Brooks Barber
@rollplusfun.bsky.social
Tabletop game designer - mostly historical but not always.
Pinned
Brooks Barber
@rollplusfun.bsky.social
· Apr 28
Sykes-Picot, a trick-taking game about the secret treaty to partition the Ottoman Empire, is now available.
Sykes-Picot
Game Design: Brooks BarberArt: Amabel HollandHex Number: 88Duration: 60 minutesPlayers: 2Solitaire Suitability: LowTheme: WWIMSRP: $35.00
During the First World War, the British and French made a secr...
hollandspiele.com
It's here! Check it out, and let me know what you think!
#SDHistCon was as great as ever this year. Flying home today after an incredibly enriching experience. I’m always grateful for the opportunity to meet new people, to see old friends, and especially to check out all the cool games people have in the works! Thanks to @sdhistcon.bsky.social as always!
November 10, 2025 at 10:09 PM
#SDHistCon was as great as ever this year. Flying home today after an incredibly enriching experience. I’m always grateful for the opportunity to meet new people, to see old friends, and especially to check out all the cool games people have in the works! Thanks to @sdhistcon.bsky.social as always!
When you realize on the plane to the convention that you forgot to update your cards and ask the hotel to print them for you and borrow their scissors… 🎲✂️
November 7, 2025 at 12:36 AM
When you realize on the plane to the convention that you forgot to update your cards and ask the hotel to print them for you and borrow their scissors… 🎲✂️
On my way to SDHistCon today. It’s such a great place to catch up with friends, see games in development, and just get some stuff played! Can’t wait
November 6, 2025 at 3:58 PM
On my way to SDHistCon today. It’s such a great place to catch up with friends, see games in development, and just get some stuff played! Can’t wait
A really great read. I'd argue that what we're witnessing in the United States right now is a concentrated effort to reshape the national mythos to serve cruel and dangerous ends. This is what makes it feel so much like 1930s Germany.
My essay on nationalist myth making in Middle-earth is still free to read on Speculative Insight! #LateNightWrite
November 4, 2025 at 10:01 PM
A really great read. I'd argue that what we're witnessing in the United States right now is a concentrated effort to reshape the national mythos to serve cruel and dangerous ends. This is what makes it feel so much like 1930s Germany.
Go back this folks!!! A fun bundle from an indie creator doing interesting things. Only needs a little more help! 🎲✂️
#boardgames
#boardgames
November 2, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Go back this folks!!! A fun bundle from an indie creator doing interesting things. Only needs a little more help! 🎲✂️
#boardgames
#boardgames
I wrote a thing. Check it out.
Games As Art Forms https://armchairdragoons.com/games-art-forms/
armchairdragoons.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:32 PM
I wrote a thing. Check it out.
I’m very pleased to see this one begin to come together. It was the first design I ever brought to playtesting, and it’s had quite a journey! Threed has a unique ambiguous trick taking system with a spatial puzzle that tickles the right parts of the brain. I’ve got a soft spot for it. Check it out!
Behold! This ain't yer granny's sliding-puzzle trick-taking game. What was once known as Triptych (the Cardboard Edison Award Finalist by @rollplusfun.bsky.social) is now:
•:| THREED |:•
#boardgames 🎲✂️
•:| THREED |:•
#boardgames 🎲✂️
October 29, 2025 at 5:47 PM
I’m very pleased to see this one begin to come together. It was the first design I ever brought to playtesting, and it’s had quite a journey! Threed has a unique ambiguous trick taking system with a spatial puzzle that tickles the right parts of the brain. I’ve got a soft spot for it. Check it out!
Chilled with my gnomey at the pumpkin fest this weekend.
October 14, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Chilled with my gnomey at the pumpkin fest this weekend.
As soon as I found out this game existed, I went to pre-order it. I’m fascinated by the history of urban “development” and NBS has accomplished something important and fascinating here. Can’t wait to get this one to a table soon.
