Kyle Cushman
@goatgruff.bsky.social
educator & union organizer
former bike mechanic
board game designer
ardently antifascist
he/they
madison, wi based
former bike mechanic
board game designer
ardently antifascist
he/they
madison, wi based
Pinned
Kyle Cushman
@goatgruff.bsky.social
· Sep 21
Non Serviam - Voices of the Raging Masses | Nottingham Co-op - Madison, WI | Jan 20, 2024
YouTube video by Steven James
youtu.be
Just realized that a friend posted my birthday/farewell show when I moved out from my coop and stepped down from running shows. 6 years since we performed together!!
youtu.be/oRTCj7dZNWs?...
youtu.be/oRTCj7dZNWs?...
Honored that you asked me to help sell Adulting at IGNM this year :) It's a great game and I think a lot of people saw it as the fun and charming package it is.
Adulting sold out at the Indie Games Night Market! It warms my heart to know this game is out there in the world bringing people joy. Thank you Kyle for helping me run the booth, and thanks to everyone that made IGNM a reality!!
November 29, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Honored that you asked me to help sell Adulting at IGNM this year :) It's a great game and I think a lot of people saw it as the fun and charming package it is.
Reposted by Kyle Cushman
The leadership of the Tabletop Game Designers Association was disappointed to see the publisher CGE touting Codenames: Back to Hogwarts, a new Harry Potter-themed version of Codenames.
July 29, 2025 at 1:55 AM
The leadership of the Tabletop Game Designers Association was disappointed to see the publisher CGE touting Codenames: Back to Hogwarts, a new Harry Potter-themed version of Codenames.
Got feedback from @cardboardedison.com and I'm incredibly happy with what was said about Chainbreakers, even if it's not a winner
I got some work to streamline the game more (isn't that always true?) but knowing that the core foundation of the game is a solid experience is worth its weight in gold.
I got some work to streamline the game more (isn't that always true?) but knowing that the core foundation of the game is a solid experience is worth its weight in gold.
May 20, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Got feedback from @cardboardedison.com and I'm incredibly happy with what was said about Chainbreakers, even if it's not a winner
I got some work to streamline the game more (isn't that always true?) but knowing that the core foundation of the game is a solid experience is worth its weight in gold.
I got some work to streamline the game more (isn't that always true?) but knowing that the core foundation of the game is a solid experience is worth its weight in gold.
Way cool to see Chainbreakers played in the wild!!
Fixing some bikes in Chainbreakers by Kyle Cushman. Finalist details at cardboardedison.com/award
April 9, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Way cool to see Chainbreakers played in the wild!!
Reposted by Kyle Cushman
🎲✂️ Learn my secrets to get your game signed with a publisher (without spending $$$ to go to a Con) in this @breakmygame.com webinar recording! www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ew5...
Pitch Online and Get Signed - with Jeff Grisenthwaite
YouTube video by BMG
www.youtube.com
March 20, 2025 at 9:19 PM
🎲✂️ Learn my secrets to get your game signed with a publisher (without spending $$$ to go to a Con) in this @breakmygame.com webinar recording! www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ew5...
It’s always a good learning experience when you get to playtest with folks who aren’t designers or otherwise immersed in the hobby. A lot of folks don’t have the experience to fill in gaps and correctly assume how a mechanic works.
What are some learning experiences you’ve had with non-designers?
What are some learning experiences you’ve had with non-designers?
March 6, 2025 at 2:56 PM
It’s always a good learning experience when you get to playtest with folks who aren’t designers or otherwise immersed in the hobby. A lot of folks don’t have the experience to fill in gaps and correctly assume how a mechanic works.
What are some learning experiences you’ve had with non-designers?
What are some learning experiences you’ve had with non-designers?
Reposted by Kyle Cushman
Reconstruct ancient Greek pottery, decode an alien language and watch your money burn in real time: Cardboard Edison nominees revealed as unpublished games award celebrates 10th year:
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
@cardboardedison.com
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
@cardboardedison.com
March 4, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Reconstruct ancient Greek pottery, decode an alien language and watch your money burn in real time: Cardboard Edison nominees revealed as unpublished games award celebrates 10th year:
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
@cardboardedison.com
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
@cardboardedison.com
So excited to share that Chainbreakers is a finalist for the Cardboard Edison Award!!
I’m even more stoked, though, that about half the games were put through the wringer with @breakmygame.com and @protospielo.bsky.social.
It takes a community to build great games, and I’m grateful for mine ❤️
I’m even more stoked, though, that about half the games were put through the wringer with @breakmygame.com and @protospielo.bsky.social.
It takes a community to build great games, and I’m grateful for mine ❤️
Introducing the FINALISTS FOR THE 2025 CARDBOARD EDISON AWARD!!! cardboardedison.com/award
February 27, 2025 at 2:48 PM
So excited to share that Chainbreakers is a finalist for the Cardboard Edison Award!!
