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hollandspiele.bsky.social
Hollandspiele
@hollandspiele.bsky.social
2.7K followers 120 following 200 posts
Dinosaurs everybody. Posts by Mary, who along with @amabel.bsky.social runs Hollandspiele, a publisher of weird games for weird people.

https://hollandspiele.com
https://youtube.com/@hollandspiele
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hollandspiele.bsky.social
Nine years of Hollandspiele! Thank you for supporting us.

We're having a flash sale now through Sunday, offering a $9 discount on five of Amabel's games.
August 15, 2025 at 3:06 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
CONFESSIONS OF A BELINKER 4 / 4
I absolutely adore this convoluted soap opera stuff, and so it’s no surprise it’s when that kicks into high gear - after the books pivot from near-plotless picaresque to espionage spoof - that I really fell in love with the series. Though the first three books contain some of my favorite characters and moments - Jim’s transplant, Giselle’s hen-do, the utterly grim incompetence of Ken Dewsbury’s cellar turned bachelor pad - it’s the spy stuff I look forward to the most whenever I revisit the books. I’ve done so a few times in the last five years. Though my life is filled with joy, it is not, strictly speaking, the best moment in world history to be a trans lesbian living in America. And so Belinda, Bella, and all their friends have continued to be a comfort. These people and the strange, silly world they inhabit have become quite dear to me. And so imagine my surprise and my delight when I got an email from Rocky Flintstone asking if I wanted to do a Belinda Blinked board game. I’ve never done a licensed game before, and had assumed that would remain the case. I’m not the kind of designer and Hollandspiele isn’t the kind of company where that kind of thing is usually feasible. Like, I love Godzilla but no one’s gonna let me within a hundred feet of designing or publishing (ha!) a Godzilla game. But, Belinda Blinked isn’t necessarily the kind of property that the people who make Godzilla board games would want to touch. And so, in a way, I’m sort of the perfect fit to make a jet-setting deal-making calendar-managing game based on this property. People expecting a salacious or titillating game from Belinda’s Big Bonus are going to be disappointed, but, in a way, people expecting salacious or titillating books from Belinda Blinked would be, too. While they’re stuffed to the lids with sex, they’re not really “dirty” books. I think that’s because Rocky doesn’t write the sex as dirty or shameful. It’s always treated as something joyful and exuberant. And I wanted to make …
July 28, 2025 at 2:18 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
CONFESSIONS OF A BELINKER 3 / 4
And none of these characters are particularly nuanced or complex, but boy, there sure a lot of them. In that sense, the books remind me of nineteenth century literature. Which isn’t to say that these books give me the same kinds or depths of pleasure as Austen or Trollope. Only that we have a large cast of characters, often defined by one or two traits or ambitions, tied together in a complex web of professional, romantic, and familial relationships. (Here there is a diagram showing a small sampling of important character relationships.) Belinda is betrayed by her best friend, Giselle, who works for Bisch to pay for the medical treatment of her own mother’s “weird illness that’s ill-defined and hard to say”. Which is, again, a line that’s funny on purpose.
July 28, 2025 at 2:18 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
CONFESSIONS OF A BELINKER 2 / 4
Rocky’s prose is often joyfully inappropriate and quite playful. There’s a moment in the first chapter of Belinda Blinked 4 where Belinda struggles to find a parking spot at Giselle’s wedding: Belinda parked her jaguar in the last available space in the very large Church carpark. “Good God,” she thought, and then remembered she was on hallowed ground, “Sorry God, but I didn’t really think so many people would be here.” God nodded, even he was surprised if truth be told. “God nodded” slays me every single time. It’s a perfect joke. And it’s also a nice character beat for Belinda to be surprised people would want to attend Giselle’s wedding. One of my favorite running gags is that Belinda is loyal, kind, and optimistic to your face, but often quite catty when there’s no one around. In the ad copy for Belinda Blinked 6, Rocky refers to himself as the “author who put the ‘rot’ in Erotica” and trumpets the many “totally forgettable characters” – a degree of cheeky self-awareness that runs throughout the books. But I actually think his characters are, to borrow one of his phrases, “instantly rememorable.” Herr Bisch is a cartoon supervillain, whose rapidly deteriorating body is as much of a gross-out gag as Jim Sterling’s penis transplant. (Like “God nodded”, Bisch’s “stinky gentleman woof” ends me every time.) Des Martin is a sad sack par excellence, too hapless and repulsive to be truly pitied. And I love Bella Ridley with all my heart. Belinda uses sex to get what she wants, but what Bella wants is sex. She is a creature of pure and unashamed appetites – always eager to eat or to fuck or to drink, and to do all these things in great quantities. Only Bella would wake from a coma because people nearby were having sex without her.
July 28, 2025 at 2:18 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
Included in the game's rulebook is "Confessions of a Belinker", Amabel's personal account of why she loves these books.

