Rob Harper
@harperrob.bsky.social
Player and designer of board games, doer of some other things also.
He/him
He/him
Pinned
Rob Harper
@harperrob.bsky.social
· Apr 2
Grab Bag Jungle
THE GAME
Embark on a thrilling jungle adventure with friends and family in this immersive animal rescue game!
Together, you'll race against the clock to save jungle animals by reaching into the Grab...
gibsonsgames.co.uk
Woohoo! The game I co-designed with @mikeharrisonwood.bsky.social is now officially released. You can get it from the publisher's website, or a small but growing number of other places. Here we go...! 😁
gibsonsgames.co.uk/collections/...
gibsonsgames.co.uk/collections/...
Reposted by Rob Harper
If you're at MAGFest and believe in games as art, you MUST experience Conviction by @xoe.gay. This simple card game blends challenging subject matter with evocative mechanics to offer an experience you won't get from other media.
The game rightfully packs a content warning because it dares to
1/▶️
The game rightfully packs a content warning because it dares to
1/▶️
January 10, 2026 at 6:19 PM
If you're at MAGFest and believe in games as art, you MUST experience Conviction by @xoe.gay. This simple card game blends challenging subject matter with evocative mechanics to offer an experience you won't get from other media.
The game rightfully packs a content warning because it dares to
1/▶️
The game rightfully packs a content warning because it dares to
1/▶️
Reposted by Rob Harper
Section 5(1)(f) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 (as amended) makes it a criminal offence to knowingly facilitate the production or distribution of sexualised images of children. The problem here isn't the law - it's the political willingnesss to enforce it against X.
My word. (Again.)
Media Minister Patrick O'Donovan: "At the end of the day, it's the choice of a person to make these images... technology is moving so fast... even if the law is changed there's no doubt about... the advances are far faster than law is able to respond..."
Media Minister Patrick O'Donovan: "At the end of the day, it's the choice of a person to make these images... technology is moving so fast... even if the law is changed there's no doubt about... the advances are far faster than law is able to respond..."
January 8, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Section 5(1)(f) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 (as amended) makes it a criminal offence to knowingly facilitate the production or distribution of sexualised images of children. The problem here isn't the law - it's the political willingnesss to enforce it against X.
Reposted by Rob Harper
Which tabletop games publisher is currently knocking it out of the park, with its games releases (for whatever reason)?
January 8, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Which tabletop games publisher is currently knocking it out of the park, with its games releases (for whatever reason)?
Reposted by Rob Harper
In case folks aren’t bothering to click, this is just outstanding work by the FT.
January 7, 2026 at 9:04 AM
In case folks aren’t bothering to click, this is just outstanding work by the FT.
Reposted by Rob Harper
Joint European statement on Greenland. They moved quickly after Miller’s comments about annexation last night.
January 6, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Joint European statement on Greenland. They moved quickly after Miller’s comments about annexation last night.
Reposted by Rob Harper
Playtesting successes in 2025!
Last year we had a total of NINE games published that had been designed by our South London playtest group or playtested at Playfest London 🤯
Congratulations to everyone involved! Which games have you played/are looking forward to?
#BoardGameDesign 🎲✂️
Last year we had a total of NINE games published that had been designed by our South London playtest group or playtested at Playfest London 🤯
Congratulations to everyone involved! Which games have you played/are looking forward to?
#BoardGameDesign 🎲✂️
January 1, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Playtesting successes in 2025!
Last year we had a total of NINE games published that had been designed by our South London playtest group or playtested at Playfest London 🤯
Congratulations to everyone involved! Which games have you played/are looking forward to?
#BoardGameDesign 🎲✂️
Last year we had a total of NINE games published that had been designed by our South London playtest group or playtested at Playfest London 🤯
Congratulations to everyone involved! Which games have you played/are looking forward to?
#BoardGameDesign 🎲✂️
Reposted by Rob Harper
CORRECTED POST: :)
MPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE: If you are trans at a convention I am at and someone gives you shit about it, let me know and I will come throw a fucking chair at them.
This service is complimentary.
Also, I have to start proofreading my posts!
MPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE: If you are trans at a convention I am at and someone gives you shit about it, let me know and I will come throw a fucking chair at them.
This service is complimentary.
Also, I have to start proofreading my posts!
January 1, 2026 at 6:49 PM
CORRECTED POST: :)
MPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE: If you are trans at a convention I am at and someone gives you shit about it, let me know and I will come throw a fucking chair at them.
This service is complimentary.
Also, I have to start proofreading my posts!
MPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE: If you are trans at a convention I am at and someone gives you shit about it, let me know and I will come throw a fucking chair at them.
This service is complimentary.
Also, I have to start proofreading my posts!
Reposted by Rob Harper
Not to be like a pushy d-bag but time is running out & I have 2 kids to feed so if you want a great gift for the boardgamer in your life get them my book The Game Changers (UK) / Across The Board (US) all about how games shaped civilization & make us human. Many critics have vouched for them!