I’m even more stoked, though, that about half the games were put through the wringer with @breakmygame.com and @protospielo.bsky.social.
It takes a community to build great games, and I’m grateful for mine ❤️
I’m even more stoked, though, that about half the games were put through the wringer with @breakmygame.com and @protospielo.bsky.social.
It takes a community to build great games, and I’m grateful for mine ❤️
I'm so excited to see what these folks come up with.
From playing their games over the past year, I'm inspired to make some unranked, narrative-focused designs.
From playing their games over the past year, I'm inspired to make some unranked, narrative-focused designs.
Do you have an unranked game you love? Or maybe one you're working on? We want to hear about it!
We want to celebrate unranked games because games should be about more than one player's victory, or one narrow idea of winning. After all . . .
the night is for everyone.
🧵/🧵
We want to celebrate unranked games because games should be about more than one player's victory, or one narrow idea of winning. After all . . .
the night is for everyone.
🧵/🧵
February 23, 2025 at 5:46 PM
I'm so excited to see what these folks come up with.
From playing their games over the past year, I'm inspired to make some unranked, narrative-focused designs.
From playing their games over the past year, I'm inspired to make some unranked, narrative-focused designs.
I hate making sizzle reels for games. It’s a big reason I haven’t done much pitching. It’s a thing I have to do which gives me zero joy.
Does anyone have advice on pushing thru this process?
Does anyone have advice on pushing thru this process?
December 27, 2024 at 10:35 PM
I hate making sizzle reels for games. It’s a big reason I haven’t done much pitching. It’s a thing I have to do which gives me zero joy.
Does anyone have advice on pushing thru this process?
Does anyone have advice on pushing thru this process?
Reposted by Kyle Cushman
You don't have enough contempt for the New York Times.
December 12, 2024 at 8:39 PM
You don't have enough contempt for the New York Times.
Bike lanes don’t slow down traffic: intersections do. Segregated bike lanes save lives.
In my city of Madison, WI — considered among the most bikeable — I cycle past multiple ghost bikes every day.
More and bigger cars aren’t the answer. Stroads aren’t the answer. I want transportation to be safe.
In my city of Madison, WI — considered among the most bikeable — I cycle past multiple ghost bikes every day.
More and bigger cars aren’t the answer. Stroads aren’t the answer. I want transportation to be safe.
The World's Dumbest Bike Lane Law Just Passed in Canada
YouTube video by Not Just Bikes
youtu.be
December 12, 2024 at 5:23 PM
Bike lanes don’t slow down traffic: intersections do. Segregated bike lanes save lives.
In my city of Madison, WI — considered among the most bikeable — I cycle past multiple ghost bikes every day.
More and bigger cars aren’t the answer. Stroads aren’t the answer. I want transportation to be safe.
In my city of Madison, WI — considered among the most bikeable — I cycle past multiple ghost bikes every day.
More and bigger cars aren’t the answer. Stroads aren’t the answer. I want transportation to be safe.
Reposted by Kyle Cushman
wrote about the media frenzy following Daniel Penny's acquittal for murdering Jordan Neely, and the disparity in the NYPD's reaction to finding Luigi Mangione, vs the stabbing of 17-year-old Yeremi Colino—about a country making some lives more valuable than others. @teenvogue.bsky.social
Why Does the UnitedHealthcare CEO'S Death Matter More Jordan Neely's?
The difference in media treatment, and in punishment, for killing seems to depend on how much money the person was worth.
www.teenvogue.com
December 11, 2024 at 9:35 PM
wrote about the media frenzy following Daniel Penny's acquittal for murdering Jordan Neely, and the disparity in the NYPD's reaction to finding Luigi Mangione, vs the stabbing of 17-year-old Yeremi Colino—about a country making some lives more valuable than others. @teenvogue.bsky.social
Reposted by Kyle Cushman
Luigi Mangione was taken into custody just as Daniel Penny walked free.
The ruling class wants us to celebrate the murder of the vulnerable and condemn the murder of the powerful.
They fail to see how killing the powerless breeds violence against the powerful.
www.jphilll.com/p/who-gets-t...
The ruling class wants us to celebrate the murder of the vulnerable and condemn the murder of the powerful.
They fail to see how killing the powerless breeds violence against the powerful.
www.jphilll.com/p/who-gets-t...
Who gets to kill?
Daniel Penny and Luigi Mangione
www.jphilll.com
December 11, 2024 at 4:40 PM
Luigi Mangione was taken into custody just as Daniel Penny walked free.
The ruling class wants us to celebrate the murder of the vulnerable and condemn the murder of the powerful.
They fail to see how killing the powerless breeds violence against the powerful.
www.jphilll.com/p/who-gets-t...
The ruling class wants us to celebrate the murder of the vulnerable and condemn the murder of the powerful.
