Jeremiah Brammer, Epoch Kit
@play-thru-games.bsky.social
Christian, Founder of Epoch Kit (Releasing soon! 😬), Board Game Designer.
What about you?
What about you?
🎲✂️ 13# Coffee Rush - Overwhelming Orders
Give players more necessary tasks than possible to complete and make them expire to make players have to triage effectively.
In the game, you are given 2 orders each turn that last 4 turns before counting as -pts. But can usually only fulfill 1 per turn.
Give players more necessary tasks than possible to complete and make them expire to make players have to triage effectively.
In the game, you are given 2 orders each turn that last 4 turns before counting as -pts. But can usually only fulfill 1 per turn.
Coffee Rush
Become the greatest barista by quickly fulfilling coffee and beverage orders.
boardgamegeek.com
August 20, 2025 at 3:16 AM
🎲✂️ 13# Coffee Rush - Overwhelming Orders
Give players more necessary tasks than possible to complete and make them expire to make players have to triage effectively.
In the game, you are given 2 orders each turn that last 4 turns before counting as -pts. But can usually only fulfill 1 per turn.
Give players more necessary tasks than possible to complete and make them expire to make players have to triage effectively.
In the game, you are given 2 orders each turn that last 4 turns before counting as -pts. But can usually only fulfill 1 per turn.
After a few weeks off for Gencon, I'm back! 😄
🎲✂️ 12. Flip City - Forced Push Your Luck
Adding a negative element that forces you to push longer adds tension.
In the game, if the top of the deck has a Res. Area, you must take it. Even though it has a unhappiness which will bust you if you have 3.
🎲✂️ 12. Flip City - Forced Push Your Luck
Adding a negative element that forces you to push longer adds tension.
In the game, if the top of the deck has a Res. Area, you must take it. Even though it has a unhappiness which will bust you if you have 3.
Flip City
Build a city by playing double-sided cards and use money and powers to flip cards.
boardgamegeek.com
August 13, 2025 at 2:56 AM
After a few weeks off for Gencon, I'm back! 😄
🎲✂️ 12. Flip City - Forced Push Your Luck
Adding a negative element that forces you to push longer adds tension.
In the game, if the top of the deck has a Res. Area, you must take it. Even though it has a unhappiness which will bust you if you have 3.
🎲✂️ 12. Flip City - Forced Push Your Luck
Adding a negative element that forces you to push longer adds tension.
In the game, if the top of the deck has a Res. Area, you must take it. Even though it has a unhappiness which will bust you if you have 3.
I'm hosting a Card Game Jam at Gencon, and I'd love it if you attended!
You're welcome, even if you don't feel like a game designer!
1/3🧵
You're welcome, even if you don't feel like a game designer!
1/3🧵
July 24, 2025 at 4:56 PM
I'm hosting a Card Game Jam at Gencon, and I'd love it if you attended!
You're welcome, even if you don't feel like a game designer!
1/3🧵
You're welcome, even if you don't feel like a game designer!
1/3🧵
🎲✂️ 11. Kabuto Sumo: Sakura Slam - Comebacks
Its incredibly rewarding to come back from the brink of losing.
In the game, you can be right on the edge, and still not fall off!
If you fall off you will lose. But you get to take the risk of pushing your opponent off or trying to save yourself.
Its incredibly rewarding to come back from the brink of losing.
In the game, you can be right on the edge, and still not fall off!
If you fall off you will lose. But you get to take the risk of pushing your opponent off or trying to save yourself.
Kabuto Sumo: Sakura Slam
Push your bug opponents off the arena. Use your unique powers to gain an advantage!
boardgamegeek.com
July 23, 2025 at 3:38 AM
🎲✂️ 11. Kabuto Sumo: Sakura Slam - Comebacks
Its incredibly rewarding to come back from the brink of losing.
In the game, you can be right on the edge, and still not fall off!
If you fall off you will lose. But you get to take the risk of pushing your opponent off or trying to save yourself.
