Mandela F-G
@mandelafg.bsky.social
Designs board games.
Published: Glasgow (Lookout Spiele), Overstocked (Play for Keeps), The Shakespeare Game (Laurence King), The Jane Austen Game (LK), Sankoré (Osprey Games)
Upcoming: Ayar (Osprey Games) 2025
He/Him
Published: Glasgow (Lookout Spiele), Overstocked (Play for Keeps), The Shakespeare Game (Laurence King), The Jane Austen Game (LK), Sankoré (Osprey Games)
Upcoming: Ayar (Osprey Games) 2025
He/Him
Reposted by Mandela F-G
We were so happy to have Ayar designers @flopiano.bsky.social & @mandelafg.bsky.social on stand at SPIEL Essen for signings & demos!
The game was a sell-out success with packed tables all 4 days – we couldn't be prouder of the team 🔥🔥
Available now: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
The game was a sell-out success with packed tables all 4 days – we couldn't be prouder of the team 🔥🔥
Available now: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
November 9, 2025 at 5:24 PM
We were so happy to have Ayar designers @flopiano.bsky.social & @mandelafg.bsky.social on stand at SPIEL Essen for signings & demos!
The game was a sell-out success with packed tables all 4 days – we couldn't be prouder of the team 🔥🔥
Available now: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
The game was a sell-out success with packed tables all 4 days – we couldn't be prouder of the team 🔥🔥
Available now: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
Reposted by Mandela F-G
PROMOS @ SPIEL Essen 🚨🚨
Essen SPIEL kicks off tomorrow – come to Stand 3.M600 to pick up promotional holographic stickers for our hot new release Ayar and its spiritual predecessors Merv & Sankoré!
We'll also have stock of Imperium: Horizons, Ofrenda and Battalion promos from previous shows.
Essen SPIEL kicks off tomorrow – come to Stand 3.M600 to pick up promotional holographic stickers for our hot new release Ayar and its spiritual predecessors Merv & Sankoré!
We'll also have stock of Imperium: Horizons, Ofrenda and Battalion promos from previous shows.
October 22, 2025 at 9:03 PM
PROMOS @ SPIEL Essen 🚨🚨
Essen SPIEL kicks off tomorrow – come to Stand 3.M600 to pick up promotional holographic stickers for our hot new release Ayar and its spiritual predecessors Merv & Sankoré!
We'll also have stock of Imperium: Horizons, Ofrenda and Battalion promos from previous shows.
Essen SPIEL kicks off tomorrow – come to Stand 3.M600 to pick up promotional holographic stickers for our hot new release Ayar and its spiritual predecessors Merv & Sankoré!
We'll also have stock of Imperium: Horizons, Ofrenda and Battalion promos from previous shows.
Reposted by Mandela F-G
In today's video I talk about ways to level up as a game designer - practices I have seen in other designers and myself as they become more experienced and improve their craft. Hopefully useful whether you're just starting out, or reflecting on how far you have come!
youtu.be/qPWgQCNkRsM
🎲✂️
youtu.be/qPWgQCNkRsM
🎲✂️
How to level up as a game designer
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
youtu.be
October 21, 2025 at 8:02 AM
In today's video I talk about ways to level up as a game designer - practices I have seen in other designers and myself as they become more experienced and improve their craft. Hopefully useful whether you're just starting out, or reflecting on how far you have come!
youtu.be/qPWgQCNkRsM
🎲✂️
youtu.be/qPWgQCNkRsM
🎲✂️
Reposted by Mandela F-G
🐪 🎲Ayar: Children of the Sun is out now, completing our trilogy of historical eurogames.
We asked Mandela what makes the series unique?
🎲 Ayar: Children of the Sun
✏️ @flopiano.bsky.social & @mandelafg.bsky.social
🎨 @ianotoole.bsky.social
#ospreygames #ayar #merv #sankore #eurogame #BoardGames
We asked Mandela what makes the series unique?
