Matthew Dunstan
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matthewdunstan.bsky.social
Matthew Dunstan
@matthewdunstan.bsky.social
1.7K followers 550 following 360 posts
Australian game designer and former research chemist. One half of Postmark Games. Expect science and game based posts! He/him.
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MatthewDunstan
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
marcelineleiman.bsky.social
Another day, another man who only lists his top designers as other men.

I kinda wanna challenge men to name their top 10 female designers… it’ll be like that “name a woman” meme…

People just don’t think very deeply about the preferential bias we have toward our own gender and race.
November 11, 2025 at 6:06 PM
matthewdunstan.bsky.social
The crowdfunding campaign for the new version of Snowdonia, Grand Tour, is now live!

gamefound.com/en/projects/...
Snowdonia: Grand Tour + Special Edition by Naylor Games Ltd - Gamefound
The highly acclaimed scenario-based Eurogame is back! Explore a new mega-expansion alongside a refreshed and updated base game. A new board system introduces gorgeous all-new art, superior usability a...
gamefound.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:10 PM
matthewdunstan.bsky.social
"Game designers will routinely fail at making something fun. When the game of making games is played right, it is always right outside the edge of what the designers know how to do."

Incredible quote from an amazing article. Something I'm only beginning to understand 10+ years in to designing.
November 7, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
eanderssonsunden.bsky.social
I moderated a panel discussion on how to approach board game publishers. Perhaps you want to listen omit afterwards? 🎲✂️

youtu.be/i1csZDlGVOo
SAGA Session - Panel: Approaching Publishers
YouTube video by Swedish Annual Game-design Awards
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
425suzanne.bsky.social
I often get asked by indie designers/pubs about marketing. Mike demonstrates one approach so well.

Start marketing early, share the process, connect with your potential buyers early and often via your outlet.

Seeing Crownfell develop has been fun, shown the passion, and embedded it back-of-mind.
weheart.games Crownfell preorder: Nov 18 @weheart.games · 7d
Getting pretty pumped about #Crownfell : Metal Edition being sold at PAXU in the Indie Games Night Market...! Got my pricing poster ready:
Crownfell: Metal Edition poster on the left. Laser etched steel wallet and aluminum cards. A photo of 8 of the metal cards. Metal Edition (IGNM Exclusive) - $40 14x24 Neoprene Playmat - $25
November 6, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
rorymuldoon.bsky.social
Let’s go!

Very excited to share this with folks. If you like the idea of a duelling game like Magic or Flesh and Blood, but played with a standard poker deck, then I implore you to hit that get notified button.
postmarkgames.bsky.social Postmark Games @postmarkgames.bsky.social · 6d
youtu.be/ciIa0usT7wM?...
FIGHT WITH PLAYING CARDS. Introducing 52 Duels, a 1 or 2 player duelling game coming to kickstarter next month.

Sign up to get notified when we launch! www.kickstarter.com/projects/pos...
52 DUELS - A fight with playing cards for 1-2 players
YouTube video by Roll Them Bones
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 2:43 PM
matthewdunstan.bsky.social
We've just announced our latest Postmark Games release: 52 Duels!

I'm really happy how this came together; an extremely tense and fun duelling game, only needing a sheet and deck of standard playing cards for each player.

Follow on Kickstarter so you know when the project goes live in December!
postmarkgames.bsky.social Postmark Games @postmarkgames.bsky.social · 6d
youtu.be/ciIa0usT7wM?...
FIGHT WITH PLAYING CARDS. Introducing 52 Duels, a 1 or 2 player duelling game coming to kickstarter next month.

Sign up to get notified when we launch! www.kickstarter.com/projects/pos...
52 DUELS - A fight with playing cards for 1-2 players
YouTube video by Roll Them Bones
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
dcrapuchettes.bsky.social
I spent six years working on Nature and the past a month writing a designer diary. Check it out and let me know your thoughts!
www.reddit.com/r/boardgames...
From the boardgames community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the boardgames community
www.reddit.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
nickbentley.bsky.social
I'm constantly amazed how much more I like Figma than Illustrator for making prototypes.

Most things in Figma take me less than half the time they used to in Illustrator

(thanks to @marcelineleiman.bsky.social for showing me the light)

Youtube tutorial on Figma Data Merge below.

🎲✂️(2/2)
Syncing Google Sheet Data to Figma
YouTube video by FigmaTalk
youtu.be
November 2, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
boardgamebeans.com
Plenty of power cuts today, so what better way to start the day than being cosy in bed with a latte, and a round of Voyages ⛵

We love these single-sheet print and play games, makes it super easy to play in different settings!

( Not our best scores, but we had fun 😊 )

#BoardGames
Two completed games of the print and play board game Voyages, which has been laminated and played using a clipboard. The game sheets show the map on which we play, and the path that each respective player decided to take. As it's the end of the game, we see Christian scored 70, and Joana 59.
October 25, 2025 at 12:08 PM
matthewdunstan.bsky.social
Adam and I are going live with the second of our daily Essen Spiel vlogs in about 5 minutes, come and join us here:

youtube.com/live/mmK-Gcs...
Day 2 Live at Spiel 2025! with special guest Matthew Dunstan
YouTube video by Adam in Wales - Board Game Design
youtube.com
October 25, 2025 at 6:24 AM
matthewdunstan.bsky.social
Had a fun chat with Adam Porter before heading into Essen today - were hoping to do a livestream each morning!

Live at Spiel 2025! with special guest Adam Porter
youtube.com/live/hF1VMdi...
Live at Spiel 2025! with special guest Adam Porter
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
youtube.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
exeunt.press
10 ways to have happy playtesters

Sharing what I learned about creating the best playtesting experience at a recent Harrisburg University public playtesting event. Getting inspired by student designers!

www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/happy-play...

