Dustin Vance
@ephemeralpath.com
Board games, sci-fi, F1, climbing. I design board games on the side and post about them! Sometimes post about sci-fi books and podcasts.
Designer of a skirmish war game called Ephemeral Path. www.ephemeralpath.com
Designer of a skirmish war game called Ephemeral Path. www.ephemeralpath.com
String Theory by Tessellation Games was my favorite game from Protospiel Madison this weekend. A light ish game about connecting conspiracies with string to get podcast followers. Just a bit of story telling too #boardgames
www.tessellationgames.com
www.tessellationgames.com
Tessellation Games
Obelisk Board Game - Tessellation Games
www.tessellationgames.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:25 AM
String Theory by Tessellation Games was my favorite game from Protospiel Madison this weekend. A light ish game about connecting conspiracies with string to get podcast followers. Just a bit of story telling too #boardgames
www.tessellationgames.com
www.tessellationgames.com
My board at the end of Chocolate Platter playtesting tonight. Needs some point adjustment but I was happy with the play test. It does need a better name…
November 6, 2025 at 2:53 AM
My board at the end of Chocolate Platter playtesting tonight. Needs some point adjustment but I was happy with the play test. It does need a better name…
This past week had the most visitors to ephemeralpath.com since it launched over two years ago. I’ve got no idea why but I’m glad the game is getting some more attention.
ephemeralpath.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:51 PM
This past week had the most visitors to ephemeralpath.com since it launched over two years ago. I’ve got no idea why but I’m glad the game is getting some more attention.
Lots of cutting for my latest chocolate themed prototype! #boardgames
October 22, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Lots of cutting for my latest chocolate themed prototype! #boardgames
Reposted by Dustin Vance
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!
October 15, 2025 at 11:43 AM
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 Dustin Vance
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!
October 1, 2025 at 11:06 AM
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!
I don’t think how many times I play a game matter but rather how much value I get out of the game
I have this system that I hold myself too of tracking how much value I get from a game I buy. To track value, I use $3/person/hour of game time. If I play a 2 hour game with 4 ppl it gets $24 of value
I have this system that I hold myself too of tracking how much value I get from a game I buy. To track value, I use $3/person/hour of game time. If I play a 2 hour game with 4 ppl it gets $24 of value
A well known board game designer told me the majority of new games get played ONCE and I have a big problem w/ that. I get that not everything can be a hit, but I feel like something must be missing from design in general if this is happening. Rushed designs? Poor rulebooks? Bad visual design?
September 12, 2025 at 12:35 AM
I don’t think how many times I play a game matter but rather how much value I get out of the game
I have this system that I hold myself too of tracking how much value I get from a game I buy. To track value, I use $3/person/hour of game time. If I play a 2 hour game with 4 ppl it gets $24 of value
I have this system that I hold myself too of tracking how much value I get from a game I buy. To track value, I use $3/person/hour of game time. If I play a 2 hour game with 4 ppl it gets $24 of value
Reposted by Dustin Vance
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!
September 10, 2025 at 1:30 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!
Had a chance to show Ephemeral Path at Grand Con gaming convention this weekend! #tapletopgaming #wargaming #miniatures
September 2, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Had a chance to show Ephemeral Path at Grand Con gaming convention this weekend! #tapletopgaming #wargaming #miniatures
Played Bomb Busters for the first time today. Wow, that’s a great one
August 9, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Played Bomb Busters for the first time today. Wow, that’s a great one
I’d love to see a new CCG the size of Dice Masters. One of the things I like most about dice masters is that is was a CCG that felt manageable. Sets were small, teams I created were small, and singles were reasonably priced. And it’s a great game.
August 5, 2025 at 6:55 PM
I’d love to see a new CCG the size of Dice Masters. One of the things I like most about dice masters is that is was a CCG that felt manageable. Sets were small, teams I created were small, and singles were reasonably priced. And it’s a great game.
Reposted by Dustin Vance
GenCon has always been a good reminder of the privileges in being able to regularly attend such conventions. But it's doubly so now when so many aren't safe traveling to the US. I'd love to see more publishers and communities finding ways to extend opportunities for networking and accessing info.
