Amabel Holland
@amabel.bsky.social
She/her. "Widely considered one of today’s most innovative game designers." - The New Yorker
Board games: https://hollandspiele.com
video essays: youtube.com/@hollandspiele
Patreon: patreon.com/amabelholland
sidekicking: youtube.com/@SBPlaysGames
Board games: https://hollandspiele.com
video essays: youtube.com/@hollandspiele
Patreon: patreon.com/amabelholland
sidekicking: youtube.com/@SBPlaysGames
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Amabel Holland
@amabel.bsky.social
· Jun 16
📌I'm Amabel (she/her), a board game designer. Out of my 80+ games, I'm best known for City of Six Moons and Irish Gauge.
I co-own the publisher Hollandspiele. In my spare time I make video essays about the future & history of games.
I'm a slutty poly trans woman, and I talk about all of the above.
I co-own the publisher Hollandspiele. In my spare time I make video essays about the future & history of games.
I'm a slutty poly trans woman, and I talk about all of the above.
Reposted by Amabel Holland
So the streamer Ludwig recently found out that one of his earliest regular viewers, who was trans, passed away and tonight he's doing a charity stream for the Trevor Project. So far he's raised over $46,000 in about 5 hours. www.twitch.tv/ludwig
November 14, 2025 at 3:21 AM
So the streamer Ludwig recently found out that one of his earliest regular viewers, who was trans, passed away and tonight he's doing a charity stream for the Trevor Project. So far he's raised over $46,000 in about 5 hours. www.twitch.tv/ludwig
Reposted by Amabel Holland
PORN IS ART, PORN IS GOOD, PEOPLE MAKING PORN IS A SIGN OF A HEALTHY SOCIETY
There has been a noticeable reticence in left and liberal circles to voice full-throated support for pornography, even as it's become increasingly clear what the open end goals of the censorship movement are
In a lot of ways other leftists chose this path folks. They shrugged and didn’t care when Patreon banned a ton of hypnosis and TF creators, or when YouTube started their ASMR crackdown. Now it’s coming for queer porn creators, more and more. Who will stand up?
November 13, 2025 at 11:59 PM
PORN IS ART, PORN IS GOOD, PEOPLE MAKING PORN IS A SIGN OF A HEALTHY SOCIETY
Reposted by Amabel Holland
🌹in the torah it says how God breathed life into us and sometimes I think that's that feeling when you egg first breaks and it's like you can breath for the first time in your life, at least for us
transness is a gift. i need every trans woman to understand that by nature of their existence they have been blessed with the ability to pluck the strands of fate with their hands if they choose to. it is not always easy and it is not without hardship but every trans woman is capable of greatness.
November 14, 2025 at 2:01 AM
🌹in the torah it says how God breathed life into us and sometimes I think that's that feeling when you egg first breaks and it's like you can breath for the first time in your life, at least for us
Reposted by Amabel Holland
I know a lot is going on, but I would really appreciate a share. I'm still waiting on a check and I'm wrapping up the rest of my small gigs this week. If you need any art and you like what I do, please consider contacting me. I'd like to think my budget is reasonable, and I put out some good art
Hey, I'm going to be honest, I've had some rotten luck these last couple months. About three different projects got cancelled, so, if you need covers, pages, posters, album art, and you like my style, please consider hiring me.
Portfolio: lanelloyd.crevado.com/cover-work
Portfolio: lanelloyd.crevado.com/cover-work
COVER WORK - Lane Lloyd
lanelloyd.crevado.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:34 PM
I know a lot is going on, but I would really appreciate a share. I'm still waiting on a check and I'm wrapping up the rest of my small gigs this week. If you need any art and you like what I do, please consider contacting me. I'd like to think my budget is reasonable, and I put out some good art
Reposted by Amabel Holland
They are always such a journey, even subjects that I thought I couldn't care less about heading into them. Required watching as soon as they come out.
November 13, 2025 at 2:11 PM
They are always such a journey, even subjects that I thought I couldn't care less about heading into them. Required watching as soon as they come out.
Reposted by Amabel Holland
A big ol’ sale on fascinating works by fascinating designers, all under the banner of what I assume is a delightfully silly pun
November 13, 2025 at 5:28 PM
A big ol’ sale on fascinating works by fascinating designers, all under the banner of what I assume is a delightfully silly pun
Reposted by Amabel Holland
The stars only aligned for me playing Westphalia twice, but I'll always keep it around along with Founding Fathers and Sidereal Confluence as an 'it's my birthday and I demand 5 people play this with me' game. Go buy one of the last X copies!
November 13, 2025 at 3:43 PM
The stars only aligned for me playing Westphalia twice, but I'll always keep it around along with Founding Fathers and Sidereal Confluence as an 'it's my birthday and I demand 5 people play this with me' game. Go buy one of the last X copies!
I would like it to be & I encourage publishers to reach out. Any new edition would need some development to address some balance issues & fussiness, while preserving the freewheeling negotiation & 6P player count. I don't have the time for that, and would need to trust whoever they engaged.
