Amabel Holland
@amabel.bsky.social
She/her. "Widely considered one of today’s most innovative game designers." - The New Yorker
Board games: https://hollandspiele.com
video essays: youtube.com/@hollandspiele
Patreon: patreon.com/amabelholland
sidekicking: youtube.com/@SBPlaysGames
Board games: https://hollandspiele.com
video essays: youtube.com/@hollandspiele
Patreon: patreon.com/amabelholland
sidekicking: youtube.com/@SBPlaysGames
Pinned
Amabel Holland
@amabel.bsky.social
· Dec 26
📌 I'm Amabel!
- I design & publish weird board games via Hollandspiele
- I research the uncredited game designers of the twentieth century
- I make video essays about board games
- I talk about transition, politics, trauma, and my hypersexuality
- I design & publish weird board games via Hollandspiele
- I research the uncredited game designers of the twentieth century
- I make video essays about board games
- I talk about transition, politics, trauma, and my hypersexuality
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Try a couple decades of shitty emails ranging from simple insults all the way up to death threats from idiot fanboys who can't handle you giving a game "only" 8/10 and see which one puts more calluses on your soul, dummy. You'd fold in six months or less.
January 28, 2026 at 3:18 AM
Try a couple decades of shitty emails ranging from simple insults all the way up to death threats from idiot fanboys who can't handle you giving a game "only" 8/10 and see which one puts more calluses on your soul, dummy. You'd fold in six months or less.
Reposted by Amabel Holland
I'm really in my feelings about how bad a time I had with this so save yourself the agita and angst, skip A Message From The Stars, and just play City of Six Moons by @amabel.bsky.social
Boy did I bounce hard off "A Message From The Stars" - & only a smidgen of the reason was a poor teach.
Off night maybe but I found it aggressively nonintuitive & impenetrable like an frat pledge ritual or phrasebook for a dead, made up language.
The "hat on a hat" of logic deduction "party" games
Off night maybe but I found it aggressively nonintuitive & impenetrable like an frat pledge ritual or phrasebook for a dead, made up language.
The "hat on a hat" of logic deduction "party" games
January 28, 2026 at 3:16 AM
I'm really in my feelings about how bad a time I had with this so save yourself the agita and angst, skip A Message From The Stars, and just play City of Six Moons by @amabel.bsky.social
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Probably the biggest problem with being a game critic is you never hear what other people think of you
January 28, 2026 at 2:53 AM
Probably the biggest problem with being a game critic is you never hear what other people think of you
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Just did a quick skim before a proper watch and I'm dying. :D
January 28, 2026 at 1:24 AM
Just did a quick skim before a proper watch and I'm dying. :D
we are watching a Japanese Castlevania musical and at the moment there's a lady playing Maximilien Robespierre singing about how she wants to awaken demons
January 28, 2026 at 1:16 AM
we are watching a Japanese Castlevania musical and at the moment there's a lady playing Maximilien Robespierre singing about how she wants to awaken demons
Reposted by Amabel Holland
I remember being really excited when I first saw "The Archers" trending a few months ago
"holy shit, why is everyone talking about Powell and Pressburger films??"
I was a little disappointed lmao
"holy shit, why is everyone talking about Powell and Pressburger films??"
I was a little disappointed lmao
January 27, 2026 at 7:53 PM
I remember being really excited when I first saw "The Archers" trending a few months ago
"holy shit, why is everyone talking about Powell and Pressburger films??"
I was a little disappointed lmao
"holy shit, why is everyone talking about Powell and Pressburger films??"
I was a little disappointed lmao
Reposted by Amabel Holland
The process of research explained. This is my jam.
I wanted to know who designed an old board game I loved. I found out he made over fifty games he was never credited for, in a career spanning more than three decades.
youtu.be/dTepZ7qM24Q
youtu.be/dTepZ7qM24Q
GRAVITY IS FREE: the games of René Soriano
YouTube video by Hollandspiele
youtu.be
January 27, 2026 at 6:52 PM
The process of research explained. This is my jam.
Reposted by Amabel Holland
What My Grandpa Did To My Nose Is Worse Than You Think
January 27, 2026 at 12:48 AM
What My Grandpa Did To My Nose Is Worse Than You Think
Reposted by Amabel Holland
It's astounding just how much Bari Weiss doesn't understand her job or her supposed field.
