Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
@gengelstein.bsky.social
Boardgame enthusiast, podcaster, books: Building Blocks of Tabletop Game Design, Universe Explained with a Cookie games: Versailles 1919 and Super Skill Pinball. He/him
https://open.substack.com/pub/gametek
https://open.substack.com/pub/gametek
Pinned
Me: Gosh, year N was bad. Looking forward to N+1!
N+1: Hold my beer.
(Just saving future me some time)
(First posted in 2020)
N+1: Hold my beer.
(Just saving future me some time)
(First posted in 2020)
Just reviewed the worst game licensing contract I've seen in the 200+ I've reviewed for @ttgda.bsky.social so far.
Not naming names yet, but if they refuse to change it we may have to call them out.
Not naming names yet, but if they refuse to change it we may have to call them out.
November 11, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Just reviewed the worst game licensing contract I've seen in the 200+ I've reviewed for @ttgda.bsky.social so far.
Not naming names yet, but if they refuse to change it we may have to call them out.
Not naming names yet, but if they refuse to change it we may have to call them out.
US patent office is reconsidering a recent Nintendo patent on creatures battling.
aftermath.site/uspto-pokemo...
aftermath.site/uspto-pokemo...
Pokémon Battle Patent Reexamination A 'Disruption Of The Normal Status Quo,' Says IP Law Expert - Aftermath
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has ordered the reexamination of a controversial battling patent.
aftermath.site
November 7, 2025 at 4:37 PM
US patent office is reconsidering a recent Nintendo patent on creatures battling.
aftermath.site/uspto-pokemo...
aftermath.site/uspto-pokemo...
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
I am excited to be coordinating a couple panels about game design at #BGG.CON in two weeks. I'm new to this so it's kind of an adventure. Wish me luck!
November 7, 2025 at 3:27 AM
I am excited to be coordinating a couple panels about game design at #BGG.CON in two weeks. I'm new to this so it's kind of an adventure. Wish me luck!
As an additional bellwether - my town of Bridgewater NJ has had an all-Republican town council for over ten years. Yesterday three out of five seats were on the ballot, and all went to dems, flipping control.
We’re also part of the 7th congressional district, currently R, but very flippable.
We’re also part of the 7th congressional district, currently R, but very flippable.
November 5, 2025 at 12:34 PM
As an additional bellwether - my town of Bridgewater NJ has had an all-Republican town council for over ten years. Yesterday three out of five seats were on the ballot, and all went to dems, flipping control.
We’re also part of the 7th congressional district, currently R, but very flippable.
We’re also part of the 7th congressional district, currently R, but very flippable.
MIKEY SHERRILL!
November 5, 2025 at 3:02 AM
MIKEY SHERRILL!
A Halloween parade float in Hanover, PA included a facsimile of the famous gates of Auschwitz. The designer says "oops, my bad".
I am just reeling at this. I shouldn't be surprised anymore, yet here I am again.
www.pennlive.com/news/2025/11...
I am just reeling at this. I shouldn't be surprised anymore, yet here I am again.
www.pennlive.com/news/2025/11...
November 4, 2025 at 2:47 AM
A Halloween parade float in Hanover, PA included a facsimile of the famous gates of Auschwitz. The designer says "oops, my bad".
I am just reeling at this. I shouldn't be surprised anymore, yet here I am again.
www.pennlive.com/news/2025/11...
I am just reeling at this. I shouldn't be surprised anymore, yet here I am again.
www.pennlive.com/news/2025/11...
I donated blood this weekend - fourth donation of the year!
If you can, please, please consider donating as well. It's quick, basically painless, and you will save a life.
And get free cookies.
www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/fi...
www.nybc.org
If you can, please, please consider donating as well. It's quick, basically painless, and you will save a life.
And get free cookies.
www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/fi...
www.nybc.org
www.redcrossblood.org
November 3, 2025 at 2:56 AM
I donated blood this weekend - fourth donation of the year!
If you can, please, please consider donating as well. It's quick, basically painless, and you will save a life.
And get free cookies.
www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/fi...
www.nybc.org
If you can, please, please consider donating as well. It's quick, basically painless, and you will save a life.
And get free cookies.
www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/fi...
www.nybc.org
I’ve never wanted to do anything more in my life than go through this door.
