Matthew Dunstan
@matthewdunstan.bsky.social
Australian game designer and former research chemist. One half of Postmark Games. Expect science and game based posts! He/him.
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MatthewDunstan
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MatthewDunstan
That's a really interesting insight! I'm trying to impart interesting and useful knowledge on Youtube, but also want to improve how I'm doing it - but yes its hard to find other Youtube education channels that share this aim.
February 11, 2026 at 9:14 PM
That's a really interesting insight! I'm trying to impart interesting and useful knowledge on Youtube, but also want to improve how I'm doing it - but yes its hard to find other Youtube education channels that share this aim.
I completely get that folks should be compensated for their knowledge, it just seems profoundly icky to me in the instance it is set up in this space.
February 11, 2026 at 8:50 PM
I completely get that folks should be compensated for their knowledge, it just seems profoundly icky to me in the instance it is set up in this space.
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
Pandemic creator Matt Leacock on fighting for designers’ rights, working with developers effectively and his publisher ‘pet peeves’:
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
@mattleacock.bsky.social
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
@mattleacock.bsky.social
February 11, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Pandemic creator Matt Leacock on fighting for designers’ rights, working with developers effectively and his publisher ‘pet peeves’:
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
@mattleacock.bsky.social
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
@mattleacock.bsky.social
Does the world of Youtube education feel a lot like a Pyramid scheme? The moment any creator in the space gets a bit of traction, they immediately launch a course to teach others. Often these are so expensive the only way for those who get the course is to then set up courses themselves! And so on.
February 11, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Does the world of Youtube education feel a lot like a Pyramid scheme? The moment any creator in the space gets a bit of traction, they immediately launch a course to teach others. Often these are so expensive the only way for those who get the course is to then set up courses themselves! And so on.
Probably a testing thing really - I find it hard to design moments intentionally, and find it easier to observe when a design is creating them organically and then refining for that.
February 11, 2026 at 7:42 AM
Probably a testing thing really - I find it hard to design moments intentionally, and find it easier to observe when a design is creating them organically and then refining for that.
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
No one should be creating partnerships with HP at this point given the ways JK Rowling is spending her money to actively harm our trans friends.
Hopefully Avalon Hill, a game studio within Hasbro, will steer free of this nonsense. I'll reach out to them and put in my 2 cents.
Hopefully Avalon Hill, a game studio within Hasbro, will steer free of this nonsense. I'll reach out to them and put in my 2 cents.
February 10, 2026 at 6:18 PM
No one should be creating partnerships with HP at this point given the ways JK Rowling is spending her money to actively harm our trans friends.
Hopefully Avalon Hill, a game studio within Hasbro, will steer free of this nonsense. I'll reach out to them and put in my 2 cents.
Hopefully Avalon Hill, a game studio within Hasbro, will steer free of this nonsense. I'll reach out to them and put in my 2 cents.
Today I delve into the topic of balance in games, and discuss why there might be some much more important things to do than optimising for a perfectly balanced game. I also look at feelings that players might ascribe to imbalance, but that are actually caused elsewhere.
youtu.be/7fpbTsZI3EI
🎲✂️
youtu.be/7fpbTsZI3EI
🎲✂️
Game balance is overrated - do this instead
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
youtu.be
February 9, 2026 at 8:19 AM
Today I delve into the topic of balance in games, and discuss why there might be some much more important things to do than optimising for a perfectly balanced game. I also look at feelings that players might ascribe to imbalance, but that are actually caused elsewhere.
youtu.be/7fpbTsZI3EI
🎲✂️
youtu.be/7fpbTsZI3EI
🎲✂️
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
I've wrapped up 11/25 reviews in @cardboardedison.com contest judging, and I'll add to @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social's running list of 🎲✂️ advice with my own:
SHOW, don't just tell.
Yes, give an overview of the game and mechanics.
Yes, give me the vibes.
Then walk me through a turn and
1/▶️
SHOW, don't just tell.
Yes, give an overview of the game and mechanics.
Yes, give me the vibes.
Then walk me through a turn and
1/▶️
February 8, 2026 at 3:02 AM
I've wrapped up 11/25 reviews in @cardboardedison.com contest judging, and I'll add to @jeffgrisenthwaite.bsky.social's running list of 🎲✂️ advice with my own:
SHOW, don't just tell.
Yes, give an overview of the game and mechanics.
Yes, give me the vibes.
Then walk me through a turn and
1/▶️
SHOW, don't just tell.
Yes, give an overview of the game and mechanics.
Yes, give me the vibes.
Then walk me through a turn and
1/▶️
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
Today's 🎲✂️ observation after judging 10 @cardboardedison.com entries:
Strive for high coherence across your components, mechanics, and theme.
