Matthew Dunstan
@matthewdunstan.bsky.social
Australian game designer and former research chemist. One half of Postmark Games. Expect science and game based posts! He/him.
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MatthewDunstan
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MatthewDunstan
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
If players touch the pieces too much in a game, it'll often feel fiddly.
It'll also add cognitive burden: using our hands requires surprising brain power (I was once a neurobiologist).
Protip: count touches-per-turn in tests
🎲✂️(1/4)
It'll also add cognitive burden: using our hands requires surprising brain power (I was once a neurobiologist).
Protip: count touches-per-turn in tests
🎲✂️(1/4)
January 4, 2026 at 5:07 PM
If players touch the pieces too much in a game, it'll often feel fiddly.
It'll also add cognitive burden: using our hands requires surprising brain power (I was once a neurobiologist).
Protip: count touches-per-turn in tests
🎲✂️(1/4)
It'll also add cognitive burden: using our hands requires surprising brain power (I was once a neurobiologist).
Protip: count touches-per-turn in tests
🎲✂️(1/4)
January 3, 2026 at 11:24 PM
A side hobby of mine is buying old bulk lots of Lego and resorting it out into the individual sets - a kind of Lego set restorer if you will.
In the latest lot I’ve found parts to the most expensive minifigure I’ve ever found - a Jango Fett from 2002! Just can’t find the head :(
In the latest lot I’ve found parts to the most expensive minifigure I’ve ever found - a Jango Fett from 2002! Just can’t find the head :(
January 3, 2026 at 4:36 AM
A side hobby of mine is buying old bulk lots of Lego and resorting it out into the individual sets - a kind of Lego set restorer if you will.
In the latest lot I’ve found parts to the most expensive minifigure I’ve ever found - a Jango Fett from 2002! Just can’t find the head :(
In the latest lot I’ve found parts to the most expensive minifigure I’ve ever found - a Jango Fett from 2002! Just can’t find the head :(
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
10 Lessons From 5 Years of Game Design
Over the past two weeks I've been writing a series of mini dev-diaries finding a lesson from each of the 10 games I've finished.
Which ones resonate with you? Have you come across these in your designs?
The full series: boardgamegeek.com/thread/36308...
Over the past two weeks I've been writing a series of mini dev-diaries finding a lesson from each of the 10 games I've finished.
Which ones resonate with you? Have you come across these in your designs?
The full series: boardgamegeek.com/thread/36308...
December 30, 2025 at 8:28 PM
10 Lessons From 5 Years of Game Design
Over the past two weeks I've been writing a series of mini dev-diaries finding a lesson from each of the 10 games I've finished.
Which ones resonate with you? Have you come across these in your designs?
The full series: boardgamegeek.com/thread/36308...
Over the past two weeks I've been writing a series of mini dev-diaries finding a lesson from each of the 10 games I've finished.
Which ones resonate with you? Have you come across these in your designs?
The full series: boardgamegeek.com/thread/36308...
My final video for 2025 compiles the lessons I learnt about games design this year, from rethinking how I work, what I want to design, and the people who I couldn't have done without.
Thank you everyone who has supported the channel this year, and have a wonderful 2026!
youtu.be/62zLZONQc4Q
🎲✂️
Thank you everyone who has supported the channel this year, and have a wonderful 2026!
youtu.be/62zLZONQc4Q
🎲✂️
Game Design Lessons from 2025
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
youtu.be
December 31, 2025 at 8:03 AM
My final video for 2025 compiles the lessons I learnt about games design this year, from rethinking how I work, what I want to design, and the people who I couldn't have done without.
Thank you everyone who has supported the channel this year, and have a wonderful 2026!
youtu.be/62zLZONQc4Q
🎲✂️
Thank you everyone who has supported the channel this year, and have a wonderful 2026!
youtu.be/62zLZONQc4Q
🎲✂️
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
My favourite books, games and TV series that I started or finished in 2025 🧵
December 29, 2025 at 12:09 PM
My favourite books, games and TV series that I started or finished in 2025 🧵
For those interested, Rory has made some great graphics summarising the sales of Postmark Games in 2025 :)
A quieter year for us with just the one Kickstarter campaign, but a good reception to 52 Realms bolstered sales from our webstore. Eager to get stuck into more Postmark in the new year!
