Matt Leacock
@mattleacock.bsky.social
Game Designer known for cooperative games including Pandemic, Forbidden Island, and Daybreak
Reposted by Matt Leacock
when I worked on This Guilty Land, and immersed myself in antebellum primary documents, the thing that really struck me is how incrementalism today is just the same shit it was then, responding to the same kind of bad faith arguments by evil fuckers, & treating real change as impossible & infantile.
September 29, 2025 at 6:49 PM
when I worked on This Guilty Land, and immersed myself in antebellum primary documents, the thing that really struck me is how incrementalism today is just the same shit it was then, responding to the same kind of bad faith arguments by evil fuckers, & treating real change as impossible & infantile.
Outside/In from New Hampshire Public Radio aired a wonderful episode about Daybreak yesterday.
Not going to spoil whether they won or not!
Not going to spoil whether they won or not!
How to solve the climate crisis in 60-90 minutes — Outside/In
Can a board game about the climate crisis really make for a good Friday night with your friends?
outsideinradio.org
September 25, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Outside/In from New Hampshire Public Radio aired a wonderful episode about Daybreak yesterday.
Not going to spoil whether they won or not!
Not going to spoil whether they won or not!
We were happy to join the first Sun Day day of action at San Jose City Hall today. Hope and expect this day to become bigger and bigger each year.
Beautiful day to celebrate @sundayofaction.bsky.social outside City Hall w/ generous folks at First Unitarian Church of San Jose, council member David Cohen, @mothersoutfrontsv.bsky.social, @350sv.bsky.social, @planetacterra.bsky.social, @indivisible.org Silicon Valley, & so many more #solar #energy
September 22, 2025 at 12:18 AM
We were happy to join the first Sun Day day of action at San Jose City Hall today. Hope and expect this day to become bigger and bigger each year.
My September update is up! New and upcoming release info, appearances, trivia results, our trip to Middle Earth, and more. This is also a great time to subscribe if you haven't yet.
Leacock’s Lab: September 2025 Update
Upcoming releases and appearances, trivia results, our trip to Middle Earth, and more
mattleacock.substack.com
September 4, 2025 at 6:41 PM
My September update is up! New and upcoming release info, appearances, trivia results, our trip to Middle Earth, and more. This is also a great time to subscribe if you haven't yet.
Reposted by Matt Leacock
I try to keep my feed mostly positive, but this is worth a read.
My plea to you is to get involved locally, not just in yelling into the void but in building community. Human connection is (hopefully) one way through. We are so much better than all of this.
My plea to you is to get involved locally, not just in yelling into the void but in building community. Human connection is (hopefully) one way through. We are so much better than all of this.
The precise moment when and where in recent weeks America crossed that invisible line from democracy into authoritarianism can and will be debated by future historians, but it’s clear that the line itself has been crossed. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/america-ti...
America Tips Into Fascism
Today is different than before.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
August 26, 2025 at 1:33 AM
I try to keep my feed mostly positive, but this is worth a read.
My plea to you is to get involved locally, not just in yelling into the void but in building community. Human connection is (hopefully) one way through. We are so much better than all of this.
My plea to you is to get involved locally, not just in yelling into the void but in building community. Human connection is (hopefully) one way through. We are so much better than all of this.
Reposted by Matt Leacock
My daughter and I played The Four Doors designed by @mattleacock.bsky.social and published by @happycampergames.bsky.social. The first was phenomenally good. I can’t wait to play more.
August 11, 2025 at 7:09 PM
My daughter and I played The Four Doors designed by @mattleacock.bsky.social and published by @happycampergames.bsky.social. The first was phenomenally good. I can’t wait to play more.
I love this so much.
CuspDot art space in Hangzhou, China is showing “Occlupanid: Bread Tag as an Organism” this month in collaboration with HORG. Visitors are encouraged to explore known occlupanid biomes, and practice identification techniques. cusphangzhou.cargo.site/Occlupanid-P...
Occlupanid： Plastic bread tag as an organism — cusphangzhou
Occlupanid： Plastic bread tag as an organism Duration: 5 Jul.– 31 Aug. 2025 accessible between 12:00 - 19:00 （closed on Monday） ...
cusphangzhou.cargo.site
July 9, 2025 at 4:27 AM
I love this so much.