December 18, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Not to be like a pushy d-bag but time is running out & I have 2 kids to feed so if you want a great gift for the boardgamer in your life get them my book The Game Changers (UK) / Across The Board (US) all about how games shaped civilization & make us human. Many critics have vouched for them!
Reposted by Rob Harper
Techbros seem to love Tolkien, so here's an analogy to help you understand what genAI is.
GenAI is The One Ring. You think your use is justified, b/c you don't have evil in your heart.
But it came from evil, it is intended for evil purpose, & anything you do with it will be twisted to that end.
GenAI is The One Ring. You think your use is justified, b/c you don't have evil in your heart.
But it came from evil, it is intended for evil purpose, & anything you do with it will be twisted to that end.
December 17, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Techbros seem to love Tolkien, so here's an analogy to help you understand what genAI is.
GenAI is The One Ring. You think your use is justified, b/c you don't have evil in your heart.
But it came from evil, it is intended for evil purpose, & anything you do with it will be twisted to that end.
GenAI is The One Ring. You think your use is justified, b/c you don't have evil in your heart.
But it came from evil, it is intended for evil purpose, & anything you do with it will be twisted to that end.
Reposted by Rob Harper
In your 20s, there will be a LARPing event that will suck so bad you'll spend three days having back to back panic attacks.
It's very important that you go.
Or: let me tell you about how I learnt I was autistic. 🧵
It's very important that you go.
Or: let me tell you about how I learnt I was autistic. 🧵
December 16, 2025 at 4:10 PM
In your 20s, there will be a LARPing event that will suck so bad you'll spend three days having back to back panic attacks.
It's very important that you go.
Or: let me tell you about how I learnt I was autistic. 🧵
It's very important that you go.
Or: let me tell you about how I learnt I was autistic. 🧵
Reposted by Rob Harper
Today's video is about pitching to multiple publishers at the same time, and what to do if you get an offer from one of them.
🎲✂️
youtu.be/KVqfMec6YCM
🎲✂️
youtu.be/KVqfMec6YCM
How to deal with multiple publishers wanting to sign your game
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
youtu.be
December 15, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Today's video is about pitching to multiple publishers at the same time, and what to do if you get an offer from one of them.
🎲✂️
youtu.be/KVqfMec6YCM
🎲✂️
youtu.be/KVqfMec6YCM
Reposted by Rob Harper
You all know I had a game out recently by Gibsons, right?
Well, this Saturday you can meet me and @harperrob.bsky.social (co-designer of Grab Bag Jungle) at Eclectic Games in Reading! We'll be demoing the game and talking about it to anyone who will listen!
Well, this Saturday you can meet me and @harperrob.bsky.social (co-designer of Grab Bag Jungle) at Eclectic Games in Reading! We'll be demoing the game and talking about it to anyone who will listen!
December 11, 2025 at 2:59 PM
You all know I had a game out recently by Gibsons, right?
Well, this Saturday you can meet me and @harperrob.bsky.social (co-designer of Grab Bag Jungle) at Eclectic Games in Reading! We'll be demoing the game and talking about it to anyone who will listen!
Well, this Saturday you can meet me and @harperrob.bsky.social (co-designer of Grab Bag Jungle) at Eclectic Games in Reading! We'll be demoing the game and talking about it to anyone who will listen!
Reposted by Rob Harper
There’s still time to have a chance of winning great board games and also support UK #foodbanks as the weather is getting colder. Answer a simple question and get yourself some #raffle tickets.
More info and enter here: raffall.com/403887/enter...
Also, please reshare. 🙂👍
#boardgames #charity
More info and enter here: raffall.com/403887/enter...
Also, please reshare. 🙂👍
#boardgames #charity
December 7, 2025 at 4:16 PM
There’s still time to have a chance of winning great board games and also support UK #foodbanks as the weather is getting colder. Answer a simple question and get yourself some #raffle tickets.
More info and enter here: raffall.com/403887/enter...
Also, please reshare. 🙂👍
#boardgames #charity
More info and enter here: raffall.com/403887/enter...
Also, please reshare. 🙂👍
#boardgames #charity
Having missed a month of blogging in October, I managed to just about squeeze one in for November. At yesterday's Dragonmeet, I got to run some tests of a new game project that I am working on with @mikeharrisonwood.bsky.social... 🎲✂️
firsttakesomedice.blogspot.com/2025/11/ice-...
firsttakesomedice.blogspot.com/2025/11/ice-...
Ice Creams and Meet of Dragons
This weekend was Dragonmeet, the one-day tabletop games convention in London, which had moved from its previous home in Hammersmith to the E...
firsttakesomedice.blogspot.com
November 30, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Having missed a month of blogging in October, I managed to just about squeeze one in for November. At yesterday's Dragonmeet, I got to run some tests of a new game project that I am working on with @mikeharrisonwood.bsky.social... 🎲✂️
firsttakesomedice.blogspot.com/2025/11/ice-...
firsttakesomedice.blogspot.com/2025/11/ice-...
The journey to Dragonmeet begins! Made it to the station on time, and it looks like the train is more or less on time too. Looking forward to seeing folk soon.
