Michael O’Connell - Finspan Guy
@anarchytabletop.bsky.social
Anarchy Game Studio is a Seattle-based father-son team that makes tabletop boardgames that spark conversation and inspire creativity:
anarchygamestudio.com
I am Michael. Co-designer of Finspan. Once wrote and published comics. Adoptee. Neurodivergent.
anarchygamestudio.com
I am Michael. Co-designer of Finspan. Once wrote and published comics. Adoptee. Neurodivergent.
@kristenmott.bsky.social, my co-designer on an upcoming game, was featured on Jamey’s “My Favorite Mechanism” for her game, Stable Times. So excited for her!
youtu.be/Jr9fheVoX9c
youtu.be/Jr9fheVoX9c
Stable Times: My Favorite Mechanism
YouTube video by Stonemaier Games
youtu.be
November 29, 2025 at 8:21 PM
@kristenmott.bsky.social, my co-designer on an upcoming game, was featured on Jamey’s “My Favorite Mechanism” for her game, Stable Times. So excited for her!
youtu.be/Jr9fheVoX9c
youtu.be/Jr9fheVoX9c
Reposted by Michael O’Connell - Finspan Guy
I've definitely dealt with publishers who would listen to literally anyone else other than the designer. One playtester in one playtest out of thirty? We'd better get on that. Reddit? Absolutely. Someone who wandered in off the street? Tell us more, oh wise one! Game designer? Pft, what do you know?
November 26, 2025 at 6:17 PM
I've definitely dealt with publishers who would listen to literally anyone else other than the designer. One playtester in one playtest out of thirty? We'd better get on that. Reddit? Absolutely. Someone who wandered in off the street? Tell us more, oh wise one! Game designer? Pft, what do you know?
Reposted by Michael O’Connell - Finspan Guy
Yeah, this sort of groupthink is common in boardgaming too. Players often hear an opinion voiced at the gaming table, and that becomes the truth for that table. They'll ignore or miss built-in tools to handle a situation, they'll experience a weird statistical anomaly, and then that's it.
November 26, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Yeah, this sort of groupthink is common in boardgaming too. Players often hear an opinion voiced at the gaming table, and that becomes the truth for that table. They'll ignore or miss built-in tools to handle a situation, they'll experience a weird statistical anomaly, and then that's it.
Finspan made the list!
Our holiday gift guide is READY! youtu.be/uz4IaX-lkYY
Are you buying games for your loved ones this year?
Are you buying games for your loved ones this year?
Ultimate Board Game Gift Guide | Family, Party, Cooperative, 2-Player, Small Box and Strategy Games!
YouTube video by kovray
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Finspan made the list!
Reposted by Michael O’Connell - Finspan Guy
Some close friends to be get a little frustrated in my tendency to priortise luck in my own career, as they know how I work. I try to explain that work just is buying a lottery ticket. It's necessary, but certainly not sufficient. I know many folks who've worked as hard but the dice have been cruel.
November 26, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Some close friends to be get a little frustrated in my tendency to priortise luck in my own career, as they know how I work. I try to explain that work just is buying a lottery ticket. It's necessary, but certainly not sufficient. I know many folks who've worked as hard but the dice have been cruel.
Man at PAX Unplugged going on and on about board games and fish!
November 25, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Man at PAX Unplugged going on and on about board games and fish!
A shot from the Stonemaier area at Essen (with the Finspan banner).
November 25, 2025 at 12:15 AM
A shot from the Stonemaier area at Essen (with the Finspan banner).
Reposted by Michael O’Connell - Finspan Guy
Good morning to all appreciators of passionate about graphic design xoxo
Here’s my pax unplugged schedule, leave a comment if you have any critiques on my layout skills!!!! x
Here’s my pax unplugged schedule, leave a comment if you have any critiques on my layout skills!!!! x
![A graphic made with word art that shows Danny’s pax unplugged 2025 schedule
Br00TaL DaN
aka Danny Quach
FRIDAY
TWO TABLES & A MIMIC [HOST]
SPONSORED BY 12 SIDED STUDIOS, PHILLY LARP SOCIETY (PLS) AND RED BULL
• 4PM - 6PM ET | THE WINGED BULL TAVERN
BIG GAY DINNER [SOCIAL]
SPONSORED BY ROSE GAUNTLET FOUNDATION
• 6:30PM - 7:30PM ET
OOPS! ALL HIMBOS - BLUNDER ROAD [PLAYER] SPONSORED BY NINTH LEVEL GAMES' THUNDER ROAD: VENDETTA
• 8:30PM - 10:30PM ET | MAIN THEATRE (GRAND BALLROOM B)
Saturday!
