Michael Sprague 🎲✂️
@backwardscapgames.bsky.social
He/him. Hobby Board Game Player and Designer. Member of GMG Boston. Collaborator at SoME Game Design.
Current pipeline:
🎆 PYROTECHNICS (out Q4 '25)
🐝 Beeline (pitching)
👽 Interstellar Influence (co-designing)
🧱 Level Playingfield (designing)
Current pipeline:
🎆 PYROTECHNICS (out Q4 '25)
🐝 Beeline (pitching)
👽 Interstellar Influence (co-designing)
🧱 Level Playingfield (designing)
My boardgame heart is filled with joy and gratitude this weekend. My co-design w/ @muse-and-mettle.bsky.social was tabled for the 1st time with the pull print. Production copy of @thinkdeepplaylight.bsky.social's 1st release #pyrotechnics hit the table. And I picked up 4 sweet newish to me games.
October 19, 2025 at 5:45 PM
My boardgame heart is filled with joy and gratitude this weekend. My co-design w/ @muse-and-mettle.bsky.social was tabled for the 1st time with the pull print. Production copy of @thinkdeepplaylight.bsky.social's 1st release #pyrotechnics hit the table. And I picked up 4 sweet newish to me games.
Very happy to share, that barring unforeseen circumstances, my card game #pyrotechnics will receive it's full release on 12/31/2025 courtesy of @thinkdeepplaylight.bsky.social
Just got my designer production copies today, and oh boy does it look great! 🎲 ✂️
Just got my designer production copies today, and oh boy does it look great! 🎲 ✂️
October 17, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Very happy to share, that barring unforeseen circumstances, my card game #pyrotechnics will receive it's full release on 12/31/2025 courtesy of @thinkdeepplaylight.bsky.social
Just got my designer production copies today, and oh boy does it look great! 🎲 ✂️
Just got my designer production copies today, and oh boy does it look great! 🎲 ✂️
#sneakpeak at my current 🎲✂️ project "Level Playingfield". An asymmetric 2-player only game where one player is the hero, using deck building to traverse a level and the other player is the level master, using tile-laying to try and stop them.
#boardgames
#boardgames
September 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM
#sneakpeak at my current 🎲✂️ project "Level Playingfield". An asymmetric 2-player only game where one player is the hero, using deck building to traverse a level and the other player is the level master, using tile-laying to try and stop them.
#boardgames
#boardgames
Reposted by Michael Sprague 🎲✂️
#DIDYOUKNOW? Eggs aren’t just for humans 🥚🐶 — they’re a nutrient-packed treat for dogs too!
✨ Protein for 💪
✨ Vitamins & minerals for 🦴
✨ Healthy fats for 🔋
We want the best for our dogs — so reach for the #BetterEgg from #NestFresh 🍳💛🐕
#HappyHens #HappyPups #EthicalFarming #HumanelyHatched
✨ Protein for 💪
✨ Vitamins & minerals for 🦴
✨ Healthy fats for 🔋
We want the best for our dogs — so reach for the #BetterEgg from #NestFresh 🍳💛🐕
#HappyHens #HappyPups #EthicalFarming #HumanelyHatched
September 29, 2025 at 8:46 PM
#DIDYOUKNOW? Eggs aren’t just for humans 🥚🐶 — they’re a nutrient-packed treat for dogs too!
✨ Protein for 💪
✨ Vitamins & minerals for 🦴
✨ Healthy fats for 🔋
We want the best for our dogs — so reach for the #BetterEgg from #NestFresh 🍳💛🐕
#HappyHens #HappyPups #EthicalFarming #HumanelyHatched
✨ Protein for 💪
✨ Vitamins & minerals for 🦴
✨ Healthy fats for 🔋
We want the best for our dogs — so reach for the #BetterEgg from #NestFresh 🍳💛🐕
#HappyHens #HappyPups #EthicalFarming #HumanelyHatched
Reposted by Michael Sprague 🎲✂️
Attention all #Boston based #gamedesign 🎲✂️! GMG next all-day Playtesting event will take place in about 3 weeks on 10/18! Don't miss out on a great opportunity to test and connect with other gamers/designers. #boardgames
September 26, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Attention all #Boston based #gamedesign 🎲✂️! GMG next all-day Playtesting event will take place in about 3 weeks on 10/18! Don't miss out on a great opportunity to test and connect with other gamers/designers. #boardgames
Reposted by Michael Sprague 🎲✂️
#NestFresh™️ is proud to introduce #HumanelyHatched egg products to the U.S. Visit nestfresh.com/humanely-hat... to find out more on how we help reduce the need to hatch millions of male chicks. #animalwelfare #certifiedhumane #freerange #pastureraised #bettereggs #int-egg-rity 🧑🌾🥚🐤🐣
September 26, 2025 at 3:29 PM
#NestFresh™️ is proud to introduce #HumanelyHatched egg products to the U.S. Visit nestfresh.com/humanely-hat... to find out more on how we help reduce the need to hatch millions of male chicks. #animalwelfare #certifiedhumane #freerange #pastureraised #bettereggs #int-egg-rity 🧑🌾🥚🐤🐣
Reposted by Michael Sprague 🎲✂️
Today, the first #boardgame by The Seahorse & The Hummingbird is born. No more tweaking. No more editing. No more testing. No more feedback.