(Reposted because I got one of the numbers wrong 🤦♂️)
(Reposted because I got one of the numbers wrong 🤦♂️)
December 26, 2025 at 10:09 AM
For those interested, Rory has made some great graphics summarising the sales of Postmark Games in 2025 :)
My first video looking back at 2025 - this one focussed on the state of the board game industry and what it means for designers.
A very happy holiday season to everyone!
youtu.be/XH4o2alaNoA
🎲✂️
A very happy holiday season to everyone!
youtu.be/XH4o2alaNoA
🎲✂️
The state of the board game industry for designers in 2025
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
youtu.be
December 26, 2025 at 10:05 AM
My first video looking back at 2025 - this one focussed on the state of the board game industry and what it means for designers.
A very happy holiday season to everyone!
youtu.be/XH4o2alaNoA
🎲✂️
A very happy holiday season to everyone!
youtu.be/XH4o2alaNoA
🎲✂️
Paul Schulz is quickly becoming one of the rising design stars in the industry and I think this is a must read, especially if you are interested in designing trivia or party games:
boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...
boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...
Designer Diaries: One Quiz Game After Another (Part 1) | BoardGameGeek News
boardgamegeek.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Paul Schulz is quickly becoming one of the rising design stars in the industry and I think this is a must read, especially if you are interested in designing trivia or party games:
boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...
boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
My end-of-year game design stats! Main takeaways: Voyage, Lodge, and Cozy Cafes were my main projects, but I spent a good chunk of time on Tiny Towns BGA as well. I am somehow making games at about the same rate with far less time as a parent. 🎲✂️ (1/5)
December 22, 2025 at 10:19 PM
My end-of-year game design stats! Main takeaways: Voyage, Lodge, and Cozy Cafes were my main projects, but I spent a good chunk of time on Tiny Towns BGA as well. I am somehow making games at about the same rate with far less time as a parent. 🎲✂️ (1/5)
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
My retrospective for 2025. I do one of these each year and find it a helpful way to look back and see all that I've accomplished.
This year's was less "full"... and more difficult to write, but that's ok. It's part of this journey we all share.
🎲✂️
This year's was less "full"... and more difficult to write, but that's ok. It's part of this journey we all share.
🎲✂️
2025 Retrospective
This was a difficult post to write. Feel free to skip if you are not interested in a more personal bit of writing. Content warning: Death in the family. Looking to 2026 I still feel like I am getti…
weheartgames.wordpress.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:39 AM
My retrospective for 2025. I do one of these each year and find it a helpful way to look back and see all that I've accomplished.
This year's was less "full"... and more difficult to write, but that's ok. It's part of this journey we all share.
🎲✂️
This year's was less "full"... and more difficult to write, but that's ok. It's part of this journey we all share.
🎲✂️
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
Three publishers on how they’re using—and paying to include—fan designs in their releases, via @boardgamewire.bsky.social
Board game publishers Stonemaier, CMYK and Eurydice Games on how they’re utilising – and paying to include – fan designs in their releases -
Homebrew designs and fan-made rules and variants have been part of hobby board gaming for as long as the pastime has existed - and some publishers have leaned into utilising design work from fans in t...
boardgamewire.com
December 21, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Three publishers on how they’re using—and paying to include—fan designs in their releases, via @boardgamewire.bsky.social
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
💼 I’m looking for work as a board game designer.
🌎 I’m open to in-person, hybrid or remote work.
⭐ I’ve previously worked at the Uzzle and made Abandon All Artichokes, Starry Night Sky, and other board games.
🌎 I’m open to in-person, hybrid or remote work.
⭐ I’ve previously worked at the Uzzle and made Abandon All Artichokes, Starry Night Sky, and other board games.
December 17, 2025 at 11:27 PM
💼 I’m looking for work as a board game designer.
🌎 I’m open to in-person, hybrid or remote work.
⭐ I’ve previously worked at the Uzzle and made Abandon All Artichokes, Starry Night Sky, and other board games.
🌎 I’m open to in-person, hybrid or remote work.
⭐ I’ve previously worked at the Uzzle and made Abandon All Artichokes, Starry Night Sky, and other board games.
