Cardboard Edison
@cardboardedison.com
Board game design and tips for board game makers. cardboardedison.com
Pinned
It’s time! SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2026 CARDBOARD EDISON AWARD ARE OPEN! Board game designers, show us what you’ve been working on! Deadline is January 31: cardboardedison.com/award
The word for the January / February 2026 Bi-Monthly 24 Hour Design Challenge on BoardGameGeek is “culture"
January / February 2026 Bi-Monthly 24 Hour Design Challenge - Culture | BGG
hr]For general questions, references, and most things, check out 2026 Bi-Monthly 24-Hour Design Challenges Discussion Thread and Meta-Thread [hr]
Word of the Bi-Month:
Culture
Welcome back everybody ...
boardgamegeek.com
January 10, 2026 at 11:15 PM
The word for the January / February 2026 Bi-Monthly 24 Hour Design Challenge on BoardGameGeek is “culture"
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Note there are multiple flavors of "stuck".
Here I'm mostly talking about this feeling:
"I see no good options and I don't know how to advance."
...rather than:
"I don't know how to choose between my options."
But the latter can also be a problem if it slows the game too much.
🎲✂️(1/3)
Here I'm mostly talking about this feeling:
"I see no good options and I don't know how to advance."
...rather than:
"I don't know how to choose between my options."
But the latter can also be a problem if it slows the game too much.
🎲✂️(1/3)
January 10, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Note there are multiple flavors of "stuck".
Here I'm mostly talking about this feeling:
"I see no good options and I don't know how to advance."
...rather than:
"I don't know how to choose between my options."
But the latter can also be a problem if it slows the game too much.
🎲✂️(1/3)
Here I'm mostly talking about this feeling:
"I see no good options and I don't know how to advance."
...rather than:
"I don't know how to choose between my options."
But the latter can also be a problem if it slows the game too much.
🎲✂️(1/3)
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Happy 2026 everyone! I'm starting to work on new game design videos for the year, and I'd love to hear from you!
Do you have a topic you would like me to cover, or a question you want me to answer?
Let me know and I will either make standalone videos for them, or include them in a Q and A video :)
Do you have a topic you would like me to cover, or a question you want me to answer?
Let me know and I will either make standalone videos for them, or include them in a Q and A video :)
January 9, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Happy 2026 everyone! I'm starting to work on new game design videos for the year, and I'd love to hear from you!
Do you have a topic you would like me to cover, or a question you want me to answer?
Let me know and I will either make standalone videos for them, or include them in a Q and A video :)
Do you have a topic you would like me to cover, or a question you want me to answer?
Let me know and I will either make standalone videos for them, or include them in a Q and A video :)
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
👉 DC - Maryland - Virginia Tabletop Gamers 👈
Play new games and meet their designers at local events -- find a full listing here:
dmv-designed-games.beehiiv.com/p/tabletop-g...
🤎 Designed in the ♦️🎲 DMV
Play new games and meet their designers at local events -- find a full listing here:
dmv-designed-games.beehiiv.com/p/tabletop-g...
🤎 Designed in the ♦️🎲 DMV
Tabletop Games in the DMV: January 2026
A month of events in your own backyard
dmv-designed-games.beehiiv.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:27 AM
👉 DC - Maryland - Virginia Tabletop Gamers 👈
Play new games and meet their designers at local events -- find a full listing here:
dmv-designed-games.beehiiv.com/p/tabletop-g...
🤎 Designed in the ♦️🎲 DMV
Play new games and meet their designers at local events -- find a full listing here:
dmv-designed-games.beehiiv.com/p/tabletop-g...
🤎 Designed in the ♦️🎲 DMV
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
GMG is excited for our next All-Day Playtesting event tomorrow at Church on the Hill. We are expecting about 60 people. Boardgame design is alive and well!
January 10, 2026 at 1:22 AM
GMG is excited for our next All-Day Playtesting event tomorrow at Church on the Hill. We are expecting about 60 people. Boardgame design is alive and well!
