Kevin Sylves
@ksylves.bsky.social
*he/him*
Spacecraft Analyst 🚀
Double Bassist 🎻
Gay Dad 🏳️🌈👨👨👧
Game Designer 🃏
--The Queen's Interests: https://buttonshygames.com/products/mysticana-the-queens-interest-expansion-game
--ExoShip: https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/exoship
Spacecraft Analyst 🚀
Double Bassist 🎻
Gay Dad 🏳️🌈👨👨👧
Game Designer 🃏
--The Queen's Interests: https://buttonshygames.com/products/mysticana-the-queens-interest-expansion-game
--ExoShip: https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/exoship
Pinned
Kevin Sylves
@ksylves.bsky.social
· Jul 25
Hi! A quick thread to introduce myself on this platform 🧵
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
ExoShip, my solo game about overthrowing an authoritarian government on a generation ship, is on sale now!
🥳 The sale at The Game Crafter is now live!
Most of my games are discounted. If you missed out on the #Crownfell crowd sale, or had your eye on any of these other games, now is a great time:
www.thegamecrafter.com/designers/we...
Most of my games are discounted. If you missed out on the #Crownfell crowd sale, or had your eye on any of these other games, now is a great time:
www.thegamecrafter.com/designers/we...
February 9, 2026 at 4:22 PM
ExoShip, my solo game about overthrowing an authoritarian government on a generation ship, is on sale now!
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
Mirroring @filamena.bsky.social post. If a fellow game designer is associated with one of these games, you’re not cool with me and will never get my respect.
This shouldn’t be a designer problem, it’s a publishers fault, but we hold the power by refusing to work.
This shouldn’t be a designer problem, it’s a publishers fault, but we hold the power by refusing to work.
Hasbro and Warner Bros. Discovery have signed a multi-year deal starting in 2027 to produce Harry Potter film and television series dolls, role play, action figures, collectibles, interactive plush, board games, and more to be revealed later this year - bwnews.pr/45UKdKL
February 11, 2026 at 2:50 AM
Mirroring @filamena.bsky.social post. If a fellow game designer is associated with one of these games, you’re not cool with me and will never get my respect.
This shouldn’t be a designer problem, it’s a publishers fault, but we hold the power by refusing to work.
This shouldn’t be a designer problem, it’s a publishers fault, but we hold the power by refusing to work.
ExoShip, my solo game about overthrowing an authoritarian government on a generation ship, is on sale now!
🥳 The sale at The Game Crafter is now live!
Most of my games are discounted. If you missed out on the #Crownfell crowd sale, or had your eye on any of these other games, now is a great time:
www.thegamecrafter.com/designers/we...
Most of my games are discounted. If you missed out on the #Crownfell crowd sale, or had your eye on any of these other games, now is a great time:
www.thegamecrafter.com/designers/we...
February 9, 2026 at 4:22 PM
ExoShip, my solo game about overthrowing an authoritarian government on a generation ship, is on sale now!
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
Lessons Learned from Making Seventeen Board Games
A talk I gave for @graemedevine.com's Game Design class at California State University, Monterey Bay
🎲✂️
A talk I gave for @graemedevine.com's Game Design class at California State University, Monterey Bay
🎲✂️
Mike Berg - We Heart Games Talk at CSUMB
YouTube video by Graeme Devine
www.youtube.com
February 1, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Lessons Learned from Making Seventeen Board Games
A talk I gave for @graemedevine.com's Game Design class at California State University, Monterey Bay
🎲✂️
A talk I gave for @graemedevine.com's Game Design class at California State University, Monterey Bay
🎲✂️
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
I'm such a bad judge of these things in terms of notoriety. But Xoe Allred is doing incredibly innovative work, and Marceline Leiman is a designer to watch.
Somewhat tangential then - who should people be following in the board game space that are not yet well known?
January 13, 2026 at 2:37 AM
I'm such a bad judge of these things in terms of notoriety. But Xoe Allred is doing incredibly innovative work, and Marceline Leiman is a designer to watch.
Happy new year! My 2025 in games
January 1, 2026 at 5:09 AM
Happy new year! My 2025 in games
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
For no reason whatsoever, gonna remind that you can support your local trans girl by buying my games directly from my lovely publishers!
High Tide www.underdoggames.com/products/hig...
Phantasmic buttonshygames.com/products/pha...
High Tide www.underdoggames.com/products/hig...
Phantasmic buttonshygames.com/products/pha...
