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
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
Something I've been mulling over lately is the level of self-advocacy needed as a game designer.
There is no guarantee that publishers will notice your awesome work. None at all.
In a perfect world that might happen, but in reality publishers will just choose from the games sent to them.
There is no guarantee that publishers will notice your awesome work. None at all.
In a perfect world that might happen, but in reality publishers will just choose from the games sent to them.
February 18, 2026 at 11:52 PM
Something I've been mulling over lately is the level of self-advocacy needed as a game designer.
There is no guarantee that publishers will notice your awesome work. None at all.
In a perfect world that might happen, but in reality publishers will just choose from the games sent to them.
There is no guarantee that publishers will notice your awesome work. None at all.
In a perfect world that might happen, but in reality publishers will just choose from the games sent to them.
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
For designers at the start/early of a game, it’s important to look at prototypes of signed games and really internalize how utterly plain and in-fancy your prototypes can and should be, and still be pitch-ready.
Many prototypes are overdeveloped, when you can save time on preparing your pitch! 🎲✂️
Many prototypes are overdeveloped, when you can save time on preparing your pitch! 🎲✂️
Got to play Dino Racer 🦖 with friends yesterday—so I took the opportunity to take comparison photos with the prototype!!
I forgot how charming the original prototype was. It’s awesome seeing what has stayed the same between the two versions.
The new art adds so much liveliness on the table!
I forgot how charming the original prototype was. It’s awesome seeing what has stayed the same between the two versions.
The new art adds so much liveliness on the table!
February 17, 2026 at 5:23 PM
For designers at the start/early of a game, it’s important to look at prototypes of signed games and really internalize how utterly plain and in-fancy your prototypes can and should be, and still be pitch-ready.
Many prototypes are overdeveloped, when you can save time on preparing your pitch! 🎲✂️
Many prototypes are overdeveloped, when you can save time on preparing your pitch! 🎲✂️
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
I make games because I love every step of the process—the initial idea, the scrappy first prototype, the first playtest filled with glee and failure and hope.
Here’s my scrappy first prototype of Tiny Towns. [1/6]
Here’s my scrappy first prototype of Tiny Towns. [1/6]
February 18, 2026 at 12:40 AM
I make games because I love every step of the process—the initial idea, the scrappy first prototype, the first playtest filled with glee and failure and hope.
Here’s my scrappy first prototype of Tiny Towns. [1/6]
Here’s my scrappy first prototype of Tiny Towns. [1/6]
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
I think a lot board gamers underestimate the depth of light games and overestimate the depth of heavy games. More moving parts does not necessarily mean a game has more strategy. It often just means there's more noisiness obscuring the impact of your decisions.
February 17, 2026 at 6:27 PM
I think a lot board gamers underestimate the depth of light games and overestimate the depth of heavy games. More moving parts does not necessarily mean a game has more strategy. It often just means there's more noisiness obscuring the impact of your decisions.
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
I studied a bunch of icons from various published board games while preparing a rule book for Cardboard Edison, with a particular focus on Ian O'Toole.
For those who come after, this article captures what I learned 🎲✂️
rossongames.com/icons
#BoardGameDesign
For those who come after, this article captures what I learned 🎲✂️
rossongames.com/icons
#BoardGameDesign
Board Game Icons
Tips on designing board game icons.
rossongames.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:31 PM
I studied a bunch of icons from various published board games while preparing a rule book for Cardboard Edison, with a particular focus on Ian O'Toole.
For those who come after, this article captures what I learned 🎲✂️
rossongames.com/icons
#BoardGameDesign
For those who come after, this article captures what I learned 🎲✂️
rossongames.com/icons
#BoardGameDesign
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
At the nick of time, I finished my @cardboardedison.com Award judging for 2026! 🎲✂️
It's always a pleasure to be trusted with so many games from so many people around the world, and I hope that my feedbacks can help improve those projects.
