Cardboard Edison
@cardboardedison.com
Board game design and tips for board game makers. cardboardedison.com
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Cardboard Edison
@cardboardedison.com
· Dec 8
We just sent an announcement to our newsletter subscribers: The remaining 20 copies of Houdini's Last Act are now available on our website! cardboardedison.com/houdini
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Pam Walls has launched another The Game Crafter sponsored Mystery Box Game Jam, tickets are going fast, so make sure to snag one before they are gone! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/24-hour-mystery-box-board-game-jam-tickets-1982557691424
February 11, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Pam Walls has launched another The Game Crafter sponsored Mystery Box Game Jam, tickets are going fast, so make sure to snag one before they are gone! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/24-hour-mystery-box-board-game-jam-tickets-1982557691424
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
It's #BoardGamersLift time!
Share your #boardgames news, what have you been playing, crafting, reviewing, etc? Support your fellow board gamers!
Don't forget to check out this month's #indietabletopnewsletter and maybe have a subscribe? 😉
atikingames.com/newsletter/f...
Share your #boardgames news, what have you been playing, crafting, reviewing, etc? Support your fellow board gamers!
Don't forget to check out this month's #indietabletopnewsletter and maybe have a subscribe? 😉
atikingames.com/newsletter/f...
February 2026
Welcome to the Indie Tabletop Newsletter, hear from independent tabletop games designers about their current and upcoming projects. Take a look at the games we've already self-published and our upcomi...
atikingames.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:38 PM
It's #BoardGamersLift time!
Share your #boardgames news, what have you been playing, crafting, reviewing, etc? Support your fellow board gamers!
Don't forget to check out this month's #indietabletopnewsletter and maybe have a subscribe? 😉
atikingames.com/newsletter/f...
Share your #boardgames news, what have you been playing, crafting, reviewing, etc? Support your fellow board gamers!
Don't forget to check out this month's #indietabletopnewsletter and maybe have a subscribe? 😉
atikingames.com/newsletter/f...
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
I just wrapped up my judging for the Cardboard Edison Award, and this year has some truly stellar games. If my assigned games are any indication of the overall games, the competition is incredibly high and I look forward to the finalists!
February 10, 2026 at 11:29 PM
I just wrapped up my judging for the Cardboard Edison Award, and this year has some truly stellar games. If my assigned games are any indication of the overall games, the competition is incredibly high and I look forward to the finalists!
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
We've done another one of our regular rounds of updates for the Compendium! Dozens of board game publishers have updated their profiles in the past few weeks! cardboardedison.com/directoryinfo
The Compendium — Cardboard Edison
cardboardedison.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:19 AM
We've done another one of our regular rounds of updates for the Compendium! Dozens of board game publishers have updated their profiles in the past few weeks! cardboardedison.com/directoryinfo
Pam Walls and @thegameaisle.bsky.social are running another 24 Hour Mystery Box Board Game Jam in April. There are currently 7 spots left: www.eventbrite.ca/e/24-hour-my... More info here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPfE...
Make a board game in 24 hours! (Register now for the next Mystery Box Game Jam)
YouTube video by Pam Walls Game Design
www.youtube.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:22 AM
Pam Walls and @thegameaisle.bsky.social are running another 24 Hour Mystery Box Board Game Jam in April. There are currently 7 spots left: www.eventbrite.ca/e/24-hour-my... More info here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPfE...
We've done another one of our regular rounds of updates for the Compendium! Dozens of board game publishers have updated their profiles in the past few weeks! cardboardedison.com/directoryinfo
The Compendium — Cardboard Edison
cardboardedison.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:19 AM
We've done another one of our regular rounds of updates for the Compendium! Dozens of board game publishers have updated their profiles in the past few weeks! cardboardedison.com/directoryinfo
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Why should people come to Unpub?
https://f.mtr.cool/ctkyeakjfu
https://f.mtr.cool/ctkyeakjfu
February 9, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Why should people come to Unpub?
https://f.mtr.cool/ctkyeakjfu
https://f.mtr.cool/ctkyeakjfu
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Something I’ve seen repeatedly in tabletop game design is designers mistaking a "situated experience" for a marketable game.
