Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
@gengelstein.bsky.social
Boardgame enthusiast, podcaster, books: Building Blocks of Tabletop Game Design, Universe Explained with a Cookie games: Versailles 1919 and Super Skill Pinball. He/him
https://open.substack.com/pub/gametek
https://open.substack.com/pub/gametek
Pinned
Me: Gosh, year N was bad. Looking forward to N+1!
N+1: Hold my beer.
(Just saving future me some time)
(First posted in 2020)
N+1: Hold my beer.
(Just saving future me some time)
(First posted in 2020)
Having just visited the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, this was a challenging, infuriating, and thought-provoking read.
I don't know how to introduce this one. After three titles about opium peddling, I figured the rest of SDHistCon would be breezy by comparison. I was wrong. The next day, I experienced one of the toughest board games I've ever played. Perhaps *the* toughest. spacebiff.com/2025/11/24/u...
Unnameable
After the first day of SDHistCon, where I played three games about opium peddling, I figured the second would be easier on my stomach. I could not have been more wrong. It has no name. Its designer…
spacebiff.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Having just visited the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, this was a challenging, infuriating, and thought-provoking read.
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
I don't know how to introduce this one. After three titles about opium peddling, I figured the rest of SDHistCon would be breezy by comparison. I was wrong. The next day, I experienced one of the toughest board games I've ever played. Perhaps *the* toughest. spacebiff.com/2025/11/24/u...
Unnameable
After the first day of SDHistCon, where I played three games about opium peddling, I figured the second would be easier on my stomach. I could not have been more wrong. It has no name. Its designer…
spacebiff.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:01 PM
I don't know how to introduce this one. After three titles about opium peddling, I figured the rest of SDHistCon would be breezy by comparison. I was wrong. The next day, I experienced one of the toughest board games I've ever played. Perhaps *the* toughest. spacebiff.com/2025/11/24/u...
The designer of Mouse Trap, Rock'em Sock'em Robots, Lite Brite, and many other toys has passed away.
What a legacy of joy!
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/a...
What a legacy of joy!
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/a...
Burt Meyer, 99, Dies; Made Lite-Brite and Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:49 PM
The designer of Mouse Trap, Rock'em Sock'em Robots, Lite Brite, and many other toys has passed away.
What a legacy of joy!
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/a...
What a legacy of joy!
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/a...
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
I am happy to report that we finally have another #RPGDesignPanelcast episode out where @gengelstein.bsky.social explains the fundamentals of boardgame design, from back in 2024. Expect more seminars shortly!
Episode 384: Board Game Design Fundamentals | RPG Design Panelcast
Recorded at Metatopia 2024
Presented by Geoff Engelstein
This session will go over the core processes and skills required for successful game design. While intended for people in the early stages of t...
genesisoflegend.podbean.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:20 AM
I am happy to report that we finally have another #RPGDesignPanelcast episode out where @gengelstein.bsky.social explains the fundamentals of boardgame design, from back in 2024. Expect more seminars shortly!
My congressman Tom Kean Jr wants to ban Medicare, social security, farm subsidies, Snap benefits, and more.
Or he doesn’t understand what socialism actually means.
Or he doesn’t understand what socialism actually means.
November 22, 2025 at 3:35 PM
My congressman Tom Kean Jr wants to ban Medicare, social security, farm subsidies, Snap benefits, and more.
Or he doesn’t understand what socialism actually means.
Or he doesn’t understand what socialism actually means.
When pregnant woman boarded a subway car, 38% of the time someone offered her a seat. If someone dressed as Batman was also in the car it rose to 68%.
phys.org/news/2025-11...
phys.org/news/2025-11...
The Batman effect: The mere sight of the 'superhero' can make us more altruistic
If "Batman" appears on the scene, we immediately become more altruistic: in fact, research conducted by psychologists from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, shows that the sudden appear...
phys.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:34 PM
When pregnant woman boarded a subway car, 38% of the time someone offered her a seat. If someone dressed as Batman was also in the car it rose to 68%.
phys.org/news/2025-11...
phys.org/news/2025-11...
