Sam Francis (Samphire Games)
@tzartzam.bsky.social
Editor, father, feminist, writer, capoeira, boardgame designer (Samphire Games: Poll & Write) (he/him). Bristol, UK. https://linktr.ee/samphiregames
It's remembrance day so I'm sharing some pictures of my grandfathers that my sister posted.
This is one generation of ordinary people made to become warriors.
I remember asking grandpa about the war and the planes but he - a botanist - was more interested in telling me about the trees.
This is one generation of ordinary people made to become warriors.
I remember asking grandpa about the war and the planes but he - a botanist - was more interested in telling me about the trees.
November 9, 2025 at 1:26 PM
It's remembrance day so I'm sharing some pictures of my grandfathers that my sister posted.
This is one generation of ordinary people made to become warriors.
I remember asking grandpa about the war and the planes but he - a botanist - was more interested in telling me about the trees.
This is one generation of ordinary people made to become warriors.
I remember asking grandpa about the war and the planes but he - a botanist - was more interested in telling me about the trees.
The Union ended the strike (before having to pay strike pay which would've ruined them) but went on a rally to celebrate/commemorate. Owner breathed a sigh of relief (I imagine).
BUT! The Radical has used their newfound freedom to enact a conspiracy! And now I have to work out how that resolves...
BUT! The Radical has used their newfound freedom to enact a conspiracy! And now I have to work out how that resolves...
October 3, 2025 at 10:45 AM
The Union ended the strike (before having to pay strike pay which would've ruined them) but went on a rally to celebrate/commemorate. Owner breathed a sigh of relief (I imagine).
BUT! The Radical has used their newfound freedom to enact a conspiracy! And now I have to work out how that resolves...
BUT! The Radical has used their newfound freedom to enact a conspiracy! And now I have to work out how that resolves...
Me losing at Emberleaf last night
September 20, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Me losing at Emberleaf last night
Calling it now: Lib Dems win his seat at the next election. (I expect he'll head somewhere else, and Labour vote will go to Lib Dems.)
September 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Calling it now: Lib Dems win his seat at the next election. (I expect he'll head somewhere else, and Labour vote will go to Lib Dems.)
Really enjoyed Emberleaf last night! It has the aesthetics of Root, the mechanical smoothness of Scythe (borrowing some mechanics there), the feel of Everdell and of course the DNA of Isle of Cats.
June 21, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Really enjoyed Emberleaf last night! It has the aesthetics of Root, the mechanical smoothness of Scythe (borrowing some mechanics there), the feel of Everdell and of course the DNA of Isle of Cats.
Revamped Dwarf Union ahead of playtesting at #ukge this weekend, and I loved playing it against myself!
Everything a lot smoother and I ironed out a few issues. But most importantly I loved the stories the game told! 🎲✂️
Everything a lot smoother and I ironed out a few issues. But most importantly I loved the stories the game told! 🎲✂️
May 28, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Revamped Dwarf Union ahead of playtesting at #ukge this weekend, and I loved playing it against myself!
Everything a lot smoother and I ironed out a few issues. But most importantly I loved the stories the game told! 🎲✂️
Everything a lot smoother and I ironed out a few issues. But most importantly I loved the stories the game told! 🎲✂️
Personal highlight of today's trans rally in Bristol
April 26, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Personal highlight of today's trans rally in Bristol
Türkiye too!
April 1, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Türkiye too!
Modelling the special democratic system of the motherland
![Poll & Write Russia
New single-player game
Navalny's Russia is the Future [party] rolls a single die :(
Murder your opponents!
The 2024 presidential election](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6ulza65kwjalmywlyrwpiykq/bafkreifacu744uv5dae2uefk3hpy2jlcvqa3a3egnj52xpg6mncu4tgfv4@jpeg)
April 1, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Modelling the special democratic system of the motherland
I'm announcing a new election game
April 1, 2025 at 6:47 AM
I'm announcing a new election game
I enjoyed creating a cost of living marker!
March 26, 2025 at 4:31 PM
I enjoyed creating a cost of living marker!
This, from George Orwell writing about the propaganda around the Barcelona May Days in 1937, reminds me bluntly of what has been said recently about social media polarisation - that we can't agree on the basic facts. It's not as new as it's often presented.