Pyrotechnics *is*. 🎆
To celebrate, I'll share the Pyrotechnics design diary by @backwardscapgames.bsky.social. It's a good read. Have a look.
#gamedesign 🎲✂️
Pyrotechnics *is*. 🎆
To celebrate, I'll share the Pyrotechnics design diary by @backwardscapgames.bsky.social. It's a good read. Have a look.
#gamedesign 🎲✂️
Pyrotechnics: Design Diary - The Seahorse and The Hummingbird
The following design diary was written by the designer of Pyrotechnics, Michael Byron Sprague. Hi, I’m Mike, and I’m the designer of the two-player resource-management dueling card game, Pyrotechnics....
www.seahorseandhummingbird.com
September 25, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Today, the first #boardgame by The Seahorse & The Hummingbird is born. No more tweaking. No more editing. No more testing. No more feedback.
Pyrotechnics *is*. 🎆
To celebrate, I'll share the Pyrotechnics design diary by @backwardscapgames.bsky.social. It's a good read. Have a look.
#gamedesign 🎲✂️
Pyrotechnics *is*. 🎆
To celebrate, I'll share the Pyrotechnics design diary by @backwardscapgames.bsky.social. It's a good read. Have a look.
#gamedesign 🎲✂️
First opportunity to buy a copy of my first game! Come support Indy game design!
The Midnight Market shall offer games from worlds unknown, starting on November 7th, at 11:59 pm EST.
It will feature f̴i̴v̴e̴ four amazing games made by indie creators. After that, who knows if you'll be able to discover these games again . . .
Follow along here: www.lunarpunk.games/midnightmarket
It will feature f̴i̴v̴e̴ four amazing games made by indie creators. After that, who knows if you'll be able to discover these games again . . .
Follow along here: www.lunarpunk.games/midnightmarket
September 4, 2025 at 4:25 PM
First opportunity to buy a copy of my first game! Come support Indy game design!
My co-design with @muse-and-mettle.bsky.social was one of the two games to hit the virtual table last night at GMG's monthly online testing. Incredibly grateful for the time. I know this one is a beast. Looking forward to where Interstellar Influence goes from here.
GMG's new Online Testing time is 8:30 Eastern on the first Monday of each month. We had a great group show up and 2 prototypes hit the table. Look forward to more! 🎲✂️
September 2, 2025 at 5:38 PM
My co-design with @muse-and-mettle.bsky.social was one of the two games to hit the virtual table last night at GMG's monthly online testing. Incredibly grateful for the time. I know this one is a beast. Looking forward to where Interstellar Influence goes from here.
Reposted by Michael Sprague 🎲✂️
🎲✂️ in the Boston area: SAVE THE DATE - 10/18/25. We at GMG are expanding our opportunities for "All Day Playtesting" and bringing our brand of gaming fun to Church on the Hill. Keep an eye on social media and our Meetup page for more details: meetu.ps/e/PtYfQ/ZXbQ...
GMG All-Day Playtesting @ Church on the Hill Beacon Hill MA, Sat, Oct 18, 2025, 9:30 AM | Meetup
***SAVE THE DATE! October 18th 2025***
You've asked for more all day playtesting opportunities and we're making it happen! We're bringing our All Day Playtesting format to
meetu.ps
August 28, 2025 at 2:56 PM
🎲✂️ in the Boston area: SAVE THE DATE - 10/18/25. We at GMG are expanding our opportunities for "All Day Playtesting" and bringing our brand of gaming fun to Church on the Hill. Keep an eye on social media and our Meetup page for more details: meetu.ps/e/PtYfQ/ZXbQ...
Reposted by Michael Sprague 🎲✂️
🎲✂️ Unboxing friend of GMG, @emilykeepskitties.bsky.social 's recent release #KnittingCircle happy to finally see the finished product! @flatoutgames.bsky.social did a great job!