When all 3 align, the mechanics are easier to learn, it's satisfying to use the components, and players feel immersed in the world.
Strive for high coherence across your components, mechanics, and theme.
When all 3 align, the mechanics are easier to learn, it's satisfying to use the components, and players feel immersed in the world.
February 4, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Today's 🎲✂️ observation after judging 10 @cardboardedison.com entries:
Strive for high coherence across your components, mechanics, and theme.
When all 3 align, the mechanics are easier to learn, it's satisfying to use the components, and players feel immersed in the world.
Strive for high coherence across your components, mechanics, and theme.
When all 3 align, the mechanics are easier to learn, it's satisfying to use the components, and players feel immersed in the world.
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
I'm a judge for Cardboard Edison this year. After every 5 entries that I review, I'll post an observation. Here's the first:
Get specific with your theme. Set your game in a particular time, place, and/or culture (which may be fictional) and give it an overarching tone.
Get specific with your theme. Set your game in a particular time, place, and/or culture (which may be fictional) and give it an overarching tone.
February 3, 2026 at 5:39 PM
I'm a judge for Cardboard Edison this year. After every 5 entries that I review, I'll post an observation. Here's the first:
Get specific with your theme. Set your game in a particular time, place, and/or culture (which may be fictional) and give it an overarching tone.
Get specific with your theme. Set your game in a particular time, place, and/or culture (which may be fictional) and give it an overarching tone.
I think it really depends on the influences - but normally my idea of mashing up 2 things includes how those things can intersect in one new idea - and it’s different each time. Hope it makes sense - it is usually idea first, informed by the background of the other games.
February 6, 2026 at 7:34 AM
I think it really depends on the influences - but normally my idea of mashing up 2 things includes how those things can intersect in one new idea - and it’s different each time. Hope it makes sense - it is usually idea first, informed by the background of the other games.
No video today as I've just finished moving house...
In the meantime, if you have a topic for a video you would like me to cover, let me know!
In the meantime, if you have a topic for a video you would like me to cover, let me know!
February 2, 2026 at 6:28 AM
No video today as I've just finished moving house...
In the meantime, if you have a topic for a video you would like me to cover, let me know!
In the meantime, if you have a topic for a video you would like me to cover, let me know!
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
Lessons Learned from Making Seventeen Board Games
A talk I gave for @graemedevine.com's Game Design class at California State University, Monterey Bay
🎲✂️
A talk I gave for @graemedevine.com's Game Design class at California State University, Monterey Bay
🎲✂️
Mike Berg - We Heart Games Talk at CSUMB
YouTube video by Graeme Devine
www.youtube.com
February 1, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Lessons Learned from Making Seventeen Board Games
A talk I gave for @graemedevine.com's Game Design class at California State University, Monterey Bay
🎲✂️
A talk I gave for @graemedevine.com's Game Design class at California State University, Monterey Bay
🎲✂️
In this week's video, I answer game design questions from my viewers, including how to stay motivated with a design, pros and cons of self publishing, and why I don't design complex games.
youtu.be/dDHXlHvcAEU
🎲✂️
youtu.be/dDHXlHvcAEU
🎲✂️
Considering component cost, motivation & self-publishing | Ask Matthew
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
youtu.be
January 26, 2026 at 7:51 AM
In this week's video, I answer game design questions from my viewers, including how to stay motivated with a design, pros and cons of self publishing, and why I don't design complex games.
youtu.be/dDHXlHvcAEU
🎲✂️
youtu.be/dDHXlHvcAEU
🎲✂️
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
It’s incredible how the supposed center of the industry chooses to celebrate games with such um…. *challenging* histories in their “hall of fame”…
We should be celebrating the people who make games first. We already talk about games enough with our celebrations of the industry.
We should be celebrating the people who make games first. We already talk about games enough with our celebrations of the industry.
Given the history of transphobic takes and enthusiastic embrace of AI generated illustrations, it's enormously disappointing to see @boardgamegeek.com celebrate and reward the work of FryxGames in their Hall of Fame.
January 24, 2026 at 2:07 AM
It’s incredible how the supposed center of the industry chooses to celebrate games with such um…. *challenging* histories in their “hall of fame”…
We should be celebrating the people who make games first. We already talk about games enough with our celebrations of the industry.
We should be celebrating the people who make games first. We already talk about games enough with our celebrations of the industry.
Ah ok, I must admit it was a bit hard to get the details right across different reports.
January 25, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Ah ok, I must admit it was a bit hard to get the details right across different reports.
Doing more reading, it appears it was mainly in an expansion, so that is my mistake. But BGG is still choosing to award a game and publisher who is *currently* pursuing the use of AI in its products, which include the Terraforming Mars line.