I’ve just posted my full design diary for The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship on my blog. Lots of goodies including some time-lapse videos and some goofy bonus materials including a Middle Earth Tube Map.
Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship – Design Diary — Matt Leacock Games
Origins The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship has been a long time coming. Its roots can be found in my earliest attempts at game design and my love of Tolkien. My Uncle Pat introduced me ...
www.leacock.com
June 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM
I’ve just posted my full design diary for The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship on my blog. Lots of goodies including some time-lapse videos and some goofy bonus materials including a Middle Earth Tube Map.
June Update is up! Announcing the Four Doors and more!
(also: psst, great time to subscribe if you haven't already)
(also: psst, great time to subscribe if you haven't already)
Leacock’s Lab: The Four Doors & Fate of the Fellowship Design Diary
Plus UK Games Expo, Diana Jones, and Remembering Pablo Suarez
mattleacock.substack.com
June 18, 2025 at 4:28 PM
June Update is up! Announcing the Four Doors and more!
(also: psst, great time to subscribe if you haven't already)
(also: psst, great time to subscribe if you haven't already)
Reposted by Matt Leacock
If you're unaware of the incredible history and meaning behind the @dianajonesaward.org, I have a story to share with you.
June 17, 2025 at 6:03 PM
If you're unaware of the incredible history and meaning behind the @dianajonesaward.org, I have a story to share with you.
Excited and honored to hear that Daybreak is up for the Diana Jones Award along with @charliehall.bsky.social, @rascal.news, and Rose Estes!
The committee of the Diana Jones Award is pleased to announce the finalists for its 2025 award, which it believes best exemplified “excellence” in the field of gaming for the past year. They are:
June 17, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Excited and honored to hear that Daybreak is up for the Diana Jones Award along with @charliehall.bsky.social, @rascal.news, and Rose Estes!
Happy Camper has just announced The Four Doors – a new cooperative card game by me, Matt Riddle, and Ben Pinchback coming this August.
The Shadow Veil threatens to cover the land in darkness. Can you collect the relics and light the beacon in time?
Lots of cooperative goodness in a tight package.
The Shadow Veil threatens to cover the land in darkness. Can you collect the relics and light the beacon in time?
Lots of cooperative goodness in a tight package.
Break on Through The Four Doors, and Welcome to the Jungo | BoardGameGeek News
boardgamegeek.com
June 4, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Happy Camper has just announced The Four Doors – a new cooperative card game by me, Matt Riddle, and Ben Pinchback coming this August.
The Shadow Veil threatens to cover the land in darkness. Can you collect the relics and light the beacon in time?
Lots of cooperative goodness in a tight package.
The Shadow Veil threatens to cover the land in darkness. Can you collect the relics and light the beacon in time?
Lots of cooperative goodness in a tight package.
My May update is up. This one is focused on The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship.
Fate of the Fellowship Update!
Updates on Board Game Arena, US Availability, Nerd of the Rings Livestream, and UK Games Expo
open.substack.com
May 14, 2025 at 4:03 PM
My May update is up. This one is focused on The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship.
Reposted by Matt Leacock
Yesterday there was a massive outage in Portugal. No power, water, internet or phone signal from 11h30 to 00h30. We were prepared.
What better time to crack open our copy of Daybreak, a co-op game about dealing with climate change? We finished it by candlelight, and won!
@mattleacock.bsky.social
What better time to crack open our copy of Daybreak, a co-op game about dealing with climate change? We finished it by candlelight, and won!
@mattleacock.bsky.social
April 29, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Yesterday there was a massive outage in Portugal. No power, water, internet or phone signal from 11h30 to 00h30. We were prepared.
What better time to crack open our copy of Daybreak, a co-op game about dealing with climate change? We finished it by candlelight, and won!
@mattleacock.bsky.social
What better time to crack open our copy of Daybreak, a co-op game about dealing with climate change? We finished it by candlelight, and won!
@mattleacock.bsky.social
Lisa and I did our first interview about Animal Rescue Team!
This week's Generations Games newsletter: @mattleacock.bsky.social and Lisa Towell discuss their upcoming co-operative game Animal Rescue Team. Plus, updates on the US import tariffs' impact on the tabletop games industry.
thegenerationsgames.substack.com/p/animal-res...
thegenerationsgames.substack.com/p/animal-res...