August 28, 2025 at 1:50 PM
🎲✂️ Unboxing friend of GMG, @emilykeepskitties.bsky.social 's recent release #KnittingCircle happy to finally see the finished product! @flatoutgames.bsky.social did a great job!
🎲 ✂️ The next iteration of Interstellar Influence ( co-design w/ @muse-and-mettle.bsky.social ) is ready to be broken, accused of not being a game and require too much math. Hoping to capture the imagination of #ancientalien enthusiasts sometime soon. #boardgames #gamedesign
August 25, 2025 at 7:12 PM
🎲 ✂️ The next iteration of Interstellar Influence ( co-design w/ @muse-and-mettle.bsky.social ) is ready to be broken, accused of not being a game and require too much math. Hoping to capture the imagination of #ancientalien enthusiasts sometime soon. #boardgames #gamedesign
🎲✂️in preparation for tonights meet up at Jetpack in Rochester, NH I am actually hand making a new prototype. Excited for this one.
July 30, 2025 at 3:56 PM
🎲✂️in preparation for tonights meet up at Jetpack in Rochester, NH I am actually hand making a new prototype. Excited for this one.
🎲✂️ what sounds like more fun?
1. A spatial puzzle about placing campers at a seasonal campground based on their desired preferences
2. Engine building game with blind bidding that builds up your campground's reputation and attracts campers boss monster style
???
1. A spatial puzzle about placing campers at a seasonal campground based on their desired preferences
2. Engine building game with blind bidding that builds up your campground's reputation and attracts campers boss monster style
???
July 27, 2025 at 2:56 AM
🎲✂️ what sounds like more fun?
1. A spatial puzzle about placing campers at a seasonal campground based on their desired preferences
2. Engine building game with blind bidding that builds up your campground's reputation and attracts campers boss monster style
???
1. A spatial puzzle about placing campers at a seasonal campground based on their desired preferences
2. Engine building game with blind bidding that builds up your campground's reputation and attracts campers boss monster style
???
Makes me feel like a real 🎲 ✂️ to hang a poster in my office with the cover art for my first published game.
July 26, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Makes me feel like a real 🎲 ✂️ to hang a poster in my office with the cover art for my first published game.
Please consider helping my buddy @muse-and-mettle.bsky.social and do the thumbs up thing on BGG! Twisted Trumpets is debuting at Essen! boardgamegeek.com/geekpreview/...
July 15, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Please consider helping my buddy @muse-and-mettle.bsky.social and do the thumbs up thing on BGG! Twisted Trumpets is debuting at Essen! boardgamegeek.com/geekpreview/...
Reposted by Michael Sprague 🎲✂️
🎲✂️ in the Boston area, the next Church on the Hill is taking place Tuesday the 24th. www.meetup.com/game-makers-... #boardgamedesign
Board Game Night with Designers! @ Church on the Hill, Tue, Jun 24, 2025, 6:00 PM | Meetup
Come play board games! We want to bring together board game enthusiasts with board game designers from the area! Bring your favorite board games whether they're old, new, o
www.meetup.com
June 19, 2025 at 12:21 PM
🎲✂️ in the Boston area, the next Church on the Hill is taking place Tuesday the 24th. www.meetup.com/game-makers-... #boardgamedesign
Reposted by Michael Sprague 🎲✂️
June 4th, 5th and 6th only!
Donate to a good cause, celebrate the creativity of six amazing #boardgames designers and run my site through the paces all for a buck!
www.seahorseandhummingbird.com
All proceeds donated to The Network/La Red (www.tnlr.org).
🧵 1 of 3
Donate to a good cause, celebrate the creativity of six amazing #boardgames designers and run my site through the paces all for a buck!
www.seahorseandhummingbird.com
All proceeds donated to The Network/La Red (www.tnlr.org).
🧵 1 of 3
June 4, 2025 at 1:27 PM
June 4th, 5th and 6th only!
Donate to a good cause, celebrate the creativity of six amazing #boardgames designers and run my site through the paces all for a buck!
www.seahorseandhummingbird.com
All proceeds donated to The Network/La Red (www.tnlr.org).
🧵 1 of 3
Donate to a good cause, celebrate the creativity of six amazing #boardgames designers and run my site through the paces all for a buck!
www.seahorseandhummingbird.com
All proceeds donated to The Network/La Red (www.tnlr.org).