Pondering what to make as a final video of 2025, but not sure what to make.
- Lessons from the year
- Self reflections
- Recommendations
- something completely different?
What would you like me to make and talk about?
- Lessons from the year
- Self reflections
- Recommendations
- something completely different?
What would you like me to make and talk about?
December 21, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Pondering what to make as a final video of 2025, but not sure what to make.
- Lessons from the year
- Self reflections
- Recommendations
- something completely different?
What would you like me to make and talk about?
- Lessons from the year
- Self reflections
- Recommendations
- something completely different?
What would you like me to make and talk about?
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
For a long time, I've seen games as the medium of systems, the best way to both convey and experience interacting forces that follow rules. Recently I've started to see the centrality of systems as a soft dividing line between two aspects of the tabletop hobby:
🎲✂️
1/▶️
🎲✂️
1/▶️
December 20, 2025 at 6:35 PM
For a long time, I've seen games as the medium of systems, the best way to both convey and experience interacting forces that follow rules. Recently I've started to see the centrality of systems as a soft dividing line between two aspects of the tabletop hobby:
🎲✂️
1/▶️
🎲✂️
1/▶️
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
Update v6.7.1: Thanks to the wonderful @postmarkgames.bsky.social this maintenance update also contains some cool avatars!
Personally I 💚 the fish from Aquamarine! Also available are illustrations from Waypoints and 52 Realms/Duels.
#bgstats #boardgames #brettspiele #brettspiel #j2s #PostmarkGames
Personally I 💚 the fish from Aquamarine! Also available are illustrations from Waypoints and 52 Realms/Duels.
#bgstats #boardgames #brettspiele #brettspiel #j2s #PostmarkGames
December 16, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Update v6.7.1: Thanks to the wonderful @postmarkgames.bsky.social this maintenance update also contains some cool avatars!
Personally I 💚 the fish from Aquamarine! Also available are illustrations from Waypoints and 52 Realms/Duels.
#bgstats #boardgames #brettspiele #brettspiel #j2s #PostmarkGames
Personally I 💚 the fish from Aquamarine! Also available are illustrations from Waypoints and 52 Realms/Duels.
#bgstats #boardgames #brettspiele #brettspiel #j2s #PostmarkGames
Fantastic video by Pam Walls on the increasing use of AI in board games, and the need (more than ever) to support artists, illustrators and graphic designers in the industry.
youtu.be/Ci5pOjyJknI?...
youtu.be/Ci5pOjyJknI?...
We need to talk about AI slop in board games
YouTube video by Pam Walls Game Design
youtu.be
December 15, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Fantastic video by Pam Walls on the increasing use of AI in board games, and the need (more than ever) to support artists, illustrators and graphic designers in the industry.
youtu.be/Ci5pOjyJknI?...
youtu.be/Ci5pOjyJknI?...
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
Today's video is all about the design of 52 Duels, the latest release from @postmarkgames.bsky.social (on KS until the end of this week!). In it, I explore how important good ideas are for game design, and surprising emergent gameplay that can come from simple rules.
🎲✂️
youtu.be/eOZKyLxdRBA
🎲✂️
youtu.be/eOZKyLxdRBA
The importance of a good idea: the design of 52 Duels
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
youtu.be
December 8, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Today's video is all about the design of 52 Duels, the latest release from @postmarkgames.bsky.social (on KS until the end of this week!). In it, I explore how important good ideas are for game design, and surprising emergent gameplay that can come from simple rules.
🎲✂️
youtu.be/eOZKyLxdRBA
🎲✂️
youtu.be/eOZKyLxdRBA
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
My newest post on the Opinionated Gamers site - a preview of 52 Duels from @postmarkgames.bsky.social.
Hint: it's another great design from @matthewdunstan.bsky.social and @rorymuldoon.bsky.social.
opinionatedgamers.com/2025/12/03/p...
Hint: it's another great design from @matthewdunstan.bsky.social and @rorymuldoon.bsky.social.
opinionatedgamers.com/2025/12/03/p...
Preview: 52 Duels
When I was a kid, our version of a “fight with playing cards” (to borrow the tagline from Postmark Games) was War. For those of you who never had the pleasure (and I use the word loosel…
opinionatedgamers.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:47 PM
My newest post on the Opinionated Gamers site - a preview of 52 Duels from @postmarkgames.bsky.social.