Its incredibly rewarding to come back from the brink of losing.
In the game, you can be right on the edge, and still not fall off!
If you fall off you will lose. But you get to take the risk of pushing your opponent off or trying to save yourself.
@allplay.bsky.social’s Oddland - Limit the Turns
If you put a hard cap on the turns in a game, it increases the tension.
In the game, you have to place a token out every turn. And you only have 7 tokens. Every turn makes or breaks the game.
p.s. a bonus game that does this is The White Castle
If you put a hard cap on the turns in a game, it increases the tension.
In the game, you have to place a token out every turn. And you only have 7 tokens. Every turn makes or breaks the game.
p.s. a bonus game that does this is The White Castle
Oddland
Explore a mysterious island and document its bizarre flora and fauna to score points
boardgamegeek.com
July 16, 2025 at 3:34 AM
@allplay.bsky.social’s Oddland - Limit the Turns
If you put a hard cap on the turns in a game, it increases the tension.
In the game, you have to place a token out every turn. And you only have 7 tokens. Every turn makes or breaks the game.
p.s. a bonus game that does this is The White Castle
If you put a hard cap on the turns in a game, it increases the tension.
In the game, you have to place a token out every turn. And you only have 7 tokens. Every turn makes or breaks the game.
p.s. a bonus game that does this is The White Castle
@buttonshy.bsky.social's Naturopolis - Goals add replayability
If you want lots of replayability, add big goals that direct the strategy of players.
In the game you have 3 goals which give you most of the points. But they want different things, like diagonal Mtns or a big group of meadows.
🎲✂️
If you want lots of replayability, add big goals that direct the strategy of players.
In the game you have 3 goals which give you most of the points. But they want different things, like diagonal Mtns or a big group of meadows.
🎲✂️
Naturopolis
First there were cities, then there were farms, and next up is nature!
boardgamegeek.com
July 9, 2025 at 3:39 AM
@buttonshy.bsky.social's Naturopolis - Goals add replayability
If you want lots of replayability, add big goals that direct the strategy of players.
In the game you have 3 goals which give you most of the points. But they want different things, like diagonal Mtns or a big group of meadows.
🎲✂️
If you want lots of replayability, add big goals that direct the strategy of players.
In the game you have 3 goals which give you most of the points. But they want different things, like diagonal Mtns or a big group of meadows.
🎲✂️
The Brass Age - Player driven upgrades
Let players feel clever by letting them add upgrades that aren't predetermined.
e.g in The Brass Age, you have upgrades that you place on actions to upgrade them. But, you get to pick what upgrade you place on the action, instead of flipping the card over. 🎲✂️
Let players feel clever by letting them add upgrades that aren't predetermined.
e.g in The Brass Age, you have upgrades that you place on actions to upgrade them. But, you get to pick what upgrade you place on the action, instead of flipping the card over. 🎲✂️
The Brass Age
A steampunk War of The Worlds(ish) bag and tableau builder.
boardgamegeek.com
July 1, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The Brass Age - Player driven upgrades
Let players feel clever by letting them add upgrades that aren't predetermined.
e.g in The Brass Age, you have upgrades that you place on actions to upgrade them. But, you get to pick what upgrade you place on the action, instead of flipping the card over. 🎲✂️
Let players feel clever by letting them add upgrades that aren't predetermined.
e.g in The Brass Age, you have upgrades that you place on actions to upgrade them. But, you get to pick what upgrade you place on the action, instead of flipping the card over. 🎲✂️
Switchbacks - Everybody’s in this together
Make players have to rely on each other to win.
e.g in Switchbacks, to score a line it has to be a straight of 4+ tiles or it scores 0. However, you don’t have all of them. So you have to make the others join you instead of going off on their own.
🎲✂️
Make players have to rely on each other to win.
e.g in Switchbacks, to score a line it has to be a straight of 4+ tiles or it scores 0. However, you don’t have all of them. So you have to make the others join you instead of going off on their own.