High Tide
High Tide is a compact 2-player strategy game that comes with a travel-friendly storage bag—perfect for beach trips, café tables, or cozy game nights. Each round, players stack and shift tiles, aiming...
www.underdoggames.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:29 AM
For no reason whatsoever, gonna remind that you can support your local trans girl by buying my games directly from my lovely publishers!
High Tide www.underdoggames.com/products/hig...
Phantasmic buttonshygames.com/products/pha...
High Tide www.underdoggames.com/products/hig...
Phantasmic buttonshygames.com/products/pha...
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
Looking for some last-minute gifts? 🎁 My two releases this year are small, fast, and are perfect stocking stuffers.
They’re both great for travel and playing with both gamers and non-gamers alike!
Check out High Tide and Phantasmic! 🪡 (1/4)
They’re both great for travel and playing with both gamers and non-gamers alike!
Check out High Tide and Phantasmic! 🪡 (1/4)
December 9, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Looking for some last-minute gifts? 🎁 My two releases this year are small, fast, and are perfect stocking stuffers.
They’re both great for travel and playing with both gamers and non-gamers alike!
Check out High Tide and Phantasmic! 🪡 (1/4)
They’re both great for travel and playing with both gamers and non-gamers alike!
Check out High Tide and Phantasmic! 🪡 (1/4)
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
The entirety of #Crownfell 's existence was triggered by a throwaway joke...
With just 8 hours left in the crowd sale, here's the story of how it got started, and where it went from there. 🎲✂️
With just 8 hours left in the crowd sale, here's the story of how it got started, and where it went from there. 🎲✂️
Crownfell Design Diary: No such thing as a bad idea - We Heart Games
What started as a joke post snowballed into my favourite game design yet. Here's how it happened.
weheart.games
November 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The entirety of #Crownfell 's existence was triggered by a throwaway joke...
With just 8 hours left in the crowd sale, here's the story of how it got started, and where it went from there. 🎲✂️
With just 8 hours left in the crowd sale, here's the story of how it got started, and where it went from there. 🎲✂️
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
Downtown Las Palmas is now on sale at @buttonshy.bsky.social! To celebrate, here's a "how to play" video for everybody picking up their copies. Thank you everyone for your support! 🥰 🌴🏙️
buttonshygames.com/products/dow...
buttonshygames.com/products/dow...
November 28, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Downtown Las Palmas is now on sale at @buttonshy.bsky.social! To celebrate, here's a "how to play" video for everybody picking up their copies. Thank you everyone for your support! 🥰 🌴🏙️
buttonshygames.com/products/dow...
buttonshygames.com/products/dow...
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
Hope yall were able to recover from your turkey hangovers!!!
✨ My new card game Phantasmic is NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE!!!! ✨
GO CHECK IT OUT!!
✨ My new card game Phantasmic is NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE!!!! ✨
GO CHECK IT OUT!!
Button Shy Black Friday is live! 8 new products (Dustbiters, Downtown Las Palmas, Phantasmic, and more!) , a bunch of $10 bundles. Use coupon code toomuchturkey for just about everything else. buttonshygames.com/collections/...
November 28, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Hope yall were able to recover from your turkey hangovers!!!
✨ My new card game Phantasmic is NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE!!!! ✨
GO CHECK IT OUT!!
✨ My new card game Phantasmic is NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE!!!! ✨
GO CHECK IT OUT!!
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
This is so cool! Get in on this 25% discount of a super cool, super portable chess-like with solo mode before the crowd sale is over!
#Crownfell Crowd Sale milestone! All three items are now up to a 25% discount! 🎉👑🍾
Less than four days left to get in on the action:
www.thegamecrafter.com/crowdsale/cr...
Less than four days left to get in on the action:
www.thegamecrafter.com/crowdsale/cr...
Crownfell is ON SALE!
Recruit and command a unique squad of skirmishing warriors to seize the crown.
www.thegamecrafter.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:18 AM
This is so cool! Get in on this 25% discount of a super cool, super portable chess-like with solo mode before the crowd sale is over!
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
Four more days to get #Crownfell at a steep discount!
1-2 player asymmetric chess-like card game with 17 unique pieces and stunning artwork by @stregawolf.art (solo play with expansion)
www.thegamecrafter.com/crowdsale/cr...
1-2 player asymmetric chess-like card game with 17 unique pieces and stunning artwork by @stregawolf.art (solo play with expansion)
www.thegamecrafter.com/crowdsale/cr...
November 24, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Four more days to get #Crownfell at a steep discount!
1-2 player asymmetric chess-like card game with 17 unique pieces and stunning artwork by @stregawolf.art (solo play with expansion)
www.thegamecrafter.com/crowdsale/cr...
