Sticky Doodler ▶️ PAXU
@stickydoodler.bsky.social
I make games that spark imagination and empathy. I also promote tabletop game designers based in the DMV ♦️🎲 (DC-MD-VA).
爸爸 to Big Sticky and Li'l Doodler. He/他/any.
🌳✂️ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/stickydoodler/the-bonsai-diary
爸爸 to Big Sticky and Li'l Doodler. He/他/any.
🌳✂️ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/stickydoodler/the-bonsai-diary
Pinned
Hello friends new & old! I'm Gene, and I design games that evoke empathy and imagination. I enjoy exploring the uncanny valley between board and role-playing games, where one day I will discover Shangri-La. Until then, I post about my design journey and theories and avoid engagement farming.
Tonight I demo'ed The Bonsai Diary to seven players who stopped by @fantomcomics.bsky.social. While the point of the game isn't to make fantastic art pieces, I feel like that happened anyway 💚
I encouraged players to draw/paint what they feel, then use that to guide their journaling...
1/3▶️
I encouraged players to draw/paint what they feel, then use that to guide their journaling...
1/3▶️
November 12, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Tonight I demo'ed The Bonsai Diary to seven players who stopped by @fantomcomics.bsky.social. While the point of the game isn't to make fantastic art pieces, I feel like that happened anyway 💚
I encouraged players to draw/paint what they feel, then use that to guide their journaling...
1/3▶️
I encouraged players to draw/paint what they feel, then use that to guide their journaling...
1/3▶️
TOMORROW!
If you can make it to Dupont Circle in DC, come and make some happy li'l trees with me. Or an unhappy tree, I won't judge.
🕡 6:30pm
📍 @fantomcomics.bsky.social
If you can make it to Dupont Circle in DC, come and make some happy li'l trees with me. Or an unhappy tree, I won't judge.
🕡 6:30pm
📍 @fantomcomics.bsky.social
I'm excited that @fantomcomics.bsky.social has invited me to play The Bonsai Diary with anyone who wants to join in. No drawing, painting, journaling, or horticulture experience needed!
📆 Tue, Nov 11, 2025
🕛 6.30pm
📍 Fantom Comics, 2010 P St NW, Washington, DC
www.youtube.com/shorts/d9RD3...
📆 Tue, Nov 11, 2025
🕛 6.30pm
📍 Fantom Comics, 2010 P St NW, Washington, DC
www.youtube.com/shorts/d9RD3...
Play The Bonsai Diary at Fantom Comics - Nov 11, 2025
YouTube video by StickyDoodler
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:44 AM
TOMORROW!
If you can make it to Dupont Circle in DC, come and make some happy li'l trees with me. Or an unhappy tree, I won't judge.
🕡 6:30pm
📍 @fantomcomics.bsky.social
If you can make it to Dupont Circle in DC, come and make some happy li'l trees with me. Or an unhappy tree, I won't judge.
🕡 6:30pm
📍 @fantomcomics.bsky.social
It's midnight all weekend long!
Check it out, and give a special look at Tootin' and Hollerin' by Joe Kell, co-designer with me on that coloring book game.
It's a perfect time to get your holiday shopping done!
🌚🎄🕎
Check it out, and give a special look at Tootin' and Hollerin' by Joe Kell, co-designer with me on that coloring book game.
It's a perfect time to get your holiday shopping done!
🌚🎄🕎
November 8, 2025 at 1:56 PM
It's midnight all weekend long!
Check it out, and give a special look at Tootin' and Hollerin' by Joe Kell, co-designer with me on that coloring book game.
It's a perfect time to get your holiday shopping done!
🌚🎄🕎
Check it out, and give a special look at Tootin' and Hollerin' by Joe Kell, co-designer with me on that coloring book game.
It's a perfect time to get your holiday shopping done!
🌚🎄🕎
Reposted by Sticky Doodler ▶️ PAXU
Are you a TTRPG self-publisher going to Pax Unplugged?
Meet other creators and have a common spot/time to say hi to friends at the Self Pub Meet Up hosted by TTRPGkids!
Let me know if you'll be there, and I'm looking forward to seeing folks at the con!
