan lost his home and studio in the LA fires. There is a GoFundMe set up to help Rodger and his family recover from this apocalyptic loss. Check it out at gofund.me/a8737aff and reshare widely.

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Armchair Dragoons @armchairdragoons.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

Hey folks– we've got a bunch of great events being presented by our outstanding GMs (incl a bunch of designers!) for our upcoming ACDC (our all-online wargaming convention) 17-19 Jan They've put together some great games in a variety of time slots (incl some Euro-friendly ones!)

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Armchair Dragoons @armchairdragoons.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

You can find the details over at tabletop.even... and sign up to join the fun yourself!

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Armchair Dragoons @armchairdragoons.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

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Armchair Dragoons @armchairdragoons.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

‼️ Updated / expanded schedule for The 2025 ACDC! 📆 You can see the expanded event schedule on our site armchairdragoons.com... ⚜️ Plenty of seats still available in a variety of games Come learn a new game, demo a pre-pub one, or play an old fave 🤠 #boardwargames

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Taylor Shuss @drawnonward.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

Not my usual but I wanted to advertise - I’m seeking freelance work. 🎲✂️ I’m a board game designer having worked with Catastrophe Games, AEG, & CCG Lab. Besides designing tabletop/digital games, I've also made solo modes/adventures, learned/taught many game submissions, and lead unguided playtests!

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Doomsday Games @5g4d.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

Paolo Mori:Game Design, Awards, and Parmesan Cheese This week's guest is designer of Libertalia, Ethnos and Dogs of war, Paolo Mori. We talk about winning awards, failed production and Parmesan cheese...but which games did he choose? Listen to the show here Download the show here Support the show…

fivegamesfordoomsday.com

Paolo Mori:Game Design, Awards, and Parmesan Cheese

This week's guest is designer of Libertalia, Ethnos and Dogs of war, Paolo Mori. We talk about winning awards, failed production and Parmesan cheese...but which games did he choose? Listen to the show here Download the show here Support the show here Briscola Chiamata Samurai Memoir 44 Risk Europe Challengers

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

An interesting article, well done! Great to see analog games visible in the media like this. Also Twilight Struggle gets a prominent mention. @jasondcmatthews.bsky.social @gmtgames.bsky.social

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Armchair Dragoons @armchairdragoons.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Registration is open for The 2025 ACDC, held in January tabletop.events/conv... This all-online convention includes a variety of both current & pre-pub games, seminars & talk shows, and more Get registered now before the events sell out!

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Doomsday Games @5g4d.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

The Temple of Elemental Evil-Episode 15-A Visit to Bollingbrooke In this episode our heroes avoid trouble with the law and visit Waterdeep's foremost expert on the cult...or so they thought. Listen to the show here Download the show here Support thew show here

fivegamesfordoomsday.com

The Temple of Elemental Evil-Episode 15-A Visit to Bollingbrooke

In this episode our heroes avoid trouble with the law and visit Waterdeep's foremost expert on the cult...or so they thought. Listen to the show here Download the show here Support thew show here

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Thanks Adam, that two-halves aspect of the game indeed gets mentioned quite often as one of the favorite things about the game.

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Today on Dec 6 Finland celebrates its 107th Independence Day. All Bridges Burning, Vol X in the COIN Series by @volko.bsky.social and @gmtgames.bsky.social covers the rocky beginnings of that independence that has lasted perhaps against all odds!

A card from the game All Bridges Burning

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Armchair Dragoons @armchairdragoons.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Registration will open on Monday Event schedule (so far) with several other sessions getting added soon tabletop.events/conv...

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Armchair Dragoons @armchairdragoons.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Another great game added to the 2025 ACDC!

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

I look forward to demoing and playing *Order & Opportunity Making of the Post-Cold War World Order* upcoming from @gmtgames.bsky.social at the @armchairdragoons.bsky.social online convention in January next year. The plan is to actually not just demo but play up to a full game with interested folks.