🎲 Ayar: Children of the Sun
✏️ @flopiano.bsky.social & @mandelafg.bsky.social
🎨 @ianotoole.bsky.social
#ospreygames #ayar #merv #sankore #eurogame #BoardGames
October 17, 2025 at 3:04 PM
🐪 🎲Ayar: Children of the Sun is out now, completing our trilogy of historical eurogames.
We asked Mandela what makes the series unique?
🎲 Ayar: Children of the Sun
✏️ @flopiano.bsky.social & @mandelafg.bsky.social
🎨 @ianotoole.bsky.social
#ospreygames #ayar #merv #sankore #eurogame #BoardGames
We asked Mandela what makes the series unique?
🎲 Ayar: Children of the Sun
✏️ @flopiano.bsky.social & @mandelafg.bsky.social
🎨 @ianotoole.bsky.social
#ospreygames #ayar #merv #sankore #eurogame #BoardGames
Reposted by Mandela F-G
Play the spiritual successor to Merv & Sankoré on Stand 3.M600 next week @ SPIEL Essen!
The designers @flopiano.bsky.social & @mandelafg.bsky.social will be on stand for signings on Thursday @ 3pm & will be teaching a few select demo slots over the weekend.
👉 Available now: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
The designers @flopiano.bsky.social & @mandelafg.bsky.social will be on stand for signings on Thursday @ 3pm & will be teaching a few select demo slots over the weekend.
👉 Available now: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
October 18, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Play the spiritual successor to Merv & Sankoré on Stand 3.M600 next week @ SPIEL Essen!
The designers @flopiano.bsky.social & @mandelafg.bsky.social will be on stand for signings on Thursday @ 3pm & will be teaching a few select demo slots over the weekend.
👉 Available now: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
The designers @flopiano.bsky.social & @mandelafg.bsky.social will be on stand for signings on Thursday @ 3pm & will be teaching a few select demo slots over the weekend.
👉 Available now: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
For those curious about the design 🎲✂️ process, you can now pop over to BGG and read the design diary from @flopiano.bsky.social and me for our newly released game, Ayar: Children of the Sun.
boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...
boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...
Designer Diary: Ayar: Children of The Sun | BoardGameGeek News
boardgamegeek.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:47 AM
For those curious about the design 🎲✂️ process, you can now pop over to BGG and read the design diary from @flopiano.bsky.social and me for our newly released game, Ayar: Children of the Sun.
boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...
boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...
It's live. Look forward to it getting out there and finding its audience.
Designer diary will be published tomorrow for those who want to learn more about the game and process behind its design.
Designer diary will be published tomorrow for those who want to learn more about the game and process behind its design.
// OUT NOW //
// AYAR: CHILDREN OF THE SUN //
🗣️"A delicate and rich puzzle held within a gorgeous production"
– Tabletop Gaming Magazine
🗣️"A fantastic game"
– Bryan Drake, The Dice Tower
Experience the hot new eurogame for yourself. Available everywhere: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
// AYAR: CHILDREN OF THE SUN //
🗣️"A delicate and rich puzzle held within a gorgeous production"
– Tabletop Gaming Magazine
🗣️"A fantastic game"
– Bryan Drake, The Dice Tower
Experience the hot new eurogame for yourself. Available everywhere: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
October 16, 2025 at 4:43 PM
It's live. Look forward to it getting out there and finding its audience.
Designer diary will be published tomorrow for those who want to learn more about the game and process behind its design.
Designer diary will be published tomorrow for those who want to learn more about the game and process behind its design.
Reposted by Mandela F-G
One of the best compliments I've received is that my games are "idiosyncratic". That's what matters to me. 🎲✂️
October 13, 2025 at 5:17 PM
One of the best compliments I've received is that my games are "idiosyncratic". That's what matters to me. 🎲✂️
Reposted by Mandela F-G
Oooh, now I get what happened! xD I only heard a bang and then just saw him suddenly hanging from the side of the table!
It's indeed an unusual metric, but probably also a uniquely significative one? : D
It was great having you there! I hope it happens again sometime : )
It's indeed an unusual metric, but probably also a uniquely significative one? : D
It was great having you there! I hope it happens again sometime : )
October 14, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Oooh, now I get what happened! xD I only heard a bang and then just saw him suddenly hanging from the side of the table!