September 30, 2025 at 6:32 PM
As soon as I found out this game existed, I went to pre-order it. I’m fascinated by the history of urban “development” and NBS has accomplished something important and fascinating here. Can’t wait to get this one to a table soon.
Been on a bit of a game design hiatus the past 2-3 months. Life got big and needed tending. Slowly working my way back into things now, and it feels...rusty. But also a bit like getting back on a bicycle. I still love it though. 🎲✂️
September 26, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Been on a bit of a game design hiatus the past 2-3 months. Life got big and needed tending. Slowly working my way back into things now, and it feels...rusty. But also a bit like getting back on a bicycle. I still love it though. 🎲✂️
Just found a review for Sykes-Picot in @senetmagazine.bsky.social! That was unexpected! Thanks to @meeplelady.bsky.social for the review.
September 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Just found a review for Sykes-Picot in @senetmagazine.bsky.social! That was unexpected! Thanks to @meeplelady.bsky.social for the review.
Reposted by Brooks Barber
New game day! cross4! Buy it or else. We have not determined what 'else' is yet, but you should buy it to be safe.
cross4
Game Design: Amabel HollandHex Number: 90Duration: 30 minutesPlayers: 1-4MSRP: $25.00
Amabel Holland's throwback to the classic crossword dice games of the twentieth century, cross4 is the first of th...
hollandspiele.com
September 18, 2025 at 10:41 PM
New game day! cross4! Buy it or else. We have not determined what 'else' is yet, but you should buy it to be safe.
A few things:
Nate has an interesting thing going on here. A unique format and approach to be sure.
Can confirm Pyrotechnics is good - check it out when you get the chance!
A lil' nugget at the end about Sykes-Picot and the possibility of serving your conscience through this game. Give a listen!
Nate has an interesting thing going on here. A unique format and approach to be sure.
Can confirm Pyrotechnics is good - check it out when you get the chance!
A lil' nugget at the end about Sykes-Picot and the possibility of serving your conscience through this game. Give a listen!
Episode 100 features:
• Review of the brisk and charming Fireworks 2p card game from @thinkdeepplaylight.bsky.social
• Interview with @liberludorum.com about two wild #indie #ttrpgs from @sandroad.moe: Burnout Reaper and Digital Angel
Hear it all with link in comments 👇
• Review of the brisk and charming Fireworks 2p card game from @thinkdeepplaylight.bsky.social
• Interview with @liberludorum.com about two wild #indie #ttrpgs from @sandroad.moe: Burnout Reaper and Digital Angel
Hear it all with link in comments 👇
September 18, 2025 at 1:46 PM
A few things:
Nate has an interesting thing going on here. A unique format and approach to be sure.
Can confirm Pyrotechnics is good - check it out when you get the chance!
A lil' nugget at the end about Sykes-Picot and the possibility of serving your conscience through this game. Give a listen!
Nate has an interesting thing going on here. A unique format and approach to be sure.
Can confirm Pyrotechnics is good - check it out when you get the chance!
A lil' nugget at the end about Sykes-Picot and the possibility of serving your conscience through this game. Give a listen!
Reposted by Brooks Barber
Trans people are people. What they do with their very own bodies ain't nobody's business but their own. Trans rights are human rights.
Full stop.
Full stop.
“Anti-trans harassment and violence is all the rage. Trans people are afraid to leave the country, let alone leave their houses. The right-wing ecosystem has gladly spent years creating these conditions, while Democrats have by turns avoided saying anything about them at all” 😞
👉🏻 archive.ph/ewBhT
👉🏻 archive.ph/ewBhT
September 16, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Trans people are people. What they do with their very own bodies ain't nobody's business but their own. Trans rights are human rights.
Full stop.
Full stop.