Animal Rescue Team: 'The stories are inspired by real-world rescues'
Pandemic designer Matt Leacock teams up with real-life animal rescuer Lisa Towell for upcoming co-op board game. Plus, an update on the impact of US import tariffs on the tabletop game industry
thegenerationsgames.substack.com
April 26, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Lisa and I did our first interview about Animal Rescue Team!
Boardgamers, do yourself a favor and check out Illuminating Games. Chris Farrell provides in-depth analysis of a surprisingly wide variety of games every week.
This week: Molly House, Slay the Spire meets AI, and more.
This week: Molly House, Slay the Spire meets AI, and more.
Molly House, Up Front, general Sturm und Drang, Slay the Spire
Week of April 14th, 2025
chrisfarrell317.substack.com
April 20, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Boardgamers, do yourself a favor and check out Illuminating Games. Chris Farrell provides in-depth analysis of a surprisingly wide variety of games every week.
This week: Molly House, Slay the Spire meets AI, and more.
This week: Molly House, Slay the Spire meets AI, and more.
Had a fun conversation with Keepers of Fun about the 5 games I'd select to restart my collection.
The premise: "Inspired by Turkey's strict import restrictions, this series explores what games truly matter to collectors." On the day of the interview, Turkey announced even more severe restrictions.
The premise: "Inspired by Turkey's strict import restrictions, this series explores what games truly matter to collectors." On the day of the interview, Turkey announced even more severe restrictions.
Five Board Games to Restart Your Collection: Matt Leacock
YouTube video by Keepers of Fun
www.youtube.com
April 19, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Had a fun conversation with Keepers of Fun about the 5 games I'd select to restart my collection.
The premise: "Inspired by Turkey's strict import restrictions, this series explores what games truly matter to collectors." On the day of the interview, Turkey announced even more severe restrictions.
The premise: "Inspired by Turkey's strict import restrictions, this series explores what games truly matter to collectors." On the day of the interview, Turkey announced even more severe restrictions.
Reposted by Matt Leacock
The @newyorker.com piece linked below is worth a read.
The factoid that sticks with me: when at least 3.5% of the population participates in nonviolent opposition, movements are successful. (And you get there not just through yelling but also shared joy)
The factoid that sticks with me: when at least 3.5% of the population participates in nonviolent opposition, movements are successful. (And you get there not just through yelling but also shared joy)
Courage is contagious. But how do we catch it?
For months, @amifieldsmeyer.bsky.social and I have been asking dissidents and activists from around the world how we can topple authoritarianism.
We assembled their lessons into a field guide to courage.
www.newyorker.com/news/the-wee...
For months, @amifieldsmeyer.bsky.social and I have been asking dissidents and activists from around the world how we can topple authoritarianism.
We assembled their lessons into a field guide to courage.
www.newyorker.com/news/the-wee...
So You Want to Be a Dissident?
A practical guide to courage in Trump’s age of fear.
www.newyorker.com
April 13, 2025 at 10:54 PM
The @newyorker.com piece linked below is worth a read.
The factoid that sticks with me: when at least 3.5% of the population participates in nonviolent opposition, movements are successful. (And you get there not just through yelling but also shared joy)
The factoid that sticks with me: when at least 3.5% of the population participates in nonviolent opposition, movements are successful. (And you get there not just through yelling but also shared joy)
Just posted my April update!
Information on new releases including The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship and Animal Rescue Team, upcoming appearances, and more.
Information on new releases including The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship and Animal Rescue Team, upcoming appearances, and more.
Leacock’s Lab: April Update
Upcoming releases, appearances, and more for 2025
mattleacock.substack.com
April 2, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Just posted my April update!
Information on new releases including The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship and Animal Rescue Team, upcoming appearances, and more.
Information on new releases including The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship and Animal Rescue Team, upcoming appearances, and more.
Amabel continues to make thought-provoking and persuasive arguments about the ability of boardgames to express and advocate for ideas.
I imagine a future where we wonder how we were so dismissive (frivolous, toys, etc.) but then one remembers comic books, film, and even the novel.
Recommended!