1 / 4
CONFESSIONS OF A BELINKER. Like many people, I first came to Rocky Flintstone’s work through the podcast “My Dad Wrote a Porno”. I stumbled across it in 2020. It was an especially vulnerable time in my life. In addition to the pandemic, I had finally accepted myself as a queer trans woman. Or, to be more precise, I knew I was queer and trans, but didn’t know if I was going to do anything about it. The idea of casting off my old life for an uncertain and dangerous future felt impossible and absurd. The only thing more terrifying than chasing what I really wanted was recognizing how easy it would be to remain within the tight confines of my slow, dead life. Belinda’s misadventures provided distraction and comfort. When I didn’t want to think about everything, when I didn’t want to feel any of it, I binged the show, one episode after another. People so often look down on “escapism”, so often diminish it, but I needed escape. In order to move forward, I needed time away from the constant shocks of pain and terror. Before I reached the end of the fifth series, I had made my decision. When I tell the story of how I became Amabel, I don’t usually mention the dozens of hours I spent with Belinda. It’s not because I’m embarrassed of it being smut. I’m openly quite promiscuous, and have centered my life post-transition around the pursuit of pleasure without shame or apology. In a way, Belinda and Bella are girls after my own heart. Role models, even. I have myself written smut, and talked publicly about how it helped me find community. So what gives? What gives is I find it difficult to communicate the nature and genuineness of my affection for these books. Because I’m not enjoying it “ironically”. It’s not “so bad it’s good”. There are certainly ways in which one could argue it is “bad”. The sex scenes aren’t really arousing (and in some cases, aren’t anatomically feasible). The punctuation and spelling are, uh, idiosyncratic. But my enjoyment isn’t rooted in laughing at the…
July 28, 2025 at 2:18 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
In Belinda's Big Bonus, 2-4 players join Steele's sales team. Work with Belinda, Bella, and all your favorite characters, jetting around the world to land big business deals. Will you be part of a new Glee Team? Or will betray your friends for a payday from the Wickedish Herr Wolfgang Bisch?
A section of the game map, depicting several nodes (Edinburgh, London, Epsom, Amsterdam, East Berlin) connected by dotted lines. Four of the nodes have special events associated with them – a Factory Tour, the Steele’s Tombola, a Fancy Dinner Party, and a Garden Party. Also visible is a hand of four cards, portraying the characters Bella Ridley, Toffee Apple Chew, Sam the Youngish Manager, and Jail Man.
July 28, 2025 at 2:18 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
The game is designed by @amabel.bsky.social , a Belinker herself! A regular-ish edition will be offered via Hollandspiele's website & through its UK partner, while a special expanded Belinkers Edition will be sold exclusively via Rocky's Pavilion (the author’s etsy store).
Back of the box. A picture of Rocky is accompanied by PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS OF ROCKY FLINTSTONE: “the man who puts the ‘rot’ in ‘erotica’...”(Chortle Magazine), “It is truly a masterpiece.” (Dan Levy), “Bloody Genius” (Dame Emma Thompson). A photo of Amabel is accompnaied by PRAISE FOR THE GAMES OF AMABEL HOLLAND: “a designer who stretches and strains the medium to its absolute boundaries” (Dan Thurot), “Widely considered one of today’s most innovative game designers” (The New Yorker). Back cover copy informs us that: Rocky Flintstone’s “Belinda Blinked” novels have been enjoyed by millions around the globe. These cult classics defy genre, combining espionage thriller, character comedy, unusual pornography, and, of course, business & leadership advice to tell the story of Belinda Blumenthal, the International Sales Director of cookware company Steele’s Pots and Pans. Among the “Belinkers” who love these books is Amabel Holland, the enfant terrible bad girl of board games. (No, I can’t believe I wrote that sentence about myself either!) In Belinda’s Big Bonus, you and your pals take on the role of new Steele’s employees, creatively working together to score Bigger and Bigger Business Deals. Along the way you’ll connect with fan-favorite characters like Bella Ridley, James Spooner, the Duchess of Epsom, and even Toffee Apple Chew. But make sure you manage your calendar and itinerary – you don’t want to miss special events like the Steele’s Tombola or the Pots-and-Pan-Pacific Cooking Convention. Will you come out on top of the other players, and win that Big Bonus? Or will you betray this new Glee Team for a payday from the wickedish Herr Wolfgang Bisch? A light, accessible business strategy game, Belinda’s Big Bonus is “perfecto” for fans of Rocky Flintstone, fans of Amabel Holland, people who are both, and, what the heck, let’s go for broke, for people who have never heard of either. Buy it! It’s neat!
July 28, 2025 at 2:18 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
Our lids were sealed; but like the Duchess, we promised we'd come clean!