October 31, 2025 at 2:37 AM
I’ve never wanted to do anything more in my life than go through this door.
New 'digital board game screen' product announced, called BOARD.
www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2...
I've seen these come and go, always around this $500, and they never seem to stick. Like this one: arcade1up.com/products/inf...
www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2...
I've seen these come and go, always around this $500, and they never seem to stick. Like this one: arcade1up.com/products/inf...
Can this new gadget fix screen fatigue?
Board, a tabletop console, is to be unveiled on stage at TechCrunch Disrupt
www.usatoday.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:12 PM
New 'digital board game screen' product announced, called BOARD.
www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2...
I've seen these come and go, always around this $500, and they never seem to stick. Like this one: arcade1up.com/products/inf...
www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2...
I've seen these come and go, always around this $500, and they never seem to stick. Like this one: arcade1up.com/products/inf...
Orbital mechanics are fun!
Another mini-moon? Maybe. Newly discovered 2025 US6 is officially listed as an asteroid.
Unlike our quasi-moon 2025 PN7, this one is actually bound to Earth, for now.
Its orbit is pure chaos. Enjoy it while it lasts. It’ll probably be demoted to space junk.
Unlike our quasi-moon 2025 PN7, this one is actually bound to Earth, for now.
Its orbit is pure chaos. Enjoy it while it lasts. It’ll probably be demoted to space junk.
October 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Orbital mechanics are fun!
New GameTek! Top 10 Unnecessary Components
What would be on your list?
🎲✂️
gametek.substack.com/p/top-10-unn...
What would be on your list?
🎲✂️
gametek.substack.com/p/top-10-unn...
Top 10 Unnecessary Components
and why they are necessary
gametek.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:31 AM
New GameTek! Top 10 Unnecessary Components
What would be on your list?
🎲✂️
gametek.substack.com/p/top-10-unn...
What would be on your list?
🎲✂️
gametek.substack.com/p/top-10-unn...
Had a chance to playtest "Journeys Afar" at Gencon - it's a really fun and immersive adventure game spanning multiple worlds. Just launched on Kickstarter!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ibc...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ibc...
Journeys Afar: The Ketsueki
Welcome to Journeys Afar, where infinite worlds filled with boundless possibilities are connected by a single road: the Ketsueki.
www.kickstarter.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Had a chance to playtest "Journeys Afar" at Gencon - it's a really fun and immersive adventure game spanning multiple worlds. Just launched on Kickstarter!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ibc...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ibc...
THE DATE SORTING ON MY PROPERTY TAX BILL IS DRIVING ME INSANE.
October 21, 2025 at 2:03 AM
THE DATE SORTING ON MY PROPERTY TAX BILL IS DRIVING ME INSANE.
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
We were pleased to hear that @cmyk.games will include the designer on their packaging in the future.
Their box artwork, while striking, was ultimately a disappointment for hiding the contribution of the designer and other creatives that worked on the game.
Thanks to all that voiced your concern.
Their box artwork, while striking, was ultimately a disappointment for hiding the contribution of the designer and other creatives that worked on the game.
Thanks to all that voiced your concern.
October 20, 2025 at 12:28 AM
We were pleased to hear that @cmyk.games will include the designer on their packaging in the future.
Their box artwork, while striking, was ultimately a disappointment for hiding the contribution of the designer and other creatives that worked on the game.
Thanks to all that voiced your concern.
Their box artwork, while striking, was ultimately a disappointment for hiding the contribution of the designer and other creatives that worked on the game.
Thanks to all that voiced your concern.
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
3 Witches designed by TTGDA member @coreyyoung.bsky.social from @allplay.bsky.social will be available at Spiel Essen.
Check out this unique trick-taking game that does a lot with only 18 cards and asymmetric play.
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/44...
Check out this unique trick-taking game that does a lot with only 18 cards and asymmetric play.
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/44...
3 Witches
The three witches can’t agree—every trick is a 2 vs 1 battle for the cauldron!
boardgamegeek.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:46 PM
3 Witches designed by TTGDA member @coreyyoung.bsky.social from @allplay.bsky.social will be available at Spiel Essen.
Check out this unique trick-taking game that does a lot with only 18 cards and asymmetric play.
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/44...
Check out this unique trick-taking game that does a lot with only 18 cards and asymmetric play.
