Tabletop Games Blog (they)
@tabletopgamesblog.com
weekly board game reviews and thought pieces | German/English-English/German translations at makemygametravel.com | board game news at giantbrain.co.uk
Blog: tabletopgamesblog.com/
Cast: tabletopgamesblog.com/podcast
Support: tabletopgamesblog.com/support
Blog: tabletopgamesblog.com/
Cast: tabletopgamesblog.com/podcast
Support: tabletopgamesblog.com/support
Pinned
Quick PSA to publishers and retailers: feel free to use my reviews to promote your games - just add a link to the article on my blog. That's one of the reasons why I write reviews and record them in audio format. Who's with me? 😊👍 #boardgames #reviews (Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash)
Let me be clear from the start: there is no such thing as a "good game". "Good" by itself is meaningless - but let me explain.
Written: tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/02/10/a...
Audio: open.spotify.com/episode/5ahF...
(Photo by Call Me Fred on Unsplash)
#boardgames #thoughts #discussions #good #rating
Written: tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/02/10/a...
Audio: open.spotify.com/episode/5ahF...
(Photo by Call Me Fred on Unsplash)
#boardgames #thoughts #discussions #good #rating
Anti-Good - there is no such thing as a good game (Topic Discussion) | Tabletop Games Blog
Let me be clear from the start: there is no such thing as a "good game". I know, it sounds controversial. After all, at the end of every year and often many times during the year, lots of people publi...
tabletopgamesblog.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Let me be clear from the start: there is no such thing as a "good game". "Good" by itself is meaningless - but let me explain.
Written: tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/02/10/a...
Audio: open.spotify.com/episode/5ahF...
(Photo by Call Me Fred on Unsplash)
#boardgames #thoughts #discussions #good #rating
Written: tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/02/10/a...
Audio: open.spotify.com/episode/5ahF...
(Photo by Call Me Fred on Unsplash)
#boardgames #thoughts #discussions #good #rating
Reposted by Tabletop Games Blog (they)
We've done another one of our regular rounds of updates for the Compendium! Dozens of board game publishers have updated their profiles in the past few weeks! cardboardedison.com/directoryinfo
The Compendium — Cardboard Edison
cardboardedison.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:19 AM
We've done another one of our regular rounds of updates for the Compendium! Dozens of board game publishers have updated their profiles in the past few weeks! cardboardedison.com/directoryinfo
Reposted by Tabletop Games Blog (they)
only 5 copies left of @shreesh.bsky.social's fantastic game Crisps! once they're gone they're gone!
www.newmillindustries.com/store/p/crisps
pick up some other rad games while you're at it!
www.newmillindustries.com/store/p/crisps
pick up some other rad games while you're at it!
Crisps! — New Mill Industries
Crisps! is a ladder-climbing card game for 2 players. Crisps! selects and recombines ingredients from several climbing games to serve up as a light & delicious snack that will leave you cra...
www.newmillindustries.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:32 AM
only 5 copies left of @shreesh.bsky.social's fantastic game Crisps! once they're gone they're gone!
www.newmillindustries.com/store/p/crisps
pick up some other rad games while you're at it!
www.newmillindustries.com/store/p/crisps
pick up some other rad games while you're at it!
What a great thread aimed at designers, but very useful to reviewers as well. It sort of goes in the same direction as my article about how gameplay experiences change based on who you play with: tabletopgamesblog.com/2025/12/30/s... 🙂👍
February 10, 2026 at 7:11 AM
What a great thread aimed at designers, but very useful to reviewers as well. It sort of goes in the same direction as my article about how gameplay experiences change based on who you play with: tabletopgamesblog.com/2025/12/30/s... 🙂👍
Reposted by Tabletop Games Blog (they)
Today I emailed publishers about a concerning practice a board game media creator engaged in. This will likely become public, so I'm providing the details here to give the full context of what I shared.
1) Document: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o8ovt...
2) Video: youtu.be/fHXGWflPj4c
1/2
1) Document: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o8ovt...
