Matt Ollis
@mattollis.bsky.social
Mathematician at Emerson College, Boston. Combinatorics with a hint of group theory. Brit living in Vermont. Board games. Maps. AVFC. Beginner bassist and even-more-beginner drummer. SciFi. Other stuff.
New #boardgames! All arrived this week from Kickstarter.
On the one hand, it's exciting to get new games and the delay that comes with kickstarter means that they feel like more of a surprise/present than a purchase (even though I know that's not how it works). 1/n
On the one hand, it's exciting to get new games and the delay that comes with kickstarter means that they feel like more of a surprise/present than a purchase (even though I know that's not how it works). 1/n
November 14, 2025 at 5:32 PM
New #boardgames! All arrived this week from Kickstarter.
On the one hand, it's exciting to get new games and the delay that comes with kickstarter means that they feel like more of a surprise/present than a purchase (even though I know that's not how it works). 1/n
On the one hand, it's exciting to get new games and the delay that comes with kickstarter means that they feel like more of a surprise/present than a purchase (even though I know that's not how it works). 1/n
All set to spend some time in the fishing villages on the Norweigian coast of Vermont. #Saltfjord #boardgame.
November 6, 2025 at 5:30 PM
All set to spend some time in the fishing villages on the Norweigian coast of Vermont. #Saltfjord #boardgame.
Today's new #boardgame: Tacta, a candidate for using in my Math of Games class next semester. I played all hands of a three player version. Quick, intuitive and fun. And luckily my table was just the right size for this player count.
Next: find, or make, a genuine #sologame version.
Next: find, or make, a genuine #sologame version.
November 3, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Today's new #boardgame: Tacta, a candidate for using in my Math of Games class next semester. I played all hands of a three player version. Quick, intuitive and fun. And luckily my table was just the right size for this player count.
Next: find, or make, a genuine #sologame version.
Next: find, or make, a genuine #sologame version.
Enjoyable work task for today: learn Sagrada.
I played the solo mode and I think I got the rules right, but took a while to understand even very basic tactics. Haven't scored it yet, but I don't have high hopes for victory, even though I played on an easy level. I will try again soon.
I played the solo mode and I think I got the rules right, but took a while to understand even very basic tactics. Haven't scored it yet, but I don't have high hopes for victory, even though I played on an easy level. I will try again soon.
October 21, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Enjoyable work task for today: learn Sagrada.
I played the solo mode and I think I got the rules right, but took a while to understand even very basic tactics. Haven't scored it yet, but I don't have high hopes for victory, even though I played on an easy level. I will try again soon.
I played the solo mode and I think I got the rules right, but took a while to understand even very basic tactics. Haven't scored it yet, but I don't have high hopes for victory, even though I played on an easy level. I will try again soon.
One of the many advantages of teaching a game studies course: when Canvas is down, you can declare a games day while staying on topic.
October 20, 2025 at 3:43 PM
One of the many advantages of teaching a game studies course: when Canvas is down, you can declare a games day while staying on topic.
A good weekend for some quick #boardgames: Tussie Mussie while waiting for food in a restaurant, new-to-us Kluster, Nekojima with the new Torii expansion, and physically-new-but-BGA'd Kingdomino. All fun!
October 19, 2025 at 9:36 PM
A good weekend for some quick #boardgames: Tussie Mussie while waiting for food in a restaurant, new-to-us Kluster, Nekojima with the new Torii expansion, and physically-new-but-BGA'd Kingdomino. All fun!
Good time with #Everdell today. We picked it up because it looked so good it jumped the queue on other #boardgames. We don't have many worker placement options.
It's more cutesy than I like ("critters", ick) but fun. Looking forward to playing it again without the first-play acclimation.
It's more cutesy than I like ("critters", ick) but fun. Looking forward to playing it again without the first-play acclimation.
October 13, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Good time with #Everdell today. We picked it up because it looked so good it jumped the queue on other #boardgames. We don't have many worker placement options.