February 16, 2025 at 10:00 AM
This, from George Orwell writing about the propaganda around the Barcelona May Days in 1937, reminds me bluntly of what has been said recently about social media polarisation - that we can't agree on the basic facts. It's not as new as it's often presented.
If you're within reach of Bristol (UK) please consider going to this! Helpfully set up by @mintynoodles.bsky.social @miasmacorp.bsky.social @playtestuk.bsky.social
(I can't actually go this time but will likely be a regular in future!)
(I can't actually go this time but will likely be a regular in future!)
February 3, 2025 at 1:58 PM
If you're within reach of Bristol (UK) please consider going to this! Helpfully set up by @mintynoodles.bsky.social @miasmacorp.bsky.social @playtestuk.bsky.social
(I can't actually go this time but will likely be a regular in future!)
(I can't actually go this time but will likely be a regular in future!)
Eternal Decks was a lovely game last night! Nice interesting cooperative decisions. Thanks for bringing it @miasmacorp.bsky.social
January 29, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Eternal Decks was a lovely game last night! Nice interesting cooperative decisions. Thanks for bringing it @miasmacorp.bsky.social
An anti-Trump welcome for Bristol commuters.
January 20, 2025 at 1:01 PM
An anti-Trump welcome for Bristol commuters.
Poll and Write USA map is coming along nicely! Pleased with my layout work today. Some tidying up to do still.
Notice the rotation of some elements to enable players on either side to see it clearly (it's 2p).
Pondering how to incorporate the white-collar and blue-collar icons. 🤔 🎲✂️
Notice the rotation of some elements to enable players on either side to see it clearly (it's 2p).
Pondering how to incorporate the white-collar and blue-collar icons. 🤔 🎲✂️
January 17, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Poll and Write USA map is coming along nicely! Pleased with my layout work today. Some tidying up to do still.
Notice the rotation of some elements to enable players on either side to see it clearly (it's 2p).
Pondering how to incorporate the white-collar and blue-collar icons. 🤔 🎲✂️
Notice the rotation of some elements to enable players on either side to see it clearly (it's 2p).
Pondering how to incorporate the white-collar and blue-collar icons. 🤔 🎲✂️
High Tide by @marcelineleiman.bsky.social is a tiny game that feels like it's going to be huge. It's going to have terminology and strategy guides. Looking forward to there being more than 20 in existence!
January 11, 2025 at 7:57 AM
High Tide by @marcelineleiman.bsky.social is a tiny game that feels like it's going to be huge. It's going to have terminology and strategy guides. Looking forward to there being more than 20 in existence!
Yes, these are all real 18-year-old women who happen to have OnlyFans accounts and are definitely interested in my Bsky posts. The coincidence of the names is just that.
January 6, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Yes, these are all real 18-year-old women who happen to have OnlyFans accounts and are definitely interested in my Bsky posts. The coincidence of the names is just that.
Agh, trying to remember how I played this game of mine last time! Didn't update the rules did I 😨🤪 🎲✂️
January 4, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Agh, trying to remember how I played this game of mine last time! Didn't update the rules did I 😨🤪 🎲✂️
I've been rearranging the game cage for 2025. It fits a lot!
December 31, 2024 at 6:38 PM
I've been rearranging the game cage for 2025. It fits a lot!
It was a privilege to play the production copy of Molly House last night (one of only two in the UK right now) with Jo @miasmacorp.bsky.social
I love that the core action of the game is about hosting and attending parties, and the stories that emerge from what you bring to them.
I love that the core action of the game is about hosting and attending parties, and the stories that emerge from what you bring to them.
December 21, 2024 at 9:42 AM
It was a privilege to play the production copy of Molly House last night (one of only two in the UK right now) with Jo @miasmacorp.bsky.social
I love that the core action of the game is about hosting and attending parties, and the stories that emerge from what you bring to them.
I love that the core action of the game is about hosting and attending parties, and the stories that emerge from what you bring to them.
Americans, I, a Brit making a game about the US election, did this for you. It hurt, but I did it anyway.
December 20, 2024 at 11:44 AM
Americans, I, a Brit making a game about the US election, did this for you. It hurt, but I did it anyway.
Some of November's games! Who's enjoyed these recently?
December 1, 2024 at 3:43 PM
Some of November's games! Who's enjoyed these recently?