FOR GAMES AND SHENANIGANS AND GOING TO
READING
TERMINAL AND THE CHRISTMAS
MARKET MSG ME
IF YOU WANNA
HANG XOXOXXXX]
awawinning
HUG5
SUNDAY
OOPS! ALL HIMBOS [SIGNING]
MEET & GREET ME AND YOUR FAVS WITH PICTURES AND CHATS AND HUGS
• 12:30PM - 2PM ET | AUTOGRAPHING AREA
(QUEUE HALL)
TAKING THE SPOTLIGHT [PANELIST] A ROUNDTABLE FOR MARGINALIZED CREATORS IN GAMES
• 3:30PM - 4:30PM | MOTHMAN THEATRE
GRAND BALLROOM A)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rubbl3sl4zcaqvlk66z3b2mb/bafkreifvke7qliyusc6e6cujuvtlcbfbxfikyy6mmszi6vo62m6aoflekq@jpeg)
November 19, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Good morning to all appreciators of passionate about graphic design xoxo
Here’s my pax unplugged schedule, leave a comment if you have any critiques on my layout skills!!!! x
Here’s my pax unplugged schedule, leave a comment if you have any critiques on my layout skills!!!! x
Reposted by Michael O’Connell - Finspan Guy
Just a few more days and this will be happening!! Don’t miss the preview so you know what games to look out for~
We’re thrilled to share our Special Presentation; Indie Games Night Market Preview!
It was a privilege to be part of this & share these games with you all~
youtu.be/HA_u8oxU0kc?...
See the games that will be at the IGNM in exactly 1 week at #PAXunplugged!
#boardgames #ignm
#cardgames #indiegames
It was a privilege to be part of this & share these games with you all~
youtu.be/HA_u8oxU0kc?...
See the games that will be at the IGNM in exactly 1 week at #PAXunplugged!
#boardgames #ignm
#cardgames #indiegames
November 19, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Just a few more days and this will be happening!! Don’t miss the preview so you know what games to look out for~
Reposted by Michael O’Connell - Finspan Guy
One month away and it feels more real now! #paxunplugged #paxu
October 22, 2025 at 7:43 PM
One month away and it feels more real now! #paxunplugged #paxu
Reposted by Michael O’Connell - Finspan Guy
Heyyo! If you're going to be at #PAXUnplugged, come find me on the exhibition floor at the Origami Whale Games booth where I'll be demonstrating my game, Match Hatchery!
#boardgames 🎲✂️ #paxu
#boardgames 🎲✂️ #paxu
November 9, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Heyyo! If you're going to be at #PAXUnplugged, come find me on the exhibition floor at the Origami Whale Games booth where I'll be demonstrating my game, Match Hatchery!
#boardgames 🎲✂️ #paxu
#boardgames 🎲✂️ #paxu
Reposted by Michael O’Connell - Finspan Guy
Printing, cutting, and assembly is complete on all three prototypes for #PAXU! Ready to go!
I'll be bringing...
- The first physical iteration of the brand new board layout for #CampCharmwood
- #OarDeal, a trick taker/shedder about a canoe trip
- #Saros, an 18 card game about the sun and moon
I'll be bringing...
- The first physical iteration of the brand new board layout for #CampCharmwood
- #OarDeal, a trick taker/shedder about a canoe trip
- #Saros, an 18 card game about the sun and moon
November 12, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Printing, cutting, and assembly is complete on all three prototypes for #PAXU! Ready to go!
I'll be bringing...
- The first physical iteration of the brand new board layout for #CampCharmwood
- #OarDeal, a trick taker/shedder about a canoe trip
- #Saros, an 18 card game about the sun and moon
I'll be bringing...
- The first physical iteration of the brand new board layout for #CampCharmwood
- #OarDeal, a trick taker/shedder about a canoe trip
- #Saros, an 18 card game about the sun and moon
Reposted by Michael O’Connell - Finspan Guy
Look at this line up! Amazing! 👀 😍 #PAXU
We’re thrilled to share our Special Presentation; Indie Games Night Market Preview!
It was a privilege to be part of this & share these games with you all~
youtu.be/HA_u8oxU0kc?...
See the games that will be at the IGNM in exactly 1 week at #PAXunplugged!
#boardgames #ignm
#cardgames #indiegames
It was a privilege to be part of this & share these games with you all~
youtu.be/HA_u8oxU0kc?...
See the games that will be at the IGNM in exactly 1 week at #PAXunplugged!
#boardgames #ignm
#cardgames #indiegames
November 16, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Look at this line up! Amazing! 👀 😍 #PAXU
Reposted by Michael O’Connell - Finspan Guy
Do we follow each other on here and want to meet up at PAXU?
No promises, but we can try! I made a Google Form to try to form order from chaos (i.e. clicking available times).
DM me for the link.
#PAXU #PAXUnplugged
No promises, but we can try! I made a Google Form to try to form order from chaos (i.e. clicking available times).
DM me for the link.
#PAXU #PAXUnplugged
November 18, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Do we follow each other on here and want to meet up at PAXU?
No promises, but we can try! I made a Google Form to try to form order from chaos (i.e. clicking available times).
DM me for the link.
#PAXU #PAXUnplugged
No promises, but we can try! I made a Google Form to try to form order from chaos (i.e. clicking available times).
DM me for the link.
#PAXU #PAXUnplugged
Reposted by Michael O’Connell - Finspan Guy
Reposted by Michael O’Connell - Finspan Guy
Gotta bring the agitprop to the #IGNM! 🏴 🔥I’ll have copies of my zine about making games, plus three different stickers with critical, political messages for our time. #PAXU
HUGE thanks to @marcelineleiman.bsky.social for encouraging me to get stickers and to oliviasy.design for doing the designs.