It looks like this:
🎲✂️(1/19)
It looks like this:
🎲✂️(1/19)
February 9, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Something I’ve seen repeatedly in tabletop game design is designers mistaking a "situated experience" for a marketable game.
It looks like this:
🎲✂️(1/19)
It looks like this:
🎲✂️(1/19)
A deep dive into board game publishing contracts: what to look for, what to avoid, specific percentages, negotiating terms, and more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgLJ... See also our reports as mentioned in the show: cardboardedison.com/reports
Board Game Contracts (Fun Problems #81)
YouTube video by Blue Beard Entertainment
www.youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:10 PM
A deep dive into board game publishing contracts: what to look for, what to avoid, specific percentages, negotiating terms, and more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgLJ... See also our reports as mentioned in the show: cardboardedison.com/reports
Tips for how to communicate delays in delivering your crowdfunded project to backers
How to Communicate Kickstarter Delays Without Losing Backer Trust
Delays alone won’t break backer trust. But silence can.
updates.kickstarter.com
February 8, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Tips for how to communicate delays in delivering your crowdfunded project to backers
New to board game design and not sure where to start? This Reddit board game design forum discussion goes into the processes that are most common for beginning designers: www.reddit.com/r/BoardgameD...
February 8, 2026 at 8:11 PM
New to board game design and not sure where to start? This Reddit board game design forum discussion goes into the processes that are most common for beginning designers: www.reddit.com/r/BoardgameD...
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
I've wrapped up 11/25 reviews in @cardboardedison.com contest judging, and I'll add to @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social's running list of 🎲✂️ advice with my own:
SHOW, don't just tell.
Yes, give an overview of the game and mechanics.
Yes, give me the vibes.
Then walk me through a turn and
1/▶️
SHOW, don't just tell.
Yes, give an overview of the game and mechanics.
Yes, give me the vibes.
Then walk me through a turn and
1/▶️
February 8, 2026 at 3:02 AM
I've wrapped up 11/25 reviews in @cardboardedison.com contest judging, and I'll add to @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social's running list of 🎲✂️ advice with my own:
SHOW, don't just tell.
Yes, give an overview of the game and mechanics.
Yes, give me the vibes.
Then walk me through a turn and
1/▶️
SHOW, don't just tell.
Yes, give an overview of the game and mechanics.
Yes, give me the vibes.
Then walk me through a turn and
1/▶️
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
New GameTek! How to use Expectation Value calculations in game design.
🎲✂️
open.substack.com/pub/gametek/...
🎲✂️
open.substack.com/pub/gametek/...
Great Expectations
Mathematical modeling for game design
open.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 10:45 PM
New GameTek! How to use Expectation Value calculations in game design.
🎲✂️
open.substack.com/pub/gametek/...
🎲✂️
open.substack.com/pub/gametek/...
Breaking down the biggest benefits of licensing your board game to small publisher and licensing it to a large publisher boardgamedesigncourse.com/large-or-sma...
February 7, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Breaking down the biggest benefits of licensing your board game to small publisher and licensing it to a large publisher boardgamedesigncourse.com/large-or-sma...
A grab bag of game design questions: considering component cost when designing, how to remain motivated with a game design, the pros and cons of self-publishing, and more, via @matthewdunstan.bsky.social
Considering component cost, motivation & self-publishing | Ask Matthew
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
www.youtube.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:56 PM
A grab bag of game design questions: considering component cost when designing, how to remain motivated with a game design, the pros and cons of self-publishing, and more, via @matthewdunstan.bsky.social
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
This! Finishing games takes different skills than starting games. It requires prioritization and making hard choices.
It teaches you to let go.
It teaches you to let go.
Ive been talking about this a lot over the last couple of years, specifically with respect to public funding for games.