Or rather, she is incapable of recognizing that the goals, responsibilities, and value of journalism are all fundamentally different from farming social media attention (which is all she knows how to do).
Or rather, she is incapable of recognizing that the goals, responsibilities, and value of journalism are all fundamentally different from farming social media attention (which is all she knows how to do).
Here, in three posts, are the written remarks by Bari Weiss at today's CBS News town hall meeting. Part one of three:
January 27, 2026 at 5:31 PM
It's astounding just how much Bari Weiss doesn't understand her job or her supposed field.
Or rather, she is incapable of recognizing that the goals, responsibilities, and value of journalism are all fundamentally different from farming social media attention (which is all she knows how to do).
Or rather, she is incapable of recognizing that the goals, responsibilities, and value of journalism are all fundamentally different from farming social media attention (which is all she knows how to do).
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Amabel out here just casually dropping great documentaries.
I wanted to know who designed an old board game I loved. I found out he made over fifty games he was never credited for, in a career spanning more than three decades.
youtu.be/dTepZ7qM24Q
youtu.be/dTepZ7qM24Q
GRAVITY IS FREE: the games of René Soriano
YouTube video by Hollandspiele
youtu.be
January 27, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Amabel out here just casually dropping great documentaries.
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Y'all need to get on this channel,
the Defunctland of board games.
the Defunctland of board games.
this also includes: who created Howdy Doody, the disputed credit for Connect Four, why there were so many plastic dexterity games in the 60s & 70s, how Disney & Kenner tried & failed to manufacture a fandom, and why Parker Brothers is no longer around.
I wanted to know who designed an old board game I loved. I found out he made over fifty games he was never credited for, in a career spanning more than three decades.
youtu.be/dTepZ7qM24Q
youtu.be/dTepZ7qM24Q
January 27, 2026 at 1:22 PM
Y'all need to get on this channel,
the Defunctland of board games.
the Defunctland of board games.
this also includes: who created Howdy Doody, the disputed credit for Connect Four, why there were so many plastic dexterity games in the 60s & 70s, how Disney & Kenner tried & failed to manufacture a fandom, and why Parker Brothers is no longer around.
I wanted to know who designed an old board game I loved. I found out he made over fifty games he was never credited for, in a career spanning more than three decades.
youtu.be/dTepZ7qM24Q
youtu.be/dTepZ7qM24Q
GRAVITY IS FREE: the games of René Soriano
YouTube video by Hollandspiele
youtu.be
January 27, 2026 at 12:39 PM
this also includes: who created Howdy Doody, the disputed credit for Connect Four, why there were so many plastic dexterity games in the 60s & 70s, how Disney & Kenner tried & failed to manufacture a fandom, and why Parker Brothers is no longer around.
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Reposted by Amabel Holland
“Young people aren’t reading a book series from 29 years ago whose author is now famously bankrolling a global hate campaign. It seems like this is something that would be very difficult to blame on liberals, but that’s why I get the big bucks from the NYT.”
January 26, 2026 at 9:42 PM
“Young people aren’t reading a book series from 29 years ago whose author is now famously bankrolling a global hate campaign. It seems like this is something that would be very difficult to blame on liberals, but that’s why I get the big bucks from the NYT.”
Reposted by Amabel Holland
The Quiet Year is now back in stock no matter where you live!
The Quiet Year is an award-winning map-making game about building community after the collapse. It comes in a little box with everything you need to play. And it's back in stock in the US!
store.buriedwithoutceremony.com/products/the...
The Quiet Year is an award-winning map-making game about building community after the collapse. It comes in a little box with everything you need to play. And it's back in stock in the US!
store.buriedwithoutceremony.com/products/the...
The Quiet Year (box set)
The Quiet Year is a map game. You define the struggles of a community living after the collapse of civilization, and attempt to build something good within their quiet year. Every decision and every a...
store.buriedwithoutceremony.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:43 PM
The Quiet Year is now back in stock no matter where you live!
The Quiet Year is an award-winning map-making game about building community after the collapse. It comes in a little box with everything you need to play. And it's back in stock in the US!
store.buriedwithoutceremony.com/products/the...
