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
A rotating bike wheel to draft cards from!
December 16, 2024 at 4:10 PM
A rotating bike wheel to draft cards from!
Last is “Queen Bee” a tile shedding spelling game. Players start with a CVC word then must use their cards (Add, Change, and Remove) to alter the word and be the first to have no tiles remaining.
Worked the best with 5th grade.
Worked the best with 5th grade.
December 13, 2024 at 5:43 PM
Last is “Queen Bee” a tile shedding spelling game. Players start with a CVC word then must use their cards (Add, Change, and Remove) to alter the word and be the first to have no tiles remaining.
Worked the best with 5th grade.
Worked the best with 5th grade.
“Word Mountain” is a game about phonemes. Players have to match one side of a cube with the onset, median, or rime sounds to collectively build a mountain and be the first player to reach the summit.
Really stretches their brain as all sides are unique words, even with basic CVC
Really stretches their brain as all sides are unique words, even with basic CVC
December 13, 2024 at 5:39 PM
“Word Mountain” is a game about phonemes. Players have to match one side of a cube with the onset, median, or rime sounds to collectively build a mountain and be the first player to reach the summit.
Really stretches their brain as all sides are unique words, even with basic CVC
Really stretches their brain as all sides are unique words, even with basic CVC
Witch of the Words is a “say-and-move” game in which players, as witches, must move around the forest to collect ingredients, make forest friends, and brew potions.
Players draw a card with 3 words on it and say one of them to move 1-3 spaces and then take the action of the space they land on.
Players draw a card with 3 words on it and say one of them to move 1-3 spaces and then take the action of the space they land on.
December 13, 2024 at 5:35 PM
Witch of the Words is a “say-and-move” game in which players, as witches, must move around the forest to collect ingredients, make forest friends, and brew potions.
Players draw a card with 3 words on it and say one of them to move 1-3 spaces and then take the action of the space they land on.
Players draw a card with 3 words on it and say one of them to move 1-3 spaces and then take the action of the space they land on.
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!
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!
Got all 3 prototypes I’m bringing to PAXU packed! Chainbreakers, Paws of Anarchy, and Queen Bee.
Amazingly, they all also fit snugly in my messenger bag 🥳
Which prototypes of yours should I play??
Amazingly, they all also fit snugly in my messenger bag 🥳
Which prototypes of yours should I play??
December 4, 2024 at 2:19 AM
Got all 3 prototypes I’m bringing to PAXU packed! Chainbreakers, Paws of Anarchy, and Queen Bee.
Amazingly, they all also fit snugly in my messenger bag 🥳
Which prototypes of yours should I play??
Amazingly, they all also fit snugly in my messenger bag 🥳
Which prototypes of yours should I play??
5. Azul
I love the simplicity of this game and the constant little moments of feeling clever and tripping over my own Machiavellian plots.
One of the staples of game night back when I lived at Nottingham Cooperative.
I love the simplicity of this game and the constant little moments of feeling clever and tripping over my own Machiavellian plots.
One of the staples of game night back when I lived at Nottingham Cooperative.
December 2, 2024 at 11:20 PM
5. Azul
I love the simplicity of this game and the constant little moments of feeling clever and tripping over my own Machiavellian plots.
One of the staples of game night back when I lived at Nottingham Cooperative.
I love the simplicity of this game and the constant little moments of feeling clever and tripping over my own Machiavellian plots.
One of the staples of game night back when I lived at Nottingham Cooperative.
It spins!! Would not have been able to make this dang thing without my incredible (and incredibly crafty) partner ❤️
December 2, 2024 at 11:12 PM
It spins!! Would not have been able to make this dang thing without my incredible (and incredibly crafty) partner ❤️
4. Canvas
Aesthetic af, Canvas is one of the few games my family enjoys during the holidays, and so I’m grateful to never play Phase 10 again.
I love the card layering system that combines a pretty image with the myriad ways to choose your set collection bonuses. Very intuitive and easy to teach.
Aesthetic af, Canvas is one of the few games my family enjoys during the holidays, and so I’m grateful to never play Phase 10 again.
I love the card layering system that combines a pretty image with the myriad ways to choose your set collection bonuses. Very intuitive and easy to teach.
November 24, 2024 at 1:57 PM
4. Canvas
Aesthetic af, Canvas is one of the few games my family enjoys during the holidays, and so I’m grateful to never play Phase 10 again.
I love the card layering system that combines a pretty image with the myriad ways to choose your set collection bonuses. Very intuitive and easy to teach.
Aesthetic af, Canvas is one of the few games my family enjoys during the holidays, and so I’m grateful to never play Phase 10 again.
I love the card layering system that combines a pretty image with the myriad ways to choose your set collection bonuses. Very intuitive and easy to teach.
3. Evolution
No other game has hit the table as much as Evolution. Everything being driven by cards — as a resource to get food, gain new species, and traits — is so elegant and simple.
I strive to have a single action be multiple (or used as multiple) actions based on context in all my designs.
No other game has hit the table as much as Evolution. Everything being driven by cards — as a resource to get food, gain new species, and traits — is so elegant and simple.