Finishing games is how people make better games. Length doesnt matter. Our entire industry encourages people however to get trapped making enormous endless work they never finish
Finishing games is how people make better games. Length doesnt matter. Our entire industry encourages people however to get trapped making enormous endless work they never finish
Also, @mammonmachine.bsky.social has a great write up on making a short story/novella length VN in a "short" period that I like to send to beginner game writers/narrative designers.
medium.com/mammon-machi...
medium.com/mammon-machi...
February 7, 2026 at 10:19 AM
This! Finishing games takes different skills than starting games. It requires prioritization and making hard choices.
It teaches you to let go.
It teaches you to let go.
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
📣 Breaking ♦️🎲 News 🎉
Break My Game is coming to Baltimore! Play games by local designers and help make them better with your feedback. Reserve a ticket (free!) if you have a game you want tested:
🗓️ Mon, Feb 9
🕕 6-10pm
📍 Creative Alliance
🆓
creativealliance.org/event/break-...
@breakmygame.com
Break My Game is coming to Baltimore! Play games by local designers and help make them better with your feedback. Reserve a ticket (free!) if you have a game you want tested:
🗓️ Mon, Feb 9
🕕 6-10pm
📍 Creative Alliance
🆓
creativealliance.org/event/break-...
@breakmygame.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:24 PM
📣 Breaking ♦️🎲 News 🎉
Break My Game is coming to Baltimore! Play games by local designers and help make them better with your feedback. Reserve a ticket (free!) if you have a game you want tested:
🗓️ Mon, Feb 9
🕕 6-10pm
📍 Creative Alliance
🆓
creativealliance.org/event/break-...
@breakmygame.com
Break My Game is coming to Baltimore! Play games by local designers and help make them better with your feedback. Reserve a ticket (free!) if you have a game you want tested:
🗓️ Mon, Feb 9
🕕 6-10pm
📍 Creative Alliance
🆓
creativealliance.org/event/break-...
@breakmygame.com
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Today's 15s Board Game Design 🎲 Tip for the Day continues our self-publishing discussion with why many turn to self-publishing: youtube.com/shorts/Dj6a9... #boardgame #boardgamedesign #tabletopgames #gamedesign #lgbtq #gamepublisher
Board Game Design 🎲 Tip for the Day: Spub-7 Only you can tell a story #boardgamedesign #gamedesign
YouTube video by Fight in a Box
youtube.com
February 7, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Today's 15s Board Game Design 🎲 Tip for the Day continues our self-publishing discussion with why many turn to self-publishing: youtube.com/shorts/Dj6a9... #boardgame #boardgamedesign #tabletopgames #gamedesign #lgbtq #gamepublisher
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Game designers, what methods do you use for physical note-taking? I am tired of writing notes in Google Keep, and my main physical notebook gets cumbersome when I can't guess how many pages a design will need. My notes don't have much structure. I'm looking into the Zettelkasten method. 🎲✂️
February 5, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Game designers, what methods do you use for physical note-taking? I am tired of writing notes in Google Keep, and my main physical notebook gets cumbersome when I can't guess how many pages a design will need. My notes don't have much structure. I'm looking into the Zettelkasten method. 🎲✂️
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Why should game designers go to Unpub?
https://f.mtr.cool/cbgpczuivh
https://f.mtr.cool/cbgpczuivh
February 5, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Why should game designers go to Unpub?
https://f.mtr.cool/cbgpczuivh
https://f.mtr.cool/cbgpczuivh
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Game Designers!
I will be in San Francisco soon for GDC March 10th and 11th.
I will be taking pitches for original board games and card games designed with the hobby game market in mind for some of the tabletop studios at Asmodee.
Please send me an e-mail (bbornmueller@asmodee.com)
I will be in San Francisco soon for GDC March 10th and 11th.
I will be taking pitches for original board games and card games designed with the hobby game market in mind for some of the tabletop studios at Asmodee.
Please send me an e-mail (bbornmueller@asmodee.com)
February 5, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Game Designers!
I will be in San Francisco soon for GDC March 10th and 11th.