#boardgames #ttrpg #gamedesign 🎲✂️
10 ways to have happy playtesters
Sharing what I learned about creating the best playtesting experience at a recent Harrisburg University public playtesting event. Getting inspired by student designers!
www.skeletoncodemachine.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM
matthewdunstan.bsky.social
Waiting in the airport, about to fly from Prague to Düsseldorf on my way to Spiel! Looking forward to catching up with everyone there :) and say hi if you see me wandering the halls!
October 21, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
thedarkimp.bsky.social
New BTC podcast! I talk to Ross Connell about the vital role of art and marketing in game design—from how visuals shape a game’s identity to what publishers expect when reviewing a pitch. Find out how art and marketing can make your games stand out. thegamedesignroundtable.com/episode/btc-...
October 21, 2025 at 8:23 AM
matthewdunstan.bsky.social
In today's video I talk about ways to level up as a game designer - practices I have seen in other designers and myself as they become more experienced and improve their craft. Hopefully useful whether you're just starting out, or reflecting on how far you have come!

youtu.be/qPWgQCNkRsM

🎲✂️
How to level up as a game designer
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
youtu.be
October 21, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
postmarkgames.bsky.social
Waypoints Map 5 has a decidedly Scottish feel to it. There’s lochs to explore, mountains to climb and, of course, whisky distilleries to discover. Have you visited the North Alpine Foothills yet?

www.postmarkgames.com/waypoints
A photograph of a map with icons on it and hand drawn lines connecting them. The map shows bodies of water, contour lines and grid lines. Underneath and scoring tracks, some of which are circled. A photograph of a map with icons on it and hand drawn lines connecting them. The map shows bodies of water, contour lines and grid lines. Underneath and scoring tracks, some of which are circled. A photograph of a map with icons on it and hand drawn lines connecting them. The map shows bodies of water, contour lines and grid lines. Underneath and scoring tracks, some of which are circled.
October 19, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
zhoekstra.bsky.social
Wulfhorn games, an indie pub from the NL area. They did the initial publishing run of Grachtenpand (which is being debuted worldwide at Gigamic this year), and for the first two mornings I'm doing demos of an upcoming Kickstarter of mine, Pact!
Wulfhorn Games |
wulfhorngames.com
October 17, 2025 at 4:29 PM
matthewdunstan.bsky.social
Who is going to be at Essen next week? Looking to catch up with folks :)
October 17, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
travisdhill.bsky.social
Lots of really big crowdfunding campaigns and preorders launching today. Here's to tossing in my little project!

You can find RITE: A Midwinter Sacrament #TTRPG #zine below. You can grab it for $7 and receive it before the bleak midwinter.

7 day campaign. Thanks for sharing.
Coming soon: RITE: A Midwinter Sacrament RPG Zine
An RPG Zine for up to four players participating in four sacraments during the bleak midwinter.
www.kickstarter.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
rorymuldoon.bsky.social
Hey #portfolioday

I’m a graphic designer who makes analog games. Here are some fun illustrations I made for our chill diving game Aquamarine.

www.postmarkgames.com
An illustration of a stylised shoal of yellow fish. Text reads ‘Aquamarine’ and ‘Butterfly Fish’ An illustration of a stylised blue and orange Cuttlefish. Text reads ‘Aquamarine’ and ‘Cuttlefish’ An illustration of stylised purple jellyfish. Text reads ‘Aquamarine’ and ‘Jellyfish’ An illustration of a stylised colourful coral reef. Text reads ‘Aquamarine’ and ‘Coral Reef’
October 14, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
haraiva.bsky.social
been having the music/games 'industry' parallel on the mind all the way through games week, and that always leads back to me thinking about steve albini being essentially my standard for the kind of person i want to be in a scene/community. heres a little something from a reddit ama he did ages ago
Connections don't mean shit. I've never had any connections that weren't a natural outgrowth of doing things I was doing anyway. Additionally, the people you might make connections with who work in the industry and value connections themselves, all those people are clueless assholes with no clout anyhow. You can tell because they think they can get somewhere with connections and spend their energy trying to make connections rather than being good at things, and being good at things is the only thing that earns you clout or connections. It's a myth that you can get anywhere in music through connections. The guy on the other end of the connection has to be into what you're doing, and if you're doing it publicly and he's receptive, he probably hears about it on his own. Don't worry about anything but making music you like. Everything else is bullshit.
October 14, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
cardboardherald.bsky.social
Just posted a lovely conversation with @trevormbenjamin.bsky.social, codesigner or @bitewinggames.bsky.social’s Moytura and Azure. Check it out on our podcast channel or you can watch the vid here now:
youtu.be/aQJTCxGdeMY
Trevor Benjamin on co-designing Moytura, Azure and collaborative game design - TCbH Interviews
YouTube video by The Cardboard Herald
youtu.be
October 13, 2025 at 3:56 PM
matthewdunstan.bsky.social
Does anyone have good restaurant recommendations in Essen? Looking to try and find a new good place for Spiel this year ;)
October 12, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
hetanshah.bsky.social
This is such a clever idea on taking kids to museums/galleries
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Nadia from London has an idea that sounds such fun you'll be booking a day out asap. "I've always loved museums," she says, "but they can be overwhelming for children. For decades now, I've done something called 'playing postcards' We do the museum backwards, visiting the gift shop first. Each child gets to choose three postcards. Then they take it in turns to find that particular artwork in the museum and give us a little information about the piece from the details on the postcard, or from any gallery plaque. At the end of this treasure-hunt-style activity, we vote for our favourite in the cafe."
October 12, 2025 at 10:18 AM