2) Video: youtu.be/fHXGWflPj4c
1/2
www.dropbox.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Today I emailed publishers about a concerning practice a board game media creator engaged in. This will likely become public, so I'm providing the details here to give the full context of what I shared.
1) Document: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o8ovt...
2) Video: youtu.be/fHXGWflPj4c
1/2
1) Document: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o8ovt...
2) Video: youtu.be/fHXGWflPj4c
1/2
Reposted by Tabletop Games Blog (they)
Check out this month's #indietabletopnewsletter with wonderful content from: Absolute Ascendancy @atikingames @jacksonpope.bsky.social Mistzone Games @benny275.bsky.social
atikingames.com/newsletter/f...
atikingames.com/newsletter/f...
February 2026
Welcome to the Indie Tabletop Newsletter, hear from independent tabletop games designers about their current and upcoming projects. Take a look at the games we've already self-published and our upcomi...
atikingames.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Check out this month's #indietabletopnewsletter with wonderful content from: Absolute Ascendancy @atikingames @jacksonpope.bsky.social Mistzone Games @benny275.bsky.social
atikingames.com/newsletter/f...
atikingames.com/newsletter/f...
Sehr interessanter Artikel über ein Spielgenre, mit dem ich mich selbst auch gerade beschäftige. 🙂👍
Trauma und Unterhaltung
Spiele können auf unterschiedliche Art und Weise unterhalten. Ein Teilbereich ist das Segment, dass ich mal mangelns alternativer Begrifflichkeiten als "Brettspiel-Doku" bezeichnet habe: Das Spiel befasst sich mit einem konkreten Thema, so dass sich die Spielenden ebenfalls…
Spiele können auf unterschiedliche Art und Weise unterhalten. Ein Teilbereich ist das Segment, dass ich mal mangelns alternativer Begrifflichkeiten als "Brettspiel-Doku" bezeichnet habe: Das Spiel befasst sich mit einem konkreten Thema, so dass sich die Spielenden ebenfalls…
Trauma und Unterhaltung
Spiele können auf unterschiedliche Art und Weise unterhalten. Ein Teilbereich ist das Segment, dass ich mal mangelns alternativer Begrifflichkeiten als "Brettspiel-Doku" bezeichnet habe: Das Spiel befasst sich mit einem konkreten Thema, so dass sich die Spielenden ebenfalls mit dem Gegenstand auseinandersetzen können. Dies geschieht vor allem im Bereich der sogenannten "Historischen Spiele", die eine sehr viel stärken Fokus auf spielerische Narrative wert legt und die oft versuchen das Thema als…
www.spielbar.com
February 8, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Sehr interessanter Artikel über ein Spielgenre, mit dem ich mich selbst auch gerade beschäftige. 🙂👍
Reposted by Tabletop Games Blog (they)
A grab bag of game design questions: considering component cost when designing, how to remain motivated with a game design, the pros and cons of self-publishing, and more, via @matthewdunstan.bsky.social
Considering component cost, motivation & self-publishing | Ask Matthew
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
www.youtube.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:56 PM
A grab bag of game design questions: considering component cost when designing, how to remain motivated with a game design, the pros and cons of self-publishing, and more, via @matthewdunstan.bsky.social
Staring at the art in front of them, the group was trying to figure out which noun fit best. I had chosen it, based on The Vibe by Jacob Jaskov from Uloomi.
Written: tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/02/07/t...
Audio: open.spotify.com/episode/7ob3...
#boardgames #FamilyGames #PartyGames #art
Written: tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/02/07/t...
Audio: open.spotify.com/episode/7ob3...
#boardgames #FamilyGames #PartyGames #art
The Vibe (Saturday Review) | Tabletop Games Blog
Staring at the art in front of them, next to a number of words, the group was trying to figure out which noun fit the paintings best. Someone read out a single word and explained their theory. Suddenl...
tabletopgamesblog.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Staring at the art in front of them, the group was trying to figure out which noun fit best. I had chosen it, based on The Vibe by Jacob Jaskov from Uloomi.
