"I am a HUGE fan of this game. It truly is a beautiful design and is in my opinion the best modern abstract"
Category: Game Design
I’m an avid game designer and I love writing about game design, both the construction of specific games, and design techniques generally. I mostly write about abstract game design, but also occasionally write about more commercial game design. You’ll find all my articles on the subject below.
Strands: a real strategy game my toddler plays, designed with AI
"Strands has a wonderfully simple set of rules, but creates an incredibly deep emergent decision tree. Its rules are so simple it can be taught to children in minutes in its entirety. It’s amazing, for how simple the rules are, how much one can look ahead into their strategy. I was very impressed with this game. It is in a word: Elegant."
Bug now in Beta at Board Game Arena
My game Bug is now in Beta on Board Game Arena, so anyone can try it. If you do, I’d love your feedback, negative or positive.
Medo now in beta on Board Game Arena
My game Medo is now in beta on Board Game Arena, meaning it's open for all to play. If you try it, I'd love feedback, positive or negative.
Bug: perceptual binding, identity and meaning in a new sort of polyomino game
"Bug is truly unique, remarkable, combinatorial genius. I'll go on and overuse the typical buzzphrases: elegant, clean, clever, sharp, vicious, pensive, brisk...and then some. Pick your praise, because this is as good as abstract games can get."
Medo: a minimalist strategy game designed to harbor emergent complexity
"brilliantly simple"
Abstract Strategy Games: The Definitive Guide
This is a regularly updated guide to abstract strategy games: what they are, which are the best, and where to play, buy, learn about, and discuss them. I have a lifelong passion for these games and want to help others see their beauty.
Why I love abstract games
I've had a steady passion for abstract games for 20 years. Contemplating them feels to me like what I imagine praying feels like to the devout. They’re spiritual. But why? Why do they mean so much to me?
Blooms: a deep, colorful game of strategic sacrifice
"Blooms makes me want to set fire to my collection and finally spend a lifetime mastering a game."
Eureka! A breakthrough reformulation of one of my best games, Blooms
Quick background In January 2018 I created what I believe is the best game I’ve made: Blooms. It’s a 2 player territory game related to Go, but shorter and more colorful. In September 2018, a flaw appeared: cycles (infinitely repeating sequences of play), so I sought a rule to address them. In the ensuing months … Continue reading Eureka! A breakthrough reformulation of one of my best games, Blooms