How to give useful game-design feedback by matching your advice to the designer’s experience level
Levels of Designer (Fun Problems #78)
YouTube video by Blue Beard Entertainment
www.youtube.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:35 AM
How to give useful game-design feedback by matching your advice to the designer’s experience level
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
It's #CraftWednesday! Do you have a game-related crafting project in progress? It could be a prototype, print and play, upgrading the components of a favourite game, making an accessory or even something larger like a table or games room. Share a picture and join in! Please RP!
January 7, 2026 at 12:40 PM
It's #CraftWednesday! Do you have a game-related crafting project in progress? It could be a prototype, print and play, upgrading the components of a favourite game, making an accessory or even something larger like a table or games room. Share a picture and join in! Please RP!
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Are you a BIPOC or AAPI Dev with a new game? Is it ready to be pitched to the public? Apply to run demos as part of the PAX Together BIPOC Demo Days Program at #PAXEast 2026, with help from @sidequestbooks.bsky.social and @worlds4all.bsky.social.
Applications are open until 1/12 paxe26.com/DemoApp
Applications are open until 1/12 paxe26.com/DemoApp
January 7, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Are you a BIPOC or AAPI Dev with a new game? Is it ready to be pitched to the public? Apply to run demos as part of the PAX Together BIPOC Demo Days Program at #PAXEast 2026, with help from @sidequestbooks.bsky.social and @worlds4all.bsky.social.
Applications are open until 1/12 paxe26.com/DemoApp
Applications are open until 1/12 paxe26.com/DemoApp
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
It's time for a 2025 Retrospective on my board game design journey! Read along for some insight (including some detailed numbers) into a semi-professional who makes money from design, but not quite enough to be a full-time job that supports a family. 🧵
a happy new year greeting card for 2025
ALT: a happy new year greeting card for 2025
media.tenor.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:07 AM
It's time for a 2025 Retrospective on my board game design journey! Read along for some insight (including some detailed numbers) into a semi-professional who makes money from design, but not quite enough to be a full-time job that supports a family. 🧵
The PnP Bundle Contest is seeking print-and-play games that will be included in a crowdfunded bundle. Deadline: February 7. Prize: Royalties on crowdfunding sales. pnpbundle.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:07 AM
The PnP Bundle Contest is seeking print-and-play games that will be included in a crowdfunded bundle. Deadline: February 7. Prize: Royalties on crowdfunding sales. pnpbundle.com
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
This tip is specific to strategy game design. Two benefits:
👍 players can learn the rules in pieces, over turns, instead of all at once.
👍 It can create an escalating game arc.
But be careful not to make the early turns *too* simple. That can make for a boring first impression.
🎲✂️(1/2)
👍 players can learn the rules in pieces, over turns, instead of all at once.
👍 It can create an escalating game arc.
But be careful not to make the early turns *too* simple. That can make for a boring first impression.
🎲✂️(1/2)
January 6, 2026 at 5:01 PM
This tip is specific to strategy game design. Two benefits:
👍 players can learn the rules in pieces, over turns, instead of all at once.
👍 It can create an escalating game arc.
But be careful not to make the early turns *too* simple. That can make for a boring first impression.
🎲✂️(1/2)
👍 players can learn the rules in pieces, over turns, instead of all at once.
👍 It can create an escalating game arc.
But be careful not to make the early turns *too* simple. That can make for a boring first impression.
🎲✂️(1/2)
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
In honor of the @cardboardedison.com 🎲✂️ contest, here are my 2-min. pitch video tips:
🪝 Push the hook(s) from the beginning
🧀 Be cheesily excited about your game
🫴 Show and tell, but mostly show
😲 Highlight the emotional highs
🪝 Keep everything connected to the hook(s)
Script template below...
🪝 Push the hook(s) from the beginning
🧀 Be cheesily excited about your game
🫴 Show and tell, but mostly show
😲 Highlight the emotional highs
🪝 Keep everything connected to the hook(s)
Script template below...
