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mandelafg.bsky.social
Designs board games. Published: Glasgow (Lookout Spiele), Overstocked (Play for Keeps), The Shakespeare Game (Laurence King), The Jane Austen Game (LK), Sankoré (Osprey Games) Upcoming: Ayar (Osprey Games) 2025 He/Him
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Cutting about London carrying Torres and walked past someone clutching a copy of Carcassonne. Gave each other a mildly confused look then the slight nod of acknowledgement.

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

I think you're much more likely to design good games from having a wide experience of existing games but there is a very high risk approach of ignoring everything and in very rare cases this leads to outstanding and highly novel games.

submitted 8 days ago • 1 comment

Steak and ale suet pudding with a spot of playtesting. I suggested pausing when food arrived but the request to play on feels like a good sign. Clear improvement on the game with a new mechanism which means the more conservative your play, the more your opponent is rewarded.

submitted 8 days ago • 1 comment

Playtest bookings are now open for UK Games Expo, as well as a call for volunteers (organised by @playtestuk.bsky.social). Have a look here... playtest-london.blogspot.com/2025/02/regi... 🎲✂️

submitted 10 days ago • 1 comment

Day off work for a bit of fun travel and time for a wee playtest over a coffee break. Have had this wee racing game for a while. Think this was the worst play of it so far...but also feel it sparked some solid good ideas that could give it life. Look forward to changing and testing.

submitted 13 days ago • 1 comment

I'm excited to announce that I have a new podcast series called Behind the Cardboard, under the banner of The Game Design Round Table. Episodes will be going out every other week on TGDRT feed. In each episode I speak to a guest about the business & practicalities of being a board game designer.

submitted 39 days ago • 7 comments

What a pleasant surprise and honour to see Sankoré nominated for a Cannes As D'Or. Seems we did well @flopiano.bsky.social @ospreygames.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social and SuperMeeple for the VF.

submitted 40 days ago • 0 comments

We're so proud that our game Sankoré made the final shortlist for the @expert-game-award.bsky.social 2024: bit.ly/4gjIwbY A huge congratulations to the whole team behind the game, especially @flopiano.bsky.social, @mandelafg.bsky.social & @ianotoole.bsky.social 👏👏

submitted 41 days ago • 0 comments

Fabio @flopiano.bsky.social and I have just signed a contract for a new game. Always a thrill to sign but also a wee bit special: when I started designing games I made a wish list of dream publishers. The goal, which seemed lofty at the time, was 1 off the list. With this signing that is the 3/6.

submitted 41 days ago • 0 comments

Here are all of our 2025 board games in one place for the first time! We can't wait to share them with you... 🐻Katmai 💥Line of Fire: Burnt Moon 🕯️Ofrenda ⚔️General Orders: Sengoku Jidai ☀️Ayar Read more: bit.ly/4h0SNLm Join our newsletter: bit.ly/3MEQbVT

submitted 42 days ago • 0 comments

For the first time in a long time, it's Gloomhaven day. Last session was 2022.

submitted 49 days ago • 0 comments

Just finished the first day of my new Saturday job on this bright and frosty day - teaching game design to young people. Fun and fulfilling. It's in Kew Gardens so additional bonus of this view from the classroom

submitted 57 days ago • 1 comment

A random mix of some of my favourite new-to-me media I enjoyed in 2024: Board games: Ra, Underwater Cities, Nova Era, Saltfjord Films: Dune 2, Anatomy of a Fall, The Menu TV shows: Smoggie Queens, Dopesick, Baby Reindeer ...

submitted 67 days ago • 1 comment

Tonight we are mostly increasing the prestige of Timbuktu University in the 14th Century (in Sankore, one of our fave games of the year).

submitted 80 days ago • 0 comments

I'm always interested in seeing what @adaminwales.bsky.social has to say so was absolutely chuffed to feature in his 'Designer Spotlight' for 2025 along with @thedarkimp.bsky.social. youtu.be/KEtCGhCXy3g?...

submitted 82 days ago • 0 comments

Good bit of prototype making at the weekend. Most demanding prototype I've ever made. 🎲✂️

submitted 82 days ago • 2 comments

Track down Fabio at PAXU if you want to check out one of our latest co-designs.

submitted 95 days ago • 0 comments

Optimist: The cup is half full Pessimist: The cup is half empty Kickstarter: Unlock stretch goals to get full cup

submitted 104 days ago • 0 comments

🎲✂️ Sitting down to work on the next map and characters for our upcoming Postmark Games release - 52 Realms Adventures. I thought it might be interesting to some to chat a bit about how I approach designing new content for games as I have for Snowdonia, Voyages, Waypoints and others. (1/10)

submitted 111 days ago • 3 comments

Today will be the day I write that rulebook. 🎲✂️

submitted 113 days ago • 0 comments

A very pleasant morning doing my messages, eating pizza, watching a film, and laying out the framework for a new game with @thedarkimp.bsky.social . Who knows if the game will work or be good but it's already been fun talking it through. Now for basketball then maybe tackling some rule writing.

submitted 113 days ago • 1 comment

Really appreciate this wee pouch in backpack straps for smuggling prototypes.

submitted 141 days ago • 0 comments