Amabel Holland
@amabel.bsky.social
She/her. "Widely considered one of today’s most innovative game designers." - The New Yorker
Board games: https://hollandspiele.com
video essays: youtube.com/@hollandspiele
Patreon: patreon.com/amabelholland
sidekicking: youtube.com/@SBPlaysGames
Board games: https://hollandspiele.com
video essays: youtube.com/@hollandspiele
Patreon: patreon.com/amabelholland
sidekicking: youtube.com/@SBPlaysGames
Pinned
Amabel Holland
@amabel.bsky.social
· Jun 16
📌I'm Amabel (she/her), a board game designer. Out of my 80+ games, I'm best known for City of Six Moons and Irish Gauge.
I co-own the publisher Hollandspiele. In my spare time I make video essays about the future & history of games.
I'm a slutty poly trans woman, and I talk about all of the above.
I co-own the publisher Hollandspiele. In my spare time I make video essays about the future & history of games.
I'm a slutty poly trans woman, and I talk about all of the above.
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Fascism can't win without outlets like the NYT and WaPo continuously doing this.
Please stop sending money to these outlets. The bland, white-friendly recipes and word puzzles aren't worth it.
Fund @theflytrapmedia.com, or @unraveledpress.com, or any number of local independent journalists.
Please stop sending money to these outlets. The bland, white-friendly recipes and word puzzles aren't worth it.
Fund @theflytrapmedia.com, or @unraveledpress.com, or any number of local independent journalists.
November 10, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Fascism can't win without outlets like the NYT and WaPo continuously doing this.
Please stop sending money to these outlets. The bland, white-friendly recipes and word puzzles aren't worth it.
Fund @theflytrapmedia.com, or @unraveledpress.com, or any number of local independent journalists.
Please stop sending money to these outlets. The bland, white-friendly recipes and word puzzles aren't worth it.
Fund @theflytrapmedia.com, or @unraveledpress.com, or any number of local independent journalists.
Reposted by Amabel Holland
I do my best to not downplay myself or my work anymore when I meet folks because, as a politician friend of mine taught me, it takes real courage for a stranger to approach you, especially if you've made a difference in their life. So, even if you feel kinda weird about being notable--
November 11, 2025 at 12:02 PM
I do my best to not downplay myself or my work anymore when I meet folks because, as a politician friend of mine taught me, it takes real courage for a stranger to approach you, especially if you've made a difference in their life. So, even if you feel kinda weird about being notable--
Reposted by Amabel Holland
This is a wonderful and fascinating thread about being pony famous (meaning: highly notable but in a very niche space. Term originates from MLP fandom, hence the name).
My experience is somewhat different than Amabel's, but my unease with the threats of parasociality and harassment are the same.
My experience is somewhat different than Amabel's, but my unease with the threats of parasociality and harassment are the same.
when discussing parasociality & harassment, I refer to myself as a kinda-sorta public figure, or a half-assed or niche public figure
my therapist hit me with: bitch* you were profiled in The New Yorker, strangers discuss your work, you are a public figure full stop
(*"bitch" implied not literal) 🧵
my therapist hit me with: bitch* you were profiled in The New Yorker, strangers discuss your work, you are a public figure full stop
(*"bitch" implied not literal) 🧵
November 11, 2025 at 11:55 AM
This is a wonderful and fascinating thread about being pony famous (meaning: highly notable but in a very niche space. Term originates from MLP fandom, hence the name).
My experience is somewhat different than Amabel's, but my unease with the threats of parasociality and harassment are the same.
My experience is somewhat different than Amabel's, but my unease with the threats of parasociality and harassment are the same.
"new batman film completely stalled as they wrack their huge brains to try to explain why the joker doesn't have a moustache under his make-up"
I don't really care about Bond movies but this whole "how are they going to bring him back?? we must respect the continuity of this storied franchise" stuff is bonkers because the Craig films were not in any kind of "continuity" with the ones that came before it
what are they even on about?
what are they even on about?