It's more cutesy than I like ("critters", ick) but fun. Looking forward to playing it again without the first-play acclimation.
It's more cutesy than I like ("critters", ick) but fun. Looking forward to playing it again without the first-play acclimation.
Does the "show less like this" option work on the Discovery feed?
I've been hitting it constantly for pictures of pets (boo, hiss, I know) and American sports, but they're still a good fraction of what I see. Maybe everyone else is getting almost entirely cats and baseball, rather than 10-20%?
I've been hitting it constantly for pictures of pets (boo, hiss, I know) and American sports, but they're still a good fraction of what I see. Maybe everyone else is getting almost entirely cats and baseball, rather than 10-20%?
September 28, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Does the "show less like this" option work on the Discovery feed?
I've been hitting it constantly for pictures of pets (boo, hiss, I know) and American sports, but they're still a good fraction of what I see. Maybe everyone else is getting almost entirely cats and baseball, rather than 10-20%?
I've been hitting it constantly for pictures of pets (boo, hiss, I know) and American sports, but they're still a good fraction of what I see. Maybe everyone else is getting almost entirely cats and baseball, rather than 10-20%?
Hey #boardgamesky!
I'm looking for examples of /weird/ board games. Games that do something you don't expect games to do, whether theme, mechanic, player experience/emotion, or other surprises.
Bonus points for being cheap, recent and/or quick to play, but none of these are essential.
I'm looking for examples of /weird/ board games. Games that do something you don't expect games to do, whether theme, mechanic, player experience/emotion, or other surprises.
Bonus points for being cheap, recent and/or quick to play, but none of these are essential.
September 27, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Hey #boardgamesky!
I'm looking for examples of /weird/ board games. Games that do something you don't expect games to do, whether theme, mechanic, player experience/emotion, or other surprises.
Bonus points for being cheap, recent and/or quick to play, but none of these are essential.
I'm looking for examples of /weird/ board games. Games that do something you don't expect games to do, whether theme, mechanic, player experience/emotion, or other surprises.
Bonus points for being cheap, recent and/or quick to play, but none of these are essential.
Is there a subgenre of SF for books that look at future/high-tech democratic systems?
I just noticed that two of my favourite series---The Centennial Cycle by Malka Older and the Prefect Drefyus books by Alastair Reynolds---fit this description. I'd like to read more!
#SpecFic #BookSky #SFF
I just noticed that two of my favourite series---The Centennial Cycle by Malka Older and the Prefect Drefyus books by Alastair Reynolds---fit this description. I'd like to read more!
#SpecFic #BookSky #SFF
September 8, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Today's lesson plan: play Pandemic: Hot Zone.
September 8, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Today's lesson plan: play Pandemic: Hot Zone.
Another request for help on my math of games and puzzles gen ed college course pitch. What should I call it?
": The Math of Puzzles and Games" is the obvious format---what should the pun be? Other format suggestions welcome too.
#mathsky #boardgamesky #puzzles
"
#mathsky #boardgamesky #puzzles
September 7, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Another request for help on my math of games and puzzles gen ed college course pitch. What should I call it?
": The Math of Puzzles and Games" is the obvious format---what should the pun be? Other format suggestions welcome too.
#mathsky #boardgamesky #puzzles
"
#mathsky #boardgamesky #puzzles
After decades of claiming that math is an art, and idly threatening to defect from the Natural Sciences dept to the Arts at my last college, an organisational shake-up at Emerson means that I'm now in the School of the Arts.
There might be a name change soon, but I'll enjoy it while it lasts.
There might be a name change soon, but I'll enjoy it while it lasts.
September 6, 2025 at 9:04 PM
After decades of claiming that math is an art, and idly threatening to defect from the Natural Sciences dept to the Arts at my last college, an organisational shake-up at Emerson means that I'm now in the School of the Arts.
There might be a name change soon, but I'll enjoy it while it lasts.