🧵 1 of 3
Every time I see something about my game coming to life, I get emotional. I'm not crying, you are! Seriously though I couldn't be more excited and I genuinely appreciate anyone who is interested in signing up or purchasing the game. Thank you for the support ❤️. 🎲 ✂️
Meet Pyrotechnics! COMING SOON, the first offering from The Seahorse & The Hummingbird, a fast-paced, two-player, lightly-strategic card game by @backwardscapgames.bsky.social. Follow the link below for more information.
#boardgames
#boardgames
Pyrotechnics - The Seahorse & The Hummingbird
COMING SOON! Sign up for one email notification when Pyrotechnics becomes available for sale. The Seahorse & The Hummingbird respects your inbox—expect only occasional updates with exciting news. Y...
www.seahorseandhummingbird.com
June 2, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Every time I see something about my game coming to life, I get emotional. I'm not crying, you are! Seriously though I couldn't be more excited and I genuinely appreciate anyone who is interested in signing up or purchasing the game. Thank you for the support ❤️. 🎲 ✂️
I am beyond excited for this project to be approaching public enjoyment. Been a long time coming. Thanks @thinkdeepplaylight.bsky.social for believing in it!
Pyrotechnics by @backwardscapgames.bsky.social is slated to be the first game published by The Seahorse & The Hummingbird. The timeline for its release has been altered for obvious reasons, but it will still be the first. Stay tuned for continued updates!
#boardgames
#boardgames
May 2, 2025 at 6:50 PM
I am beyond excited for this project to be approaching public enjoyment. Been a long time coming. Thanks @thinkdeepplaylight.bsky.social for believing in it!
Coaching softball this spring will take me away from game design a bit more than I'd prefer over the next couple of weeks. So I need to do better at managing the time I do have and prioritize the projects that feel the most important. Wish me luck. I'm terrible at that. 🎲 ✂️
April 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Coaching softball this spring will take me away from game design a bit more than I'd prefer over the next couple of weeks. So I need to do better at managing the time I do have and prioritize the projects that feel the most important. Wish me luck. I'm terrible at that. 🎲 ✂️
Reposted by Michael Sprague 🎲✂️
Calling all Boston area designers (or new game enthusiasts!) 🎲✂️ If anyone is looking to get their game tested in person, next Tuesday April 29th there will be another Church on the Hill event from 6:00pm-9:00ish! www.meetup.com/game-makers-...
"In Boston" Board Game Night with GMG Designers! @ Church on the Hill, Tue, Apr 29, 2025, 6:00 PM | Meetup
Come play board games! We want to bring together board game enthusiasts with board game designers! Bring your favorite board games whether they're old, new, or soon to be n
www.meetup.com
April 23, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Calling all Boston area designers (or new game enthusiasts!) 🎲✂️ If anyone is looking to get their game tested in person, next Tuesday April 29th there will be another Church on the Hill event from 6:00pm-9:00ish! www.meetup.com/game-makers-...
Come hang out in Rochester, NH with me!
🎲✂️ Just a friendly reminder that GMG has multiple monthly opportunities for Playtesting (in-person and online) check out our Meetup page for a full schedule! Screenshots of upcoming events are included.
www.meetup.com/Game-Makers-...
www.meetup.com/Game-Makers-...
April 16, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Come hang out in Rochester, NH with me!
Going back to an old idea I had, with the knowledge and experience I have from about 3 years of being deep into 🎲 ✂️. It's great to see what you have learned and how old designs can become new again. More to come as I flesh out this lean, mean engine building machine. media.tenor.com/2j3qVa_KuSQA...
media.tenor.com
April 14, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Going back to an old idea I had, with the knowledge and experience I have from about 3 years of being deep into 🎲 ✂️. It's great to see what you have learned and how old designs can become new again. More to come as I flesh out this lean, mean engine building machine. media.tenor.com/2j3qVa_KuSQA...
It's Tuesday, you know what that means? It's Skeleton Code Machine day! @exeunt.press open.substack.com/pub/skeleton...
I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I Playtest a lot of games and what the designer asks is really important in steering the conversation
I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I Playtest a lot of games and what the designer asks is really important in steering the conversation
Don't ask these playtesting questions!
10 of the best questions to ask after a board game or TTRPG playtest, and 3 questions you should avoid. Lessons learned from playtesting at Unpub 2025.
open.substack.com
April 8, 2025 at 10:18 AM
It's Tuesday, you know what that means? It's Skeleton Code Machine day! @exeunt.press open.substack.com/pub/skeleton...
I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I Playtest a lot of games and what the designer asks is really important in steering the conversation
I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I Playtest a lot of games and what the designer asks is really important in steering the conversation