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Doomsday Games @5g4d.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

In this free Battle Report, Ben and Steve tackle Unmatched:Suns Origin from @restorationgames.bsky.social buff.ly/3UZ691F

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Dan Bullock @danbullock.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

It was a pleasure presenting on the process of designing Blood & Treasure for the Georgetown University Wargaming Society. For those that missed it yesterday, you can view it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xST8...

youtube.com

Blood & Treasure: Modeling the Role of Contractors in the US-Afghan War

YouTube video by Georgetown University Wargaming Society

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GMT Games @gmtgames.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Check out our latest InsideGMT article from designer @vpjarponen.bsky.social: "Order & Opportunity: November 2024 Development Update" insidegmt.com/order-opport...

Order & Opportunity set up on the designer's dining table. Non-final, low-ink playtest components.

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Volko @volko.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

@ulible.bsky.social Hi Uli! I am amazed by the quality of these (printed wood?) markers. What printing/painting technique produces these multi-color without blurs or misalignments? Thanks!

Closeup of markers and other pieces from "Weimar" boardgame from Spielworxx.

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Thank you, Ben, for continuing to make this amazing show for the benefit of our hobby. Every single interview is a fascinating look at a person, their corner of the world and always a little our shared world as well, and of course games.

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Doomsday Games @5g4d.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

In this episode of #5g4d Kwanchai Moryia talks about his love for history and how he developed his art style. This is a really fascinating episode with one of the best artists in the #boardgaming world. Get on it! buff.ly/3ZbNvpL

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Setting up a solo playtest of #OrderAndOpportunity ”Making of the Post-Cold War World Order” tonight, upcoming from @gmtgames.bsky.social Playing the Democracies US and EU versus the Authoritarian bots China and Russia.

Picture of the game board of Order & Opportunity

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GMT Games @gmtgames.bsky.social · 10/10/2024

To learn more about Order & Opportunity or to pre-order the game, you can go to the P500 page here: www.gmtgames.com/p-1027-order...

gmtgames.com

GMT Games - Order & Opportunity

Order & Opportunity

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GMT Games @gmtgames.bsky.social · 10/10/2024

Here's a great Order & Opportunity video preview from @boardgamegeek.bsky.social's @candidrum.bsky.social with designer @vpjarponen.bsky.social at Spiel Essen 2024. You can check the video out here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv-7...

youtube.com

Order & Opportunity || A Multilayered Area Influence Game || SPIEL Essen 2024

YouTube video by BoardGameGeek

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 03/10/2024

I’m extremely grateful to @aigar.bsky.social for gifting me table space at Essen 2024. I got Arabella the “18xx roll and write” game from his company - I know @candidrum.bsky.social did too. I look forward to trying it with the family. Hashtag SleeperHitEssen2024? boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/36...

boardgamegeek.com

Arabella

An 18XX-themed roll and write game.

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 03/10/2024

Great times today at Spiel Essen 2024 demoing Order & Opportunity (from @gmtgames.bsky.social). Showed the game to many enthusiastic gamers, including @candidrum.bsky.social in @boardgamegeek.bsky.social capacity and @5g4d.bsky.social Ben and Steve in company of fascinating designer Pini Shekhter.

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 30/09/2024

Thanks James! Will you be in Essen this year? As posted in another message, I will after all get to demo O&O in Essen 2024, booth 3-Q111, hosted by Aigar of 2d6 Games.

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 30/09/2024

If you are going to Essen 2024 and been interested in “Order & Opportunity” (from @gmtgames.bsky.social) you can demo and play it with me in the booth 3-Q111 on Thursday and Friday. The 2d6 Games by @aigar.bsky.social will hot me there. Thank You! Come check out Aigar’s historical and other games.

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 29/09/2024

Well, the game has a standard GMT size map of 34 x 20 inches, so about 90 by 60 cm, plus 4 rather small player mats.

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 29/09/2024

I’ve no table space I can use. Once upon a time UGG had a large booth and plenty of table space in Essen but not anymore.

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 29/09/2024

Are you going to the Essen Spiel fair next week and have time on that Wednesday before the fair? I’m looking to demo and play the upcoming @gmtgames.bsky.social title “Order & Opportunity: Making of the Post-Cold War World Order” with you in Essen. The details: boardgamegeek.com/thread/33767...

boardgamegeek.com

Order & Opportunity Essen Spiel 2024 | Order & Opportunity: Making of the Post-Cold War World Order

Hi all, While it will sadly not be possible to demo O&O in the halls of the Essen fair this year, here's an idea: On Wednesday, 2 October, there will be an open gaming event taking place at the Unpe...

