Christopher Chan-BLM
@xopherchan.bsky.social
Art director by day and board game designer by any other time (Stalk Exchange, The Night Cage, Portents), let’s talk design and make our hobbies better, he/him, BLM
It’s official! Today is my first day at Kids Table Board Gaming. We’re going to make so much cool stuff!
September 15, 2025 at 4:14 PM
It’s official! Today is my first day at Kids Table Board Gaming. We’re going to make so much cool stuff!
Yes! The way we use “Theme” to talk about how we style and set games frustrates the heck out of me because it mostly disregards what they are about and how we evoke that experience at the table. 🎲✂️
Because a discussion I had elsewhere, a quick thought about theme:
I think we should use "setting" more. Example:
Lets take the fictional game "Punhchline", a game about being a Comedian. Its a heavy, Worker Placement game, where you have to manage your time, gigs, money, touring the country...
I think we should use "setting" more. Example:
Lets take the fictional game "Punhchline", a game about being a Comedian. Its a heavy, Worker Placement game, where you have to manage your time, gigs, money, touring the country...
August 18, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Yes! The way we use “Theme” to talk about how we style and set games frustrates the heck out of me because it mostly disregards what they are about and how we evoke that experience at the table. 🎲✂️
This is such a delightful homage!
New comic! 🕯️🗝️ We had different experiences playing The Night Cage by @xopherchan.bsky.social, a game where you explore a shifting maze by candlelight in search of keys while monsters lurk just out of sight.😅
August 11, 2025 at 5:36 PM
This is such a delightful homage!
Reposted by Christopher Chan-BLM
#BlockCollective is a volunteer-run community with the united goal of sharing resources and information, disrupting bigoted spaces, and serious engagement on the topic of trans rights.
Please join us as we help shape the boardgame industry into a safer and inclusive space. 🎲✂️
discord.gg/D7E6gqwrRF
Please join us as we help shape the boardgame industry into a safer and inclusive space. 🎲✂️
discord.gg/D7E6gqwrRF
August 7, 2025 at 8:39 PM
#BlockCollective is a volunteer-run community with the united goal of sharing resources and information, disrupting bigoted spaces, and serious engagement on the topic of trans rights.
Please join us as we help shape the boardgame industry into a safer and inclusive space. 🎲✂️
discord.gg/D7E6gqwrRF
Please join us as we help shape the boardgame industry into a safer and inclusive space. 🎲✂️
discord.gg/D7E6gqwrRF
This is a great article. After reading it I fixed problem in a rulebook I hadn’t even realized was there. Fragile elements in a modern game rulebook do not need to be subtext, they are opportunities to set expectations about a game’s tone and intent.
In the course of testing, one of the playtesters asked, “I just reject the idea of human sacrifice. What happens if I’ve already decided to refuse?”
Exploring the concept of "fragility" in tabletop game design, and why it matters: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/fragile-de...
#boardgames #ttrpg 🎲✂️
Exploring the concept of "fragility" in tabletop game design, and why it matters: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/fragile-de...
#boardgames #ttrpg 🎲✂️
How fragile is your game design?
Exploring the concept of "fragility" in tabletop game design, and why it matters
www.skeletoncodemachine.com
June 29, 2025 at 4:33 PM
This is a great article. After reading it I fixed problem in a rulebook I hadn’t even realized was there. Fragile elements in a modern game rulebook do not need to be subtext, they are opportunities to set expectations about a game’s tone and intent.
Reposted by Christopher Chan-BLM
🎲✂️ Designers how well do you really know your game?
We’re updating our pitch guidance and want to highlight the key questions a designer should be able to answer when submitting.
Our working list attached :
What would you add?
#boardgames 🎲✂️
We’re updating our pitch guidance and want to highlight the key questions a designer should be able to answer when submitting.
Our working list attached :
What would you add?
#boardgames 🎲✂️
June 4, 2025 at 9:58 PM
🎲✂️ Designers how well do you really know your game?
We’re updating our pitch guidance and want to highlight the key questions a designer should be able to answer when submitting.
Our working list attached :
What would you add?
#boardgames 🎲✂️
We’re updating our pitch guidance and want to highlight the key questions a designer should be able to answer when submitting.