🎲✂️
Switchbacks
Go trekking, but watch out for steep inclines leaving your hikers stranded!
boardgamegeek.com
June 25, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Switchbacks - Everybody’s in this together
Make players have to rely on each other to win.
e.g in Switchbacks, to score a line it has to be a straight of 4+ tiles or it scores 0. However, you don’t have all of them. So you have to make the others join you instead of going off on their own.
🎲✂️
Make players have to rely on each other to win.
e.g in Switchbacks, to score a line it has to be a straight of 4+ tiles or it scores 0. However, you don’t have all of them. So you have to make the others join you instead of going off on their own.
🎲✂️
I finally made some transparent cards! (Think Mystic Vale)
Here's a quick guide to making them:
🎲✂️
Here's a quick guide to making them:
🎲✂️
June 19, 2025 at 4:11 PM
I finally made some transparent cards! (Think Mystic Vale)
Here's a quick guide to making them:
🎲✂️
Here's a quick guide to making them:
🎲✂️
@allplay.bsky.social's River Valley Glassworks - Bundle the good with the bad
If you force players to take good items with bad items, you add depth to the decision with no complexity.
Now, you have to decide between that thing you really want that also has a horrible thing, or two ok things.
🎲✂️
If you force players to take good items with bad items, you add depth to the decision with no complexity.
Now, you have to decide between that thing you really want that also has a horrible thing, or two ok things.
🎲✂️
River Valley Glassworks
Compete to collect pieces of glass and place them strategically in your shop.
boardgamegeek.com
June 17, 2025 at 3:17 PM
@allplay.bsky.social's River Valley Glassworks - Bundle the good with the bad
If you force players to take good items with bad items, you add depth to the decision with no complexity.
Now, you have to decide between that thing you really want that also has a horrible thing, or two ok things.
🎲✂️
If you force players to take good items with bad items, you add depth to the decision with no complexity.
Now, you have to decide between that thing you really want that also has a horrible thing, or two ok things.
🎲✂️
@buttonshy.bsky.social's Numbsters - Buildup
Don't let players spam the same option, as that gets boring.
Instead, make them work for it, so they feel accomplished.
Some common ways to do that are by adding a resource or financial cost to the action. Or here, the card is moved to the back.
🎲✂️
Don't let players spam the same option, as that gets boring.
Instead, make them work for it, so they feel accomplished.
Some common ways to do that are by adding a resource or financial cost to the action. Or here, the card is moved to the back.
🎲✂️
June 11, 2025 at 3:20 AM
@buttonshy.bsky.social's Numbsters - Buildup
Don't let players spam the same option, as that gets boring.
Instead, make them work for it, so they feel accomplished.
Some common ways to do that are by adding a resource or financial cost to the action. Or here, the card is moved to the back.
🎲✂️
Don't let players spam the same option, as that gets boring.
Instead, make them work for it, so they feel accomplished.
Some common ways to do that are by adding a resource or financial cost to the action. Or here, the card is moved to the back.
🎲✂️
I was posting Thursday discussion points here, but I've decided to stop.
This is because I have learned that BlueSky isn't the best for discussion, I should just use Discord for those things instead.
This is because I have learned that BlueSky isn't the best for discussion, I should just use Discord for those things instead.
June 5, 2025 at 7:44 PM
I was posting Thursday discussion points here, but I've decided to stop.
This is because I have learned that BlueSky isn't the best for discussion, I should just use Discord for those things instead.
This is because I have learned that BlueSky isn't the best for discussion, I should just use Discord for those things instead.
@horribleguild.bsky.social's Similo - Humans are the best asymmetry
Add memorable moments by incorporating human judgement.
Since everybody notices different things, we can give a "obvious" clue, that nobody else gets, or misinterprets horribly.
🎲✂️
Add memorable moments by incorporating human judgement.
Since everybody notices different things, we can give a "obvious" clue, that nobody else gets, or misinterprets horribly.