Hint: it's another great design from @matthewdunstan.bsky.social and @rorymuldoon.bsky.social.
opinionatedgamers.com/2025/12/03/p...
Hint: it's another great design from @matthewdunstan.bsky.social and @rorymuldoon.bsky.social.
opinionatedgamers.com/2025/12/03/p...
We've just launched the Kickstarter campaign for 52 Duels, our latest release from @postmarkgames.bsky.social !
It's a 1-2 player game using 2 decks of standard playing cards to duel with your opponent. Lots of different characters and strategies to explore!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/pos...
It's a 1-2 player game using 2 decks of standard playing cards to duel with your opponent. Lots of different characters and strategies to explore!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/pos...
52 Duels: Fight with Playing Cards
Heroes clash in this 1-2 player print at home game from the creators of 52 Realms ⚔️
www.kickstarter.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:12 PM
We've just launched the Kickstarter campaign for 52 Duels, our latest release from @postmarkgames.bsky.social !
It's a 1-2 player game using 2 decks of standard playing cards to duel with your opponent. Lots of different characters and strategies to explore!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/pos...
It's a 1-2 player game using 2 decks of standard playing cards to duel with your opponent. Lots of different characters and strategies to explore!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/pos...
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
I thought today I can share some of my progress going from prototype to prototype—hopefully sharing a bit about my process, and how I approach graphic design! 🎲 ✂️
November 14, 2025 at 2:14 PM
I thought today I can share some of my progress going from prototype to prototype—hopefully sharing a bit about my process, and how I approach graphic design! 🎲 ✂️
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
Another day, another man who only lists his top designers as other men.
I kinda wanna challenge men to name their top 10 female designers… it’ll be like that “name a woman” meme…
People just don’t think very deeply about the preferential bias we have toward our own gender and race.
I kinda wanna challenge men to name their top 10 female designers… it’ll be like that “name a woman” meme…
People just don’t think very deeply about the preferential bias we have toward our own gender and race.
November 11, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Another day, another man who only lists his top designers as other men.
I kinda wanna challenge men to name their top 10 female designers… it’ll be like that “name a woman” meme…
People just don’t think very deeply about the preferential bias we have toward our own gender and race.
I kinda wanna challenge men to name their top 10 female designers… it’ll be like that “name a woman” meme…
People just don’t think very deeply about the preferential bias we have toward our own gender and race.
The crowdfunding campaign for the new version of Snowdonia, Grand Tour, is now live!
gamefound.com/en/projects/...
gamefound.com/en/projects/...
Snowdonia: Grand Tour + Special Edition by Naylor Games Ltd - Gamefound
The highly acclaimed scenario-based Eurogame is back! Explore a new mega-expansion alongside a refreshed and updated base game. A new board system introduces gorgeous all-new art, superior usability a...
gamefound.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:10 PM
The crowdfunding campaign for the new version of Snowdonia, Grand Tour, is now live!
gamefound.com/en/projects/...
gamefound.com/en/projects/...
"Game designers will routinely fail at making something fun. When the game of making games is played right, it is always right outside the edge of what the designers know how to do."
Incredible quote from an amazing article. Something I'm only beginning to understand 10+ years in to designing.
Incredible quote from an amazing article. Something I'm only beginning to understand 10+ years in to designing.
Game design is simple, actually. Except when it isn't. Here are the 12 things you need to know.
Game design is simple, actually
So, let’s just walk through the whole thing, end to end. Here’s a twelve-step program for understanding game design. One: Fun There are a lot of things people call “fun.” But most of them are not useful for getting better at making games, which is usually why people read articles like this. The fun of a bit of confetti exploding in front of you, and the fun of excruciating pain and risk to life and limb as you free climb a cliff are just not usefully paired together.
www.raphkoster.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:40 PM
"Game designers will routinely fail at making something fun. When the game of making games is played right, it is always right outside the edge of what the designers know how to do."
Incredible quote from an amazing article. Something I'm only beginning to understand 10+ years in to designing.
Incredible quote from an amazing article. Something I'm only beginning to understand 10+ years in to designing.