July 30, 2025 at 2:14 AM
GenCon has always been a good reminder of the privileges in being able to regularly attend such conventions. But it's doubly so now when so many aren't safe traveling to the US. I'd love to see more publishers and communities finding ways to extend opportunities for networking and accessing info.
Accomplishment of the week: I can now solve a Rubik’s cube mini.
July 28, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Accomplishment of the week: I can now solve a Rubik’s cube mini.
Reposted by Dustin Vance
It's #CraftWednesday update time! How are your projects going? Started anything new? @7isprime.bsky.social @huffnomore.bsky.social @ephemeralpath.com @craiglighthouse.bsky.social @dissentgames.bsky.social @brainegames.bsky.social @gamesbyjohnsherman.bsky.social @mrlockyer.bsky.social
July 9, 2025 at 11:21 AM
It's #CraftWednesday update time! How are your projects going? Started anything new? @7isprime.bsky.social @huffnomore.bsky.social @ephemeralpath.com @craiglighthouse.bsky.social @dissentgames.bsky.social @brainegames.bsky.social @gamesbyjohnsherman.bsky.social @mrlockyer.bsky.social
Packing up Kyoto No Neko. Game has awesome presentation and is a good family weight game. A few of the rules are a bit clunky and sometimes the amount of stuff to remember clashes with the light weight mechanisms. Still fun with a couple house rules.
June 27, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Packing up Kyoto No Neko. Game has awesome presentation and is a good family weight game. A few of the rules are a bit clunky and sometimes the amount of stuff to remember clashes with the light weight mechanisms. Still fun with a couple house rules.
Reposted by Dustin Vance
Not enough games at origins this year (for completely understandable reasons im sure)
June 21, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Not enough games at origins this year (for completely understandable reasons im sure)
Reposted by Dustin Vance
It's #CraftWednesday update time! How are your projects going? Started anything new? @7isprime.bsky.social @huffnomore.bsky.social @ephemeralpath.com @craiglighthouse.bsky.social @dissentgames.bsky.social @brainegames.bsky.social @gamesbyjohnsherman.bsky.social @mrlockyer.bsky.social
June 18, 2025 at 3:43 PM
It's #CraftWednesday update time! How are your projects going? Started anything new? @7isprime.bsky.social @huffnomore.bsky.social @ephemeralpath.com @craiglighthouse.bsky.social @dissentgames.bsky.social @brainegames.bsky.social @gamesbyjohnsherman.bsky.social @mrlockyer.bsky.social
I’ve been independently designing games for 12 years and have been fortunate enough to have signed some of my designs (although none were printed).
Right now seems harder than ever even to get games in front of publishers, let alone have them sign it. It’s rough out there, crowded for sure.
Right now seems harder than ever even to get games in front of publishers, let alone have them sign it. It’s rough out there, crowded for sure.
Brutal truth for aspiring game designers:
Many (most?) publishers do minimal to no marketing, and in today’s unstable economy and crowded market
It means most signed games will sell 500 copies or less and publishers will drop and move on
Always create, always follow your passion
But stay frosty
Many (most?) publishers do minimal to no marketing, and in today’s unstable economy and crowded market
It means most signed games will sell 500 copies or less and publishers will drop and move on
Always create, always follow your passion
But stay frosty
June 18, 2025 at 6:05 PM
I’ve been independently designing games for 12 years and have been fortunate enough to have signed some of my designs (although none were printed).
Right now seems harder than ever even to get games in front of publishers, let alone have them sign it. It’s rough out there, crowded for sure.
Right now seems harder than ever even to get games in front of publishers, let alone have them sign it. It’s rough out there, crowded for sure.
I’m hoping to play some Ephemeral Path at Origins this week. It’s been a while since I made a team and I forgot how much strategy there is in it. This is a design I’m really proud of.
Www.ephmeralpath.com
#tabletopgames #wargaming
Www.ephmeralpath.com
#tabletopgames #wargaming
Www.ephmeralpath.com
June 16, 2025 at 10:40 PM
I’m hoping to play some Ephemeral Path at Origins this week. It’s been a while since I made a team and I forgot how much strategy there is in it. This is a design I’m really proud of.