Our working list attached :
What would you add?
#boardgames 🎲✂️
When you make your own garden veggie cream cheese you can put as many garden veggies into it as you want
May 30, 2025 at 2:10 PM
When you make your own garden veggie cream cheese you can put as many garden veggies into it as you want
Finally finished a complete draft of a rulebook I started 2 months ago. It's never taken me this long to put together rules for something I'd pitch but travel, iteration, and a lot of self-doubt really drew this one out. I'm going to have a root beer float or something to celebrate now. 🎲✂️
May 28, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Finally finished a complete draft of a rulebook I started 2 months ago. It's never taken me this long to put together rules for something I'd pitch but travel, iteration, and a lot of self-doubt really drew this one out. I'm going to have a root beer float or something to celebrate now. 🎲✂️
Coming back to a game after a long break makes it a lot easier fix balance issues and to identify the stuff that was unnecessarily balanced. 🎲✂️
May 16, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Coming back to a game after a long break makes it a lot easier fix balance issues and to identify the stuff that was unnecessarily balanced. 🎲✂️
Reposted by Christopher Chan-BLM
Check out our interview with @xopherchan.bsky.social from a few weeks ago:
youtube.com/live/6soJZXz...
youtube.com/live/6soJZXz...
Pitching Via Video w/ Christopher Chan
YouTube video by Meeple Syrup Show
youtube.com
May 10, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Check out our interview with @xopherchan.bsky.social from a few weeks ago:
youtube.com/live/6soJZXz...
youtube.com/live/6soJZXz...
If your Self-Doubt asks, "Is 7 prototypes enough?" when you're packing for a convention the answer is always:
"Yes, shut-up."
🎲✂️
"Yes, shut-up."
🎲✂️
April 17, 2025 at 11:53 PM
If your Self-Doubt asks, "Is 7 prototypes enough?" when you're packing for a convention the answer is always:
"Yes, shut-up."
🎲✂️
"Yes, shut-up."
🎲✂️
Late w/my @unpub.bsky.social 2025 recap, but in the darkest timeline a little light is always relevant.
Spending 4 days with this roving village of game designers is one of the most joyous events of the year for me. I’d trade all the spring/summer holidays for more. And it only works b/c of you.🎲✂️
Spending 4 days with this roving village of game designers is one of the most joyous events of the year for me. I’d trade all the spring/summer holidays for more. And it only works b/c of you.🎲✂️
April 8, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Late w/my @unpub.bsky.social 2025 recap, but in the darkest timeline a little light is always relevant.
Spending 4 days with this roving village of game designers is one of the most joyous events of the year for me. I’d trade all the spring/summer holidays for more. And it only works b/c of you.🎲✂️
Spending 4 days with this roving village of game designers is one of the most joyous events of the year for me. I’d trade all the spring/summer holidays for more. And it only works b/c of you.🎲✂️
Hey Unpub goers! I’m set up at K6 with Threading the Needle (my mahjong garment worker game). I’ll be here until 6:30. Stop by! 🎲✂️
March 29, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Hey Unpub goers! I’m set up at K6 with Threading the Needle (my mahjong garment worker game). I’ll be here until 6:30. Stop by! 🎲✂️
Reposted by Christopher Chan-BLM
🎲✂️ Tonight at 9 PM ET on the Meeple Syrup Show, the triple threat @xopherchan.bsky.social talks about pitching via video. @drayerink.bsky.social is travelling, so it'll just be @senfoonglim.bsky.social at the helm! Join the chat at www.facebook.com/MeepleSyrup or www.youtube.com/MeepleSyrup
March 26, 2025 at 3:47 PM
🎲✂️ Tonight at 9 PM ET on the Meeple Syrup Show, the triple threat @xopherchan.bsky.social talks about pitching via video. @drayerink.bsky.social is travelling, so it'll just be @senfoonglim.bsky.social at the helm! Join the chat at www.facebook.com/MeepleSyrup or www.youtube.com/MeepleSyrup
On the road to Unpub! Not saying I didn’t pack a rotary cutter and a bunch of hole punches but not saying I didn’t either.
March 26, 2025 at 3:06 PM
On the road to Unpub! Not saying I didn’t pack a rotary cutter and a bunch of hole punches but not saying I didn’t either.
