Nick Bate
@ickbat.bsky.social
Used to be a galactic archaeologist. Now I design tabletop games about epic heists, illegal mech racing, daring sky pirates, doomed expeditions, and other such nonsense. 🚀
Black Armada Tales cast member.
https://ickbat.itch.io
Black Armada Tales cast member.
https://ickbat.itch.io
Pinned
Nick Bate
@ickbat.bsky.social
· Feb 11
Coming soon: Against Time and Death
A duet storytelling game about a forbidden relationship between two elite operatives on opposite sides of a multiversal time war.
www.kickstarter.com
🚨 The time war has begun! 🚨
Against Time and Death is now live on Kickstarter! Join us if you love:
- intimate stories against the backdrop of epic events
- high-stakes choices
- multiversal time travel stories
- duet games
- This Is How You Lose the Time War
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ick...
Against Time and Death is now live on Kickstarter! Join us if you love:
- intimate stories against the backdrop of epic events
- high-stakes choices
- multiversal time travel stories
- duet games
- This Is How You Lose the Time War
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ick...
Reposted by Nick Bate
I've been talking about this with some people, and I really think this might happen, and I'm going to do my part as well to make it so. 2026 the year of anthologies and magazines and building communities through making things together. I'm starting early with eraserflag: ehronlime.itch.io/eraserflag
December 18, 2025 at 7:16 AM
I've been talking about this with some people, and I really think this might happen, and I'm going to do my part as well to make it so. 2026 the year of anthologies and magazines and building communities through making things together. I'm starting early with eraserflag: ehronlime.itch.io/eraserflag
Stealing the Throne turns five next year, and it still pops up, which always makes my day. Big thanks here to @inkslinger1.bsky.social for shouting it out!
Honestly, who wouldn’t want to steal a giant thousand-year-old robot?
Honestly, who wouldn’t want to steal a giant thousand-year-old robot?
DAY 6, GAME 2: Stealing the Throne by @ickbat.bsky.social is a great GMless science-fantasy storygame about your crew stealing a titanic “throne” mech and attempting to escape. Swapping throne playbooks gives tons of variety; we played—then immediately played again. ickbat.itch.io/stealing-the...
December 17, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Stealing the Throne turns five next year, and it still pops up, which always makes my day. Big thanks here to @inkslinger1.bsky.social for shouting it out!
Honestly, who wouldn’t want to steal a giant thousand-year-old robot?
Honestly, who wouldn’t want to steal a giant thousand-year-old robot?
It’s happening — Against Time and Death is making its way out into the world!
Delighted to see photos as zines start arriving. How good is @spookshow71.bsky.social’s art?!
🔴🔵
Delighted to see photos as zines start arriving. How good is @spookshow71.bsky.social’s art?!
🔴🔵
Excited to read this from @ickbat.bsky.social
Layout + art are hitting the spot. The theme is derived from one of the best novellas I've read in recent years.
Never played an epistolary RPG before (although no stranger to pbp) so going to be interesting finding a collaborator to dive into this.
Layout + art are hitting the spot. The theme is derived from one of the best novellas I've read in recent years.
Never played an epistolary RPG before (although no stranger to pbp) so going to be interesting finding a collaborator to dive into this.
December 11, 2025 at 7:57 AM
It’s happening — Against Time and Death is making its way out into the world!
Delighted to see photos as zines start arriving. How good is @spookshow71.bsky.social’s art?!
🔴🔵
Delighted to see photos as zines start arriving. How good is @spookshow71.bsky.social’s art?!
🔴🔵
Reposted by Nick Bate
Woohoo! Thanks @ickbat.bsky.social
Looks marvellous! 🙂
Looks marvellous! 🙂
December 9, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Woohoo! Thanks @ickbat.bsky.social
Looks marvellous! 🙂
Looks marvellous! 🙂
Aaaand very nearly got seriously screwed by the tariff situation. Fortunately, I’ll only get mildly screwed instead.