And is Westphalia about to be published by another publisher?
November 13, 2025 at 3:29 PM
I would like it to be & I encourage publishers to reach out. Any new edition would need some development to address some balance issues & fussiness, while preserving the freewheeling negotiation & 6P player count. I don't have the time for that, and would need to trust whoever they engaged.
Yes, as we do every year we'll be sending copies for them to distribute however they see fit (it will be sent whenever they make their next order). They'll have details if you inquire.
AWESOME! Will second chance have the freebie?
November 13, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Yes, as we do every year we'll be sending copies for them to distribute however they see fit (it will be sent whenever they make their next order). They'll have details if you inquire.
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Persuasion ⭐️ !!!
I’m so excited to finally get my hands on this game! @xoe.gay games get my brain firing with its innovative ideas about design and interaction.
I’m also looking forward for picking up City of Six Moons ⭐️ and The Field of the Cloth of Gold ⭐️
Maybe some Dual Gauge expansions too? 🤔
I’m so excited to finally get my hands on this game! @xoe.gay games get my brain firing with its innovative ideas about design and interaction.
I’m also looking forward for picking up City of Six Moons ⭐️ and The Field of the Cloth of Gold ⭐️
Maybe some Dual Gauge expansions too? 🤔
November 13, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Persuasion ⭐️ !!!
I’m so excited to finally get my hands on this game! @xoe.gay games get my brain firing with its innovative ideas about design and interaction.
I’m also looking forward for picking up City of Six Moons ⭐️ and The Field of the Cloth of Gold ⭐️
Maybe some Dual Gauge expansions too? 🤔
I’m so excited to finally get my hands on this game! @xoe.gay games get my brain firing with its innovative ideas about design and interaction.
I’m also looking forward for picking up City of Six Moons ⭐️ and The Field of the Cloth of Gold ⭐️
Maybe some Dual Gauge expansions too? 🤔
sale starts tomorrow at twelve a.m. eastern
November 13, 2025 at 3:20 PM
sale starts tomorrow at twelve a.m. eastern
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Amabel makes kickass video essays and I am delighted to see her recognized for them. @amabel.bsky.social
Prolific board game designer Amabel Holland has won the second annual Bobby Nunes Memorial Award - recognising exceptional discussion of cultural issues in historical gaming - for her video essay on Kurt Vonnegut's long-lost board game:
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
@amabel.bsky.social
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
@amabel.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Amabel makes kickass video essays and I am delighted to see her recognized for them. @amabel.bsky.social
more people should interview me; I am funny, charming, and informative
November 13, 2025 at 1:42 PM
more people should interview me; I am funny, charming, and informative
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Prolific board game designer Amabel Holland has won the second annual Bobby Nunes Memorial Award - recognising exceptional discussion of cultural issues in historical gaming - for her video essay on Kurt Vonnegut's long-lost board game:
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
@amabel.bsky.social
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
@amabel.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Prolific board game designer Amabel Holland has won the second annual Bobby Nunes Memorial Award - recognising exceptional discussion of cultural issues in historical gaming - for her video essay on Kurt Vonnegut's long-lost board game:
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
@amabel.bsky.social
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
@amabel.bsky.social
I don't think any one expansion is more or less accessible to non-wargamers than the others. The later expansions are better (crunchier, weirder, more balanced) but expect you to have some degree of mastery with the base game. Great Battles of Charles Lorraine my favorite (other than Doomed) 1/2
@amabel.bsky.social I'm looking to pick up Table Battles 2nd edition 1x expansion for the upcoming sale. Problem is, I can't decide what expansion I should get.
Which of the expansions would you recommend the most for someone likely to keep it historical but also try and play with non-wargamers?
Which of the expansions would you recommend the most for someone likely to keep it historical but also try and play with non-wargamers?
November 13, 2025 at 12:39 PM
I don't think any one expansion is more or less accessible to non-wargamers than the others. The later expansions are better (crunchier, weirder, more balanced) but expect you to have some degree of mastery with the base game. Great Battles of Charles Lorraine my favorite (other than Doomed) 1/2
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Persuasion looks great and is on my list.
Also if you're a weirdo like me that would enjoy games about currency manipulation... For-Ex 2 is something different that will delight you and wildly confuse any onlookers.
Also if you're a weirdo like me that would enjoy games about currency manipulation... For-Ex 2 is something different that will delight you and wildly confuse any onlookers.
November 13, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Persuasion looks great and is on my list.
Also if you're a weirdo like me that would enjoy games about currency manipulation... For-Ex 2 is something different that will delight you and wildly confuse any onlookers.
Also if you're a weirdo like me that would enjoy games about currency manipulation... For-Ex 2 is something different that will delight you and wildly confuse any onlookers.
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Sounds like a good time to grab some Hollandspiele games! I've written about two (so far) at SCM because they are fascinating designs...
Wars of Marcus Aurelius: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/crisis-man...