Reposted by Christopher Chan-BLM
After playing it at #Breakout with @xopherchan.bsky.social , my copy of #StalkExchange has arrived. I pulled out an old dice bag to make the greenhouse bag a little bigger.
March 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
After playing it at #Breakout with @xopherchan.bsky.social , my copy of #StalkExchange has arrived. I pulled out an old dice bag to make the greenhouse bag a little bigger.
So far, every single interaction I’ve had with the Canadian equivalent of the DMV has been much faster and easier than anything I ever had to do in the states.
March 20, 2025 at 2:31 PM
So far, every single interaction I’ve had with the Canadian equivalent of the DMV has been much faster and easier than anything I ever had to do in the states.
Day 3 at Breakout was basically all demoes until the con was over. It was an honor to share my published stuff this so much the convention. On the prototyping side I only got 2 playtests of my own stuff in but I’m proud to report I played 6 other designers games. Looking forward to next year!
March 16, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Day 3 at Breakout was basically all demoes until the con was over. It was an honor to share my published stuff this so much the convention. On the prototyping side I only got 2 playtests of my own stuff in but I’m proud to report I played 6 other designers games. Looking forward to next year!
Reposted by Christopher Chan-BLM
hey @xopherchan.bsky.social look what was on the front page of BoardGameArena today!
March 16, 2025 at 10:31 PM
hey @xopherchan.bsky.social look what was on the front page of BoardGameArena today!
Day 2 at Breakout 2025 has been really busy for me. I did 2 panels and 2 demo sessions today. One where I moderated a discussion on games in education and one on game design 101. It’s been a delightful experience so far and, as usual, I forgot to take pictures at all today.
March 16, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Day 2 at Breakout 2025 has been really busy for me. I did 2 panels and 2 demo sessions today. One where I moderated a discussion on games in education and one on game design 101. It’s been a delightful experience so far and, as usual, I forgot to take pictures at all today.
Reposted by Christopher Chan-BLM
March 11, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Had my first meet up with a new playtest group in Toronto last night and got to try out a new investment game I’ve had in a drawer (yes, another one). I’m tentatively calling this one Witch Way. It’s loosely inspired by Trax and is basically a train game for people who don’t like trains or math.
🎲✂️
🎲✂️
March 4, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Had my first meet up with a new playtest group in Toronto last night and got to try out a new investment game I’ve had in a drawer (yes, another one). I’m tentatively calling this one Witch Way. It’s loosely inspired by Trax and is basically a train game for people who don’t like trains or math.
🎲✂️
🎲✂️
I was cleaning out a folder and found this old board for Stalk Exchange and got all nostalgic. That game branched at least 4 times as I was figuring it out thanks to the most regular and frequent playtest schedule I’ve ever had. Community like that is truly special. Don’t take it for granted. 🎲✂️
March 1, 2025 at 5:46 PM
I was cleaning out a folder and found this old board for Stalk Exchange and got all nostalgic. That game branched at least 4 times as I was figuring it out thanks to the most regular and frequent playtest schedule I’ve ever had. Community like that is truly special. Don’t take it for granted. 🎲✂️
Finally back from GAMA after a spot of car trouble. I'm looking forward to doing follow-ups, and working through a big, inspiration fueld post-con to do.
And I definitely, definitely will not put any of that off to watch every @cardboardedison.com finalist pitch video.
And I definitely, definitely will not put any of that off to watch every @cardboardedison.com finalist pitch video.
March 1, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Finally back from GAMA after a spot of car trouble. I'm looking forward to doing follow-ups, and working through a big, inspiration fueld post-con to do.
And I definitely, definitely will not put any of that off to watch every @cardboardedison.com finalist pitch video.
And I definitely, definitely will not put any of that off to watch every @cardboardedison.com finalist pitch video.
One of my old teachers is getting into game design and needs to find a playtest group. Does anyone know of any groups I could direct them to in Rochester, NY?
🎲✂️
🎲✂️
February 21, 2025 at 7:51 PM
One of my old teachers is getting into game design and needs to find a playtest group. Does anyone know of any groups I could direct them to in Rochester, NY?
🎲✂️
🎲✂️