January 6, 2026 at 1:44 PM
In honor of the @cardboardedison.com 🎲✂️ contest, here are my 2-min. pitch video tips:
🪝 Push the hook(s) from the beginning
🧀 Be cheesily excited about your game
🫴 Show and tell, but mostly show
😲 Highlight the emotional highs
🪝 Keep everything connected to the hook(s)
Script template below...
🪝 Push the hook(s) from the beginning
🧀 Be cheesily excited about your game
🫴 Show and tell, but mostly show
😲 Highlight the emotional highs
🪝 Keep everything connected to the hook(s)
Script template below...
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Have a silly idea for a panel/seminar/workshop/event for Unpub Festival 2026?
Submit it to share your ideas with everyone else.
unpub.fillout.com/2026events
Submit it to share your ideas with everyone else.
unpub.fillout.com/2026events
unpub.fillout.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Have a silly idea for a panel/seminar/workshop/event for Unpub Festival 2026?
Submit it to share your ideas with everyone else.
unpub.fillout.com/2026events
Submit it to share your ideas with everyone else.
unpub.fillout.com/2026events
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
By watching enough unguided tests, you can suss out how folks will play a game wrong.
If you can, not only can you try to reduce such errors, you can also check to see if the game is fun when played wrong that way, and adjust if not.
🎲✂️(3/3)
If you can, not only can you try to reduce such errors, you can also check to see if the game is fun when played wrong that way, and adjust if not.
🎲✂️(3/3)
January 5, 2026 at 5:55 PM
By watching enough unguided tests, you can suss out how folks will play a game wrong.
If you can, not only can you try to reduce such errors, you can also check to see if the game is fun when played wrong that way, and adjust if not.
🎲✂️(3/3)
If you can, not only can you try to reduce such errors, you can also check to see if the game is fun when played wrong that way, and adjust if not.
🎲✂️(3/3)
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Here's a question for board game designers... What's a wonky rule that you wanted to cut, but in the end had to leave in because it just felt too important?
January 5, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Here's a question for board game designers... What's a wonky rule that you wanted to cut, but in the end had to leave in because it just felt too important?
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Tabletop Testing Night – 6 February 2026
Het zal wellicht koud en winters zijn buiten, maar binnen bij het Forum zullen we hoog en droog zitten. Wat er te spelen is, dat is altijd een verrassing, maar het zal zeker weer diversiteit hebben en de sfeer zal goed zijn. Meer informatie en je aanmelden…
Het zal wellicht koud en winters zijn buiten, maar binnen bij het Forum zullen we hoog en droog zitten. Wat er te spelen is, dat is altijd een verrassing, maar het zal zeker weer diversiteit hebben en de sfeer zal goed zijn. Meer informatie en je aanmelden…
Tabletop Testing Night – 6 February 2026
Het zal wellicht koud en winters zijn buiten, maar binnen bij het Forum zullen we hoog en droog zitten. Wat er te spelen is, dat is altijd een verrassing, maar het zal zeker weer diversiteit hebben en de sfeer zal goed zijn. Meer informatie en je aanmelden kan hieronder. Nog wat extra aandacht voor een aantal andere aankomende evenementen: 10 Januari:
spellenmaakgilde.net
January 5, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Tabletop Testing Night – 6 February 2026
Het zal wellicht koud en winters zijn buiten, maar binnen bij het Forum zullen we hoog en droog zitten. Wat er te spelen is, dat is altijd een verrassing, maar het zal zeker weer diversiteit hebben en de sfeer zal goed zijn. Meer informatie en je aanmelden…
Het zal wellicht koud en winters zijn buiten, maar binnen bij het Forum zullen we hoog en droog zitten. Wat er te spelen is, dat is altijd een verrassing, maar het zal zeker weer diversiteit hebben en de sfeer zal goed zijn. Meer informatie en je aanmelden…
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
If players touch the pieces too much in a game, it'll often feel fiddly.
It'll also add cognitive burden: using our hands requires surprising brain power (I was once a neurobiologist).
Protip: count touches-per-turn in tests
🎲✂️(1/4)
It'll also add cognitive burden: using our hands requires surprising brain power (I was once a neurobiologist).