It's indeed an unusual metric, but probably also a uniquely significative one? : D
It was great having you there! I hope it happens again sometime : )
It's indeed an unusual metric, but probably also a uniquely significative one? : D
It was great having you there! I hope it happens again sometime : )
One of the joys of being a board game designer is tapping into the global network of designers and meeting all kinds of new and interesting people.
Yesterday, I popped into Darmstadt, Germany and had a wonderful day playtesting. Tomorrow, Stuttgart to stay with a publisher friend.
Yesterday, I popped into Darmstadt, Germany and had a wonderful day playtesting. Tomorrow, Stuttgart to stay with a publisher friend.
October 13, 2025 at 11:15 AM
One of the joys of being a board game designer is tapping into the global network of designers and meeting all kinds of new and interesting people.
Yesterday, I popped into Darmstadt, Germany and had a wonderful day playtesting. Tomorrow, Stuttgart to stay with a publisher friend.
Yesterday, I popped into Darmstadt, Germany and had a wonderful day playtesting. Tomorrow, Stuttgart to stay with a publisher friend.
Enjoyable designer diary. I appreciate how @kostby.bsky.social deftly navigates around the politics of the game in a way which should keep everyone happy.
Preview: Designer Kristian Amundsen Østby talks about the creation of Tax the Rich, a trick-taking card game (co-designed with Kjetil Svendsen) featuring a modern setting that will resonate with some and alienate others: boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp... —WEM
October 11, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Enjoyable designer diary. I appreciate how @kostby.bsky.social deftly navigates around the politics of the game in a way which should keep everyone happy.
Facebook is showing me images from 6 years ago when I was messing 🎲✂️ around with this design.
Exciting to see it come to wide release very soon and with, I have to concede, improved art & graphic design thanks to @ianotoole.bsky.social, and much better gameplay thanks to @flopiano.bsky.social.
Exciting to see it come to wide release very soon and with, I have to concede, improved art & graphic design thanks to @ianotoole.bsky.social, and much better gameplay thanks to @flopiano.bsky.social.
October 11, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Facebook is showing me images from 6 years ago when I was messing 🎲✂️ around with this design.
Exciting to see it come to wide release very soon and with, I have to concede, improved art & graphic design thanks to @ianotoole.bsky.social, and much better gameplay thanks to @flopiano.bsky.social.
Exciting to see it come to wide release very soon and with, I have to concede, improved art & graphic design thanks to @ianotoole.bsky.social, and much better gameplay thanks to @flopiano.bsky.social.
Reposted by Mandela F-G
📢 Ayar – from @flopiano.bsky.social, @mandelafg.bsky.social & @ianotoole.bsky.social – is out 1 week today: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
🌽 Compete for area majority farming maize
⚱️ Collect sets crafting pottery
🧵 Build your pattern weaving carpets
🛶 Traverse the lake board learning reed bundling
🌽 Compete for area majority farming maize
⚱️ Collect sets crafting pottery
🧵 Build your pattern weaving carpets
🛶 Traverse the lake board learning reed bundling
October 9, 2025 at 4:10 PM
📢 Ayar – from @flopiano.bsky.social, @mandelafg.bsky.social & @ianotoole.bsky.social – is out 1 week today: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
🌽 Compete for area majority farming maize
⚱️ Collect sets crafting pottery
🧵 Build your pattern weaving carpets
🛶 Traverse the lake board learning reed bundling
🌽 Compete for area majority farming maize
⚱️ Collect sets crafting pottery
🧵 Build your pattern weaving carpets
🛶 Traverse the lake board learning reed bundling
Reposted by Mandela F-G
That bear is just not capable of attacking anyone. Look at its little face.
October 3, 2025 at 4:44 PM
That bear is just not capable of attacking anyone. Look at its little face.