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/44...
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
Again, it is a full-blown federal felony crime for anyone in the White House or Executive Office of the President to order tax investigations into anyone.
And it's not just a crime to DO it, it's even a federal crime for an employee not to REPORT such an order to the Treasury Inspector General.
And it's not just a crime to DO it, it's even a federal crime for an employee not to REPORT such an order to the Treasury Inspector General.
October 16, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Again, it is a full-blown federal felony crime for anyone in the White House or Executive Office of the President to order tax investigations into anyone.
And it's not just a crime to DO it, it's even a federal crime for an employee not to REPORT such an order to the Treasury Inspector General.
And it's not just a crime to DO it, it's even a federal crime for an employee not to REPORT such an order to the Treasury Inspector General.
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
Look what turned up in this JPN travel vlog:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=2pJw...
@gengelstein.bsky.social @danielsolis.bsky.social
m.youtube.com/watch?v=2pJw...
@gengelstein.bsky.social @danielsolis.bsky.social
海外で買ってきた雑貨＆日用品｜デザイナーの自分みやげ【2024年上半期編】My Favorite Souvenirs from Early 2024!
YouTube video by baggage by YUKA MORII
m.youtube.com
October 14, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Look what turned up in this JPN travel vlog:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=2pJw...
@gengelstein.bsky.social @danielsolis.bsky.social
m.youtube.com/watch?v=2pJw...
@gengelstein.bsky.social @danielsolis.bsky.social
Casual Games for Protesters
Simple games for marches, rallies, and occupations.
www.protestgames.org
October 13, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Very much enjoyed the Peacemaker finale!
October 10, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Very much enjoyed the Peacemaker finale!
Congrats to my alma mater, MIT, for rejecting the 'compact' the Trump administration asked top colleges to sign in exchange for 'preferential' treatment on federal research grants.
Original story here: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
Original story here: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
October 10, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Congrats to my alma mater, MIT, for rejecting the 'compact' the Trump administration asked top colleges to sign in exchange for 'preferential' treatment on federal research grants.
Original story here: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
Original story here: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
So… a eurogame?
October 9, 2025 at 1:04 AM
So… a eurogame?
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
We were recently contacted by one of our members about a publisher missing a series of royalty payments on a popular game. We reached out to the publisher on behalf of the designer and were able to get them paid within a few days.
Learn more about the benefits of membership at ttgda.org
Learn more about the benefits of membership at ttgda.org
Tabletop Game Designers Association
Home page for the Tabletop Game Designers Association
ttgda.org
October 8, 2025 at 1:47 AM
We were recently contacted by one of our members about a publisher missing a series of royalty payments on a popular game. We reached out to the publisher on behalf of the designer and were able to get them paid within a few days.
Learn more about the benefits of membership at ttgda.org
Learn more about the benefits of membership at ttgda.org
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
Deux nouveaux bouquins dans la collection CRC Press Guide To Tabletop Games (dirigée par @gengelstein.bsky.social si j'ai bien compris) :
- Worldbuilding for Game Designers (Steve Dee) www.routledge.com/Worldbuildin...
- Playtesting Best Practices (Chris Backe) www.routledge.com/Playtesting-...
- Worldbuilding for Game Designers (Steve Dee) www.routledge.com/Worldbuildin...
- Playtesting Best Practices (Chris Backe) www.routledge.com/Playtesting-...
October 7, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Deux nouveaux bouquins dans la collection CRC Press Guide To Tabletop Games (dirigée par @gengelstein.bsky.social si j'ai bien compris) :
- Worldbuilding for Game Designers (Steve Dee) www.routledge.com/Worldbuildin...
- Playtesting Best Practices (Chris Backe) www.routledge.com/Playtesting-...
- Worldbuilding for Game Designers (Steve Dee) www.routledge.com/Worldbuildin...
- Playtesting Best Practices (Chris Backe) www.routledge.com/Playtesting-...
Why is everyone younger than me now?
October 1, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Why is everyone younger than me now?
In the moment I enjoyed the Fantastic Four movie more than Superman. But I've thought about Superman frequently, whereas I barely remember anything about FF.
September 30, 2025 at 1:27 PM
In the moment I enjoyed the Fantastic Four movie more than Superman. But I've thought about Superman frequently, whereas I barely remember anything about FF.