That said, 6 general tips I can give for next year:
It's always a pleasure to be trusted with so many games from so many people around the world, and I hope that my feedbacks can help improve those projects.
That said, 6 general tips I can give for next year:
February 16, 2026 at 1:56 PM
At the nick of time, I finished my @cardboardedison.com Award judging for 2026! 🎲✂️
It's always a pleasure to be trusted with so many games from so many people around the world, and I hope that my feedbacks can help improve those projects.
That said, 6 general tips I can give for next year:
It's always a pleasure to be trusted with so many games from so many people around the world, and I hope that my feedbacks can help improve those projects.
That said, 6 general tips I can give for next year:
In today's video I go over what I earnt as a full time game designer in 2025, comparing my income over the past few years and how it varies from game to game.
My aim has always been to increase transparency in the industry and help newer designers with what to expect.
youtu.be/avLL2siSmyc
🎲✂️
My aim has always been to increase transparency in the industry and help newer designers with what to expect.
youtu.be/avLL2siSmyc
🎲✂️
How much money I made as a game designer in 2025
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
youtu.be
February 16, 2026 at 8:32 AM
In today's video I go over what I earnt as a full time game designer in 2025, comparing my income over the past few years and how it varies from game to game.
My aim has always been to increase transparency in the industry and help newer designers with what to expect.
youtu.be/avLL2siSmyc
🎲✂️
My aim has always been to increase transparency in the industry and help newer designers with what to expect.
youtu.be/avLL2siSmyc
🎲✂️
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
I've been thinking about game budgets a lot over the past couple of years. There are big chunks of the tabletop market that are able to support publishers and designers, and mostly I think its because of a combination of strong crowdfunding communities + cheap dev costs (often less than 50k). 🧵
they only way the indie industry economics works if indies can release gigantic amazing games that cost $30k to make
I know it's meant in good faith but "if we just made smaller scope games and charged 20-40 dollars for them it would fix the industry" is very funny to me. indies release like 20 of those a week on steam. are you buying them? is the industry fixed? no? hm. sounds like you need a different solution
February 16, 2026 at 2:00 AM
I've been thinking about game budgets a lot over the past couple of years. There are big chunks of the tabletop market that are able to support publishers and designers, and mostly I think its because of a combination of strong crowdfunding communities + cheap dev costs (often less than 50k). 🧵
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.
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.
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.
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.
@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...
Today's video is about approaching game design in a new way - trying to design a bad game from the start!
youtu.be/wj3IZtxw_PI
🎲✂️
youtu.be/wj3IZtxw_PI
🎲✂️
Stop trying to design good games
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
youtu.be
January 19, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Today's video is about approaching game design in a new way - trying to design a bad game from the start!
youtu.be/wj3IZtxw_PI
🎲✂️
youtu.be/wj3IZtxw_PI
🎲✂️
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
HEY BOARD GAME DESIGNERS! We're updating our reports on publishing contracts! If you've signed a game with a publisher in the past 5 years, let us know (our Gmail is our name) and we'll send you the anonymous survey. See our past reports here: cardboardedison.com/reports And please spread the word!
January 17, 2026 at 7:21 PM
HEY BOARD GAME DESIGNERS! We're updating our reports on publishing contracts! If you've signed a game with a publisher in the past 5 years, let us know (our Gmail is our name) and we'll send you the anonymous survey. See our past reports here: cardboardedison.com/reports And please spread the word!
My Melbourne Lego #Brickvention haul - some amazing pieces to add to the collection! #90s #vintage #pirates #adventurers
January 17, 2026 at 5:19 AM
My Melbourne Lego #Brickvention haul - some amazing pieces to add to the collection! #90s #vintage #pirates #adventurers
Reposted by Matthew Dunstan
THREE WEEKS LEFT to get your board game design submitted to the 2026 Cardboard Edison Award! cardboardedison.com/award
January 11, 2026 at 8:44 PM
THREE WEEKS LEFT to get your board game design submitted to the 2026 Cardboard Edison Award! cardboardedison.com/award