Reposted by Mandela F-G
☀️ The official Ayar: Children of the Sun tutorial from Getting Games is here: https://bit.ly/4nRLppj
Learn to play this hot new eurogame from the creators of Merv & Sankoré @flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social
// 16th OCT UK // 14th OCT US // https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
Learn to play this hot new eurogame from the creators of Merv & Sankoré @flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social
// 16th OCT UK // 14th OCT US // https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
October 3, 2025 at 4:02 PM
☀️ The official Ayar: Children of the Sun tutorial from Getting Games is here: https://bit.ly/4nRLppj
Learn to play this hot new eurogame from the creators of Merv & Sankoré @flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social
// 16th OCT UK // 14th OCT US // https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
Learn to play this hot new eurogame from the creators of Merv & Sankoré @flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social
// 16th OCT UK // 14th OCT US // https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
Reposted by Mandela F-G
Learn how to play ! 🧐🧐
The Ayar rulebook is now available on the game's @boardgamegeek.com page and our website gaming resources page: https://bit.ly/4miX3YE
Get a head start before release and demos @spielessen.bsky.social next month...
October 16th UK / 14th US: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
The Ayar rulebook is now available on the game's @boardgamegeek.com page and our website gaming resources page: https://bit.ly/4miX3YE
Get a head start before release and demos @spielessen.bsky.social next month...
October 16th UK / 14th US: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
September 26, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Learn how to play ! 🧐🧐
The Ayar rulebook is now available on the game's @boardgamegeek.com page and our website gaming resources page: https://bit.ly/4miX3YE
Get a head start before release and demos @spielessen.bsky.social next month...
October 16th UK / 14th US: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
The Ayar rulebook is now available on the game's @boardgamegeek.com page and our website gaming resources page: https://bit.ly/4miX3YE
Get a head start before release and demos @spielessen.bsky.social next month...
October 16th UK / 14th US: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
Reposted by Mandela F-G
Ayar photos are on @boardgamegeek.com!
Get a sneak peek at the eurogame from the creators of Merv and Sankoré ahead of release @flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social
📸 boardgameshots
// 16th October UK // 14th October US // https://bit.ly/4n7je5c
Get a sneak peek at the eurogame from the creators of Merv and Sankoré ahead of release @flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social
📸 boardgameshots
// 16th October UK // 14th October US // https://bit.ly/4n7je5c
September 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Ayar photos are on @boardgamegeek.com!
Get a sneak peek at the eurogame from the creators of Merv and Sankoré ahead of release @flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social
📸 boardgameshots
// 16th October UK // 14th October US // https://bit.ly/4n7je5c
Get a sneak peek at the eurogame from the creators of Merv and Sankoré ahead of release @flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social
📸 boardgameshots
// 16th October UK // 14th October US // https://bit.ly/4n7je5c
Reposted by Mandela F-G
I've been talking to Matthew Dunstan about building and maintaining relationships with publishers. We discuss:
📬 Making first contact
🔁 Balancing persistence & pressure
💬 Positive publisher experiences
🧩 When publisher ties still matter in self-publishing
thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...
📬 Making first contact
🔁 Balancing persistence & pressure
💬 Positive publisher experiences
🧩 When publisher ties still matter in self-publishing
thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...
September 11, 2025 at 11:06 AM
I've been talking to Matthew Dunstan about building and maintaining relationships with publishers. We discuss:
📬 Making first contact
🔁 Balancing persistence & pressure
💬 Positive publisher experiences
🧩 When publisher ties still matter in self-publishing
thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...
📬 Making first contact
🔁 Balancing persistence & pressure
💬 Positive publisher experiences
🧩 When publisher ties still matter in self-publishing
thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...
Reposted by Mandela F-G
In our hot new eurogame Ayar you'll balance different minigames with their own rules & benefits as your player clan learns the essentials of Incan life...
🌾Farming
⚱️Pottery
🧵Weaving
🛶Reed bundling
OCTOBER: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
@flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social
🌾Farming
⚱️Pottery
🧵Weaving
🛶Reed bundling
OCTOBER: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
@flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social
September 9, 2025 at 4:06 PM
In our hot new eurogame Ayar you'll balance different minigames with their own rules & benefits as your player clan learns the essentials of Incan life...