The Quiet Year is an award-winning map-making game about building community after the collapse. It comes in a little box with everything you need to play. And it's back in stock in the US!
store.buriedwithoutceremony.com/products/the...
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Board Game Beat is officially launched & loaded with content...with more to come as I report on Spielwarenmesse!
If you're into independent board game journalism—articles, videos, interviews, news, reviews & more—please check it out and share.
www.wericmartin.com
#boardgame #spielwarenmesse
If you're into independent board game journalism—articles, videos, interviews, news, reviews & more—please check it out and share.
www.wericmartin.com
#boardgame #spielwarenmesse
Board Game Beat LLC | W. Eric Martin
Tabletop and board game journalism with deep-dive news, reviews, interviews, videos, and essays, plus rulebook writing and editing services.
www.wericmartin.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Board Game Beat is officially launched & loaded with content...with more to come as I report on Spielwarenmesse!
If you're into independent board game journalism—articles, videos, interviews, news, reviews & more—please check it out and share.
www.wericmartin.com
#boardgame #spielwarenmesse
If you're into independent board game journalism—articles, videos, interviews, news, reviews & more—please check it out and share.
www.wericmartin.com
#boardgame #spielwarenmesse
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Fabulous documentary about the history of toy and board game production!
I wanted to know who designed an old board game I loved. I found out he made over fifty games he was never credited for, in a career spanning more than three decades.
youtu.be/dTepZ7qM24Q
youtu.be/dTepZ7qM24Q
GRAVITY IS FREE: the games of René Soriano
YouTube video by Hollandspiele
youtu.be
January 26, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Fabulous documentary about the history of toy and board game production!
Got some new producers signing up after the video went out on Friday, and I now find myself with seventy-five (75!) patreon supporters. That's really humbling, and I'm deeply grateful - it's what allows me to fund research-intensive videos like "Gravity Is Free".
patreon.com/amabelholland
patreon.com/amabelholland
Get more from Amabel Holland on Patreon
video essays about the future & history of board games
patreon.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Got some new producers signing up after the video went out on Friday, and I now find myself with seventy-five (75!) patreon supporters. That's really humbling, and I'm deeply grateful - it's what allows me to fund research-intensive videos like "Gravity Is Free".
patreon.com/amabelholland
patreon.com/amabelholland
Reposted by Amabel Holland
SE MI folks: Mutual Aid & Resource Fair! Saturday Jan 31, 1-4 pm at the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn. DIY, Know-Your-Rights, and free resources like food, clothes, hygiene items, and more!
Attached flyer in English and Arabic
Attached flyer in English and Arabic
January 14, 2026 at 8:31 PM
SE MI folks: Mutual Aid & Resource Fair! Saturday Jan 31, 1-4 pm at the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn. DIY, Know-Your-Rights, and free resources like food, clothes, hygiene items, and more!
Attached flyer in English and Arabic
Attached flyer in English and Arabic
gal I used to date was being eaten alive by her job - damaging her mental & emotional health, stressed & hair-trigger angry all the time. She spent the whole of our relationship waffling on whether or not to quit & I encouraged her to do so, but she never did. 1/7
January 26, 2026 at 3:00 PM
gal I used to date was being eaten alive by her job - damaging her mental & emotional health, stressed & hair-trigger angry all the time. She spent the whole of our relationship waffling on whether or not to quit & I encouraged her to do so, but she never did. 1/7
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Reposted by Amabel Holland
Met a guy today who works as a digital sculptor for Funko Pops and his quota is 2.5 Pops per week. Gonna be thinking about that for a while.
January 26, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Met a guy today who works as a digital sculptor for Funko Pops and his quota is 2.5 Pops per week. Gonna be thinking about that for a while.
Reposted by Amabel Holland
is it too late to call Bryan Fuller's Hannibal "Eated Rivalry"
January 26, 2026 at 1:40 AM
is it too late to call Bryan Fuller's Hannibal "Eated Rivalry"
Reposted by Amabel Holland
critical support to r/dragonsfuckingcars
January 26, 2026 at 12:32 AM
critical support to r/dragonsfuckingcars