Written: tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/02/07/t...
Audio: open.spotify.com/episode/7ob3...
#boardgames #FamilyGames #PartyGames #art
Written: tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/02/07/t...
Audio: open.spotify.com/episode/7ob3...
#boardgames #FamilyGames #PartyGames #art
Reposted by Tabletop Games Blog (they)
Iello is seeking dice games
IELLO Games
🔔 WE NEED YOU 🔔
Game designers, creative folks, we are actively looking for Dice games prototypes to extend our IELLO Dice line 🎲
If you want to show us your work, please send us an email at...
www.facebook.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Iello is seeking dice games
I have long been fascinated by historical board games. In this article, I want to explore them further.
Written article: tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/02/03/h...
Audio version: open.spotify.com/episode/0ecM...
Credit: Wellcome Library, London. Wellcome Images
#boardgames #HistoricalGames #history
Written article: tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/02/03/h...
Audio version: open.spotify.com/episode/0ecM...
Credit: Wellcome Library, London. Wellcome Images
#boardgames #HistoricalGames #history
Historical Humanity - the human element in modern historical board games (Topic Discussion) | Tabletop Games Blog
I have long been fascinated by historical board games. I was never very good at history in school, but whenever I play a board game with a historical setting, I feel I learn something. Often, I feel c...
tabletopgamesblog.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:56 AM
I have long been fascinated by historical board games. In this article, I want to explore them further.
Written article: tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/02/03/h...
Audio version: open.spotify.com/episode/0ecM...
Credit: Wellcome Library, London. Wellcome Images
#boardgames #HistoricalGames #history
Written article: tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/02/03/h...
Audio version: open.spotify.com/episode/0ecM...
Credit: Wellcome Library, London. Wellcome Images
#boardgames #HistoricalGames #history
Reposted by Tabletop Games Blog (they)
It's the very last episode of Brainwaves and its a special hosted by @werenotwizards.com and featuring all the hosts from over the years the show has been running. Listen in as we reminisce on the past and speculate on the future of games journalism.
giantbrain.co.uk/2026/02/02/b...
giantbrain.co.uk/2026/02/02/b...
Brainwaves Special - All Good Things - The Giant Brain
All good things come to an end, and so it is with Brainwaves. Richard from ‘We’re Not Wizards’ runs the show as we bring together every host for a farewell show.
giantbrain.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 4:35 PM
It's the very last episode of Brainwaves and its a special hosted by @werenotwizards.com and featuring all the hosts from over the years the show has been running. Listen in as we reminisce on the past and speculate on the future of games journalism.
giantbrain.co.uk/2026/02/02/b...
giantbrain.co.uk/2026/02/02/b...
Yay! I got a couple of review copies from Genie Games. They even sent extra copies for me to put in my raffle in aid of Trussell, the UK food bank charity. Both games look really interesting, and both are very much about Singaporean culture. Can't wait! 😃👍 #boardgames
February 2, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Yay! I got a couple of review copies from Genie Games. They even sent extra copies for me to put in my raffle in aid of Trussell, the UK food bank charity. Both games look really interesting, and both are very much about Singaporean culture. Can't wait! 😃👍 #boardgames
Reposted by Tabletop Games Blog (they)
Oh hey! New games are up for preorder at www.newmillindustries.com!
The Fluffy Rite is an oddball trick taker in which there are no ranks on the cards - you play two suited cards together to form teddy bears (illustrated by my 16 year old son) and you're aiming to win the second-most tricks.
The Fluffy Rite is an oddball trick taker in which there are no ranks on the cards - you play two suited cards together to form teddy bears (illustrated by my 16 year old son) and you're aiming to win the second-most tricks.
New Mill Industries
www.newmillindustries.com
February 1, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Oh hey! New games are up for preorder at www.newmillindustries.com!