1-2 player asymmetric chess-like card game with 17 unique pieces and stunning artwork by @stregawolf.art (solo play with expansion)
www.thegamecrafter.com/crowdsale/cr...
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
With a Crowd Sale, delivery of the game is guaranteed; there’s no risk or questionable funding goals.
And the discount is already up to 20% off, and climbing…!
And the discount is already up to 20% off, and climbing…!
#Crownfell is an asymmetric, abstract, 2-player strategy card game that is live on @thegamecrafter.bsky.social!
No stretch goals, except for this: The more people get it, the lower the price goes *for everyone*.
Add-ons include a playmat & solo expansion.
www.thegamecrafter.com/crowdsale/cr...
No stretch goals, except for this: The more people get it, the lower the price goes *for everyone*.
Add-ons include a playmat & solo expansion.
www.thegamecrafter.com/crowdsale/cr...
November 19, 2025 at 6:09 PM
With a Crowd Sale, delivery of the game is guaranteed; there’s no risk or questionable funding goals.
And the discount is already up to 20% off, and climbing…!
And the discount is already up to 20% off, and climbing…!
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
50 copies! That means the discount is up to 19%!
#Crownfell is an asymmetric, abstract, 2-player strategy card game that is live on @thegamecrafter.bsky.social!
No stretch goals, except for this: The more people get it, the lower the price goes *for everyone*.
Add-ons include a playmat & solo expansion.
www.thegamecrafter.com/crowdsale/cr...
No stretch goals, except for this: The more people get it, the lower the price goes *for everyone*.
Add-ons include a playmat & solo expansion.
www.thegamecrafter.com/crowdsale/cr...
November 18, 2025 at 11:30 PM
50 copies! That means the discount is up to 19%!
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
Today I investigate three more indie games, all of which are ambitious and explorative of what games can accomplish. These are good'uns. spacebiff.com/2025/11/18/h...
Nebulae, Medusae… Crownae?
Yesterday on BlueSky, Marceline Leiman asked a great question. Using only one or two extremely vague words, how would I describe the titles on offer at this year’s Indie Games Night Market? N…
spacebiff.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Today I investigate three more indie games, all of which are ambitious and explorative of what games can accomplish. These are good'uns. spacebiff.com/2025/11/18/h...
I've been watching from the peanut gallery as Mike has been designing and developing Crownfell. He has put so much work and iteration into this design and the final result looks *fantastic*! I can't wait to get my copy - the crowdsale is on now!
#Crownfell is an asymmetric, abstract, 2-player strategy card game that is live on @thegamecrafter.bsky.social!
No stretch goals, except for this: The more people get it, the lower the price goes *for everyone*.
Add-ons include a playmat & solo expansion.
www.thegamecrafter.com/crowdsale/cr...
No stretch goals, except for this: The more people get it, the lower the price goes *for everyone*.
Add-ons include a playmat & solo expansion.
www.thegamecrafter.com/crowdsale/cr...
November 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM
I've been watching from the peanut gallery as Mike has been designing and developing Crownfell. He has put so much work and iteration into this design and the final result looks *fantastic*! I can't wait to get my copy - the crowdsale is on now!
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
A new review up on @meeplemountain.com this morning, for the excellent Crownfell from @weheart.games. This is a sharp two-player abstract with some killer art.
www.meeplemountain.com/reviews/crow...
www.meeplemountain.com/reviews/crow...
Crownfell Game Review – Meeple Mountain
Crownfell, a tremendous two-player abstract game, is more than just a pretty face. Read more in this Meeple Mountain review.
www.meeplemountain.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:36 PM
A new review up on @meeplemountain.com this morning, for the excellent Crownfell from @weheart.games. This is a sharp two-player abstract with some killer art.
www.meeplemountain.com/reviews/crow...
www.meeplemountain.com/reviews/crow...
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
Looking for a new #solottrpg? Take a moment to check out Infinite Paths, funding on Kickstarter now! Infinite Paths is a solo RPG system that's designed to be easy to pick up for both new and experienced #ttrpg players, and flexible enough to cover whatever genre or style you'd like!
🧵1/2
🧵1/2
November 14, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Looking for a new #solottrpg? Take a moment to check out Infinite Paths, funding on Kickstarter now! Infinite Paths is a solo RPG system that's designed to be easy to pick up for both new and experienced #ttrpg players, and flexible enough to cover whatever genre or style you'd like!