There might be a name change soon, but I'll enjoy it while it lasts.
First play of Deadly Dowagers. Lots of fun with social climbing via murdering husbands. 14yo won.
I bought it on the basis of designer Sarah Shipp's academic book about thematic game design. Probably not an efficient promotion strategy, but at least 1 in the sales column from it.
#boardgamesky
I bought it on the basis of designer Sarah Shipp's academic book about thematic game design. Probably not an efficient promotion strategy, but at least 1 in the sales column from it.
#boardgamesky
September 6, 2025 at 8:21 PM
First play of Deadly Dowagers. Lots of fun with social climbing via murdering husbands. 14yo won.
I bought it on the basis of designer Sarah Shipp's academic book about thematic game design. Probably not an efficient promotion strategy, but at least 1 in the sales column from it.
#boardgamesky
I bought it on the basis of designer Sarah Shipp's academic book about thematic game design. Probably not an efficient promotion strategy, but at least 1 in the sales column from it.
#boardgamesky
I'm pitching a math of games/puzzles course. Intro level, primary goal is to meet a QR requirement.
I have a good idea of what I want to do---indeed, my main problem is going to be narrowing it down---but new ideas always welcome. What would you do with such a course?
#mathsky #boardgames
I have a good idea of what I want to do---indeed, my main problem is going to be narrowing it down---but new ideas always welcome. What would you do with such a course?
#mathsky #boardgames
September 5, 2025 at 7:52 PM
I'm pitching a math of games/puzzles course. Intro level, primary goal is to meet a QR requirement.
I have a good idea of what I want to do---indeed, my main problem is going to be narrowing it down---but new ideas always welcome. What would you do with such a course?
#mathsky #boardgames
I have a good idea of what I want to do---indeed, my main problem is going to be narrowing it down---but new ideas always welcome. What would you do with such a course?
#mathsky #boardgames
Recommendations request: I'm looking for non-premium solo games on BGA. I'd like a list of 3-5 that are relatively easy and quick to learn/play and cover range of game mechanics.
Ideally, the final list will give a newcomer to games a sense of modern board-gaming.
#boardgamesky
Ideally, the final list will give a newcomer to games a sense of modern board-gaming.
#boardgamesky
August 28, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Recommendations request: I'm looking for non-premium solo games on BGA. I'd like a list of 3-5 that are relatively easy and quick to learn/play and cover range of game mechanics.
Ideally, the final list will give a newcomer to games a sense of modern board-gaming.
#boardgamesky
Ideally, the final list will give a newcomer to games a sense of modern board-gaming.
#boardgamesky
Does anyone know of an article on Mamdani's Scavenger Hunt from the perspective of using games to engage people politically (or something similar)? It would be for use early on in an interdisciplinary #gamestudies first-year seminar (for non-game majors).
#boardgamesky #politicalscience
#boardgamesky #politicalscience
August 27, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Does anyone know of an article on Mamdani's Scavenger Hunt from the perspective of using games to engage people politically (or something similar)? It would be for use early on in an interdisciplinary #gamestudies first-year seminar (for non-game majors).
#boardgamesky #politicalscience
#boardgamesky #politicalscience
Scavenger Hunt: Game where you have a list of tasks (possibly clue-based) to solve in any order. Most solved/collected wins.
Treasure Hunt: Game where you have a series of clues, one leading to the next, with a fixed final winning point.
A US/UK distinction? Or 30yrs out of date? Or just wrong?
Treasure Hunt: Game where you have a series of clues, one leading to the next, with a fixed final winning point.
A US/UK distinction? Or 30yrs out of date? Or just wrong?
August 25, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Scavenger Hunt: Game where you have a list of tasks (possibly clue-based) to solve in any order. Most solved/collected wins.
Treasure Hunt: Game where you have a series of clues, one leading to the next, with a fixed final winning point.
A US/UK distinction? Or 30yrs out of date? Or just wrong?