#PaxU #PaxUnplugged #selfpub #TTRPG
Meet other creators and have a common spot/time to say hi to friends at the Self Pub Meet Up hosted by TTRPGkids!
Let me know if you'll be there, and I'm looking forward to seeing folks at the con!
#PaxU #PaxUnplugged #selfpub #TTRPG
November 7, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Are you a TTRPG self-publisher going to Pax Unplugged?
Meet other creators and have a common spot/time to say hi to friends at the Self Pub Meet Up hosted by TTRPGkids!
Let me know if you'll be there, and I'm looking forward to seeing folks at the con!
#PaxU #PaxUnplugged #selfpub #TTRPG
Meet other creators and have a common spot/time to say hi to friends at the Self Pub Meet Up hosted by TTRPGkids!
Let me know if you'll be there, and I'm looking forward to seeing folks at the con!
#PaxU #PaxUnplugged #selfpub #TTRPG
Reposted by Sticky Doodler ▶️ PAXU
Super excited to be bringing The Dumpster Heist RPG to Unpub at PAXU.
Join us as raccoons in a trenchcoat to rob a casino…or raid the dumpster 😁
1/4
Join us as raccoons in a trenchcoat to rob a casino…or raid the dumpster 😁
1/4
November 7, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Super excited to be bringing The Dumpster Heist RPG to Unpub at PAXU.
Join us as raccoons in a trenchcoat to rob a casino…or raid the dumpster 😁
1/4
Join us as raccoons in a trenchcoat to rob a casino…or raid the dumpster 😁
1/4
Reposted by Sticky Doodler ▶️ PAXU
🔴Live now! @coo.games and @xoe.gay join me to talk about Midnight Market from @lunarpunk.games What is is and what games will be sold! Come ask your questions and get ready for the sale! #SupportIndie #boardgames
📺 www.twitch.tv/panda8...
📺 www.youtube.com/@Pan...
www.lunarpunk.games/...
📺 www.twitch.tv/panda8...
📺 www.youtube.com/@Pan...
www.lunarpunk.games/...
November 6, 2025 at 8:00 PM
🔴Live now! @coo.games and @xoe.gay join me to talk about Midnight Market from @lunarpunk.games What is is and what games will be sold! Come ask your questions and get ready for the sale! #SupportIndie #boardgames
📺 www.twitch.tv/panda8...
📺 www.youtube.com/@Pan...
www.lunarpunk.games/...
📺 www.twitch.tv/panda8...
📺 www.youtube.com/@Pan...
www.lunarpunk.games/...
Reposted by Sticky Doodler ▶️ PAXU
Indie TTRPG self-publisher meetup hosted by @ttrpgkids.com happening Sunday at PAXU in a couple weeks. Could be a fun time, and I hope to be there! 👀
#ttrpg #selfpublish #paxu #paxunplugged
#ttrpg #selfpublish #paxu #paxunplugged
November 5, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Indie TTRPG self-publisher meetup hosted by @ttrpgkids.com happening Sunday at PAXU in a couple weeks. Could be a fun time, and I hope to be there! 👀
#ttrpg #selfpublish #paxu #paxunplugged
#ttrpg #selfpublish #paxu #paxunplugged
WOW! The Bonsai Diary is now in stock at @tabletopbookshelf.com!
💚 If you missed the Kickstarter and want a chill, creative drawing-and-writing game, go check it out!
💚 If you've already played The Bonsai Diary, please consider writing a review:
tabletopbookshelf.com/products/the...
💚 If you missed the Kickstarter and want a chill, creative drawing-and-writing game, go check it out!
💚 If you've already played The Bonsai Diary, please consider writing a review:
tabletopbookshelf.com/products/the...
The Bonsai Diary
Grow Your Own Tree with Just Pen and Ink It's 2025, and you plant a small tree seedling, imagining its future. Bonsai trees can live hundreds of years. Who will inherit this living being? What will th...
tabletopbookshelf.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:42 PM
WOW! The Bonsai Diary is now in stock at @tabletopbookshelf.com!