🎲✂️
a man in a brown shirt is asking why why would you do that
Alt: Ross from the F.R.I.E.N.D.S tv show, is asking "why why would you do that"
media.tenor.com
June 4, 2025 at 12:55 PM
@horribleguild.bsky.social's Similo - Humans are the best asymmetry
Add memorable moments by incorporating human judgement.
Since everybody notices different things, we can give a "obvious" clue, that nobody else gets, or misinterprets horribly.
🎲✂️
Add memorable moments by incorporating human judgement.
Since everybody notices different things, we can give a "obvious" clue, that nobody else gets, or misinterprets horribly.
🎲✂️
When should you use the mechanic of “round based games where everything resets except points at round end”?
An example game would be Scout, where at the end of the round, you score points, which are stored away, and reshuffle the deck, going again until someone hits a certain point threshold. 🎲✂️
An example game would be Scout, where at the end of the round, you score points, which are stored away, and reshuffle the deck, going again until someone hits a certain point threshold. 🎲✂️
May 29, 2025 at 6:42 PM
When should you use the mechanic of “round based games where everything resets except points at round end”?
An example game would be Scout, where at the end of the round, you score points, which are stored away, and reshuffle the deck, going again until someone hits a certain point threshold. 🎲✂️
An example game would be Scout, where at the end of the round, you score points, which are stored away, and reshuffle the deck, going again until someone hits a certain point threshold. 🎲✂️
@buttonshy.bsky.social's Skulls of Sedlec - Adjacency Matters
Adding adjacency effects is a cheap way to add depth, rules-wise.
In Skulls, you draft or place a card. That's it.
But then comes scoring. Everything want to be next something, and you can't satisfy them all. All because of adjacency.
Adding adjacency effects is a cheap way to add depth, rules-wise.
In Skulls, you draft or place a card. That's it.
But then comes scoring. Everything want to be next something, and you can't satisfy them all. All because of adjacency.
Skulls of Sedlec
Stack skulls in the Sedlec Ossuary to help the deceased finally rest peacefully.
boardgamegeek.com
May 27, 2025 at 8:48 PM
@buttonshy.bsky.social's Skulls of Sedlec - Adjacency Matters
Adding adjacency effects is a cheap way to add depth, rules-wise.
In Skulls, you draft or place a card. That's it.
But then comes scoring. Everything want to be next something, and you can't satisfy them all. All because of adjacency.
Adding adjacency effects is a cheap way to add depth, rules-wise.
In Skulls, you draft or place a card. That's it.
But then comes scoring. Everything want to be next something, and you can't satisfy them all. All because of adjacency.
What’s one thing you want to emulate about one of your favorite games? It could be a mechanic, theme, the style of game, anything!
For me, its ROVE by Dustin Dobson & Milan Zivkovic, and what I want to emulate is the tightness of the game, and how you can't waste a move.
What about you?
For me, its ROVE by Dustin Dobson & Milan Zivkovic, and what I want to emulate is the tightness of the game, and how you can't waste a move.
What about you?
May 22, 2025 at 6:05 PM
What’s one thing you want to emulate about one of your favorite games? It could be a mechanic, theme, the style of game, anything!
For me, its ROVE by Dustin Dobson & Milan Zivkovic, and what I want to emulate is the tightness of the game, and how you can't waste a move.
What about you?
For me, its ROVE by Dustin Dobson & Milan Zivkovic, and what I want to emulate is the tightness of the game, and how you can't waste a move.
What about you?
@scottalmes.bsky.social's Food Chain Island - Layer the restrictions
In game design, restrictions give you meaningful choices, instead of random "choices".
However, sometimes you need multiple restrictions to achieve this.
In game design, restrictions give you meaningful choices, instead of random "choices".
However, sometimes you need multiple restrictions to achieve this.
May 20, 2025 at 8:52 PM
@scottalmes.bsky.social's Food Chain Island - Layer the restrictions
In game design, restrictions give you meaningful choices, instead of random "choices".