I will be taking pitches for original board games and card games designed with the hobby game market in mind for some of the tabletop studios at Asmodee.
Please send me an e-mail (bbornmueller@asmodee.com)
I will be in San Francisco soon for GDC March 10th and 11th.
I will be taking pitches for original board games and card games designed with the hobby game market in mind for some of the tabletop studios at Asmodee.
Please send me an e-mail (bbornmueller@asmodee.com)
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Observation on Day 3 of 🎲✂️ @cardboardedison.com judging:
Keep your core gameplay loop as close to "Do 1 Thing" as possible.
This is particularly true for family-weight games, but even heavier games can deliver a lot of depth with just "play 1 card" or "place 1 tile."
Keep your core gameplay loop as close to "Do 1 Thing" as possible.
This is particularly true for family-weight games, but even heavier games can deliver a lot of depth with just "play 1 card" or "place 1 tile."
February 5, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Observation on Day 3 of 🎲✂️ @cardboardedison.com judging:
Keep your core gameplay loop as close to "Do 1 Thing" as possible.
This is particularly true for family-weight games, but even heavier games can deliver a lot of depth with just "play 1 card" or "place 1 tile."
Keep your core gameplay loop as close to "Do 1 Thing" as possible.
This is particularly true for family-weight games, but even heavier games can deliver a lot of depth with just "play 1 card" or "place 1 tile."
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
It's #CraftWednesday! Do you have a game-related crafting project in progress? It could be a prototype, print and play, upgrading the components of a favourite game, making an accessory or even something larger like a table or games room. Share a picture and join in! Please RP!
February 4, 2026 at 1:38 PM
It's #CraftWednesday! Do you have a game-related crafting project in progress? It could be a prototype, print and play, upgrading the components of a favourite game, making an accessory or even something larger like a table or games room. Share a picture and join in! Please RP!
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
🎲✂️
Tonight at a special time of 10:15 PM ET (UTC -5), @senfoonglim.bsky.social and Hafiz talk to Amy and Dusty of Dux Somnium (Botany) about exploring uncharted waters in terms of themes.
Join us live in the chat at facebook.com/MeepleSyrup or youtube.com/MeepleSyrup!
Tonight at a special time of 10:15 PM ET (UTC -5), @senfoonglim.bsky.social and Hafiz talk to Amy and Dusty of Dux Somnium (Botany) about exploring uncharted waters in terms of themes.
Join us live in the chat at facebook.com/MeepleSyrup or youtube.com/MeepleSyrup!
February 4, 2026 at 9:28 PM
🎲✂️
Tonight at a special time of 10:15 PM ET (UTC -5), @senfoonglim.bsky.social and Hafiz talk to Amy and Dusty of Dux Somnium (Botany) about exploring uncharted waters in terms of themes.
Join us live in the chat at facebook.com/MeepleSyrup or youtube.com/MeepleSyrup!
Tonight at a special time of 10:15 PM ET (UTC -5), @senfoonglim.bsky.social and Hafiz talk to Amy and Dusty of Dux Somnium (Botany) about exploring uncharted waters in terms of themes.
Join us live in the chat at facebook.com/MeepleSyrup or youtube.com/MeepleSyrup!
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Today's 🎲✂️ observation after judging 10 @cardboardedison.com entries:
Strive for high coherence across your components, mechanics, and theme.
When all 3 align, the mechanics are easier to learn, it's satisfying to use the components, and players feel immersed in the world.
Strive for high coherence across your components, mechanics, and theme.
When all 3 align, the mechanics are easier to learn, it's satisfying to use the components, and players feel immersed in the world.
February 4, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Today's 🎲✂️ observation after judging 10 @cardboardedison.com entries:
Strive for high coherence across your components, mechanics, and theme.
When all 3 align, the mechanics are easier to learn, it's satisfying to use the components, and players feel immersed in the world.
Strive for high coherence across your components, mechanics, and theme.
When all 3 align, the mechanics are easier to learn, it's satisfying to use the components, and players feel immersed in the world.