January 24, 2026 at 11:54 PM
Doing more reading, it appears it was mainly in an expansion, so that is my mistake. But BGG is still choosing to award a game and publisher who is *currently* pursuing the use of AI in its products, which include the Terraforming Mars line.
Sorry - a clarification - the *publisher CEO* is the transphobe. My apologies to the designer for the mistake.
January 24, 2026 at 11:52 PM
Sorry - a clarification - the *publisher CEO* is the transphobe. My apologies to the designer for the mistake.
It was certainly used in a later crowdfunding campaign that included both, although it is hard to tell which parts used AI from my perspective. Although I think the point still stands even if it was only present in expansions - it is still present in the overall game product.
January 24, 2026 at 11:33 PM
It was certainly used in a later crowdfunding campaign that included both, although it is hard to tell which parts used AI from my perspective. Although I think the point still stands even if it was only present in expansions - it is still present in the overall game product.
I think it is splitting hairs, as the award recogises the game overall (and surely its supposed significance is related to its many releases over the years), and AI art was used in some of those releases. It still doesn't change the problematic fact that BGG is seemingly ok with supporting this.
January 24, 2026 at 11:19 PM
I think it is splitting hairs, as the award recogises the game overall (and surely its supposed significance is related to its many releases over the years), and AI art was used in some of those releases. It still doesn't change the problematic fact that BGG is seemingly ok with supporting this.
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
All I’m saying about the BGG Hall of Fame discussion is:
They could have picked Wingspan, a great game by a wonderful person, and had the side benefit of finally not having the HoF be all dude-designed games
But instead they went with a big slog designed by a bigoted dude.
That’s a choice.
They could have picked Wingspan, a great game by a wonderful person, and had the side benefit of finally not having the HoF be all dude-designed games
But instead they went with a big slog designed by a bigoted dude.
That’s a choice.
January 24, 2026 at 2:15 PM
All I’m saying about the BGG Hall of Fame discussion is:
They could have picked Wingspan, a great game by a wonderful person, and had the side benefit of finally not having the HoF be all dude-designed games
But instead they went with a big slog designed by a bigoted dude.
That’s a choice.
They could have picked Wingspan, a great game by a wonderful person, and had the side benefit of finally not having the HoF be all dude-designed games
But instead they went with a big slog designed by a bigoted dude.
That’s a choice.
This is a significant platform for any game that is chosen - and especially for games made so recently, with designers still actively working in the industry, it is impossible to separate the worthiness of a game from the unacceptable positions of its creators.
January 24, 2026 at 7:58 PM
This is a significant platform for any game that is chosen - and especially for games made so recently, with designers still actively working in the industry, it is impossible to separate the worthiness of a game from the unacceptable positions of its creators.
@boardgamegeek.com For an award you say acknowledges artistry, why are you choosing to highlight a game:
- That uses AI art (which surely is anti-artistry if anything)
- Designed by a person whose transphobic views have no place in our industry (artist = artistry)
boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...
- That uses AI art (which surely is anti-artistry if anything)
- Designed by a person whose transphobic views have no place in our industry (artist = artistry)
boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...
The BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame 2026 - Day 5 Inductee | BoardGameGeek News
boardgamegeek.com
January 24, 2026 at 7:55 PM
@boardgamegeek.com For an award you say acknowledges artistry, why are you choosing to highlight a game:
- That uses AI art (which surely is anti-artistry if anything)
- Designed by a person whose transphobic views have no place in our industry (artist = artistry)
boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...
- That uses AI art (which surely is anti-artistry if anything)
- Designed by a person whose transphobic views have no place in our industry (artist = artistry)
boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogp...
An award like this might be more of what you are thinking (and yes, I know I was nominated, but its the only way I would have known about it, it wasn't so widely publicised).
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
And widening it beyond games but to impact on the industry as a whole is a great idea.
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
And widening it beyond games but to impact on the industry as a whole is a great idea.
Five of board gaming’s ‘most active and prolific’ designers up for this year’s Lucca Comics & Games designer of the year award -
Five finalists have been unveiled in the latest board game designers of the year contest held by Lucca Comics & Games, one of Europe's biggest comics and tabletop gaming festivals.
boardgamewire.com
January 24, 2026 at 11:52 AM
An award like this might be more of what you are thinking (and yes, I know I was nominated, but its the only way I would have known about it, it wasn't so widely publicised).
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
And widening it beyond games but to impact on the industry as a whole is a great idea.
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
And widening it beyond games but to impact on the industry as a whole is a great idea.
Awesome! They are quite interesting books to dip in and out of :)
January 24, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Awesome! They are quite interesting books to dip in and out of :)