Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
@gengelstein.bsky.social
Boardgame enthusiast, podcaster, books: Building Blocks of Tabletop Game Design, Universe Explained with a Cookie games: Versailles 1919 and Super Skill Pinball. He/him
https://open.substack.com/pub/gametek
https://open.substack.com/pub/gametek
Pinned
Me: Gosh, year N was bad. Looking forward to N+1!
N+1: Hold my beer.
(Just saving future me some time)
(First posted in 2020)
N+1: Hold my beer.
(Just saving future me some time)
(First posted in 2020)
One of my favorite things - at a con there was a booth with a sign that said “Tell about your D&D character: $20”.
There was a line down the aisle.
There was a line down the aisle.
If I have a choice between listening to you tell me about your D&D character and being hurled off a cliff, I will think long and hard before choosing.
cookie monster is sitting at a table with a tray of food and the words choices written on it
ALT: cookie monster is sitting at a table with a tray of food and the words choices written on it
media.tenor.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:14 PM
One of my favorite things - at a con there was a booth with a sign that said “Tell about your D&D character: $20”.
There was a line down the aisle.
There was a line down the aisle.
Keep fighting.
Keep talking to your neighbors.
Keep standing up.
Keep speaking out.
Keep protecting the persecuted.
apnews.com/article/texa...
Keep talking to your neighbors.
Keep standing up.
Keep speaking out.
Keep protecting the persecuted.
apnews.com/article/texa...
Democrat Taylor Rehmet wins a reliably Republican Texas state Senate seat, stunning GOP
Democrat Taylor Rehmet won a special election for the Texas state Senate and flipped a reliably Republican district that President Donald Trump won by 17 points in 2024.
apnews.com
February 1, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Keep fighting.
Keep talking to your neighbors.
Keep standing up.
Keep speaking out.
Keep protecting the persecuted.
apnews.com/article/texa...
Keep talking to your neighbors.
Keep standing up.
Keep speaking out.
Keep protecting the persecuted.
apnews.com/article/texa...
I had a colonoscopy today, and happy to say all was normal and I'm good for another ten years!
I report this for two reasons:
First, is I get to link to one of my favorite GameTeks ever:
gametek.substack.com/p/colonoscop...
I report this for two reasons:
First, is I get to link to one of my favorite GameTeks ever:
gametek.substack.com/p/colonoscop...
Colonoscopies and Board Games
The Peak-End Rule
gametek.substack.com
January 31, 2026 at 12:32 AM
I had a colonoscopy today, and happy to say all was normal and I'm good for another ten years!
I report this for two reasons:
First, is I get to link to one of my favorite GameTeks ever:
gametek.substack.com/p/colonoscop...
I report this for two reasons:
First, is I get to link to one of my favorite GameTeks ever:
gametek.substack.com/p/colonoscop...
Great change!
France’s highest-profile board game prize, the As d’Or, has updated its rules for 2026 to ensure that artist names must appear on a game box in order for designs to be eligible for the award:
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
January 29, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Great change!
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
Board Game Beat just opened! There's a bunch of content there already, and I'll be posting more throughout the week...including Spielwarenmesse coverage, a survey, and a video. Thanks so much for all your support!
January 26, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Board Game Beat just opened! There's a bunch of content there already, and I'll be posting more throughout the week...including Spielwarenmesse coverage, a survey, and a video. Thanks so much for all your support!
No masks
No immunity
No military equipment
A clear, simple, message.
No immunity
No military equipment
A clear, simple, message.
January 26, 2026 at 5:10 PM
No masks
No immunity
No military equipment
A clear, simple, message.
No immunity
No military equipment
A clear, simple, message.
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
In Memoriam 2025
Designers build on the creativity and hard work of those who came before. TTGDA would like to recognize those in the tabletop industry who we lost last year. We are deeply grateful for their contributions, and are diminished by their loss.
irp.cdn-website.com/2b6905d0/fil...
Designers build on the creativity and hard work of those who came before. TTGDA would like to recognize those in the tabletop industry who we lost last year. We are deeply grateful for their contributions, and are diminished by their loss.
irp.cdn-website.com/2b6905d0/fil...
irp.cdn-website.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:30 PM
In Memoriam 2025
Designers build on the creativity and hard work of those who came before. TTGDA would like to recognize those in the tabletop industry who we lost last year. We are deeply grateful for their contributions, and are diminished by their loss.
irp.cdn-website.com/2b6905d0/fil...
Designers build on the creativity and hard work of those who came before. TTGDA would like to recognize those in the tabletop industry who we lost last year. We are deeply grateful for their contributions, and are diminished by their loss.
irp.cdn-website.com/2b6905d0/fil...
“Videos contradict the federal government’s description of the shooting.”
Every goddamn time.
Every goddamn time.
January 24, 2026 at 9:30 PM
“Videos contradict the federal government’s description of the shooting.”
Every goddamn time.
Every goddamn time.
I was sad to hear that Uncle Floyd has died.