November 29, 2025 at 7:12 AM
The journey to Dragonmeet begins! Made it to the station on time, and it looks like the train is more or less on time too. Looking forward to seeing folk soon.
Had a good day of playtesting with Alan from Surprised Stare Games, including trying a fun expansion for @davidjmortimer.bsky.social's Cousins' War. 🎲✂️
November 28, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Had a good day of playtesting with Alan from Surprised Stare Games, including trying a fun expansion for @davidjmortimer.bsky.social's Cousins' War. 🎲✂️
Reposted by Rob Harper
Here's another new blog post which is basically just a home for a recently-crowdsourced list of larp festivals that have happened in the UK. Thanks to everyone who's contributed so far!
blog.undyingking.com/larp-festiva...
blog.undyingking.com/larp-festiva...
Larp Festivals in the UK – Mostly about larp, these days
blog.undyingking.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Here's another new blog post which is basically just a home for a recently-crowdsourced list of larp festivals that have happened in the UK. Thanks to everyone who's contributed so far!
blog.undyingking.com/larp-festiva...
blog.undyingking.com/larp-festiva...
Reposted by Rob Harper
So the cut and thrust of this is in the right place, but I have to admit I nearly stopped reading after the use of the phrase "plagiarism detectors".
I've spent a huge amount of my Ed Tech career so far trying to get across to academics that there is *no* tool that can *detect* plagiarism,
I've spent a huge amount of my Ed Tech career so far trying to get across to academics that there is *no* tool that can *detect* plagiarism,
I Set A Trap To Catch My Students Cheating With AI. The Results Were Shocking.
"Students are not just undermining their ability to learn, but to someday lead."
www.huffpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:52 AM
So the cut and thrust of this is in the right place, but I have to admit I nearly stopped reading after the use of the phrase "plagiarism detectors".
I've spent a huge amount of my Ed Tech career so far trying to get across to academics that there is *no* tool that can *detect* plagiarism,
I've spent a huge amount of my Ed Tech career so far trying to get across to academics that there is *no* tool that can *detect* plagiarism,
Reposted by Rob Harper
Hey, I'm Tim - a boardgames writer, player & now, apparently, podcaster. Are you likely to find yourself playing games with family & friends this holiday season? Do you need recommendations for good ones to play with your group, or to gift? Reply below with who it's for & I'll do my best to help!
November 19, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Hey, I'm Tim - a boardgames writer, player & now, apparently, podcaster. Are you likely to find yourself playing games with family & friends this holiday season? Do you need recommendations for good ones to play with your group, or to gift? Reply below with who it's for & I'll do my best to help!
Reposted by Rob Harper
BREAKING: I'm starting up a new line of games that I'll be putting out on @thegamecrafter.bsky.social. Some will be reprints of older Formal Ferret Games, some of these will be expansions to existing games, and some are going to be brand new.
Of course, I'm calling it Informal Ferret Games.
Of course, I'm calling it Informal Ferret Games.
November 17, 2025 at 7:40 PM
BREAKING: I'm starting up a new line of games that I'll be putting out on @thegamecrafter.bsky.social. Some will be reprints of older Formal Ferret Games, some of these will be expansions to existing games, and some are going to be brand new.
Of course, I'm calling it Informal Ferret Games.
Of course, I'm calling it Informal Ferret Games.
Reposted by Rob Harper
Aaand only two months behind schedule but finally got around to popping up a press release (thanks @rascal.news)...
Field Agent Handbooks now available through @ipr.bsky.social or direct from me!
www.rascal.news/get-out-play...
Field Agent Handbooks now available through @ipr.bsky.social or direct from me!
www.rascal.news/get-out-play...
Get Out & Play with the Field Agent Handbooks
Pick one up today and become a pendulum-dowsing Field Agent
www.rascal.news
November 10, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Aaand only two months behind schedule but finally got around to popping up a press release (thanks @rascal.news)...
Field Agent Handbooks now available through @ipr.bsky.social or direct from me!
www.rascal.news/get-out-play...
Field Agent Handbooks now available through @ipr.bsky.social or direct from me!
www.rascal.news/get-out-play...
Reposted by Rob Harper
Non-substack version now on my personal blog: davidallengreen.com/2025/11/the-...
November 12, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Non-substack version now on my personal blog: davidallengreen.com/2025/11/the-...
Reposted by Rob Harper
I LOVE this:
"There exists a paradox in game design. You are simultaneously the most knowledgeable and least knowledgeable person about your game..."
🎲✂️(1/4)
"There exists a paradox in game design. You are simultaneously the most knowledgeable and least knowledgeable person about your game..."
🎲✂️(1/4)
November 11, 2025 at 3:24 PM
I LOVE this:
"There exists a paradox in game design. You are simultaneously the most knowledgeable and least knowledgeable person about your game..."
🎲✂️(1/4)
"There exists a paradox in game design. You are simultaneously the most knowledgeable and least knowledgeable person about your game..."
🎲✂️(1/4)
Reposted by Rob Harper