They fail to see how killing the powerless breeds violence against the powerful.
www.jphilll.com/p/who-gets-t...
Reposted by Kyle Cushman
Kyle Rittenhouse is allowed to get away with murder. Daniel Penny is allowed to get away with murder. Cops get away with murder all the time. The people pearl clutching about this CEO killing are really concerned with who was killed, not the act of killing.
December 10, 2024 at 3:30 AM
Kyle Rittenhouse is allowed to get away with murder. Daniel Penny is allowed to get away with murder. Cops get away with murder all the time. The people pearl clutching about this CEO killing are really concerned with who was killed, not the act of killing.
Reposted by Kyle Cushman
December 10, 2024 at 4:17 AM
Reposted by Kyle Cushman
“As NYPD officials boasted of the resources expended finding the killer of a corporate CEO, another sidewalk murder the same week, of a migrant teen, has not received the same treatment.” hellgatenyc.com/two-manhatta...
Two Very Different Manhattan Murder Investigations
The NYPD spent countless hours and resources searching for a CEO’s killer, but has made little evident progress on the fatal stabbing of a migrant teen.
hellgatenyc.com
December 10, 2024 at 4:43 AM
“As NYPD officials boasted of the resources expended finding the killer of a corporate CEO, another sidewalk murder the same week, of a migrant teen, has not received the same treatment.” hellgatenyc.com/two-manhatta...
Playing a Hello Kitty tile laying game with my wonderful partner ❤️ Very cute and simple game to introduce some great board game mechanics!
December 7, 2024 at 6:15 PM
Playing a Hello Kitty tile laying game with my wonderful partner ❤️ Very cute and simple game to introduce some great board game mechanics!
Reposted by Kyle Cushman
Newly elected Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Greg Casar is already cooking
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
December 7, 2024 at 2:55 AM
Newly elected Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Greg Casar is already cooking
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
Got a couple plays of Chainbreakers done in the Unpub room! Really happy how the game is playing and lost horrendously both times (which I love).
Got lots to think thru to help streamline and make it the little bit faster it needs to be “done”!
#PAXUnplugged
Got lots to think thru to help streamline and make it the little bit faster it needs to be “done”!
#PAXUnplugged
December 7, 2024 at 12:18 AM
Got a couple plays of Chainbreakers done in the Unpub room! Really happy how the game is playing and lost horrendously both times (which I love).
Got lots to think thru to help streamline and make it the little bit faster it needs to be “done”!
#PAXUnplugged
Got lots to think thru to help streamline and make it the little bit faster it needs to be “done”!
#PAXUnplugged
Second game at #PAXUnplugged: Suitcase by Marni Abramowitz, another @breakmygame.com designer!
I’ve always appreciated her designs breathing new life into classic games.
I’ve always appreciated her designs breathing new life into classic games.
December 6, 2024 at 6:17 PM
Second game at #PAXUnplugged: Suitcase by Marni Abramowitz, another @breakmygame.com designer!
I’ve always appreciated her designs breathing new life into classic games.
I’ve always appreciated her designs breathing new life into classic games.
First game of #PAXU: Wolfchains by @vickilanger.bsky.social!
We successfully built a thriving ecosystem ensured that nothing starved.
I’ve had the pleasure of playing this game at @breakmygame.com in the past. Really excited to see how it’s shaping up!!
We successfully built a thriving ecosystem ensured that nothing starved.
I’ve had the pleasure of playing this game at @breakmygame.com in the past. Really excited to see how it’s shaping up!!
December 6, 2024 at 3:53 PM
First game of #PAXU: Wolfchains by @vickilanger.bsky.social!
We successfully built a thriving ecosystem ensured that nothing starved.
I’ve had the pleasure of playing this game at @breakmygame.com in the past. Really excited to see how it’s shaping up!!
We successfully built a thriving ecosystem ensured that nothing starved.
I’ve had the pleasure of playing this game at @breakmygame.com in the past. Really excited to see how it’s shaping up!!
Spending most of my Friday in the Unpub room at #PAXU ! I’m testing Chainbreakers and Paws of Anarchy at 2pm today and 8pm tomorrow!!
Come say hello and build some bikes with me!
Come say hello and build some bikes with me!
December 6, 2024 at 2:50 PM
Spending most of my Friday in the Unpub room at #PAXU ! I’m testing Chainbreakers and Paws of Anarchy at 2pm today and 8pm tomorrow!!
Come say hello and build some bikes with me!
Come say hello and build some bikes with me!
Reposted by Kyle Cushman
counterpoint: sports gambling should be banned and draftkings dismantled for parts
A craze for betting is sweeping over America. It should be celebrated, not feared econ.st/4fYTrIL
December 5, 2024 at 5:37 PM
counterpoint: sports gambling should be banned and draftkings dismantled for parts
Reposted by Kyle Cushman
The Luddites were right.
December 4, 2024 at 6:48 PM
The Luddites were right.