Protip: count touches-per-turn in tests
🎲✂️(1/4)
January 4, 2026 at 5:07 PM
If players touch the pieces too much in a game, it'll often feel fiddly.
It'll also add cognitive burden: using our hands requires surprising brain power (I was once a neurobiologist).
Protip: count touches-per-turn in tests
🎲✂️(1/4)
It'll also add cognitive burden: using our hands requires surprising brain power (I was once a neurobiologist).
Protip: count touches-per-turn in tests
🎲✂️(1/4)
Thoughts on how the players themselves affect the gameplay experience—and what that means for designers
Socially Afflicted - how people affect gameplay experience (Topic Discussion) | Tabletop Games Blog
As I was listening to an episode of the Ludology podcast recently, one focused on games and health, I started to think about how much the people we play with influence our gameplay experience. Selecti...
tabletopgamesblog.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Thoughts on how the players themselves affect the gameplay experience—and what that means for designers
Writing your board game’s rulebook can be a chore—here’s a process for breaking up the task into manageable chunks
Making the Game Rule(s)
I have to update a game rules document today. It might be my least favorite part of being a game designer. Like, maybe worse than a bad game pitch. The process is a mix of tedium and anxiety, and i…
discocandybar.com
January 3, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Writing your board game’s rulebook can be a chore—here’s a process for breaking up the task into manageable chunks
A good problem to have as a designer: How to deal with multiple publishers wanting to sign your game, via @matthewdunstan.bsky.social
How to deal with multiple publishers wanting to sign your game
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
www.youtube.com
January 3, 2026 at 2:33 AM
A good problem to have as a designer: How to deal with multiple publishers wanting to sign your game, via @matthewdunstan.bsky.social
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Cardboard Edison interviewed me for their 2026 Best Practices handbook, check it out for some of my thoughts on submitting your game to a contest!
I'm also looking forward to helping judge the first-round submissions this year. It should be lots of fun!!
I'm also looking forward to helping judge the first-round submissions this year. It should be lots of fun!!
It’s time! SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2026 CARDBOARD EDISON AWARD ARE OPEN! Board game designers, show us what you’ve been working on! Deadline is January 31: cardboardedison.com/award
January 1, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Cardboard Edison interviewed me for their 2026 Best Practices handbook, check it out for some of my thoughts on submitting your game to a contest!
I'm also looking forward to helping judge the first-round submissions this year. It should be lots of fun!!
I'm also looking forward to helping judge the first-round submissions this year. It should be lots of fun!!
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
It’s time! SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2026 CARDBOARD EDISON AWARD ARE OPEN! Board game designers, show us what you’ve been working on! Deadline is January 31: cardboardedison.com/award
January 1, 2026 at 1:35 PM
It’s time! SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2026 CARDBOARD EDISON AWARD ARE OPEN! Board game designers, show us what you’ve been working on! Deadline is January 31: cardboardedison.com/award
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Happy public domain day! Come join our jam "Gaming Like It's 1930" and make games that about or inspired by works from that year: itch.io/jam/gaming-l...
Gaming Like It's 1930
A game jam from 2026-01-01 to 2026-02-01 hosted by Randy Lubin & Copia Gaming. A new year means new material entering the public domain! Starting January 1st 2026, works from 1930 are free to use and remix (except for sound recor...
itch.io
January 1, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Happy public domain day! Come join our jam "Gaming Like It's 1930" and make games that about or inspired by works from that year: itch.io/jam/gaming-l...
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Today's 15s Board Game Design 🎲 Tip for the Day starts our month long topic of "board game prototyping": youtube.com/shorts/-Vv90... #boardgame #boardgamedesign #tabletopgames #gamedesign #lgbtq #gamepublisher
Board Game Design 🎲 Tip for the Day: P-1, Prototyping is a craft #gamedesign #boardgamedesign #craft
YouTube video by Fight in a Box
youtube.com
January 1, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Today's 15s Board Game Design 🎲 Tip for the Day starts our month long topic of "board game prototyping": youtube.com/shorts/-Vv90... #boardgame #boardgamedesign #tabletopgames #gamedesign #lgbtq #gamepublisher