I did my due diligence, right up to sending test packages to the US. And still, despite no new tariff announcements, the ground shifted anyway. 🤷🏻♂️
I did my due diligence, right up to sending test packages to the US. And still, despite no new tariff announcements, the ground shifted anyway. 🤷🏻♂️
December 2, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Aaaand very nearly got seriously screwed by the tariff situation. Fortunately, I’ll only get mildly screwed instead.
I did my due diligence, right up to sending test packages to the US. And still, despite no new tariff announcements, the ground shifted anyway. 🤷🏻♂️
I did my due diligence, right up to sending test packages to the US. And still, despite no new tariff announcements, the ground shifted anyway. 🤷🏻♂️
#Dragonmeet2025! It’s happening!
I’m special guest in the Black Armada Games stall today — come by, pick up some cool games, say hi to me, @beckyannison.bsky.social and @armadajosh.bsky.social!
I’m special guest in the Black Armada Games stall today — come by, pick up some cool games, say hi to me, @beckyannison.bsky.social and @armadajosh.bsky.social!
November 29, 2025 at 9:33 AM
#Dragonmeet2025! It’s happening!
I’m special guest in the Black Armada Games stall today — come by, pick up some cool games, say hi to me, @beckyannison.bsky.social and @armadajosh.bsky.social!
I’m special guest in the Black Armada Games stall today — come by, pick up some cool games, say hi to me, @beckyannison.bsky.social and @armadajosh.bsky.social!
Reposted by Nick Bate
Come and find Black Armada Games and special guest @ickbat.bsky.social at #Dragonmeet2025 tomorrow!
Seen Quinns review of Lovecraftesque and want to see inside the guts of the boxed set... then swing by stall F1&2 and check it out.
Huge thanks to @jogbrogzin.bsky.social for the beautiful mapwork.
Seen Quinns review of Lovecraftesque and want to see inside the guts of the boxed set... then swing by stall F1&2 and check it out.
Huge thanks to @jogbrogzin.bsky.social for the beautiful mapwork.
November 28, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Come and find Black Armada Games and special guest @ickbat.bsky.social at #Dragonmeet2025 tomorrow!
Seen Quinns review of Lovecraftesque and want to see inside the guts of the boxed set... then swing by stall F1&2 and check it out.
Huge thanks to @jogbrogzin.bsky.social for the beautiful mapwork.
Seen Quinns review of Lovecraftesque and want to see inside the guts of the boxed set... then swing by stall F1&2 and check it out.
Huge thanks to @jogbrogzin.bsky.social for the beautiful mapwork.
Reposted by Nick Bate
Hey Against Time and Death backers, you might want to check your emails. The Time War has begun!
And if you’re not a backer yet, there’s still time…
against-time-and-death.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
And if you’re not a backer yet, there’s still time…
against-time-and-death.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
November 26, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Hey Against Time and Death backers, you might want to check your emails. The Time War has begun!
And if you’re not a backer yet, there’s still time…
against-time-and-death.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
And if you’re not a backer yet, there’s still time…
against-time-and-death.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
Hey Against Time and Death backers, you might want to check your emails. The Time War has begun!
And if you’re not a backer yet, there’s still time…
against-time-and-death.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
And if you’re not a backer yet, there’s still time…
against-time-and-death.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
November 26, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Hey Against Time and Death backers, you might want to check your emails. The Time War has begun!
And if you’re not a backer yet, there’s still time…
against-time-and-death.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
And if you’re not a backer yet, there’s still time…
against-time-and-death.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
Flashback to when that takeaway restaurant thought my name was Nike Bape.
Fair play to them, from a certain angle that’s pretty much my accent.
Fair play to them, from a certain angle that’s pretty much my accent.
November 19, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Flashback to when that takeaway restaurant thought my name was Nike Bape.
Fair play to them, from a certain angle that’s pretty much my accent.
Fair play to them, from a certain angle that’s pretty much my accent.
Me! Black Armada Games! Dragonmeet! It’s happening!
With a fair wind the Black Armada team and special guest @ickbat.bsky.social will be at Dragonmeet this year with a stall and all our lovely games.
I'll share a map nearer the time, but excited to see how different it is being at the Excel. Where will the Indie Designers go for dinner afterwards?!!
