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
My Melbourne Lego #Brickvention haul - some amazing pieces to add to the collection! #90s #vintage #pirates #adventurers
January 17, 2026 at 5:19 AM
My Melbourne Lego #Brickvention haul - some amazing pieces to add to the collection! #90s #vintage #pirates #adventurers
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
THREE WEEKS LEFT to get your board game design submitted to the 2026 Cardboard Edison Award! cardboardedison.com/award
January 11, 2026 at 8:44 PM
THREE WEEKS LEFT to get your board game design submitted to the 2026 Cardboard Edison Award! cardboardedison.com/award
In my first video of 2026, I look at what to do if you're stuck trying to design your first game, and what types of games are best to try first.
youtu.be/TbhiLMrE3Ig
🎲✂️
youtu.be/TbhiLMrE3Ig
🎲✂️
Stuck trying to design your first game? Watch this.
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
youtu.be
January 12, 2026 at 7:21 AM
In my first video of 2026, I look at what to do if you're stuck trying to design your first game, and what types of games are best to try first.
youtu.be/TbhiLMrE3Ig
🎲✂️
youtu.be/TbhiLMrE3Ig
🎲✂️
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
JUST ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL.
These guys are so genuinely curious and open and kind. Love how they talk with the servers/owners and pull out their stories and enjoy the food (and drink).
I just watched every ep (there's only 8 so far) and am headed back to re-watch Bhutan now.
These guys are so genuinely curious and open and kind. Love how they talk with the servers/owners and pull out their stories and enjoy the food (and drink).
I just watched every ep (there's only 8 so far) and am headed back to re-watch Bhutan now.
Best TikTok thing going is the two dudes trying food from every country without leaving NYC. If you haven’t seen them yet, it’s incredible. My favorite so far is last week’s. Legit got me emotional.
January 9, 2026 at 4:30 AM
JUST ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL.
These guys are so genuinely curious and open and kind. Love how they talk with the servers/owners and pull out their stories and enjoy the food (and drink).
I just watched every ep (there's only 8 so far) and am headed back to re-watch Bhutan now.
These guys are so genuinely curious and open and kind. Love how they talk with the servers/owners and pull out their stories and enjoy the food (and drink).
I just watched every ep (there's only 8 so far) and am headed back to re-watch Bhutan now.
Happy 2026 everyone! I'm starting to work on new game design videos for the year, and I'd love to hear from you!
Do you have a topic you would like me to cover, or a question you want me to answer?
Let me know and I will either make standalone videos for them, or include them in a Q and A video :)
Do you have a topic you would like me to cover, or a question you want me to answer?
Let me know and I will either make standalone videos for them, or include them in a Q and A video :)
January 9, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Happy 2026 everyone! I'm starting to work on new game design videos for the year, and I'd love to hear from you!
Do you have a topic you would like me to cover, or a question you want me to answer?
Let me know and I will either make standalone videos for them, or include them in a Q and A video :)
Do you have a topic you would like me to cover, or a question you want me to answer?
Let me know and I will either make standalone videos for them, or include them in a Q and A video :)
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
Here's a look back at my game design journey in 2025. Happy new year!
Peter McPherson - News
2025 Wrap-up and Looking Ahead
www.petermcpherson.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Here's a look back at my game design journey in 2025. Happy new year!
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
The PnP Bundle Contest is seeking print-and-play games that will be included in a crowdfunded bundle. Deadline: February 7. Prize: Royalties on crowdfunding sales. pnpbundle.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:07 AM
The PnP Bundle Contest is seeking print-and-play games that will be included in a crowdfunded bundle. Deadline: February 7. Prize: Royalties on crowdfunding sales. pnpbundle.com
I am so appreciative of any designer that is so open and transparent about the financial side of designing - thank you Clarence! Definitely give the thread a read and see what it is like in the industry.
It's time for a 2025 Retrospective on my board game design journey! Read along for some insight (including some detailed numbers) into a semi-professional who makes money from design, but not quite enough to be a full-time job that supports a family. 🧵
a happy new year greeting card for 2025
ALT: a happy new year greeting card for 2025
media.tenor.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:31 AM
I am so appreciative of any designer that is so open and transparent about the financial side of designing - thank you Clarence! Definitely give the thread a read and see what it is like in the industry.
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
It's time for a 2025 Retrospective on my board game design journey! Read along for some insight (including some detailed numbers) into a semi-professional who makes money from design, but not quite enough to be a full-time job that supports a family. 🧵
a happy new year greeting card for 2025
ALT: a happy new year greeting card for 2025
media.tenor.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:07 AM
It's time for a 2025 Retrospective on my board game design journey! Read along for some insight (including some detailed numbers) into a semi-professional who makes money from design, but not quite enough to be a full-time job that supports a family. 🧵
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