November 11, 2025 at 12:02 PM
"new batman film completely stalled as they wrack their huge brains to try to explain why the joker doesn't have a moustache under his make-up"
I don't really care about Bond movies but this whole "how are they going to bring him back?? we must respect the continuity of this storied franchise" stuff is bonkers because the Craig films were not in any kind of "continuity" with the ones that came before it
what are they even on about?
what are they even on about?
November 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM
I don't really care about Bond movies but this whole "how are they going to bring him back?? we must respect the continuity of this storied franchise" stuff is bonkers because the Craig films were not in any kind of "continuity" with the ones that came before it
what are they even on about?
what are they even on about?
Did not know until now about the Law of Jante, a satirical description of Scandinavian society that is oddly also held up as Good, Actually and it's just a list of the most abusive shit I have ever read
"You're not to think YOU are good at anything" "You're not to think anyone cares about YOU"
"You're not to think YOU are good at anything" "You're not to think anyone cares about YOU"
In the 2010s in particular, our international role-playing communities faced a lot of "Law of Jante" crap that, looking back on it, was this perfect feedback loop between Others' Jealousy and Creator-Inherent Internalized Feelings of Inadequacy.
In the 2020s, I think we all deserve more hugs.
In the 2020s, I think we all deserve more hugs.
y'know, as a kid you say you wanna be a writer or you wanna make video games & your family not only tells you how unrealistic it is but also that "you think you're better than us?!" & "you just want attention" & you quickly learn that having or expressing ambition is dangerous & will be punished
November 11, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Did not know until now about the Law of Jante, a satirical description of Scandinavian society that is oddly also held up as Good, Actually and it's just a list of the most abusive shit I have ever read
"You're not to think YOU are good at anything" "You're not to think anyone cares about YOU"
"You're not to think YOU are good at anything" "You're not to think anyone cares about YOU"
Reposted by Amabel Holland
It’s interesting: I’ve been thinking a lot about different kinds of fame, & we tend to talk about it as if it’s a monolithic experience. But it doesn’t take much to alter different parts of your life, even if you can still go to the grocery store, make no extra $$$, aren’t a household name, etc.
when discussing parasociality & harassment, I refer to myself as a kinda-sorta public figure, or a half-assed or niche public figure
my therapist hit me with: bitch* you were profiled in The New Yorker, strangers discuss your work, you are a public figure full stop
(*"bitch" implied not literal) 🧵
my therapist hit me with: bitch* you were profiled in The New Yorker, strangers discuss your work, you are a public figure full stop
(*"bitch" implied not literal) 🧵
November 11, 2025 at 10:58 AM
It’s interesting: I’ve been thinking a lot about different kinds of fame, & we tend to talk about it as if it’s a monolithic experience. But it doesn’t take much to alter different parts of your life, even if you can still go to the grocery store, make no extra $$$, aren’t a household name, etc.
Reposted by Amabel Holland
my parents essentially thought I was "turning into" a "gay boy" (they were more likely to use the f-slur for this, and quite liberally) and sexuality isn't gender but in a traumatized framework that folded all trans femininity into gayness, it felt distinct as a "gender".
November 11, 2025 at 10:51 AM
my parents essentially thought I was "turning into" a "gay boy" (they were more likely to use the f-slur for this, and quite liberally) and sexuality isn't gender but in a traumatized framework that folded all trans femininity into gayness, it felt distinct as a "gender".