The Field of the Cloth of Gold: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/painful-ch...
Wars of Marcus Aurelius: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/crisis-man...
The Field of the Cloth of Gold: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/painful-ch...
November 13, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Sounds like a good time to grab some Hollandspiele games! I've written about two (so far) at SCM because they are fascinating designs...
Wars of Marcus Aurelius: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/crisis-man...
The Field of the Cloth of Gold: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/painful-ch...
Wars of Marcus Aurelius: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/crisis-man...
The Field of the Cloth of Gold: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/painful-ch...
flashback to the five month period where I was out publicly as trans but still using my deadname, explained as "but instead of being a tomboy, now I'm a tomgirl"
crazy thing is, I knew then my name was Amabel; I was trying to compromise with half-steps. But half was never going to be good enough.
crazy thing is, I knew then my name was Amabel; I was trying to compromise with half-steps. But half was never going to be good enough.
November 13, 2025 at 10:12 AM
flashback to the five month period where I was out publicly as trans but still using my deadname, explained as "but instead of being a tomboy, now I'm a tomgirl"
crazy thing is, I knew then my name was Amabel; I was trying to compromise with half-steps. But half was never going to be good enough.
crazy thing is, I knew then my name was Amabel; I was trying to compromise with half-steps. But half was never going to be good enough.
Reposted by Amabel Holland
every few years it's revealed that the NYT was sitting on information about some horrific thing that public knowledge of would have changed the country's course and for some reason a ton of people still give them money. you can play those games on other sites
November 12, 2025 at 10:41 PM
every few years it's revealed that the NYT was sitting on information about some horrific thing that public knowledge of would have changed the country's course and for some reason a ton of people still give them money. you can play those games on other sites
Reposted by Amabel Holland
GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH and HOUSE are bleak and mournful reckonings with both intimate and societal post-war conditions, realised in bold and terrifying ways. Pollution and grief as all-consuming monsters, deepening gaps between generations with further pain and isolation.
November 13, 2025 at 1:26 AM
GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH and HOUSE are bleak and mournful reckonings with both intimate and societal post-war conditions, realised in bold and terrifying ways. Pollution and grief as all-consuming monsters, deepening gaps between generations with further pain and isolation.
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Seriously.
I'm judging your fucking ass forever if you keep playing the NYT games after today.
The last **decade** of everyone's lives could have played out completely differently if a few people in charge at the New York Times hadn't buried the emails they've had.
I'm judging your fucking ass forever if you keep playing the NYT games after today.
The last **decade** of everyone's lives could have played out completely differently if a few people in charge at the New York Times hadn't buried the emails they've had.
every few years it's revealed that the NYT was sitting on information about some horrific thing that public knowledge of would have changed the country's course and for some reason a ton of people still give them money. you can play those games on other sites
November 13, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Seriously.
I'm judging your fucking ass forever if you keep playing the NYT games after today.
The last **decade** of everyone's lives could have played out completely differently if a few people in charge at the New York Times hadn't buried the emails they've had.
I'm judging your fucking ass forever if you keep playing the NYT games after today.
The last **decade** of everyone's lives could have played out completely differently if a few people in charge at the New York Times hadn't buried the emails they've had.
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Missed getting Oblique? Now’s your chance to get this Freddie the Great game on sale.
November 13, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Missed getting Oblique? Now’s your chance to get this Freddie the Great game on sale.
Reposted by Amabel Holland
This is a great time to pick up some Hollandspiele games!
I’m picking up a copy of Sykes-Picot by @rollplusfun.bsky.social and Persuasion by @xoe.gay
I’m picking up a copy of Sykes-Picot by @rollplusfun.bsky.social and Persuasion by @xoe.gay
November 13, 2025 at 1:33 AM
This is a great time to pick up some Hollandspiele games!
I’m picking up a copy of Sykes-Picot by @rollplusfun.bsky.social and Persuasion by @xoe.gay
I’m picking up a copy of Sykes-Picot by @rollplusfun.bsky.social and Persuasion by @xoe.gay
Reposted by Amabel Holland
ARE YA READY FOR PERSUASION ERRYBODY!?!??
Also grab Westphalia, the last remaining single digit copies are for sale like whoa
Also grab Westphalia, the last remaining single digit copies are for sale like whoa
November 13, 2025 at 1:09 AM
ARE YA READY FOR PERSUASION ERRYBODY!?!??
Also grab Westphalia, the last remaining single digit copies are for sale like whoa
Also grab Westphalia, the last remaining single digit copies are for sale like whoa
Reposted by Amabel Holland
If you’ve been waiting to pick up Sykes-Picot, this is a great time to do it! Definitely check out Persuasion by @xoe.gay!! Or Oblique or Table Battles or or or so many other great games from Hollandspiele!
November 13, 2025 at 12:40 AM
If you’ve been waiting to pick up Sykes-Picot, this is a great time to do it! Definitely check out Persuasion by @xoe.gay!! Or Oblique or Table Battles or or or so many other great games from Hollandspiele!