The Fluffy Rite is an oddball trick taker in which there are no ranks on the cards - you play two suited cards together to form teddy bears (illustrated by my 16 year old son) and you're aiming to win the second-most tricks.
The Fluffy Rite is an oddball trick taker in which there are no ranks on the cards - you play two suited cards together to form teddy bears (illustrated by my 16 year old son) and you're aiming to win the second-most tricks.
Reposted by Tabletop Games Blog (they)
Reposted by Tabletop Games Blog (they)
"But Why Vikings?" is a tabletop agony aunt column I do with @ava.foxfort.net and @timclare.bsky.social. We need your engagement to keep it running. Got questions about etiquette at the table? Philosophy of play? The best game to fit in pockets? Send them our way!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
But Why Vikings?
Games Podcast · Updated fortnightly · Any unanswered questions at your gaming table? Ava Foxfort, Tim Clare, and Iain McAllister mull over tabletop conudrums: from etiquette at the table to recommenda...
podcasts.apple.com
February 1, 2026 at 7:25 AM
"But Why Vikings?" is a tabletop agony aunt column I do with @ava.foxfort.net and @timclare.bsky.social. We need your engagement to keep it running. Got questions about etiquette at the table? Philosophy of play? The best game to fit in pockets? Send them our way!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
We were looking for a very special gem, but we are always a too late, until the clock finally aligned and I finally won the gem of Eternitium by Thomas Carlier from Haumea Games with art by Baptiste Perez.
tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/01/31/e...
(Photo courtesy of Ornament Games)
#BoardGames #reviews
tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/01/31/e...
(Photo courtesy of Ornament Games)
#BoardGames #reviews
Eternitium (Saturday Review) | Tabletop Games Blog
We were looking for a very special gem, a gem that, according to rumours, promised eternity. Nobody knew exactly where it could be found - or rather, when, because this gem was lost in time. We opened...
tabletopgamesblog.com
January 31, 2026 at 1:32 PM
We were looking for a very special gem, but we are always a too late, until the clock finally aligned and I finally won the gem of Eternitium by Thomas Carlier from Haumea Games with art by Baptiste Perez.
tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/01/31/e...
(Photo courtesy of Ornament Games)
#BoardGames #reviews
tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/01/31/e...
(Photo courtesy of Ornament Games)
#BoardGames #reviews
Reposted by Tabletop Games Blog (they)
A conversation about a tricky aspect of designing a multivictor game: balancing it to accommodate both cooperative and competitive play, via @lunarpunk.games
Balancing Hearts - Dialogues at Dusk
YouTube video by Lunarpunk Games
www.youtube.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:29 PM
A conversation about a tricky aspect of designing a multivictor game: balancing it to accommodate both cooperative and competitive play, via @lunarpunk.games
The lovely Paul from Mid Sussex Meeples has given me a review copy of Home Team Heroes, a two-player football deck-building game. It looks really interesting, with lots of teams available already and more to come. 😃👍 #DeckBuilding #CardGames
January 29, 2026 at 10:47 AM
The lovely Paul from Mid Sussex Meeples has given me a review copy of Home Team Heroes, a two-player football deck-building game. It looks really interesting, with lots of teams available already and more to come. 😃👍 #DeckBuilding #CardGames
Reposted by Tabletop Games Blog (they)
It's #BoardGamersLift time!
Sorry it's a little late this week, I've been focusing on making stock for To Boldly Game this weekend and somehow it's already Wednesday 😂
Share what you've been playing, reviewing, buidling, and support your fellow #boardgames enthusiasts!
Sorry it's a little late this week, I've been focusing on making stock for To Boldly Game this weekend and somehow it's already Wednesday 😂
Share what you've been playing, reviewing, buidling, and support your fellow #boardgames enthusiasts!
January 28, 2026 at 10:58 AM
It's #BoardGamersLift time!
Sorry it's a little late this week, I've been focusing on making stock for To Boldly Game this weekend and somehow it's already Wednesday 😂
Share what you've been playing, reviewing, buidling, and support your fellow #boardgames enthusiasts!