I strive to have a single action be multiple (or used as multiple) actions based on context in all my designs.
November 24, 2024 at 1:51 PM
3. Evolution
No other game has hit the table as much as Evolution. Everything being driven by cards — as a resource to get food, gain new species, and traits — is so elegant and simple.
I strive to have a single action be multiple (or used as multiple) actions based on context in all my designs.
No other game has hit the table as much as Evolution. Everything being driven by cards — as a resource to get food, gain new species, and traits — is so elegant and simple.
I strive to have a single action be multiple (or used as multiple) actions based on context in all my designs.
2. Monarch
Monarch got me back into the modern hobby after I left in the late 2000s when I was in HS. While I’m not a fan of games about royalty, I do like the way I feel as though I’m creating a court through the simple market system.
As a designer, this one is near and dear to my heart.
Monarch got me back into the modern hobby after I left in the late 2000s when I was in HS. While I’m not a fan of games about royalty, I do like the way I feel as though I’m creating a court through the simple market system.
As a designer, this one is near and dear to my heart.
November 22, 2024 at 5:05 PM
2. Monarch
Monarch got me back into the modern hobby after I left in the late 2000s when I was in HS. While I’m not a fan of games about royalty, I do like the way I feel as though I’m creating a court through the simple market system.
As a designer, this one is near and dear to my heart.
Monarch got me back into the modern hobby after I left in the late 2000s when I was in HS. While I’m not a fan of games about royalty, I do like the way I feel as though I’m creating a court through the simple market system.
As a designer, this one is near and dear to my heart.
This was a regular play when I lived at Nottingham Coop. But more than the theme (which I think the hobby desperately needs more of), this is a really good semi-coop that I use for folks who want to get into heavier/longer games.
I mean, who doesn’t want to punch a cop?
I mean, who doesn’t want to punch a cop?
November 22, 2024 at 5:01 PM
This was a regular play when I lived at Nottingham Coop. But more than the theme (which I think the hobby desperately needs more of), this is a really good semi-coop that I use for folks who want to get into heavier/longer games.
I mean, who doesn’t want to punch a cop?
I mean, who doesn’t want to punch a cop?
Visited #MeowWolf in Denver yesterday. I haven’t felt that same sense of discovery since I first visited the City Museum in STL ~10 years ago.
November 18, 2024 at 3:41 AM
Visited #MeowWolf in Denver yesterday. I haven’t felt that same sense of discovery since I first visited the City Museum in STL ~10 years ago.
I love/hate the titles of Spotify day lists. Like, what are you trying to tell me??
September 12, 2024 at 6:24 PM
I love/hate the titles of Spotify day lists. Like, what are you trying to tell me??
One of my favorite parts of designing games is hiring and collaborating with friends to create something more than their individual parts.
I’m so stoked about these player emblems in my upcoming trick-taker Court of Swords. Which noble house do you like the most?
I’m so stoked about these player emblems in my upcoming trick-taker Court of Swords. Which noble house do you like the most?
June 26, 2024 at 2:07 PM
One of my favorite parts of designing games is hiring and collaborating with friends to create something more than their individual parts.
I’m so stoked about these player emblems in my upcoming trick-taker Court of Swords. Which noble house do you like the most?
I’m so stoked about these player emblems in my upcoming trick-taker Court of Swords. Which noble house do you like the most?
My incredibly talented housemate sent me this promo piece she made from the WIP cover for an upcoming micro game coming out in July.
Can you guess what it’s about?
Can you guess what it’s about?
March 29, 2024 at 3:13 AM
My incredibly talented housemate sent me this promo piece she made from the WIP cover for an upcoming micro game coming out in July.
Can you guess what it’s about?
Can you guess what it’s about?
With just 12 hours to go, I’m stoked that Panoply’s small project reached nearly 400% funded!
Learned a lot, but learning even more for our next campaign hopefully later this year. Most importantly, I think this shows that hand crafted games are viable.
Learned a lot, but learning even more for our next campaign hopefully later this year. Most importantly, I think this shows that hand crafted games are viable.
March 21, 2024 at 3:14 AM
With just 12 hours to go, I’m stoked that Panoply’s small project reached nearly 400% funded!
Learned a lot, but learning even more for our next campaign hopefully later this year. Most importantly, I think this shows that hand crafted games are viable.
Learned a lot, but learning even more for our next campaign hopefully later this year. Most importantly, I think this shows that hand crafted games are viable.
It's funny, going thru my current design journal, and see all the different games and ideas I've had the past few months.
Since helping to start Oracular Studios (a worker-owned arts collective) as a way for members to fund and cross-pollinate and produce in-house our individual projects...
Since helping to start Oracular Studios (a worker-owned arts collective) as a way for members to fund and cross-pollinate and produce in-house our individual projects...
October 8, 2023 at 2:39 PM
It's funny, going thru my current design journal, and see all the different games and ideas I've had the past few months.
Since helping to start Oracular Studios (a worker-owned arts collective) as a way for members to fund and cross-pollinate and produce in-house our individual projects...
Since helping to start Oracular Studios (a worker-owned arts collective) as a way for members to fund and cross-pollinate and produce in-house our individual projects...