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Ooh, this is a little complicated? Because no one at that time, myself included, understood I was a girl, but I also think my parents intuitively understood I wasn't a "boy" (a construction in their mind that was explicitly cishet) & some of that response was likely about that detected Otherness;
November 11, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Ooh, this is a little complicated? Because no one at that time, myself included, understood I was a girl, but I also think my parents intuitively understood I wasn't a "boy" (a construction in their mind that was explicitly cishet) & some of that response was likely about that detected Otherness;
Reposted by Amabel Holland
me to my pals: so I was spitroasting a friend but estrogen made my junk uncooperative & I had to tap out
me to my therapist: I was in (hides face) an encounter and I was um (blushes adorably) unable to maintain (avoids eye contact) my participation
me to my therapist: I was in (hides face) an encounter and I was um (blushes adorably) unable to maintain (avoids eye contact) my participation
September 5, 2023 at 4:14 PM
me to my pals: so I was spitroasting a friend but estrogen made my junk uncooperative & I had to tap out
me to my therapist: I was in (hides face) an encounter and I was um (blushes adorably) unable to maintain (avoids eye contact) my participation
me to my therapist: I was in (hides face) an encounter and I was um (blushes adorably) unable to maintain (avoids eye contact) my participation
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Just told my therapist about the time when I was like ten and my mother posed the hypothetical "if someone pulled a gun on us and fired, would you jump in front of it to save your mother's life" and apparently that's *not* a normal thing to ask a child?
huge if true
huge if true
October 6, 2023 at 3:09 PM
Just told my therapist about the time when I was like ten and my mother posed the hypothetical "if someone pulled a gun on us and fired, would you jump in front of it to save your mother's life" and apparently that's *not* a normal thing to ask a child?
huge if true
huge if true
Reposted by Amabel Holland
was just reminded of my previous therapist, who told me it was triggering when I talked about my trauma, described a heartbreak I experienced as "a challenge from the goddess of love, and I know you will pass it", and opened a session holding an acoustic guitar, proceeding to play a set on my time
November 8, 2023 at 12:55 PM
was just reminded of my previous therapist, who told me it was triggering when I talked about my trauma, described a heartbreak I experienced as "a challenge from the goddess of love, and I know you will pass it", and opened a session holding an acoustic guitar, proceeding to play a set on my time
Reposted by Amabel Holland
my therapist says I am speedrunning my trauma work and I guess the trick is instead of avoiding the spikes just throw yourself into them as hard as you can every single time despite the lack of meaningful i-frames
April 20, 2024 at 11:22 AM
my therapist says I am speedrunning my trauma work and I guess the trick is instead of avoiding the spikes just throw yourself into them as hard as you can every single time despite the lack of meaningful i-frames
Reposted by Amabel Holland
thinking tonight about this therapist, who told my abusive parents everything I told him
every time I worked up the courage to confide in an adult & ask them to help me, they hurt me instead
when I see teachers, family, etc try to help an abused kid in a film, it feels like an absurd fantasy
every time I worked up the courage to confide in an adult & ask them to help me, they hurt me instead
when I see teachers, family, etc try to help an abused kid in a film, it feels like an absurd fantasy
Starting at the age of seven or eight I tried repeatedly to kill myself - ostensibly to "get to heaven" early, but, in hindsight, actually to escape abuse. My parents witnessed this but did not take me to a therapist until I was twelve - after I went missing. 1/
February 12, 2025 at 3:12 AM
thinking tonight about this therapist, who told my abusive parents everything I told him
every time I worked up the courage to confide in an adult & ask them to help me, they hurt me instead
when I see teachers, family, etc try to help an abused kid in a film, it feels like an absurd fantasy
every time I worked up the courage to confide in an adult & ask them to help me, they hurt me instead
when I see teachers, family, etc try to help an abused kid in a film, it feels like an absurd fantasy
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Having seen Hannibal and (most of) Sex Education (still on S3), I'm not saying I want Gillian Anderson to *always* play a therapist with dodgy ethics but it turns out she's really good at it
May 1, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Having seen Hannibal and (most of) Sex Education (still on S3), I'm not saying I want Gillian Anderson to *always* play a therapist with dodgy ethics but it turns out she's really good at it
Reposted by Amabel Holland
