Jon Perry
@perryjon.bsky.social
Game designer on UFO 50, Air Land & Sea, Hot Streak, Spots, Scape Goat, Time Barons. Comic author on Let Go. Los Angeles native living in Philly. Website at jonperry.com
Pinned
Jon Perry
@perryjon.bsky.social
· Aug 7
So excited this day has finally come! Now, a whole new audience can enjoy the games of UFO 50. (And perhaps more people will be able to enjoy them multiplayer, as well!)
I love it when I open a one sentence reminder email that says, "Make dentist appointment" & Gemini is like "Can I summarize that for you?"
January 16, 2026 at 7:56 PM
I love it when I open a one sentence reminder email that says, "Make dentist appointment" & Gemini is like "Can I summarize that for you?"
Thought of another:
-Fog of war in Starcraft
-Fog of war in Starcraft
January 15, 2026 at 3:18 AM
Thought of another:
-Fog of war in Starcraft
-Fog of war in Starcraft
A subcategory of spectatorship I'm particularly interested in is dramatic irony in games.
Examples:
-The hole cam in Poker
-Being a moderator/dead person in Werewolf
-Watching your teammate pick a card in Hanabi
But I can't think of many other examples.
Examples:
-The hole cam in Poker
-Being a moderator/dead person in Werewolf
-Watching your teammate pick a card in Hanabi
But I can't think of many other examples.
I increasingly spend time thinking about designing games for spectation as opposed to just active participation. On the extreme end, you have game shows, which are nearly 100% about spectation & interesting to me for that reason. But many types of games benefit from considering, What's fun to watch?
January 15, 2026 at 3:17 AM
A subcategory of spectatorship I'm particularly interested in is dramatic irony in games.
Examples:
-The hole cam in Poker
-Being a moderator/dead person in Werewolf
-Watching your teammate pick a card in Hanabi
But I can't think of many other examples.
Examples:
-The hole cam in Poker
-Being a moderator/dead person in Werewolf
-Watching your teammate pick a card in Hanabi
But I can't think of many other examples.
Totally-- I believe fighting games are probably the most watchable multiplayer video game genre.
January 14, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Totally-- I believe fighting games are probably the most watchable multiplayer video game genre.
I can see that! For the right person, being a moderator and simply facillitating other people's fun is super enjoyable. Often when I'm teaching a lighter game, I'm happy to sit out and just run it if we have one too many players, even though "running it" often turns into just watching.
January 14, 2026 at 4:29 PM
I can see that! For the right person, being a moderator and simply facillitating other people's fun is super enjoyable. Often when I'm teaching a lighter game, I'm happy to sit out and just run it if we have one too many players, even though "running it" often turns into just watching.
Totally, it's a good example of dramatic irony. Like seeing the hole cards in Poker tournament.
January 14, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Totally, it's a good example of dramatic irony. Like seeing the hole cards in Poker tournament.
Makes sense! I can totally see how you'd glean a lot of useful insights from doing that.
January 14, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Makes sense! I can totally see how you'd glean a lot of useful insights from doing that.
Absolutely. Making other people's turns watchable is my favorite solution to downtime.
January 14, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Absolutely. Making other people's turns watchable is my favorite solution to downtime.
I increasingly spend time thinking about designing games for spectation as opposed to just active participation. On the extreme end, you have game shows, which are nearly 100% about spectation & interesting to me for that reason. But many types of games benefit from considering, What's fun to watch?
January 14, 2026 at 4:03 PM
I increasingly spend time thinking about designing games for spectation as opposed to just active participation. On the extreme end, you have game shows, which are nearly 100% about spectation & interesting to me for that reason. But many types of games benefit from considering, What's fun to watch?
I tend to use "rivals" for this reason
January 13, 2026 at 1:07 PM
I tend to use "rivals" for this reason
When writing card texts, is it fine to ignore the grammar rule regarding less/fewer and just write "less" because it's shorter, even if it's not technically correct? I gotta admit that grammar rule always seemed kinda pointless to me, anyway...