I'll share a map nearer the time, but excited to see how different it is being at the Excel. Where will the Indie Designers go for dinner afterwards?!!
November 12, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Me! Black Armada Games! Dragonmeet! It’s happening!
Reposted by Nick Bate
youtu.be/yHpy7lBsBCk?...
Video about solo journalling games that hit 96k views thanks to the whims of lord algorithm. Comments are great, people discovering then for the first time.
@ickbat.bsky.social, you're on here.
Video about solo journalling games that hit 96k views thanks to the whims of lord algorithm. Comments are great, people discovering then for the first time.
@ickbat.bsky.social, you're on here.
Solo journaling rpgs, writing, and YOU! They're awesome!
YouTube video by Michael Regina
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 4:39 AM
youtu.be/yHpy7lBsBCk?...
Video about solo journalling games that hit 96k views thanks to the whims of lord algorithm. Comments are great, people discovering then for the first time.
@ickbat.bsky.social, you're on here.
Video about solo journalling games that hit 96k views thanks to the whims of lord algorithm. Comments are great, people discovering then for the first time.
@ickbat.bsky.social, you're on here.
Reposted by Nick Bate
Pale Dot arrived today and now gets to join my growing collection of physical ttrpg books I did art for.
October 17, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Pale Dot arrived today and now gets to join my growing collection of physical ttrpg books I did art for.
Huh. It’s mid-October and I’ve read just six RPGs this year. All interesting designs, which is ace:
1. Gravity, Chris Longhurst
2. Last Train to Bremen, Caro Asercion
3. Autoloader, Calum Grace
4. Blades ‘68, Tim Denee
5. Ex Tenebris, Josh Fox
6. Wickies, Lari Assmuth
What should I read next?
1. Gravity, Chris Longhurst
2. Last Train to Bremen, Caro Asercion
3. Autoloader, Calum Grace
4. Blades ‘68, Tim Denee
5. Ex Tenebris, Josh Fox
6. Wickies, Lari Assmuth
What should I read next?
October 14, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Huh. It’s mid-October and I’ve read just six RPGs this year. All interesting designs, which is ace:
1. Gravity, Chris Longhurst
2. Last Train to Bremen, Caro Asercion
3. Autoloader, Calum Grace
4. Blades ‘68, Tim Denee
5. Ex Tenebris, Josh Fox
6. Wickies, Lari Assmuth
What should I read next?
1. Gravity, Chris Longhurst
2. Last Train to Bremen, Caro Asercion
3. Autoloader, Calum Grace
4. Blades ‘68, Tim Denee
5. Ex Tenebris, Josh Fox
6. Wickies, Lari Assmuth
What should I read next?
Mark 1xp if you successfully finished a race, or 2xp if it was epic.
October 9, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Mark 1xp if you successfully finished a race, or 2xp if it was epic.
You! 🫵
You want to play a gothic sci-fi investigation game, right? I mean, why wouldn’t you? Uncover conspiracies, fight demons, be space Mulder and space Scully…
Back Ex Tenebris! Only 20 hours left!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
You want to play a gothic sci-fi investigation game, right? I mean, why wouldn’t you? Uncover conspiracies, fight demons, be space Mulder and space Scully…
Back Ex Tenebris! Only 20 hours left!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
Ex Tenebris: A star-spanning gothic investigation TTRPG
Unravel mysteries, battle horrors, protect the stars
www.kickstarter.com
October 8, 2025 at 6:32 PM
You! 🫵
You want to play a gothic sci-fi investigation game, right? I mean, why wouldn’t you? Uncover conspiracies, fight demons, be space Mulder and space Scully…
Back Ex Tenebris! Only 20 hours left!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
You want to play a gothic sci-fi investigation game, right? I mean, why wouldn’t you? Uncover conspiracies, fight demons, be space Mulder and space Scully…
Back Ex Tenebris! Only 20 hours left!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
Hot damn, it’s good to be thinking about Forged in the Dark design again.
October 7, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Hot damn, it’s good to be thinking about Forged in the Dark design again.
I’m a pretty earnest and enthusiastic guy, particularly in emails, and I’m starting to worry people will think my words were written by an AI.
