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As soon as I found out this game existed, I went to pre-order it. I’m fascinated by the history of urban “development” and NBS has accomplished something important and fascinating here. Can’t wait to get this one to a table soon.

A board game laying on a wooden coffee table, slightly askew. The cover shows a dilapidated build on in the South Bronx. In the bottom left corner is written “FALSAS PROMESAS” and in the bottom right “BROKEN PROMISES.” Across the middle of the cover is the title Cross Bronx Expressway. Cross and Expressway are in reserved black and white lettering and the word Bronx is in yellow, blue, and red graffiti style text.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 9d

I’ve never bought the “they didn’t know any better” argument. There were anti slavery conversations in Ancient Greece. People like to assume we’re more enlightened because we’re modern/postmodern/whatever, but these moral questions were asked and answered long ago.

Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 9d

Oh no! That’s the worst. I haven’t had this particular nightmare happen to me yet, but I’ve come close. My laptop is running on empty.

I’ve definitely lost notes and ideas though and had to reconsider things. That fresh perspective is always helpful.

Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 12d

I'm focusing in on Painkillers at the moment, my "feel bad game of the year" candidate about the beginning of the opioid crisis in the United States. I got some great feedback from @joedewhurst.bsky.social and @nbsp1618.bsky.social and others, which has been very helpful motivation! Thanks y'all!

Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 12d

Been on a bit of a game design hiatus the past 2-3 months. Life got big and needed tending. Slowly working my way back into things now, and it feels...rusty. But also a bit like getting back on a bicycle. I still love it though. 🎲✂️

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 12d

Just found a review for Sykes-Picot in @senetmagazine.bsky.social! That was unexpected! Thanks to @meeplelady.bsky.social for the review.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 12d

I also think this is the right way to go. If the chart is big enough, no one will memorize it. And my philosophy is usually, "if people are playing this enough to memorize these kinds of things, that's a great problem to have." At that point could release updated alternates for variability, etc.

Reposted by Brooks Barber

Hollandspiele @hollandspiele.bsky.social · 20d

New game day! cross4! Buy it or else. We have not determined what 'else' is yet, but you should buy it to be safe.

cross4

Game Design: Amabel HollandHex Number: 90Duration: 30 minutesPlayers: 1-4MSRP: $25.00 Amabel Holland's throwback to the classic crossword dice games of the twentieth century, cross4 is the first of th...

hollandspiele.com

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 20d

A few things:

Nate has an interesting thing going on here. A unique format and approach to be sure.

Can confirm Pyrotechnics is good - check it out when you get the chance!

A lil' nugget at the end about Sykes-Picot and the possibility of serving your conscience through this game. Give a listen!

TheLordChiefRockaNumberOne @natewarren.bsky.social · 21d

Episode 100 features:

• Review of the brisk and charming Fireworks 2p card game from @thinkdeepplaylight.bsky.social

• Interview with @liberludorum.com about two wild #indie #ttrpgs from @sandroad.moe: Burnout Reaper and Digital Angel

Hear it all with link in comments 👇

Photo of components from the two-player card game, Fireworks. Rules and reference booklets at top, fireworks cards in middle, ringed by piles of cardboard Spark tokens in primary colors.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 21d

I feel this too. Why would people want to hear my perspective? It’s nothing special.

Reposted by Brooks Barber

Harry Turtledove @hntdove.bsky.social · 22d

Trans people are people. What they do with their very own bodies ain't nobody's business but their own. Trans rights are human rights.

Full stop.

Helen 🏳️‍⚧️✊🏻💕 @mimmymum.bsky.social · 23d

“Anti-trans harassment and violence is all the rage. Trans people are afraid to leave the country, let alone leave their houses. The right-wing ecosystem has gladly spent years creating these conditions, while Democrats have by turns avoided saying anything about them at all” 😞

👉🏻 archive.ph/ewBhT

THE CUT

They Want the Shooter to Be Trans
By Lex McMenamin, a writer and editor at Teen Vogue.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 23d

Games are meant to be played! And they deserve to show off the results of all that play. We owe it to them.

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 25d

This is an appropriate reaction to Kirk’s assassination and legacy. He was not a paragon of civil discourse but a mouthpiece for white Christian nationalism, and all the awful bigotry that entails. He did not deserve to be murdered. Nor does he deserve to be treated like a martyr of American ideals

Reposted by Brooks Barber

Dan Bullock @danbullock.bsky.social · 29d

What a fantastic slate of nominees! Congratulations to @danthurot.bsky.social @amabel.bsky.social @charlietheel.bsky.social and @fredserval.bsky.social for facilitating meaningful discourse about the culture of historical games.

SDHistCon @sdhistcon.bsky.social · 29d

We're proud to announce the 2025 Bobby Nunes Memorial Award finalists, recognizing exceptional pieces of gaming media from 2024 by @amabel.bsky.social, @fredserval.bsky.social, @charlietheel.bsky.social, and @danthurot.bsky.social. More on their nominated works here: sdhist.com/2025-bobby-n...

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 26d

The best storytelling out there folks. Go get some!

austin_walker @austinwalker.bsky.social · 26d

If you've been thinking of joining up so that you can listen to Realis, watch Outward, or dive into the 600~ hour long Patreon-exclusive back catalog, now is the time.

friendsatthetable.cash
First month Discount Codes:
BURNTHRONES for $2 off our $5 tier!
BUILDTABLES for 20% off any higher tier!

Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 26d

Beans!!!

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 27d

Never understood the appeal of Kerouac. Self-aggrandizing, myopic, and auto-fellatory. There are so many better things from that period with more interesting perspectives!

Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 27d

I’d honestly be wary of 5x at this point. Seems low and doesn’t leave a lot of room for future proofing, especially right now. Are you factoring in volume discounts or looking at small print runs only?

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 27d

It’s sweeps week!!

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Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 27d

Congrats! It looks great! Salt and Pepper will do a great job with it, I’m sure.

Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 28d

Great! Glad they worked out!!

Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · 29d

The podcast Wonderful does this and it’s a breath of fresh air.

Brooks Barber @rollplusfun.bsky.social · Sep 6

Pilot board masters. They are bold and crisp and I think they have refillable ink versions.

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