💚 If you missed the Kickstarter and want a chill, creative drawing-and-writing game, go check it out!
💚 If you've already played The Bonsai Diary, please consider writing a review:
tabletopbookshelf.com/products/the...
💚 If you missed the Kickstarter and want a chill, creative drawing-and-writing game, go check it out!
💚 If you've already played The Bonsai Diary, please consider writing a review:
tabletopbookshelf.com/products/the...
Ash discusses how this Tiny Tome includes a number of pamphlet or "foldie" style one-pagers, which has been a great way to do more readable layout in the one page format. But: at markets we're finding people are reluctant to spend $1-2 on a pamphlet, so I'm eager to see how this collection does.
Final campaign update for Tiny Tome 3!
You can get 150 single-page rpgs for christmas and I'm not kidding
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lon...
You can get 150 single-page rpgs for christmas and I'm not kidding
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lon...
Update 11: Final Stretch Goal in the Final Hours 😅 · Tiny Tome 3
Hi folks, Where does the time go? Tiny Tome 3 has a day-and-a-half left in crowdfunding, and I want to highlight two things for the final push... Firstly, this campaign features stretch goals for the ...
www.kickstarter.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Ash discusses how this Tiny Tome includes a number of pamphlet or "foldie" style one-pagers, which has been a great way to do more readable layout in the one page format. But: at markets we're finding people are reluctant to spend $1-2 on a pamphlet, so I'm eager to see how this collection does.
< 12 hours left to get this $12 charity bundle.
Just to pick one of the 203 included games: Yazeba's Bed & Breakfast retails for $25. If you don't have this genre-defining game, now's your best chance.
Your purchase will help provide civil legal aid to our neighbors in VA. Please pitch in!
Just to pick one of the 203 included games: Yazeba's Bed & Breakfast retails for $25. If you don't have this genre-defining game, now's your best chance.
Your purchase will help provide civil legal aid to our neighbors in VA. Please pitch in!
The bundle is still live for 24 hours!!!!
If you haven’t yet, this is your last chance to purchase it on itch. For just $12, you get 203 games and your money will go directly to US legal aid!💛
itch.io/b/3276/hello...
If you haven’t yet, this is your last chance to purchase it on itch. For just $12, you get 203 games and your money will go directly to US legal aid!💛
itch.io/b/3276/hello...
November 5, 2025 at 11:53 AM
< 12 hours left to get this $12 charity bundle.
Just to pick one of the 203 included games: Yazeba's Bed & Breakfast retails for $25. If you don't have this genre-defining game, now's your best chance.
Your purchase will help provide civil legal aid to our neighbors in VA. Please pitch in!
Just to pick one of the 203 included games: Yazeba's Bed & Breakfast retails for $25. If you don't have this genre-defining game, now's your best chance.
Your purchase will help provide civil legal aid to our neighbors in VA. Please pitch in!
Reposted by Sticky Doodler ▶️ PAXU
Tiny Tome 3
Designer Diary: Naptime, Sweet Phone by @stickydoodler.bsky.social
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lon...
Designer Diary: Naptime, Sweet Phone by @stickydoodler.bsky.social
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lon...
Update 8: Designer Diary: Naptime, Sweet Phone (Gene Koo) · Tiny Tome 3
Your phone deserves a rest. So do you.You're almost certainly reading these words on a glowing screen of some type. No judgment from me! I'm tapping these words out on my phone, of course.I realized r...
www.kickstarter.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Tiny Tome 3
Designer Diary: Naptime, Sweet Phone by @stickydoodler.bsky.social
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lon...
Designer Diary: Naptime, Sweet Phone by @stickydoodler.bsky.social
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lon...
Some 🎲✂️ concepts I learned from reading Dom's designer diary:
1️⃣ Have a clear vision. Dom identified four pillars for Nature that he articulates quite clearly in this diary. Your company doesn't have to be named "North Star Games" for you to have your own "north star" in your design.
...
1️⃣ Have a clear vision. Dom identified four pillars for Nature that he articulates quite clearly in this diary. Your company doesn't have to be named "North Star Games" for you to have your own "north star" in your design.
...
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...