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 24/09/2024

I look forward to this. The label for the city of Kiel appears to be missing on the map, not that it probably matters, functionally. Greetings from Kiel by the way!

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 24/09/2024

Two games of Root, both times I came in last as the Keepers vs the Alliance and the Hundreds defeated by 11 and 15 points (!), respectively - I don‘t see how the Keepers could ever win, ideas? Also, playtesting Order & Opportunity (GMT Games P500).

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 10/08/2024

Many thanks for the write up, guys. Honored to be featured in the illustrious BBW Series!

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 24/07/2024

There‘s an old Ludology episode on hard and soft incentives. Games typically focus on min-maxing the hard stuff (resources, VPs), while in real life we perhaps often act from soft incentives (be the good guy even if it means I forego a tasty hard reward).

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 24/07/2024

An excellent point about goal-orientation. In design I‘ve had my struggles with trying to incentivise outcomes that historical may not have been intended at all. Often this boils down to in history agency being distributed (multiple agents) but in games focused and pinpointed on the single player.

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 24/07/2024

Your notion of witnessing is interesting. Our game dev culture seems very aesthetically orientated - sometimes at the expense of failing to include captivating incentive structures/problem spaces, I feel. A symptom of a broader aesthetical, epistemological, phenomenological cultural orientation?

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 24/07/2024

In my work I like to think about what particular incentive structures popular in games (say min-maxing; area control) might tell us about our design culture(s), where might these ideas come from historically, and what alternatives might there be.

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 24/07/2024

In my own analog designs I have tended to think of games as representing *incentive structures* for players to excercise their agency with. Laying down these structures is a way of „simulating“ history. I feel this is analogous to your problem space concept - and we both nod to C Thi Nguyen here.

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 24/07/2024

I do find this useful in that it encourages us to think about the „procedural rhetorics“ through which different games shape our experience as they represent history as problem spaces. How does your framework relate to Bogost‘s notion? Are there critical contrasts?

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 20/07/2024

@colewehrle.bsky.social In your recent appearance on Dan Thurot‘s show, you talked about a hard to find trick taking game, possibly with the word „sharks“ in the title. Which game is this? Thanks.

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 04/07/2024

What’s the Sharks (?) card game you were talking about?

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 07/06/2024

The physical proto of my *Order & Opportunity: Making of the Post-Cold War World Order* in action. On @gmtgames.bsky.social P500 list right now. #OrderAndOpportunity

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 25/05/2024

I enjoyed this episode quite a bit. Given my main gaming buddy is my daughter, I‘m thinking how well does Turncoats work as a 2-player game? How language dependent is it? It would seem not very much at all.

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 23/05/2024

Perfection! Me and my main gaming buddy (my daughter) are hyped already. I translated the box back for her and she was very intrigued. It’ll be the PnP files for us as we‘re in Europe.

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 23/05/2024

Absolutely fascinating! The back of the box text makes me think of this modern classic philosophical debate from the 60s: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indeter... A weird question: can I try decipher this game with my non-English speaking kids? Or is deciphering the rules „indirectly“ English dependent?

en.m.wikipedia.org

Indeterminacy of translation - Wikipedia

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 21/05/2024

Over on BGG we‘ve started an experiment. We‘re playing a Forum vs the Designer game of my upcoming game #OrderAndOpportunity Making of the Post-Cold War World Order from @gmtgames.bsky.social. Here‘s the thread with the details: boardgamegeek.com/thread/33044... Anyone can chime in with suggestions!

boardgamegeek.com

Forum vs the Designer | Order & Opportunity: Making of the Post-Cold War World Order

Hi all, Here's an idea: what if we used these BGG forums to collective play some Order & Opportunity against each other? Here's how it'll work. You, the Forum, will play the US and the EU, while I p...

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VPJ Arponen @vpjarponen.bsky.social · 19/05/2024

Some ideas for future episodes: in what way might or might not „Euro game“, „wargame“, or „CDG“, or „worker placement“ be rigid designators — or: using philosophy of language to (dis)solve questions about the sense and reference of terms of genre and mechanics in boardgames.

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