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
This thread goes into detail with photos of the design copying… and the replies link to MULTIPLE previous threads about these products and the publisher’s business practices.
November 19, 2025 at 5:36 PM
This thread goes into detail with photos of the design copying… and the replies link to MULTIPLE previous threads about these products and the publisher’s business practices.
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
Are you an ‘Industry Professional’ who wants to lead a team through our Game Jam at PAX Unplugged?
We’re looking for a few more captains for this Friday.
We’re looking for a few more captains for this Friday.
November 18, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Are you an ‘Industry Professional’ who wants to lead a team through our Game Jam at PAX Unplugged?
We’re looking for a few more captains for this Friday.
We’re looking for a few more captains for this Friday.
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
Play to Z Games 50 percent off holiday bundle: 3 games for $40! (full disclosure: I'm part owner of this company) #boardgames #holidays #sale @playtozgames.bsky.social
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/p...
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/p...
Play to Z holiday bundle!
Try out some of the games that started Play to Z. King's Coalition, kaleiDOS, and Lynx. All at 50% off MSRP.
www.backerkit.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Play to Z Games 50 percent off holiday bundle: 3 games for $40! (full disclosure: I'm part owner of this company) #boardgames #holidays #sale @playtozgames.bsky.social
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/p...
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/p...
Now playing on United.
November 16, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Now playing on United.
Do you enjoy science and speak Japanese? I’ve got just the thing for you!!
November 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Do you enjoy science and speak Japanese? I’ve got just the thing for you!!
Yesterday a bird got into my daughter’s office at work.
Here is today’s text exchange:
Here is today’s text exchange:
November 13, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Yesterday a bird got into my daughter’s office at work.
Here is today’s text exchange:
Here is today’s text exchange:
Just reviewed the worst game licensing contract I've seen in the 200+ I've reviewed for @ttgda.bsky.social so far.
Not naming names yet, but if they refuse to change it we may have to call them out.
Not naming names yet, but if they refuse to change it we may have to call them out.
November 11, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Just reviewed the worst game licensing contract I've seen in the 200+ I've reviewed for @ttgda.bsky.social so far.
Not naming names yet, but if they refuse to change it we may have to call them out.
Not naming names yet, but if they refuse to change it we may have to call them out.
US patent office is reconsidering a recent Nintendo patent on creatures battling.
aftermath.site/uspto-pokemo...
aftermath.site/uspto-pokemo...
Pokémon Battle Patent Reexamination A 'Disruption Of The Normal Status Quo,' Says IP Law Expert - Aftermath
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has ordered the reexamination of a controversial battling patent.
aftermath.site
November 7, 2025 at 4:37 PM
US patent office is reconsidering a recent Nintendo patent on creatures battling.
aftermath.site/uspto-pokemo...
aftermath.site/uspto-pokemo...
Reposted by Geoff Engelstein - The Universe Explained with Cookie out now!
I am excited to be coordinating a couple panels about game design at #BGG.CON in two weeks. I'm new to this so it's kind of an adventure. Wish me luck!
November 7, 2025 at 3:27 AM
I am excited to be coordinating a couple panels about game design at #BGG.CON in two weeks. I'm new to this so it's kind of an adventure. Wish me luck!
As an additional bellwether - my town of Bridgewater NJ has had an all-Republican town council for over ten years. Yesterday three out of five seats were on the ballot, and all went to dems, flipping control.
We’re also part of the 7th congressional district, currently R, but very flippable.
We’re also part of the 7th congressional district, currently R, but very flippable.
November 5, 2025 at 12:34 PM
As an additional bellwether - my town of Bridgewater NJ has had an all-Republican town council for over ten years. Yesterday three out of five seats were on the ballot, and all went to dems, flipping control.
We’re also part of the 7th congressional district, currently R, but very flippable.
We’re also part of the 7th congressional district, currently R, but very flippable.
MIKEY SHERRILL!
November 5, 2025 at 3:02 AM
MIKEY SHERRILL!