Www.ephmeralpath.com
#tabletopgames #wargaming
Www.ephmeralpath.com
#tabletopgames #wargaming
If you’re at Origins Game Fair next week, check out the Recycled Realms booth 2032. Awesome hand made war gaming and RPG terrain made from recycled materials. I’ll be working the booth a lot of the week.
#origins #tabletopgaming #ttrpg #wargaming
#origins #tabletopgaming #ttrpg #wargaming
June 12, 2025 at 8:28 PM
If you’re at Origins Game Fair next week, check out the Recycled Realms booth 2032. Awesome hand made war gaming and RPG terrain made from recycled materials. I’ll be working the booth a lot of the week.
#origins #tabletopgaming #ttrpg #wargaming
#origins #tabletopgaming #ttrpg #wargaming
Here is a map from a solo print and play I’m working on. Working title is Paiku’s Tilted Tale. #boardgames #gamedesign #tabletopgames
May 28, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Here is a map from a solo print and play I’m working on. Working title is Paiku’s Tilted Tale. #boardgames #gamedesign #tabletopgames
Reposted by Dustin Vance
It's #CraftWednesday update time! How are your projects going? Started anything new? @7isprime.bsky.social @huffnomore.bsky.social @ephemeralpath.com @craiglighthouse.bsky.social @dissentgames.bsky.social @brainegames.bsky.social @gamesbyjohnsherman.bsky.social @mrlockyer.bsky.social
May 7, 2025 at 4:54 PM
It's #CraftWednesday update time! How are your projects going? Started anything new? @7isprime.bsky.social @huffnomore.bsky.social @ephemeralpath.com @craiglighthouse.bsky.social @dissentgames.bsky.social @brainegames.bsky.social @gamesbyjohnsherman.bsky.social @mrlockyer.bsky.social
In just one night I’ve seen a Legend of Dragoon post and a Legend of Legia post. Two of my top PS1 games. Dragoon is still one of my all time favs.
May 6, 2025 at 1:33 AM
In just one night I’ve seen a Legend of Dragoon post and a Legend of Legia post. Two of my top PS1 games. Dragoon is still one of my all time favs.
Reposted by Dustin Vance
It's #CraftWednesday update time! How are your projects going? Started anything new? @7isprime.bsky.social @huffnomore.bsky.social @ephemeralpath.com @craiglighthouse.bsky.social @dissentgames.bsky.social @brainegames.bsky.social @gamesbyjohnsherman.bsky.social @mrlockyer.bsky.social
April 30, 2025 at 11:49 AM
It's #CraftWednesday update time! How are your projects going? Started anything new? @7isprime.bsky.social @huffnomore.bsky.social @ephemeralpath.com @craiglighthouse.bsky.social @dissentgames.bsky.social @brainegames.bsky.social @gamesbyjohnsherman.bsky.social @mrlockyer.bsky.social
My web traffic has been down lately so here is some self promotion!
Ephemeral Path is an awesome miniatures skirmish game I designed a couple years back
Mini agnostic ✅
Quick/30min ✅
print n play components ✅
Free✅
PACKED with strategy✅
www.ephemeralpath.com
#tabletopgames #boardgames #wargames
Ephemeral Path is an awesome miniatures skirmish game I designed a couple years back
Mini agnostic ✅
Quick/30min ✅
print n play components ✅
Free✅
PACKED with strategy✅
www.ephemeralpath.com
#tabletopgames #boardgames #wargames
Ephemeral Path Home Page
Ephemeral Path Home Page
www.ephemeralpath.com
April 30, 2025 at 1:24 AM
My web traffic has been down lately so here is some self promotion!
Ephemeral Path is an awesome miniatures skirmish game I designed a couple years back
Mini agnostic ✅
Quick/30min ✅
print n play components ✅
Free✅
PACKED with strategy✅
www.ephemeralpath.com
#tabletopgames #boardgames #wargames
Ephemeral Path is an awesome miniatures skirmish game I designed a couple years back
Mini agnostic ✅
Quick/30min ✅
print n play components ✅
Free✅
PACKED with strategy✅
www.ephemeralpath.com
#tabletopgames #boardgames #wargames