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 3:32 PM
Some 🎲✂️ concepts I learned from reading Dom's designer diary:
1️⃣ Have a clear vision. Dom identified four pillars for Nature that he articulates quite clearly in this diary. Your company doesn't have to be named "North Star Games" for you to have your own "north star" in your design.
...
1️⃣ Have a clear vision. Dom identified four pillars for Nature that he articulates quite clearly in this diary. Your company doesn't have to be named "North Star Games" for you to have your own "north star" in your design.
...
With the US government shutdown in a second month, families in my region are struggling to put food on the table. Food banks have opened their doors to civil servants, but they were already running low with the huge job losses here (so many contractors have lost their jobs, too).
You can help
1/▶️
You can help
1/▶️
November 4, 2025 at 1:29 PM
With the US government shutdown in a second month, families in my region are struggling to put food on the table. Food banks have opened their doors to civil servants, but they were already running low with the huge job losses here (so many contractors have lost their jobs, too).
You can help
1/▶️
You can help
1/▶️
Reposted by Sticky Doodler ▶️ PAXU
This is part of why I'd like to see more local creative scenes with regular meetups and small events that provide an alternative for networking to large, expensive cons.
November 2, 2025 at 1:04 AM
This is part of why I'd like to see more local creative scenes with regular meetups and small events that provide an alternative for networking to large, expensive cons.
Reposted by Sticky Doodler ▶️ PAXU
New comic! Why write hundreds of board game guides when one piece of advice fits all? 😎🎲
You can read this week's blog post at
semicoop.com/comic/one-guide-to-rule-them-all/ #boardgames
You can read this week's blog post at
semicoop.com/comic/one-guide-to-rule-them-all/ #boardgames
November 3, 2025 at 3:03 PM
New comic! Why write hundreds of board game guides when one piece of advice fits all? 😎🎲
You can read this week's blog post at
semicoop.com/comic/one-guide-to-rule-them-all/ #boardgames
You can read this week's blog post at
semicoop.com/comic/one-guide-to-rule-them-all/ #boardgames
At age 50, I find it hard not to ruminate over "what might have been." So I made a game about it.
In "Never Left Home," a fairy in your cereal box grants your wish. The catch? The magic leaves behind a shadow version of yourself, whose wishes don't come true.
Journal to find out...
1/▶️
In "Never Left Home," a fairy in your cereal box grants your wish. The catch? The magic leaves behind a shadow version of yourself, whose wishes don't come true.
Journal to find out...
1/▶️
November 3, 2025 at 12:54 PM
At age 50, I find it hard not to ruminate over "what might have been." So I made a game about it.
In "Never Left Home," a fairy in your cereal box grants your wish. The catch? The magic leaves behind a shadow version of yourself, whose wishes don't come true.
Journal to find out...
1/▶️
In "Never Left Home," a fairy in your cereal box grants your wish. The catch? The magic leaves behind a shadow version of yourself, whose wishes don't come true.
Journal to find out...
1/▶️
I am absolutely delighted that The Bonsai Diary is being enjoyed worldwide! Danke, Frau Knurrkater, for sharing your experience and lovely trees 💚💚💚
November 2, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I am absolutely delighted that The Bonsai Diary is being enjoyed worldwide! Danke, Frau Knurrkater, for sharing your experience and lovely trees 💚💚💚
Yesterday's workshop reminded me why creating journaling games bring me joy: they enable people to step outside themselves, and in so doing, see themselves more clearly...
1/▶️
1/▶️
November 2, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Yesterday's workshop reminded me why creating journaling games bring me joy: they enable people to step outside themselves, and in so doing, see themselves more clearly...
1/▶️
1/▶️
Reposted by Sticky Doodler ▶️ PAXU
Journaling prompt: "You've bitten a US president...."
From "Vampires Are Sometimes People Too" by @paulczege.bsky.social and son.
From "Vampires Are Sometimes People Too" by @paulczege.bsky.social and son.
November 1, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Journaling prompt: "You've bitten a US president...."
From "Vampires Are Sometimes People Too" by @paulczege.bsky.social and son.
