Joseph Arthur Ellis
@jarthurellis.bsky.social
Tech and game design at Plaid Hat Games. Anti-hate, anti-bigotry. He/him. I work on Forgotten Waters, Freelancers, Summoner Wars, Summoner Wars Online, and more.
Testing a @mistergross.bsky.social game at our local design meetup...
September 30, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Testing a @mistergross.bsky.social game at our local design meetup...
Starting a new 🎲✂️ meetup in Ashland, Ohio this Tuesday! Hoping to build more of a design community around here to engage with.
August 22, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Starting a new 🎲✂️ meetup in Ashland, Ohio this Tuesday! Hoping to build more of a design community around here to engage with.
8. Waddle (AllPlay, #1849). Re-theme of an older problematically-named game. I love push-and-pull turn order stuff, and this is basically Turn Order: The Game. Feels like a no-brainer.
July 24, 2025 at 7:20 PM
8. Waddle (AllPlay, #1849). Re-theme of an older problematically-named game. I love push-and-pull turn order stuff, and this is basically Turn Order: The Game. Feels like a no-brainer.
7. Wroth (Chip Theory, #2627). One of the VERY FEW new dudes on a map games being sold at the show. Publishers are leaning hard towards non-combat themes right now. This one looks extremely pared back relative to Chip Theory's usual stuff.
July 24, 2025 at 7:18 PM
7. Wroth (Chip Theory, #2627). One of the VERY FEW new dudes on a map games being sold at the show. Publishers are leaning hard towards non-combat themes right now. This one looks extremely pared back relative to Chip Theory's usual stuff.
6. Lightning Train (Dire Wolf, #2402). Bag building pick up and deliver game by Paul Dennen. His games always get a glance from me just due to Dune Imperium.
July 24, 2025 at 7:16 PM
6. Lightning Train (Dire Wolf, #2402). Bag building pick up and deliver game by Paul Dennen. His games always get a glance from me just due to Dune Imperium.
5. Gibberers (Hobby Japan, #254). Longer communication game where humans and aliens invent a new language to communicate. Guessing this will be in short supply and a buzzed about hot item due to the intriguing hook.
July 24, 2025 at 7:15 PM
5. Gibberers (Hobby Japan, #254). Longer communication game where humans and aliens invent a new language to communicate. Guessing this will be in short supply and a buzzed about hot item due to the intriguing hook.
4. Propolis (Flatout Games, #403). Looks like a straightforward and contained euro, which is in my euro-zone.
July 24, 2025 at 7:13 PM
4. Propolis (Flatout Games, #403). Looks like a straightforward and contained euro, which is in my euro-zone.
3. Endeavor Deep Sea (Grand Gamers Guild, #2946). Not brand new, but always liked the mechanics of the old version while cringing slightly at the theme. Word is this is best of both worlds.
July 24, 2025 at 7:11 PM
3. Endeavor Deep Sea (Grand Gamers Guild, #2946). Not brand new, but always liked the mechanics of the old version while cringing slightly at the theme. Word is this is best of both worlds.
2. Squirrel Away (Floodgate, booth #439). Makes use of actual slight of hand, take stuff you're not supposed to, try not to get caught.
July 24, 2025 at 7:09 PM
2. Squirrel Away (Floodgate, booth #439). Makes use of actual slight of hand, take stuff you're not supposed to, try not to get caught.
Joe's #gencon shopping list (or, at least look at these and consider buying).
1. Beer Mug Dice. Older game getting its first English edition. Simple push-your-luck game where you roll actual barrels and see how many land standing up. Booth #2663.
1. Beer Mug Dice. Older game getting its first English edition. Simple push-your-luck game where you roll actual barrels and see how many land standing up. Booth #2663.
July 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Joe's #gencon shopping list (or, at least look at these and consider buying).
1. Beer Mug Dice. Older game getting its first English edition. Simple push-your-luck game where you roll actual barrels and see how many land standing up. Booth #2663.
1. Beer Mug Dice. Older game getting its first English edition. Simple push-your-luck game where you roll actual barrels and see how many land standing up. Booth #2663.
Tomorrow's launch list for the Filth and Chosen Grove on Summoner Wars Online. (Would it be better if it said "lunch list," Kevin??)
October 10, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Tomorrow's launch list for the Filth and Chosen Grove on Summoner Wars Online. (Would it be better if it said "lunch list," Kevin??)
Streaming soon! About to go live
July 19, 2024 at 5:01 PM
Streaming soon! About to go live
Heading to origins today with my Kirby shirt, trucker hat, and old lady glasses string. Say hi if you see me!
June 21, 2024 at 1:11 PM
Heading to origins today with my Kirby shirt, trucker hat, and old lady glasses string. Say hi if you see me!
Starting in 7 minutes!
May 10, 2024 at 4:54 PM
Starting in 7 minutes!
Go search for "Summoner Wars Online" on your app store! We're live! Give us a rating if you have the chance.
March 12, 2024 at 4:19 PM
Go search for "Summoner Wars Online" on your app store! We're live! Give us a rating if you have the chance.
Happening in just over an hour at twitch.tv/plaidhatgames !
December 21, 2023 at 4:46 PM
Happening in just over an hour at twitch.tv/plaidhatgames !
This good girl started coming into the office every day and now half my job is throwing a ball. Sorry to everyone wanting SWO on their phone.
November 2, 2023 at 2:55 PM
This good girl started coming into the office every day and now half my job is throwing a ball. Sorry to everyone wanting SWO on their phone.
Nah, that's ok. They're fine.
October 18, 2023 at 1:11 PM
Nah, that's ok. They're fine.
Who wants to play a game about the evolution of and competition between religious forces?
Just me?
Ok I guess I'll have to design it then. 🎲✂️
Just me?
Ok I guess I'll have to design it then. 🎲✂️
October 4, 2023 at 5:27 PM
Who wants to play a game about the evolution of and competition between religious forces?
Just me?
Ok I guess I'll have to design it then. 🎲✂️
Just me?
Ok I guess I'll have to design it then. 🎲✂️
Found a spot on the back of Cookie's head the other night that he is REALLY happy to have petted haha.
October 3, 2023 at 7:16 PM
Found a spot on the back of Cookie's head the other night that he is REALLY happy to have petted haha.
New factions just dropped on Summoner Wars Online! Vamps and goats. Ships to subscribers Monday! :)
September 21, 2023 at 7:22 PM
New factions just dropped on Summoner Wars Online! Vamps and goats. Ships to subscribers Monday! :)
My latest post on the Plaid Hat Tech and Games blog is about how app stores are like tabletop crowdfunding. Link in the reply: App Stores, Crowdfunding, and the Need for Marketplaces in a fragmented internet.
September 8, 2023 at 6:45 PM
My latest post on the Plaid Hat Tech and Games blog is about how app stores are like tabletop crowdfunding. Link in the reply: App Stores, Crowdfunding, and the Need for Marketplaces in a fragmented internet.
Reach ascension 20 on all characters... ✅
Next step, beat the heart on A20 with all characters. Check back here for updates!
Next step, beat the heart on A20 with all characters. Check back here for updates!
September 5, 2023 at 12:03 PM
Reach ascension 20 on all characters... ✅
Next step, beat the heart on A20 with all characters. Check back here for updates!
Next step, beat the heart on A20 with all characters. Check back here for updates!
Happening later today! Our first ever custom deck finals.
August 31, 2023 at 2:45 PM
Happening later today! Our first ever custom deck finals.