January 13, 2026 at 3:18 AM
When writing card texts, is it fine to ignore the grammar rule regarding less/fewer and just write "less" because it's shorter, even if it's not technically correct? I gotta admit that grammar rule always seemed kinda pointless to me, anyway...
Interesting, I didn't know they tried a square grid first! I wonder if hexes worked better because players build the grid in that game and the hexes offered more flexibility and choice
January 8, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Interesting, I didn't know they tried a square grid first! I wonder if hexes worked better because players build the grid in that game and the hexes offered more flexibility and choice
I prefer square grids to hex grids. It's easier for me to parse visually and I like having diagonality as a resource to play with.
January 8, 2026 at 2:25 PM
I prefer square grids to hex grids. It's easier for me to parse visually and I like having diagonality as a resource to play with.
Reposted by Jon Perry
a few thoughts youtu.be/lERS4kJIQR8
Abolish ICE
YouTube video by Takes™ by Jamelle Bouie
youtu.be
January 8, 2026 at 1:42 AM
a few thoughts youtu.be/lERS4kJIQR8
I may be making some incorrect assumptions about your game, but it sounds like in this case you did go with the simpler option, though?
January 5, 2026 at 9:36 PM
I may be making some incorrect assumptions about your game, but it sounds like in this case you did go with the simpler option, though?
An example for me is the 6 dog limit in Spots. Leaving it out would simplify things but it seemed too essential for making games closer & maintaining uncertainty into the late game, which is a value I often prioritize over elegance.
January 5, 2026 at 6:06 PM
An example for me is the 6 dog limit in Spots. Leaving it out would simplify things but it seemed too essential for making games closer & maintaining uncertainty into the late game, which is a value I often prioritize over elegance.
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?
"Sensory hanabi" is such a good description
January 5, 2026 at 1:52 AM
"Sensory hanabi" is such a good description
My favorite party games of 2025: Yubibo & JinxO
January 5, 2026 at 1:07 AM
My favorite party games of 2025: Yubibo & JinxO
Reposted by Jon Perry
As so many of us are… I’m furious and scared and exhausted. It may feel pointless… but call your reps. CALL. you can email too but the call is more important.
@5calls.org will get you the phone numbers AND and has an easy script on what to say.
5calls.org
@5calls.org will get you the phone numbers AND and has an easy script on what to say.
5calls.org
5 Calls
Spend 5 minutes. Make 5 calls. Make your voice heard.
5calls.org
January 3, 2026 at 3:59 PM
As so many of us are… I’m furious and scared and exhausted. It may feel pointless… but call your reps. CALL. you can email too but the call is more important.
@5calls.org will get you the phone numbers AND and has an easy script on what to say.
5calls.org
@5calls.org will get you the phone numbers AND and has an easy script on what to say.
5calls.org
Reposted by Jon Perry
Hot Streak ABSOLUTELY lives up to the hype
January 1, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Hot Streak ABSOLUTELY lives up to the hype
Took my time reading this, a few pages a day, but just finished. So good. Michael DeForge never disappoints.
December 24, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Took my time reading this, a few pages a day, but just finished. So good. Michael DeForge never disappoints.
Reposted by Jon Perry
OH MY GOD
It's the final stretch till Christmas. Here's my gingerboard creation for 2025. May those risky gift requests pay off.
@cmyk.games
@cmyk.games
December 24, 2025 at 6:18 PM
OH MY GOD
I have ideas for how to improve Scape Goat, as well, in case any publishers see this!
December 23, 2025 at 12:35 AM
I have ideas for how to improve Scape Goat, as well, in case any publishers see this!
Christmas deals!
❄️ UFO 50 Winter Sale is on! ❄️
🍒 20% off on Nintendo Switch!
www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
(Discount available in NA, EU, AU, and NZ!)
🍒 25% off on Steam!
store.steampowered.com/app/1147860/...
🍒 20% off on Nintendo Switch!
www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
(Discount available in NA, EU, AU, and NZ!)
🍒 25% off on Steam!
store.steampowered.com/app/1147860/...
December 22, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Christmas deals!