HUGE thanks to @marcelineleiman.bsky.social for encouraging me to get stickers and to oliviasy.design for doing the designs.
November 18, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Gotta bring the agitprop to the #IGNM! 🏴 🔥I’ll have copies of my zine about making games, plus three different stickers with critical, political messages for our time. #PAXU
HUGE thanks to @marcelineleiman.bsky.social for encouraging me to get stickers and to oliviasy.design for doing the designs.
HUGE thanks to @marcelineleiman.bsky.social for encouraging me to get stickers and to oliviasy.design for doing the designs.
We played Too Many Bones yesterday. It has great, um...bones, but I think it is hampered, at times, by extra stuff that didn't need to be in there. And there are too many scenarios that seem bent on keeping players from just playing the game. For a day-long campaign, there are few better though.
November 16, 2025 at 10:12 PM
We played Too Many Bones yesterday. It has great, um...bones, but I think it is hampered, at times, by extra stuff that didn't need to be in there. And there are too many scenarios that seem bent on keeping players from just playing the game. For a day-long campaign, there are few better though.
Reposted by Michael O’Connell - Finspan Guy
So close! We played a quick game of Finspan tonight after dinner. I got my favorite fish! It's my favorite exhibit at the @newenglandaquarium.bsky.social ! @stonemaiergames.com @anarchytabletop.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 2:37 AM
So close! We played a quick game of Finspan tonight after dinner. I got my favorite fish! It's my favorite exhibit at the @newenglandaquarium.bsky.social ! @stonemaiergames.com @anarchytabletop.bsky.social
After a long break, we finally got Arydia back to the table. Skellies had a bone to pick. The painted minis in this game are lights out.
November 3, 2025 at 4:43 AM
After a long break, we finally got Arydia back to the table. Skellies had a bone to pick. The painted minis in this game are lights out.
Reposted by Michael O’Connell - Finspan Guy
This is just to say
I have looked on
the works
that were in
the desert
and which
you were probably
thinking
would still stand
Forgive me
they were trunkless
so vast
and so old
I have looked on
the works
that were in
the desert
and which
you were probably
thinking
would still stand
Forgive me
they were trunkless
so vast
and so old
Once upon a desert sandy
As through winds the trav'ling man he
Spied the face of Ozymandy
Lying, simply lying there
Suddenly there was some writing
Pon the plinth that he was sighting
That the sand and time were blighting
Quoth the statue, "Now despair"
As through winds the trav'ling man he
Spied the face of Ozymandy
Lying, simply lying there
Suddenly there was some writing
Pon the plinth that he was sighting
That the sand and time were blighting
Quoth the statue, "Now despair"
There was an old man you could gaze
At his works in despair in a daze
If you looked upon them
And were mere mortal men
'Ozymandias mighty', it says
At his works in despair in a daze
If you looked upon them
And were mere mortal men
'Ozymandias mighty', it says
October 30, 2025 at 12:53 AM
This is just to say
I have looked on
the works
that were in
the desert
and which
you were probably
thinking
would still stand
Forgive me
they were trunkless
so vast
and so old
I have looked on
the works
that were in
the desert
and which
you were probably
thinking
would still stand
Forgive me
they were trunkless
so vast
and so old
Reposted by Michael O’Connell - Finspan Guy
Whose land this is I do not know
The statue fell down long ago;
No one will mind me stopping here
To watch the sand o’er ruins blow.
My camel friend must think it queer
To rest with no oasis near
And precious little shade these days
Gives Ozymandias, I fear.
(1/2)
The statue fell down long ago;
No one will mind me stopping here
To watch the sand o’er ruins blow.
My camel friend must think it queer
To rest with no oasis near
And precious little shade these days
Gives Ozymandias, I fear.
(1/2)
This is just to say
I have looked on
the works
that were in
the desert
and which
you were probably
thinking
would still stand
Forgive me
they were trunkless
so vast
and so old
I have looked on
the works
that were in
the desert
and which
you were probably
thinking
would still stand
Forgive me
they were trunkless
so vast
and so old
Once upon a desert sandy
As through winds the trav'ling man he
Spied the face of Ozymandy
Lying, simply lying there
Suddenly there was some writing
Pon the plinth that he was sighting
That the sand and time were blighting
Quoth the statue, "Now despair"
As through winds the trav'ling man he
Spied the face of Ozymandy
Lying, simply lying there
Suddenly there was some writing
Pon the plinth that he was sighting
That the sand and time were blighting
Quoth the statue, "Now despair"
October 31, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Whose land this is I do not know
The statue fell down long ago;
No one will mind me stopping here
To watch the sand o’er ruins blow.
My camel friend must think it queer
To rest with no oasis near
And precious little shade these days
Gives Ozymandias, I fear.
(1/2)
The statue fell down long ago;
No one will mind me stopping here
To watch the sand o’er ruins blow.
My camel friend must think it queer
To rest with no oasis near
And precious little shade these days
Gives Ozymandias, I fear.
(1/2)