From "Vampires Are Sometimes People Too" by @paulczege.bsky.social and son.
Reposted by Sticky Doodler ▶️ PAXU
This was such a great workshop! Lots of folks left interested in journaling games!
Having fun teaching people about solo journaling games at DC Zinefest with Designed in the DMV.
#zine #SoloJournaling #DitDMV
#zine #SoloJournaling #DitDMV
November 1, 2025 at 5:30 PM
This was such a great workshop! Lots of folks left interested in journaling games!
Reposted by Sticky Doodler ▶️ PAXU
Nov 1st is the Day of the Dead, which originated from the Aztecs in Mexico. Nov 2 is All Souls or Saints Day in Christian traditions. What a perfect time to wander through my solo journaling game - The Dead Market. You can purchase it and a couple dozen other solo games in the latest bundle!
Solo Tabletop Bundle is live!
Get a ton of indie solo games for 12$.
Featuring work by Mitchell Daily, Tomas Gimenez Rioja, Cardboard Cultist, Chubby Crow Games, Ash Can Games, Aldo Salt, Joel Happyhill, The Cargo Bay, Hugh Lashbrooke, takataapui, Koke RPGs, and many more!
itch.io/b/3361/sprin...
Get a ton of indie solo games for 12$.
Featuring work by Mitchell Daily, Tomas Gimenez Rioja, Cardboard Cultist, Chubby Crow Games, Ash Can Games, Aldo Salt, Joel Happyhill, The Cargo Bay, Hugh Lashbrooke, takataapui, Koke RPGs, and many more!
itch.io/b/3361/sprin...
November 1, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Nov 1st is the Day of the Dead, which originated from the Aztecs in Mexico. Nov 2 is All Souls or Saints Day in Christian traditions. What a perfect time to wander through my solo journaling game - The Dead Market. You can purchase it and a couple dozen other solo games in the latest bundle!
Reposted by Sticky Doodler ▶️ PAXU
Having fun teaching people about solo journaling games at DC Zinefest with Designed in the DMV.
#zine #SoloJournaling #DitDMV
#zine #SoloJournaling #DitDMV
November 1, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Having fun teaching people about solo journaling games at DC Zinefest with Designed in the DMV.
#zine #SoloJournaling #DitDMV
#zine #SoloJournaling #DitDMV
Come play some journaling games with us at #DCZinefest2025 in just one hour...
📍 MLK Library, room 4D
🕦 11.30am-1.00pm
📍 MLK Library, room 4D
🕦 11.30am-1.00pm
November 1, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Come play some journaling games with us at #DCZinefest2025 in just one hour...
📍 MLK Library, room 4D
🕦 11.30am-1.00pm
📍 MLK Library, room 4D
🕦 11.30am-1.00pm
Reposted by Sticky Doodler ▶️ PAXU
I hate watching a whole country fail its Constitution saving throw
October 31, 2025 at 1:15 AM
I hate watching a whole country fail its Constitution saving throw
Reposted by Sticky Doodler ▶️ PAXU
Excellent post by @stickerdoodles.bsky.social about how to make your indie RPG more retailer-friendly.
Strongly agree with putting the title in the upper third of the cover, and if it's thick enough to have one, having a spine with the game's title on it.
stickydoodler.itch.io/bonsai-diary...
Strongly agree with putting the title in the upper third of the cover, and if it's thick enough to have one, having a spine with the game's title on it.
stickydoodler.itch.io/bonsai-diary...
Making the Bonsai Diary better for retailers
None of us make zine games to get rich. And almost no one is making a living at it. So when I talk about about making my games easier for retailers to sell, my goal has little to do with money and a l...
stickydoodler.itch.io
October 30, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Excellent post by @stickerdoodles.bsky.social about how to make your indie RPG more retailer-friendly.
Strongly agree with putting the title in the upper third of the cover, and if it's thick enough to have one, having a spine with the game's title on it.
stickydoodler.itch.io/bonsai-diary...
Strongly agree with putting the title in the upper third of the cover, and if it's thick enough to have one, having a spine with the game's title on it.
stickydoodler.itch.io/bonsai-diary...