I imagine a future where we wonder how we were so dismissive (frivolous, toys, etc.) but then one remembers comic books, film, and even the novel.
Recommended!
It’s finally here! Mechanisms as Metaphors: How Board Games Create Meaning takes a look at how board games make persuasive arguments, how they might move us emotionally, and how the ways we talk about the form might hinder its development.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG4z...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG4z...
Mechanisms as Metaphors: How Board Games Create Meaning
YouTube video by Mary & Amabel Holland
www.youtube.com
March 11, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Amabel continues to make thought-provoking and persuasive arguments about the ability of boardgames to express and advocate for ideas.
I imagine a future where we wonder how we were so dismissive (frivolous, toys, etc.) but then one remembers comic books, film, and even the novel.
Recommended!
I imagine a future where we wonder how we were so dismissive (frivolous, toys, etc.) but then one remembers comic books, film, and even the novel.
Recommended!
Reposted by Matt Leacock
We are experiencing an assault on science unparalleled by anything I’ve seen in my life. It’s not one issue or another anymore, the entire institution is under attack by the most powerful individuals in the country.
This Friday, where will you be?
standupforscience2025.org
This Friday, where will you be?
standupforscience2025.org
March 2, 2025 at 4:27 PM
We are experiencing an assault on science unparalleled by anything I’ve seen in my life. It’s not one issue or another anymore, the entire institution is under attack by the most powerful individuals in the country.
This Friday, where will you be?
standupforscience2025.org
This Friday, where will you be?
standupforscience2025.org
Reposted by Matt Leacock
Per Dr Atul Gawande, ex USAID: “All malaria supplies protecting 53 million people, mostly children, including bed nets, diagnostics, preventive drugs, and treatments – terminated.”
There are no words that sufficiently describe this level of cruelty and sadism.
There are no words that sufficiently describe this level of cruelty and sadism.
February 28, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Per Dr Atul Gawande, ex USAID: “All malaria supplies protecting 53 million people, mostly children, including bed nets, diagnostics, preventive drugs, and treatments – terminated.”
There are no words that sufficiently describe this level of cruelty and sadism.
There are no words that sufficiently describe this level of cruelty and sadism.
Joined over 500 folks in Palo Alto (including Joan Baez!) and over a hundred in Sunnyvale to protest Musk and Trump's illegal dismantling of our government.
Keep calling, keep protesting, keep the pressure on.
Keep calling, keep protesting, keep the pressure on.
February 17, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Joined over 500 folks in Palo Alto (including Joan Baez!) and over a hundred in Sunnyvale to protest Musk and Trump's illegal dismantling of our government.
Keep calling, keep protesting, keep the pressure on.
Keep calling, keep protesting, keep the pressure on.
Reposted by Matt Leacock
Molly House is a strange and meaningful beast, at once a celebration of queer love, a critique of imperial power, and a call to solidarity. More than that, it is a game that can't help but be personally meaningful to the lonesome and tired. My review: spacebiff.com/2025/02/12/m...
Love and Heartbreak in Georgian London
As a second-grader, I despised recess. Not because I enjoyed class — it was boring and tedious, hemmed in by schedules and busywork — but rather because I was lonely. Some people don’t unders…
spacebiff.com
February 12, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Molly House is a strange and meaningful beast, at once a celebration of queer love, a critique of imperial power, and a call to solidarity. More than that, it is a game that can't help but be personally meaningful to the lonesome and tired. My review: spacebiff.com/2025/02/12/m...
Just finished Cardboard Ghosts by @amabel.bsky.social
If you're into understanding systems or helping other people understand systems—especially systems of oppression, you should definitely check this one out. Highly recommended.
She throws the gauntlet on page 102. Let's pick it up!
If you're into understanding systems or helping other people understand systems—especially systems of oppression, you should definitely check this one out. Highly recommended.
She throws the gauntlet on page 102. Let's pick it up!
February 6, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Just finished Cardboard Ghosts by @amabel.bsky.social
If you're into understanding systems or helping other people understand systems—especially systems of oppression, you should definitely check this one out. Highly recommended.
She throws the gauntlet on page 102. Let's pick it up!
If you're into understanding systems or helping other people understand systems—especially systems of oppression, you should definitely check this one out. Highly recommended.
She throws the gauntlet on page 102. Let's pick it up!