This is an appropriate reaction to Kirk’s assassination and legacy. He was not a paragon of civil discourse but a mouthpiece for white Christian nationalism, and all the awful bigotry that entails. He did not deserve to be murdered. Nor does he deserve to be treated like a martyr of American ideals
September 13, 2025 at 3:04 PM
This is an appropriate reaction to Kirk’s assassination and legacy. He was not a paragon of civil discourse but a mouthpiece for white Christian nationalism, and all the awful bigotry that entails. He did not deserve to be murdered. Nor does he deserve to be treated like a martyr of American ideals
Reposted by Brooks Barber
What a fantastic slate of nominees! Congratulations to @danthurot.bsky.social @amabel.bsky.social @charlietheel.bsky.social and @fredserval.bsky.social for facilitating meaningful discourse about the culture of historical games.
We're proud to announce the 2025 Bobby Nunes Memorial Award finalists, recognizing exceptional pieces of gaming media from 2024 by @amabel.bsky.social, @fredserval.bsky.social, @charlietheel.bsky.social, and @danthurot.bsky.social. More on their nominated works here: sdhist.com/2025-bobby-n...
September 9, 2025 at 8:34 PM
What a fantastic slate of nominees! Congratulations to @danthurot.bsky.social @amabel.bsky.social @charlietheel.bsky.social and @fredserval.bsky.social for facilitating meaningful discourse about the culture of historical games.
The best storytelling out there folks. Go get some!
If you've been thinking of joining up so that you can listen to Realis, watch Outward, or dive into the 600~ hour long Patreon-exclusive back catalog, now is the time.
friendsatthetable.cash
First month Discount Codes:
BURNTHRONES for $2 off our $5 tier!
BUILDTABLES for 20% off any higher tier!
friendsatthetable.cash
First month Discount Codes:
BURNTHRONES for $2 off our $5 tier!
BUILDTABLES for 20% off any higher tier!
September 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
The best storytelling out there folks. Go get some!
Reposted by Brooks Barber
Circle DC 2026 will be held on April 10-12, 2026 here in lovely Washington, DC. The convention will be capped at 250 attendees and we have opened up badge registration this morning. tabletop.events/conventions/...
September 1, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Circle DC 2026 will be held on April 10-12, 2026 here in lovely Washington, DC. The convention will be capped at 250 attendees and we have opened up badge registration this morning. tabletop.events/conventions/...
In my long ramble last night I had this thread in mind - so many great projects in the works that are pushing gaming boundaries in interesting ways, and asking different things of players than what currently dominates the market. I’m excited to see these emerge over time!
If you're following along with today's board game/TTRPG discourse, the "genuinely cool stuff brewing behind the scenes" quote posted here is the incredible variety of games in development right now that blur the boundaries of RPGs and board games.
How about a thread of some of my favorites?
How about a thread of some of my favorites?
As much as the last few weeks of board game and tabletop events have sucked (with sprinklings of wins scattered between), there's genuinely cool stuff brewing behind the scenes!
I know it's hard to get excited when the news is terrible, but good things are happening as well! I promise!
I know it's hard to get excited when the news is terrible, but good things are happening as well! I promise!
August 31, 2025 at 12:03 AM
In my long ramble last night I had this thread in mind - so many great projects in the works that are pushing gaming boundaries in interesting ways, and asking different things of players than what currently dominates the market. I’m excited to see these emerge over time!
Lots of interesting board game and TTRPG discourse this week! I’ve really enjoyed seeing various voices chime in from all over the place to weigh in. It all kicked off (from what I saw) with an exchange about the perception of board games as optimization engines. I have thoughts. 🧵
August 30, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Lots of interesting board game and TTRPG discourse this week! I’ve really enjoyed seeing various voices chime in from all over the place to weigh in. It all kicked off (from what I saw) with an exchange about the perception of board games as optimization engines. I have thoughts. 🧵
Reposted by Brooks Barber
How do you learn more about these games, get involved in their development, or sign one?
Follow @lunarpunk.games. Join the @breakmygame.com Discord. Attend a @protospielo.bsky.social event. Talk to designers who hang out in those places. You're missing the games because you're in the wrong place!
Follow @lunarpunk.games. Join the @breakmygame.com Discord. Attend a @protospielo.bsky.social event. Talk to designers who hang out in those places. You're missing the games because you're in the wrong place!
August 28, 2025 at 5:59 PM
How do you learn more about these games, get involved in their development, or sign one?
