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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 1d

We had a raucous laugh with this game last night. Absolutely minimal decision-making, but it didn't matter because the outcome of everything was fun, and the potential combinations and means the flavour of every single race in that game will be different and entertaining.

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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 3d

Hm, it's there now so either it took a while to refresh or you fixed it 😊

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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 3d

I've just tried to post to the feed but it's not appearing - am I still on it or did I do something wrong?
bsky.app/profile/tzar...

Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 3d

I remain an advocate of the importance of focusing on the positive feedback from playtests so you can retain and lean into them! 🎲✂️

Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 3d

Had some lovely feedback including positives of the tax mechanism (part of the Thane's board).

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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 3d

I remain an advocate of the importance of focusing on the positive feedback from playtests so you can retain and lean into them! 🎲✂️

Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 3d

Had some lovely feedback including positives of the tax mechanism (part of the Thane's board).

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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 3d

The role of negotiation and the exact victory conditions including shared victories are next in my sights to nail down. And I'm likely to start on factions 5 and 6 soon because design four games in one is too easy, clearly 🤪

Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 3d

Radical is finally working pretty well (more testing needed to see how this iteration plays). The Owner is getting better (reordered its rondel and will probably do more). Costs of a few actions need to be tweaked.

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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 3d

Had some lovely feedback including positives of the tax mechanism (part of the Thane's board).

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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 3d

This week I had the smoothest playtest yet for Dwarf Union. The game actually finished which it rarely has so far (partly because it's quite long including the teach for typical 1.5 hour playtest sessions, partly pacing issues).

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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 5d

New essential abbrvs

Esther Schindler @estherschindler.bsky.social · 6d

I just saw someone use the abbreviation “AI;DR” and I’ll be laughing for a while.

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Reposted by Sam Francis (Samphire Games)

Omar H (occasional boardgamer) @itomarhernandez.bsky.social · 5d

Alert! Molly House is now in ALPHA! #BGA

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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 5d

What do you think is the impetus/timeline for that?

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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 5d

What UK politics looks like in ten years is genuinely anyone's guess!

Rob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 5d

Four parties within a 5 point swing of first place and five parties on 12% plus.

This would be pure chaos under first past the post.

Election Maps UK @electionmaps.uk · 5d

Westminster Voting Intention:

RFM: 27% (-2)
LAB: 20% (-2)
CON: 17% (+1)
LDM: 17% (+2)
GRN: 12% (+1)
SNP: 4% (+1)

Via @yougov.co.uk, 5-6 Oct.
Changes w/ 28-29 Sep.

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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 8d

Feels like a game that needed to be made!

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Reposted by Sam Francis (Samphire Games)

Kickstarter United @kickstarterunited.org · 10d

‼️🚨KICKSTARTER WORKERS ARE ON STRIKE🚨‼️

As of 8am this morning, the workers of Kickstarter United/OPEIU Local 153 are on strike.

WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR A BOYCOTT! Creators and allies, please continue using and supporting the platform.

Kickstarter United is on strike!
We are not asking for a boycott! Creators & Allies: Please continue to support & use the platform
swipe for ways to show your solidarity

Why We're Striking
A codified 4-day work week.
We simply want to protect the way we've been working for over 3.5 years. The 4dww has proven benefits, such as increased productivity and improved employee satisfaction. It's part of what makes Kickstarter a special, innovative place to work.
Fair pay for our lowest-paid workers.
We're fighting for livable minimum salaries for roles that are undervalued by the market but crucial to keeping Kickstarter running. We believe none of our workers should struggle to make ends meet.

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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 8d

No validity to the food security argument? Only Fans could up sticks and be gone with the decision of that CEO.

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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 8d

Salmon Falls looks like a great meld of theme and mechanism!

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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 8d

I love the name Volley Brawl!

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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 9d

Very interesting times in UK polling.

Rob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 9d

It is still early days, and fragmentation helps, but this is on many measures the worst start for any govt in polling history. Only govts dealing with economic collapse come close. This govt was elected to deliver change. Voters have made clear their patience on delivery is already running out /ends

Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 9d

The Union ended the strike (before having to pay strike pay which would've ruined them) but went on a rally to celebrate/commemorate. Owner breathed a sigh of relief (I imagine).

BUT! The Radical has used their newfound freedom to enact a conspiracy! And now I have to work out how that resolves...

Propaganda of the Deed card. Place Radical at the Palace Square. Draw tokens to attempt assassination.

Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 9d

I imagined the Owner - feeling very much under siege, especially as the Thane has just passed a Wealth Tax - pleading with the Thane to send their minions in.

It worked - the Radical is now in the Dungeon. But not for long.

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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 9d

Back to my playtest:

The Thane has been faced with a choice: arrest the union worker undertaking prohibited activities (slogans!) or help the Owner by trying confronting the Radical who is attempting to raid the Owner's store.

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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 9d

Faced with questions like "should this trigger now or later?" or "should this player be able to do this thing now?" - a quick heuristic I'm following is *do what gives players more / more meaningful choices* 🎲✂️

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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 9d

The Owner - attempting to focus on getting gold to get treasure to win - has been forced into a corner.

Dragons discovered in mine; 3 workers die. Remaining workers balloted to strike, blockading the building site. No skilled workers available to make treasure, not build the master forge!

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Sam Francis (Samphire Games) @tzartzam.bsky.social · 9d

Self-playtesting Dwarf Union this morning, 4-handed.

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Reposted by Sam Francis (Samphire Games)

Paul ✍🏻 Dean (Holiday mode) @paullicino.bsky.social · 14d

"AI is the asbestos we are shovelling into the walls of our society. Our descendants will be digging it out for generations."

"AI cannot do your job, but an AI salesman can 100% convince your boss to fire you and replace you with an AI that can't do your job."

Oof.

pluralistic.net/2025/09/27/e...

Pluralistic: The real (economic) AI apocalypse is nigh (27 Sep 2025) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow

pluralistic.net

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