Joseph Arthur Ellis
banner
jarthurellis.bsky.social
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
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
Took a picture with a giant golem character at #gencon. Yes there is a person with not enough points of articulation inside there.
July 31, 2025 at 2:27 AM
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
July 24, 2025 at 7:08 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??)
October 10, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Streaming soon! About to go live
July 19, 2024 at 5:01 PM
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
Starting in 7 minutes!
May 10, 2024 at 4:54 PM
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
Happening in just over an hour at twitch.tv/plaidhatgames !
December 21, 2023 at 4:46 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.
November 2, 2023 at 2:55 PM
Nah, that's ok. They're fine.
October 18, 2023 at 1:11 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. 🎲✂️
October 4, 2023 at 5:27 PM
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
New factions just dropped on Summoner Wars Online! Vamps and goats. Ships to subscribers Monday! :)
September 21, 2023 at 7:22 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.
September 8, 2023 at 6:45 PM
Reach ascension 20 on all characters... ✅
Next step, beat the heart on A20 with all characters. Check back here for updates!
September 5, 2023 at 12:03 PM
Happening later today! Our first ever custom deck finals.
August 31, 2023 at 2:45 PM