Treasure Hunt: Game where you have a series of clues, one leading to the next, with a fixed final winning point.
A US/UK distinction? Or 30yrs out of date? Or just wrong?
I might have an hour or so to kill in Manchester NH during the day soon. Recommendations for stuff to do? Places that sell board games or scifi books most likely to get me to accidentally part with some money. Bass guitars also fun to browse, but I probably have enough discipline not to buy one.
May 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I might have an hour or so to kill in Manchester NH during the day soon. Recommendations for stuff to do? Places that sell board games or scifi books most likely to get me to accidentally part with some money. Bass guitars also fun to browse, but I probably have enough discipline not to buy one.
Request for #BoardGameSky and/or #MathSky.
I'm looking for examples of latin squares in games (definition in next post, but if you've played Azul or done a Sudoku, you know what one is). As many and as varied as possible.
It's for a thing. I don't know what thing yet, but definitely a thing.
I'm looking for examples of latin squares in games (definition in next post, but if you've played Azul or done a Sudoku, you know what one is). As many and as varied as possible.
It's for a thing. I don't know what thing yet, but definitely a thing.
April 15, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Request for #BoardGameSky and/or #MathSky.
I'm looking for examples of latin squares in games (definition in next post, but if you've played Azul or done a Sudoku, you know what one is). As many and as varied as possible.
It's for a thing. I don't know what thing yet, but definitely a thing.
I'm looking for examples of latin squares in games (definition in next post, but if you've played Azul or done a Sudoku, you know what one is). As many and as varied as possible.
It's for a thing. I don't know what thing yet, but definitely a thing.
First plays of Daybreak. One disastrous loss, an expected step on the way to understanding, then a surprisingly smooth win. The crises and dice were gentle, far more by luck than prep. I played the 4 player version to appreciate/learn the full game. Worth checking out the solo version?
#sologaming
#sologaming
April 13, 2025 at 2:37 PM
First plays of Daybreak. One disastrous loss, an expected step on the way to understanding, then a surprisingly smooth win. The crises and dice were gentle, far more by luck than prep. I played the 4 player version to appreciate/learn the full game. Worth checking out the solo version?
#sologaming
#sologaming
Stopped into Greenfield Games to browse and /possibly/ buy /at most/ one game. The result:
#boardgamesky
#boardgamesky
April 11, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Stopped into Greenfield Games to browse and /possibly/ buy /at most/ one game. The result:
#boardgamesky
#boardgamesky
I'm officially a game studies professor. My first year seminar "Game On: Theory, Culture and Design of Board Games" is on the books at Emerson College. I've been teaching this stuff in various forms for 15+yrs and in almost exactly this form for the last 3, but this is a nice offical stamp.
March 18, 2025 at 12:42 PM
I'm officially a game studies professor. My first year seminar "Game On: Theory, Culture and Design of Board Games" is on the books at Emerson College. I've been teaching this stuff in various forms for 15+yrs and in almost exactly this form for the last 3, but this is a nice offical stamp.
Cosmos Empires! A print-n-play from Bigger Worlds Games. And another great job by the Emerson College print shop.
#BoardGameSky
#BoardGameSky
March 17, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Cosmos Empires! A print-n-play from Bigger Worlds Games. And another great job by the Emerson College print shop.
#BoardGameSky
#BoardGameSky
Dexterity games! Men at Work has been a favourite for a while, Tinderblox was a big hit with visiting family recently (and the sequel Barbecubes is already in our future) and we played and loved Nekojima yesterday.
What else should we check out?
#BoardGameSky
What else should we check out?
#BoardGameSky
March 14, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Dexterity games! Men at Work has been a favourite for a while, Tinderblox was a big hit with visiting family recently (and the sequel Barbecubes is already in our future) and we played and loved Nekojima yesterday.
What else should we check out?
#BoardGameSky
What else should we check out?
#BoardGameSky