Sorry it's a little late this week, I've been focusing on making stock for To Boldly Game this weekend and somehow it's already Wednesday 😂
Share what you've been playing, reviewing, buidling, and support your fellow #boardgames enthusiasts!
Reposted by Tabletop Games Blog (they)
With everything that's happening in the world lately, it's been hard to find the words. Posting regular studio updates while people are being murdered by ICE, the IDF continue to terrorise Palestine, and fascism is rife globally...
Stand together, keep fighting, grasp hope. No matter how hard it is
Stand together, keep fighting, grasp hope. No matter how hard it is
January 27, 2026 at 5:09 PM
With everything that's happening in the world lately, it's been hard to find the words. Posting regular studio updates while people are being murdered by ICE, the IDF continue to terrorise Palestine, and fascism is rife globally...
Stand together, keep fighting, grasp hope. No matter how hard it is
Stand together, keep fighting, grasp hope. No matter how hard it is
Reposted by Tabletop Games Blog (they)
Just a few days left to submit your board game design to the 2026 Cardboard Edison Award! Submissions are open through January 31! cardboardedison.com/award
January 27, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Just a few days left to submit your board game design to the 2026 Cardboard Edison Award! Submissions are open through January 31! cardboardedison.com/award
Reposted by Tabletop Games Blog (they)
Board Game Beat is officially launched & loaded with content...with more to come as I report on Spielwarenmesse!
If you're into independent board game journalism—articles, videos, interviews, news, reviews & more—please check it out and share.
www.wericmartin.com
#boardgame #spielwarenmesse
If you're into independent board game journalism—articles, videos, interviews, news, reviews & more—please check it out and share.
www.wericmartin.com
#boardgame #spielwarenmesse
Board Game Beat LLC | W. Eric Martin
Tabletop and board game journalism with deep-dive news, reviews, interviews, videos, and essays, plus rulebook writing and editing services.
www.wericmartin.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Board Game Beat is officially launched & loaded with content...with more to come as I report on Spielwarenmesse!
If you're into independent board game journalism—articles, videos, interviews, news, reviews & more—please check it out and share.
www.wericmartin.com
#boardgame #spielwarenmesse
If you're into independent board game journalism—articles, videos, interviews, news, reviews & more—please check it out and share.
www.wericmartin.com
#boardgame #spielwarenmesse
There's still time to take part in the January raffle in aid of @trusselluk.bsky.social, the UK food bank charity!
If you want to be in with a chance to win games while also supporting a great cause, please take part here: tabletopgamesblog.com/raffle/
Also, please reshare!!
#charity #foodbanks
If you want to be in with a chance to win games while also supporting a great cause, please take part here: tabletopgamesblog.com/raffle/
Also, please reshare!!
#charity #foodbanks
January 26, 2026 at 12:36 PM
There's still time to take part in the January raffle in aid of @trusselluk.bsky.social, the UK food bank charity!
If you want to be in with a chance to win games while also supporting a great cause, please take part here: tabletopgamesblog.com/raffle/
Also, please reshare!!
#charity #foodbanks
If you want to be in with a chance to win games while also supporting a great cause, please take part here: tabletopgamesblog.com/raffle/
Also, please reshare!!
#charity #foodbanks
Reposted by Tabletop Games Blog (they)
In this week's video, I answer game design questions from my viewers, including how to stay motivated with a design, pros and cons of self publishing, and why I don't design complex games.
youtu.be/dDHXlHvcAEU
🎲✂️
youtu.be/dDHXlHvcAEU
🎲✂️
Considering component cost, motivation & self-publishing | Ask Matthew
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
youtu.be
January 26, 2026 at 7:51 AM
In this week's video, I answer game design questions from my viewers, including how to stay motivated with a design, pros and cons of self publishing, and why I don't design complex games.
youtu.be/dDHXlHvcAEU
🎲✂️
youtu.be/dDHXlHvcAEU
🎲✂️