Mandela F-G

Now booked for Airecon and looking forward to it. Let me know if you want a playtester one of the days (not on Sunday though, which will be dedicated to playing 'proper' games).

Reviewers: if something doesn't seem right about a game, please take a moment to re-read the rules or even reach out to the publisher or designer for clarification before publishing a review. That extra step can save heartache and damaged reputation on both sides.

I forget sometimes how nice it is to just noodle on a design. To have a wee break from the rest of one's obligations, from the world, and just enjoy sitting in that design space where it is all possibility and no failure.

But mostly 'wrong' in my approach. I've been failing very slowly – spending ages theory crafting, deliberating over presentation, and making all the components before I’ve tested any of it. I've still not playtested it and it's been weeks. I don't really expect it to go anywhere.

Been really enjoying designing a game all 'wrong' recently. I mean against general advice; it doesn't have a distinctive hook, low market appeal, restrictive player count etc. 🎲✂️

Board game prototype. Picture of a llama with lots of little triangle components.

Prototype board game showing various geodes on hexes and lots of wee triangle tokens.

Yip. Went through a phase when other designers told me it was my 'thing' to have triangles in my games but really I was just trying not to waste all those bonus off-cuts.

Yes...and no. I feel it would make me a bit more selective about which game nights I attend.

Likewise, and if I'm about I always enjoy a bit of playtesting.

Wooden Male and Female Inca pieces smooching.

Also playing at 2p, there is a variant rule I recommend; when the Ayar reunite in the night phase, smooch your opponent.

After complaints from Jane that she never gets to play my published games, have played Ayar a couple of times recently. Have enjoyed revisiting it, and trying out a new strategy.

Nothing booked...however, it is on my to do list today to look into it. Hoping to go.

Maybe start by getting to know some of them better, meet up with them in real life, and just see where things go.

Probably something gay but a .5 extra just in case it's not?

Excerpt of a BoardgameGeek's user ratings giving 1's to games with overt queer themes (The Queer Agenda, Love Letter Princess Princess, Cards Against Humanity: Pride Pack) and a 1.5 for Sankoré: The Pride of Mansa Musa.

I'm very amused by the idea that this guy has rating bombed Sankoré: The Pride of Mansa Musa as part of his anti-Pride agenda.

Well maybe there is a positive way to view it. That these perceived shortcomings are going to shine anyway so better to accept that and cast them into the light regardless. Least that way they have a chance.

You can put stuff on the shelf of course. Let it rest and come back to it, but it does feel there is something in that jolt of observing the 'finished' product. Like the pain of now seeing my original post now with a misspelling of 'Austen' proving my point.

Is there some way we can harness this almost instantaneous hindsight? I wonder if there is a way to trick ourselves into false completion of a project to try and gain that fresh critical perspective?

The Jane Austin Board game laid out on the table. Picture shows the colourful board with lots of cards and tokens.

Played Jane Austin, and the requested rematch. Had fun losing both times but I rarely play my own games. Always new stuff to try, new prototypes to test.

I suspect I'm not alone among designers in struggling not to think about things you'd like to change in a design, even after its hit print. 🎲✂️

I got to try this one in prototype form and it's very good. Silly fun. A rare instance where I requested another play of a prototype.

As well as that cool mechanism, it does well to create silly stories and, although subtle, I liked the dice mitigation. Having a say a single 'Move 3 instead of rolling' card is enough to create an interesting decision of exactly when to use it for the highest likely gain.

Some paper money, a rulebook, and a game board showing the game 'Careers' on the table with play about to start.

Played 'Careers' for the first time the other night by James Cooke Brown and quite enjoyed it. Very nice mechanism that I'd like to see more is that you choose your victory condition at the start of the game and, satisfyingly, you win immediately upon reaching that secret objective. 🎲✂️

Have just completed this survey and, if you fit the criteria and have a moment, would encourage others to do the same. Their infographics are really useful and I can only see more transparency in the industry as a good thing.

This was wonderful to see. A downside for me (maybe plus for some) with designing non-hobby games is that you rarely get to see them spoken about, especially by their target audience.

Great to see youse enjoyed it. @thedarkimp.bsky.social and I tried our best to capture the caprice of the novels and humour of the characters.

YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan The state of the board game industry for designers in 2025

My first video looking back at 2025 - this one focussed on the state of the board game industry and what it means for designers.

A very happy holiday season to everyone!

youtu.be/XH4o2alaNoA

🎲✂️

A photo of the designers of the board game Ayar, Mandela Fernández-Grandon and Fabio Lopiano, sat smiling behind a table holding a copy of the game, with a banner behind them with the game's cover art.

We were so happy to have Ayar designers @flopiano.bsky.social & @mandelafg.bsky.social on stand at SPIEL Essen for signings & demos!

The game was a sell-out success with packed tables all 4 days – we couldn't be prouder of the team 🔥🔥

Available now: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y

A photo of holographic circular stickers with the cover art for the board games Merv, Sankoré and Ayar being held in someone's hand catching the light. Copies of the board games are in the background behind the.

PROMOS @ SPIEL Essen 🚨🚨

Essen SPIEL kicks off tomorrow – come to Stand 3.M600 to pick up promotional holographic stickers for our hot new release Ayar and its spiritual predecessors Merv & Sankoré!

We'll also have stock of Imperium: Horizons, Ofrenda and Battalion promos from previous shows.

Oh I was in Prague a couple of days ago, would have been nice to meet for a coffee but hopefully catch you in Essen.

YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan How to level up as a game designer

In today's video I talk about ways to level up as a game designer - practices I have seen in other designers and myself as they become more experienced and improve their craft. Hopefully useful whether you're just starting out, or reflecting on how far you have come!

youtu.be/qPWgQCNkRsM

🎲✂️

I don't think that it is possible to register in advance, I think you go there in the morning to the booth and they have a sign-up sheet. Hope you get to try the game there, and maybe I'll even get to demo to you.