October 7, 2025 at 6:41 AM
I’m a pretty earnest and enthusiastic guy, particularly in emails, and I’m starting to worry people will think my words were written by an AI.
Reposted by Nick Bate
Huge thanks to @ickbat.bsky.social for creating Against Time and Death. Currently somewhere around the middle of a multi-month game (admittedly, we're playing slowly) and having a delightful time with it.
October 6, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Huge thanks to @ickbat.bsky.social for creating Against Time and Death. Currently somewhere around the middle of a multi-month game (admittedly, we're playing slowly) and having a delightful time with it.
It’s been a little while since I asked…
Which Forged in the Dark game(s) are you most excited about right now?
What’s your current state of the art?
Which Forged in the Dark game(s) are you most excited about right now?
What’s your current state of the art?
October 5, 2025 at 8:25 AM
It’s been a little while since I asked…
Which Forged in the Dark game(s) are you most excited about right now?
What’s your current state of the art?
Which Forged in the Dark game(s) are you most excited about right now?
What’s your current state of the art?
Geez, Girl by Moonlight is good.
But I feel like I don’t hear about it so much these days. Are people playing it?
But I feel like I don’t hear about it so much these days. Are people playing it?
October 3, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Geez, Girl by Moonlight is good.
But I feel like I don’t hear about it so much these days. Are people playing it?
But I feel like I don’t hear about it so much these days. Are people playing it?
Family, Speed Daemons playtesting is going so good.
Mech racing, yo. Recommended.
Mech racing, yo. Recommended.
October 3, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Family, Speed Daemons playtesting is going so good.
Mech racing, yo. Recommended.
Mech racing, yo. Recommended.
Reposted by Nick Bate
Read this, #ttrpg folks!
Interview feature with @armadajosh.bsky.social and @beckyannison.bsky.social about EX TENEBRIS, currently in the last week of their crowdfunder, where we talk influences, mystery games, systems and their future.
"I just didn’t want my friends to have to play fascist enforcers."
"I just didn’t want my friends to have to play fascist enforcers."
A Bright Dark Future: Ex Tenebris Interview - Old Men Running The World
If you're a British game designer, you work beneath a cloud - both literally and figuratively. For the former, it's really cloudy here, For the latter, it's a
oldmenrunningtheworld.com
October 3, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Read this, #ttrpg folks!
Team, help me out by dreaming up cool conceptual opposites for Against Time and Death!
I'm after paired concepts that define opposing factions in the Time War. Both should sound intriguing, and neither should be unambiguously bad. Bonus points if they're a lyrical rather than literal.
🔴 🔵
I'm after paired concepts that define opposing factions in the Time War. Both should sound intriguing, and neither should be unambiguously bad. Bonus points if they're a lyrical rather than literal.
🔴 🔵
October 3, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Team, help me out by dreaming up cool conceptual opposites for Against Time and Death!
I'm after paired concepts that define opposing factions in the Time War. Both should sound intriguing, and neither should be unambiguously bad. Bonus points if they're a lyrical rather than literal.
🔴 🔵
I'm after paired concepts that define opposing factions in the Time War. Both should sound intriguing, and neither should be unambiguously bad. Bonus points if they're a lyrical rather than literal.
🔴 🔵
Reposted by Nick Bate
Can't overstate this! It feels wonderful to know that someone had a good time with your game. It's not just that they appreciate your work. Someone's day, maybe a day with their friends, got better because of something you put into the world. It's a special feeling.
If you enjoyed a game on Itch, leave a comment!
Honestly, it really brightens a creator's day. And it's a big encouragement for others who may be interested in getting that game.
Itch hides reviews from the game page, so I find comments more useful in the long run.
Like a game? Comment away!
Honestly, it really brightens a creator's day. And it's a big encouragement for others who may be interested in getting that game.
Itch hides reviews from the game page, so I find comments more useful in the long run.
Like a game? Comment away!
September 28, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Can't overstate this! It feels wonderful to know that someone had a good time with your game. It's not just that they appreciate your work. Someone's day, maybe a day with their friends, got better because of something you put into the world. It's a special feeling.