Coming this fall;;

BELINDA'S BIG BONUS - a BELINDA BLINKED game - is the first board game based on the books by @flintstonerocky.bsky.social enjoyed by "Belinkers" around the globe.

🧵for details 🧵
Box cover for Belinda’s Big Bonus, a Belinda Blinked game. Based on the novels by Rocky Flintstone. Designed by Amabel Holland. Illustrations by Mouldy Wood. Mr. Wood’s illustration for the book cover of Belinda Blinked 6 is used, depicting Belinda and a gaggle of her friends and enemies. The illustration is flanked on either side by Rocky’s signature and the Hollandspiele logo. Beneath it reads the text: “a game of friendly competitition, sexy characters, and the biggest business deals; play as the newest employees of Steele’s Pots and Pans, learning from the best sales woman in business, Belinda Blumenthal, in hopes of securing a Big Bonus… or betray this new Glee Team for a payday from the wickedish Herr Wolfgang Bisch!”
July 28, 2025 at 2:18 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
Sad news today. Monster passed away at 4:34 pm. She is greatly missed and greatly loved.

Here is my favorite picture of my little movie star/boom operator.
Monster, a long-haired tortoiseshell cat, with a very serious gaze, is holding a boom microphone during a tense scene.
February 14, 2025 at 2:03 AM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
Happy New Year and dinosaurs, everybody!
A happy, green t-rex pedals a unicycle. Streamers float in the air around t-rex.
January 1, 2025 at 2:14 AM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
New Year's Eve text surrounded by colorful clocks, balloons, and streamers.
December 31, 2024 at 9:36 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
Dinosaurs, everybody.
December 25, 2024 at 1:55 AM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
We are excited to announce that next year we will be publishing PERSUASION, Xoe Allred's game of courtship, catfishing, and matrimony.
Cover art for Persuasion. A letter folded according to techniques used in the early 19th century has been closed with red wax seal and sits on a wooden table. The title is overlaid along with the subtitle "the game of courtship in the regency era".
December 12, 2024 at 9:16 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
November 28, 2024 at 2:21 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
Monster napping. She's being shy right now.

She's not really a bug girl anymore.
November 26, 2024 at 1:41 AM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
Happy
July 4, 2024 at 4:47 AM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
'Oblique, Supply Lines of Frederick the Great', coming later this year.
March 29, 2024 at 4:36 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
Happy new dinosaur!
January 1, 2024 at 5:13 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
Merry dinosaurs!
Santa drives his overloaded sleigh which is pulled by a T-Rex with a bright red nose.
December 25, 2023 at 5:42 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
An important message from Monster...
December 19, 2023 at 3:20 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
November 23, 2023 at 3:19 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
November 11, 2023 at 2:56 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
We are pleased to announce that we will be publishing "Striking Flint" by designer John du Bois (@johndubois.bsky.social). This cooperative game recreates a seminal event in American labor history. Look for this game in 2024. More details soon.
Striking Flint box cover.
October 26, 2023 at 10:54 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
Coming next year. Soar through the skies to deliver pizzas and employ elves, dwarfs, merfolk, trolls, and more as you expand your chain of restaurants, quest for magical kitchenware, and establish your own farms to ethically source your cheese, meat, and veggies. 2-4 players.
Box cover for DRAGON PIZZA, designed by Mary Holland and Amabel Holland. A handsome mustachioed dragon chef, in jacket and puffy hat, offers a HOT and DELICIOUS pizza. The box is rendered in red ink letterpress on off-white.
October 4, 2023 at 10:17 PM
hollandspiele.bsky.social
Cool Kaiju Table Battles sculptures from bgg user kylebread, shared with permission!
Sculptures of three of our fearsome kaiju! Lobsteron and Mantarion are at the forefront. Lobsteron holds his mighty left claw open in front of him, ready to ward off the blow of an enemy, while Mantarion scowls fearsomely, scythe-like forearms prepared for battle. Behind them, in the background, is the delightful Monster, perched atop a building. Behind her is the game box. Mantarion and Lobsteron face each other, one square between them, while Monster looks on. What's going to happen? Are our two heroes going to fight? Or hug? There's really no way to know, so we better look at the next photo! Our two heroes are standing closer now. Lobsteron is either blocking an attack from Mantarion, or he's giving them very important advice, as a friend. Mantarion looks irritated though. Monster's still there in the background. Is this an intervention? Are the two of them here to talk to Mantarion about their crippling addiction to biting off the heads of their mates? That's toxic behavior, and the first step is to recognize that you have a problem.
September 28, 2023 at 9:21 PM