🌾Farming
⚱️Pottery
🧵Weaving
🛶Reed bundling
OCTOBER: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
@flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social
🌾Farming
⚱️Pottery
🧵Weaving
🛶Reed bundling
OCTOBER: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
@flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social
Reposted by Mandela F-G
Here's your first peek at the beautiful meeples from our hot new eurogame Ayar!
In the game you'll be playing as the first clans of the Inca following in the Ayar's footsteps & influencing their journeys...
OCT: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
📸 boardgameshots
@flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social
In the game you'll be playing as the first clans of the Inca following in the Ayar's footsteps & influencing their journeys...
OCT: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
📸 boardgameshots
@flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social
September 5, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Here's your first peek at the beautiful meeples from our hot new eurogame Ayar!
In the game you'll be playing as the first clans of the Inca following in the Ayar's footsteps & influencing their journeys...
OCT: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
📸 boardgameshots
@flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social
In the game you'll be playing as the first clans of the Inca following in the Ayar's footsteps & influencing their journeys...
OCT: https://bit.ly/4oFvT0y
📸 boardgameshots
@flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social
Reposted by Mandela F-G
Tonight we are mostly following Incan demi-gods around, in Ayar: Children of the Sun.
August 14, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Tonight we are mostly following Incan demi-gods around, in Ayar: Children of the Sun.
Some last minute prototyping 🎲✂️ on my way to @manorcon.bsky.social. Will be my first time. Look forward to demoing Ayar, hopefully some playtesting, and lots of playing new games.
Feel free to stop me if you fancy some playtesting.
Feel free to stop me if you fancy some playtesting.
July 18, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Some last minute prototyping 🎲✂️ on my way to @manorcon.bsky.social. Will be my first time. Look forward to demoing Ayar, hopefully some playtesting, and lots of playing new games.
Feel free to stop me if you fancy some playtesting.
Feel free to stop me if you fancy some playtesting.
Reposted by Mandela F-G
Great turnout for the London weekend Playtest meetup last
Sunday. 3 full tables of prototypes across 3+ sessions. From pandas to pirate mutinies to the Zodiac to epic snail adventures. The creativity is always astounding. Search out your local friendly Playtest meetup here: www.meetup.com/Playtest
Sunday. 3 full tables of prototypes across 3+ sessions. From pandas to pirate mutinies to the Zodiac to epic snail adventures. The creativity is always astounding. Search out your local friendly Playtest meetup here: www.meetup.com/Playtest
June 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Great turnout for the London weekend Playtest meetup last
Sunday. 3 full tables of prototypes across 3+ sessions. From pandas to pirate mutinies to the Zodiac to epic snail adventures. The creativity is always astounding. Search out your local friendly Playtest meetup here: www.meetup.com/Playtest
Sunday. 3 full tables of prototypes across 3+ sessions. From pandas to pirate mutinies to the Zodiac to epic snail adventures. The creativity is always astounding. Search out your local friendly Playtest meetup here: www.meetup.com/Playtest
This campaign is from a former mentee of mine, Bruno Ligouri Sia. It was great to guide him through those first steps to published design and now see one of his games, about his homeland, with such lavish and vibrant production.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/mar...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/mar...
Rewild: South America
A card-driven, engine-building board game for 1-4 players, entirely dedicated to the complex ecosystem of South America.
www.kickstarter.com
June 5, 2025 at 6:43 PM
This campaign is from a former mentee of mine, Bruno Ligouri Sia. It was great to guide him through those first steps to published design and now see one of his games, about his homeland, with such lavish and vibrant production.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/mar...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/mar...
Reposted by Mandela F-G
Today's video is about 10 common ways to improve your game design, things I find myself giving as playtesting feedback again and again :)
youtu.be/px1sdjwL-z4
🎲✂️
youtu.be/px1sdjwL-z4
🎲✂️
Do these 10 things to improve your games
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
youtu.be
June 2, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Today's video is about 10 common ways to improve your game design, things I find myself giving as playtesting feedback again and again :)
youtu.be/px1sdjwL-z4
🎲✂️
youtu.be/px1sdjwL-z4
🎲✂️