I'm not sure how many people outside NJ knew about him, but he was Pee-Wee Herman before Pee-Wee Herman.
He will be missed!
I'm not sure how many people outside NJ knew about him, but he was Pee-Wee Herman before Pee-Wee Herman.
He will be missed!
January 23, 2026 at 4:47 PM
I was sad to hear that Uncle Floyd has died.
I'm not sure how many people outside NJ knew about him, but he was Pee-Wee Herman before Pee-Wee Herman.
He will be missed!
I'm not sure how many people outside NJ knew about him, but he was Pee-Wee Herman before Pee-Wee Herman.
He will be missed!
A game store in St Paul is being targeted for exercising their free speech.
Keep them in mind when shopping!
Keep them in mind when shopping!
Mischief Toy Store in St. Paul has until Wednesday to turn over employment records to the Department of Homeland Security as part of a surprise audit launched Friday, just hours after one of the shop's owners criticized ICE agents during a television interview. bit.ly/4r5AFol
January 21, 2026 at 3:21 PM
A game store in St Paul is being targeted for exercising their free speech.
Keep them in mind when shopping!
Keep them in mind when shopping!
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
We also would love to hear from more board game designers outside of the U.S. and Europe!
HEY BOARD GAME DESIGNERS! We're updating our reports on publishing contracts! If you've signed a game with a publisher in the past 5 years, let us know (our Gmail is our name) and we'll send you the anonymous survey. See our past reports here: cardboardedison.com/reports And please spread the word!
January 18, 2026 at 6:17 PM
We also would love to hear from more board game designers outside of the U.S. and Europe!
Honored to be asked to help induct For Sale into the @boardgamegeek.com Hall of Fame!
boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...
boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...
The BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame 2026 - Day 1 Inductee | BoardGameGeek News
boardgamegeek.com
January 19, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Honored to be asked to help induct For Sale into the @boardgamegeek.com Hall of Fame!
boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...
boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...
Our government is being run by Veruca Salt.
January 19, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Our government is being run by Veruca Salt.
Watched the first two episodes of Starfleet Academy and - oof. Tough sledding.
I'll give them a bit more rope, but it's going to take a major improvement for me to stick with it.
I'll give them a bit more rope, but it's going to take a major improvement for me to stick with it.
January 19, 2026 at 3:30 AM
Watched the first two episodes of Starfleet Academy and - oof. Tough sledding.
I'll give them a bit more rope, but it's going to take a major improvement for me to stick with it.
I'll give them a bit more rope, but it's going to take a major improvement for me to stick with it.
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
Upper Deck has announced that they have acquired the Harry Potter license for a series of trading cards. They have not yet said that they will be using this license for games, and we urge them to refrain from doing so, to help keep gaming a welcoming environment.
The leadership of the Tabletop Game Designers Association was disappointed to see the publisher CGE touting Codenames: Back to Hogwarts, a new Harry Potter-themed version of Codenames.
January 18, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Upper Deck has announced that they have acquired the Harry Potter license for a series of trading cards. They have not yet said that they will be using this license for games, and we urge them to refrain from doing so, to help keep gaming a welcoming environment.
I could stare at the snowy woods behind our house for hours.
January 17, 2026 at 8:41 PM
I could stare at the snowy woods behind our house for hours.
Actually the Saturday NYT crossword was a delight from start to finish. Really enjoyed the sparkle in this one.
NOT HELPFUL, CROSSWORD AUTHOR!
January 17, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Actually the Saturday NYT crossword was a delight from start to finish. Really enjoyed the sparkle in this one.
NOT HELPFUL, CROSSWORD AUTHOR!
January 17, 2026 at 3:36 AM
NOT HELPFUL, CROSSWORD AUTHOR!
Pay to win baby!
January 16, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Pay to win baby!
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
I've been a fan of every version of Super Skill Pinball, I hope they keep making more because it's one of my favorite games and maybe my favorite board game with a single player mode, and also the newest Harley Quinn themed one is truly next level. Joker Tower in particular is a great pinball design
January 9, 2026 at 10:25 PM
I've been a fan of every version of Super Skill Pinball, I hope they keep making more because it's one of my favorite games and maybe my favorite board game with a single player mode, and also the newest Harley Quinn themed one is truly next level. Joker Tower in particular is a great pinball design
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
🚨BREAKING: ICE agents just launched flash bang grenades at protesters in front of federal building in Minneapolis—causing massive explosions. "It's terrorizing, this isn't the America I served for 20 years in the U.S. Navy," tearful protester tells us.
WE'RE LIVE NOW ⬇️
WE'RE LIVE NOW ⬇️
January 14, 2026 at 12:43 AM
🚨BREAKING: ICE agents just launched flash bang grenades at protesters in front of federal building in Minneapolis—causing massive explosions. "It's terrorizing, this isn't the America I served for 20 years in the U.S. Navy," tearful protester tells us.
WE'RE LIVE NOW ⬇️
WE'RE LIVE NOW ⬇️