However, sometimes you need multiple restrictions to achieve this.
In game design, restrictions give you meaningful choices, instead of random "choices".
However, sometimes you need multiple restrictions to achieve this.
Is it unprofessional to use hooks from newly released games?
For example, @alexcutler.bsky.social & Peter C. Hayward's Critter Kitchen just came out, and the worker placement, where you have 3 different types of worker, sounds really cool. Would it be unprofessional to use it in a game?
For example, @alexcutler.bsky.social & Peter C. Hayward's Critter Kitchen just came out, and the worker placement, where you have 3 different types of worker, sounds really cool. Would it be unprofessional to use it in a game?
May 15, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Is it unprofessional to use hooks from newly released games?
For example, @alexcutler.bsky.social & Peter C. Hayward's Critter Kitchen just came out, and the worker placement, where you have 3 different types of worker, sounds really cool. Would it be unprofessional to use it in a game?
For example, @alexcutler.bsky.social & Peter C. Hayward's Critter Kitchen just came out, and the worker placement, where you have 3 different types of worker, sounds really cool. Would it be unprofessional to use it in a game?
Summer Camp lesson:
Small bonuses are fun: you are constantly getting small bonuses, which feel great.
e.g. You play a card that moves you on a track, hitting a bonus, which lets you move again, letting you hit another bonus, gaining a card this time!
What's your favorite game with small bonuses?
Small bonuses are fun: you are constantly getting small bonuses, which feel great.
e.g. You play a card that moves you on a track, hitting a bonus, which lets you move again, letting you hit another bonus, gaining a card this time!
What's your favorite game with small bonuses?
Summer Camp
Collect cards and earn merit badges to become the ultimate summer camper.
boardgamegeek.com
May 13, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Summer Camp lesson:
Small bonuses are fun: you are constantly getting small bonuses, which feel great.
e.g. You play a card that moves you on a track, hitting a bonus, which lets you move again, letting you hit another bonus, gaining a card this time!
What's your favorite game with small bonuses?
Small bonuses are fun: you are constantly getting small bonuses, which feel great.
e.g. You play a card that moves you on a track, hitting a bonus, which lets you move again, letting you hit another bonus, gaining a card this time!
What's your favorite game with small bonuses?
Thanks for stopping by! 😄 Here is my plan for posting:
On Tuesday's, I will post some lesson I learned from a recent game I played, or a mechanic I really liked from it.
On Thursday's, I will post a discussion question about Board game design, even if only tangentially related.
See you Tomorrow!
On Tuesday's, I will post some lesson I learned from a recent game I played, or a mechanic I really liked from it.
On Thursday's, I will post a discussion question about Board game design, even if only tangentially related.
See you Tomorrow!
May 12, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Thanks for stopping by! 😄 Here is my plan for posting:
On Tuesday's, I will post some lesson I learned from a recent game I played, or a mechanic I really liked from it.
On Thursday's, I will post a discussion question about Board game design, even if only tangentially related.
See you Tomorrow!
On Tuesday's, I will post some lesson I learned from a recent game I played, or a mechanic I really liked from it.
On Thursday's, I will post a discussion question about Board game design, even if only tangentially related.
See you Tomorrow!
I wanted to share this contest by Mike Berg of We Heart Games, for my favorite game from him, Exoship!
bsky.app/profile/wehe...
bsky.app/profile/wehe...
🦋 Bluesky is open; we want to meet more solo players, so we're celebrating by giving away a copy of ExoShip! 🚀
Follow this account & share this post to enter.
Optional: Reply with a character you'd be on a huge generation ship. It could be included as part of future ExoVerse games or stories!
Follow this account & share this post to enter.
Optional: Reply with a character you'd be on a huge generation ship. It could be included as part of future ExoVerse games or stories!
February 21, 2024 at 12:46 PM
I wanted to share this contest by Mike Berg of We Heart Games, for my favorite game from him, Exoship!
bsky.app/profile/wehe...
bsky.app/profile/wehe...