A Halloween parade float in Hanover, PA included a facsimile of the famous gates of Auschwitz. The designer says "oops, my bad".
I am just reeling at this. I shouldn't be surprised anymore, yet here I am again.
www.pennlive.com/news/2025/11...
I am just reeling at this. I shouldn't be surprised anymore, yet here I am again.
www.pennlive.com/news/2025/11...
November 4, 2025 at 2:47 AM
A Halloween parade float in Hanover, PA included a facsimile of the famous gates of Auschwitz. The designer says "oops, my bad".
I am just reeling at this. I shouldn't be surprised anymore, yet here I am again.
www.pennlive.com/news/2025/11...
I am just reeling at this. I shouldn't be surprised anymore, yet here I am again.
www.pennlive.com/news/2025/11...
I donated blood this weekend - fourth donation of the year!
If you can, please, please consider donating as well. It's quick, basically painless, and you will save a life.
And get free cookies.
www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/fi...
www.nybc.org
If you can, please, please consider donating as well. It's quick, basically painless, and you will save a life.
And get free cookies.
www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/fi...
www.nybc.org
www.redcrossblood.org
November 3, 2025 at 2:56 AM
I donated blood this weekend - fourth donation of the year!
If you can, please, please consider donating as well. It's quick, basically painless, and you will save a life.
And get free cookies.
www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/fi...
www.nybc.org
If you can, please, please consider donating as well. It's quick, basically painless, and you will save a life.
And get free cookies.
www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/fi...
www.nybc.org
I’ve never wanted to do anything more in my life than go through this door.
October 31, 2025 at 2:37 AM
I’ve never wanted to do anything more in my life than go through this door.
New 'digital board game screen' product announced, called BOARD.
www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2...
I've seen these come and go, always around this $500, and they never seem to stick. Like this one: arcade1up.com/products/inf...
www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2...
I've seen these come and go, always around this $500, and they never seem to stick. Like this one: arcade1up.com/products/inf...
Can this new gadget fix screen fatigue?
Board, a tabletop console, is to be unveiled on stage at TechCrunch Disrupt
www.usatoday.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:12 PM
New 'digital board game screen' product announced, called BOARD.
www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2...
I've seen these come and go, always around this $500, and they never seem to stick. Like this one: arcade1up.com/products/inf...
www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2...
I've seen these come and go, always around this $500, and they never seem to stick. Like this one: arcade1up.com/products/inf...
Orbital mechanics are fun!
Another mini-moon? Maybe. Newly discovered 2025 US6 is officially listed as an asteroid.
Unlike our quasi-moon 2025 PN7, this one is actually bound to Earth, for now.
Its orbit is pure chaos. Enjoy it while it lasts. It’ll probably be demoted to space junk.
Unlike our quasi-moon 2025 PN7, this one is actually bound to Earth, for now.
Its orbit is pure chaos. Enjoy it while it lasts. It’ll probably be demoted to space junk.
October 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Orbital mechanics are fun!
New GameTek! Top 10 Unnecessary Components
What would be on your list?
🎲✂️
gametek.substack.com/p/top-10-unn...
What would be on your list?
🎲✂️
gametek.substack.com/p/top-10-unn...
Top 10 Unnecessary Components
and why they are necessary
gametek.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:31 AM
New GameTek! Top 10 Unnecessary Components
What would be on your list?
🎲✂️
gametek.substack.com/p/top-10-unn...
What would be on your list?
🎲✂️
gametek.substack.com/p/top-10-unn...
Had a chance to playtest "Journeys Afar" at Gencon - it's a really fun and immersive adventure game spanning multiple worlds. Just launched on Kickstarter!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ibc...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ibc...
Journeys Afar: The Ketsueki
Welcome to Journeys Afar, where infinite worlds filled with boundless possibilities are connected by a single road: the Ketsueki.
www.kickstarter.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Had a chance to playtest "Journeys Afar" at Gencon - it's a really fun and immersive adventure game spanning multiple worlds. Just launched on Kickstarter!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ibc...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ibc...