Follow @lunarpunk.games. Join the @breakmygame.com Discord. Attend a @protospielo.bsky.social event. Talk to designers who hang out in those places. You're missing the games because you're in the wrong place!
Follow @lunarpunk.games. Join the @breakmygame.com Discord. Attend a @protospielo.bsky.social event. Talk to designers who hang out in those places. You're missing the games because you're in the wrong place!
🎲✂️
Historical board game idea: a collection of games published as an anthology or edited volume, similar to what you see in academic treatments of complex topics. Like 5-6 designers take on a beefy historical topic or era and each make their own game about one part of it.
Historical board game idea: a collection of games published as an anthology or edited volume, similar to what you see in academic treatments of complex topics. Like 5-6 designers take on a beefy historical topic or era and each make their own game about one part of it.
August 28, 2025 at 12:48 AM
🎲✂️
Historical board game idea: a collection of games published as an anthology or edited volume, similar to what you see in academic treatments of complex topics. Like 5-6 designers take on a beefy historical topic or era and each make their own game about one part of it.
Historical board game idea: a collection of games published as an anthology or edited volume, similar to what you see in academic treatments of complex topics. Like 5-6 designers take on a beefy historical topic or era and each make their own game about one part of it.
@gengelstein.bsky.social - friends and I are discussing a game design problem that I think you might find interesting. Or maybe you've dealt with it in a GameTek at some point.
4+ players. Each player secretly assigned an "ally". Cannot be assigned yourself. 1/2
4+ players. Each player secretly assigned an "ally". Cannot be assigned yourself. 1/2
August 21, 2025 at 3:52 PM
@gengelstein.bsky.social - friends and I are discussing a game design problem that I think you might find interesting. Or maybe you've dealt with it in a GameTek at some point.
4+ players. Each player secretly assigned an "ally". Cannot be assigned yourself. 1/2
4+ players. Each player secretly assigned an "ally". Cannot be assigned yourself. 1/2
I am a huge proponent of digital prototyping and playtesting. Protospiel online is an incredibly useful event, for rapid playtesting and iteration, for exposure to a global design community unlike any other, and for an inclusive and welcoming community. Go get a badge!
2 days left to get early bird admission for Protospiel Online August 22-24 2025!
Doors to our online board game playtesting convention open Fri Aug 22 at noon US Eastern. 60 solid hours of playtesting and networking! 🎲♟️🃏
protospiel.online/badges 🎲✂️
#boardgamedesign #tabletopdesign #playtesting
Doors to our online board game playtesting convention open Fri Aug 22 at noon US Eastern. 60 solid hours of playtesting and networking! 🎲♟️🃏
protospiel.online/badges 🎲✂️
#boardgamedesign #tabletopdesign #playtesting
August 10, 2025 at 12:03 AM
I am a huge proponent of digital prototyping and playtesting. Protospiel online is an incredibly useful event, for rapid playtesting and iteration, for exposure to a global design community unlike any other, and for an inclusive and welcoming community. Go get a badge!
Sykes-Picot was the game of the week on the Breakup Gaming Society podcast - if you like games, drinks, and hip hope, have a listen!
Thanks to @natewarren.bsky.social for spotlighting it!
www.breakupgamingsociety.com/episodes/syk...
Thanks to @natewarren.bsky.social for spotlighting it!
www.breakupgamingsociety.com/episodes/syk...
Sykes-Picot Plays With Colonial History (And Dry-Erase Markers) — Breakup Gaming Society
How will you mark the course of the two Europeans who carved up the Middle East like a turkey at the end of WW1?
www.breakupgamingsociety.com
August 7, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Sykes-Picot was the game of the week on the Breakup Gaming Society podcast - if you like games, drinks, and hip hope, have a listen!
Thanks to @natewarren.bsky.social for spotlighting it!
www.breakupgamingsociety.com/episodes/syk...
Thanks to @natewarren.bsky.social for spotlighting it!
www.breakupgamingsociety.com/episodes/syk...