🧵1/2
🧵1/2
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
Reminder: I’ll be selling this game Crownfell and its upgrade neoprene mat *in person* at Pax Unplugged during the Indie Games Night Market in addition to my own games!!
Mike put a lot of effort to make this edition of metal cards special for the market—and I have no doubt it’ll sell out fast!
Mike put a lot of effort to make this edition of metal cards special for the market—and I have no doubt it’ll sell out fast!
Updated launch trailer for #Crownfell!
Includes a sneak peak at the solo expansion.
Launching next week...! Sign up to be notified here: www.thegamecrafter.com/crowdsale/cr...
Includes a sneak peak at the solo expansion.
Launching next week...! Sign up to be notified here: www.thegamecrafter.com/crowdsale/cr...
Crownfell Launch Trailer
YouTube video by Mike Berg
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Reminder: I’ll be selling this game Crownfell and its upgrade neoprene mat *in person* at Pax Unplugged during the Indie Games Night Market in addition to my own games!!
Mike put a lot of effort to make this edition of metal cards special for the market—and I have no doubt it’ll sell out fast!
Mike put a lot of effort to make this edition of metal cards special for the market—and I have no doubt it’ll sell out fast!
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
youtu.be/ciIa0usT7wM?...
FIGHT WITH PLAYING CARDS. Introducing 52 Duels, a 1 or 2 player duelling game coming to kickstarter next month.
Sign up to get notified when we launch! www.kickstarter.com/projects/pos...
FIGHT WITH PLAYING CARDS. Introducing 52 Duels, a 1 or 2 player duelling game coming to kickstarter next month.
Sign up to get notified when we launch! www.kickstarter.com/projects/pos...
52 DUELS - A fight with playing cards for 1-2 players
YouTube video by Roll Them Bones
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 2:39 PM
youtu.be/ciIa0usT7wM?...
FIGHT WITH PLAYING CARDS. Introducing 52 Duels, a 1 or 2 player duelling game coming to kickstarter next month.
Sign up to get notified when we launch! www.kickstarter.com/projects/pos...
FIGHT WITH PLAYING CARDS. Introducing 52 Duels, a 1 or 2 player duelling game coming to kickstarter next month.
Sign up to get notified when we launch! www.kickstarter.com/projects/pos...
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
The Kickstarter campaign for Infinite Paths is now live! Check out this sleek, fiction-first solo RPG system that can be adapted to whatever story YOU want to tell — or choose from one of the included settings if you need a little jumpstart!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
Infinite Paths
A solo TTRPG system
www.kickstarter.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:12 PM
The Kickstarter campaign for Infinite Paths is now live! Check out this sleek, fiction-first solo RPG system that can be adapted to whatever story YOU want to tell — or choose from one of the included settings if you need a little jumpstart!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
I found a Reddit post about “common issues” with chess and if there were modern chess-like games without them... it got me thinking about #Crownfell and how it addresses them.
www.reddit.com/r/boardgames...
Allow me a short thread… 🎲✂️
1/
www.reddit.com/r/boardgames...
Allow me a short thread… 🎲✂️
1/
October 16, 2025 at 1:38 AM
I found a Reddit post about “common issues” with chess and if there were modern chess-like games without them... it got me thinking about #Crownfell and how it addresses them.
www.reddit.com/r/boardgames...
Allow me a short thread… 🎲✂️
1/
www.reddit.com/r/boardgames...
Allow me a short thread… 🎲✂️
1/
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
5. It has been centuries since any one human could know everything that is known; understand everything that is understood.
This is a remarkable power of science. We delegate trust and authority to experts as internally established in ways that are remarkably resilient to mistakes and malfeasance.
This is a remarkable power of science. We delegate trust and authority to experts as internally established in ways that are remarkably resilient to mistakes and malfeasance.
August 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM
5. It has been centuries since any one human could know everything that is known; understand everything that is understood.
This is a remarkable power of science. We delegate trust and authority to experts as internally established in ways that are remarkably resilient to mistakes and malfeasance.
This is a remarkable power of science. We delegate trust and authority to experts as internally established in ways that are remarkably resilient to mistakes and malfeasance.
Reposted by Kevin Sylves
1. "'Trusting the experts is not a feature of either a science or democracy," Kennedy said."
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
RFK Jr. in interview with Scripps News: ‘Trusting the experts is not science’
HHS Secretary RFK Jr. sat down with Scripps News for a wide-ranging interview, discussing mRNA vaccine funding policy changes and a recent shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
www.scrippsnews.com
August 12, 2025 at 4:48 AM
1. "'Trusting the experts is not a feature of either a science or democracy," Kennedy said."
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.