asked my therapist about the thing where people are shitty to others but use therapy language to defend it/construct a framework in which nothing is ever their fault, and she explained a number of therapists are people-pleasers who get triggered by their clients & so tell them what they want to hear
July 22, 2025 at 2:08 PM
asked my therapist about the thing where people are shitty to others but use therapy language to defend it/construct a framework in which nothing is ever their fault, and she explained a number of therapists are people-pleasers who get triggered by their clients & so tell them what they want to hear
Reposted by Amabel Holland
me in therapy: and because it was an adult trying to do it, it made it worse than the times other children tried - definitely my least favorite
... and that's when I discovered it's not normal to have a tier list for times people tried to drown you as a child
... and that's when I discovered it's not normal to have a tier list for times people tried to drown you as a child
April 18, 2025 at 4:10 PM
me in therapy: and because it was an adult trying to do it, it made it worse than the times other children tried - definitely my least favorite
... and that's when I discovered it's not normal to have a tier list for times people tried to drown you as a child
... and that's when I discovered it's not normal to have a tier list for times people tried to drown you as a child
Reposted by Amabel Holland
y'know, as a kid you say you wanna be a writer or you wanna make video games & your family not only tells you how unrealistic it is but also that "you think you're better than us?!" & "you just want attention" & you quickly learn that having or expressing ambition is dangerous & will be punished
October 27, 2025 at 12:40 PM
y'know, as a kid you say you wanna be a writer or you wanna make video games & your family not only tells you how unrealistic it is but also that "you think you're better than us?!" & "you just want attention" & you quickly learn that having or expressing ambition is dangerous & will be punished
Reposted by Amabel Holland
reminder that I canonically exist in an anime
January 29, 2025 at 12:59 PM
reminder that I canonically exist in an anime
Reposted by Amabel Holland
sometimes when I see people demanding that a small time trans creator speak out against someone w/ more power than them I’m just like…can they do that without losing everything? We’re like the first people whose careers get nuked over stupid conflicts
November 11, 2025 at 2:15 AM
sometimes when I see people demanding that a small time trans creator speak out against someone w/ more power than them I’m just like…can they do that without losing everything? We’re like the first people whose careers get nuked over stupid conflicts
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Brother you are not going to like the answers to these questions.
November 11, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Brother you are not going to like the answers to these questions.
Reposted by Amabel Holland
hi, can you do me a favor?
take a picture of your pet and then take a picture again while you sing to them
thank you, this is for science
here is my contribution
take a picture of your pet and then take a picture again while you sing to them
thank you, this is for science
here is my contribution
November 10, 2025 at 11:25 PM
hi, can you do me a favor?
take a picture of your pet and then take a picture again while you sing to them
thank you, this is for science
here is my contribution
take a picture of your pet and then take a picture again while you sing to them
thank you, this is for science
here is my contribution
Mass market games are more likely to be sold in "normal" stores instead of hobby stores/direct sales. Also less likely to have the designer credited (or framed as "a game by" x), more likely for games to be "owned" by the publisher.
It's a little like trying to separate a movie from an "art movie".
It's a little like trying to separate a movie from an "art movie".
Is there a generally understood definition of hobby board games vs. Mass Market board games? 🎲✂️
It feels wrong to me to just chalk it up to the number sold, but I'm not sure why that is.
It feels wrong to me to just chalk it up to the number sold, but I'm not sure why that is.
November 10, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Mass market games are more likely to be sold in "normal" stores instead of hobby stores/direct sales. Also less likely to have the designer credited (or framed as "a game by" x), more likely for games to be "owned" by the publisher.
It's a little like trying to separate a movie from an "art movie".
It's a little like trying to separate a movie from an "art movie".
Reposted by Amabel Holland
low polyamory
November 10, 2025 at 9:33 PM
low polyamory
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Meteor landed outside?
![An enigmatic box bearing three glyphs and the legend [CITY OF SIX MOONS]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:c22n2pfj27ckko7p7ipfalgr/bafkreihgt7fxqe4ity4gzlpgv7ceq3x77nxyx62kwhg6qudsx52b4km6ua@jpeg)
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Meteor landed outside?