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Thread: RPG Design:: AnamnesiA — A GM-Less Psychological Horror RPG Zine [Kickstarter, 13 days left]
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 05:27:10
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 05:27:10
Hi RPGGeek! I'm Riccardo Scaringi, an Italian RPG designer and the host of the Il Gioco in Tavolo YouTube channel. I'm in the final stretch of a ZineQuest 2026 campaign for AnamnesiA, a GM-less psychological horror RPG for 2–4 players.
The premise: your characters wake up with no memory of a traumatic event. Over 5 cycles (90–150 min), you piece together what happened — and what you did.
The mechanic that makes it different — the Right-Hand Rule: when you roll dice to recover a memory, the player sitting to your right interprets the result. Not you. You never control your own past. What you remember is what someone else decides you remember.
It's a simple rule with a surprisingly unsettling effect at the table. It creates genuine surprise, inter-player tension, and moments where you realize your character is not who you thought they were.
This is worth saying clearly: AnamnesiA is a social game. It requires 2–4 people sitting together. It's not solo journaling — it's a shared psychological experience where the other players are part of your character's inner world. If you've ever wanted horror that comes from the people around you, not from a rulebook, this is it.
What's included:
Full GM-less rules with a rotating Custodian role
4 Archetypes: The Survivor, The Witness, The Protector, The Catalyst
2 complete scenarios (a private clinic, a dinner party gone wrong)
Safety tools built into the system (X-Card, Lines & Veils, full Session Zero guide)
The Lethe Infection — a free modular appendix bringing the Right-Hand Rule into OSE, Mörk Borg, and Call of Cthulhu
5 languages: English, Italian, Spanish, French, German
Fulfillment via DriveThruRPG print-on-demand — no shipping complications
The game is complete — written, playtested, fully translated. This is a fulfillment campaign.
Want to try before backing? The free quickstart (full rules + 1 complete scenario + 24 cards) is here: https://ilgiocointavolo.itch.io/anamnesia
Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ilgiocointavolo/anamnes... — ends March 5th.
Happy to answer any design questions here.
The premise: your characters wake up with no memory of a traumatic event. Over 5 cycles (90–150 min), you piece together what happened — and what you did.
The mechanic that makes it different — the Right-Hand Rule: when you roll dice to recover a memory, the player sitting to your right interprets the result. Not you. You never control your own past. What you remember is what someone else decides you remember.
It's a simple rule with a surprisingly unsettling effect at the table. It creates genuine surprise, inter-player tension, and moments where you realize your character is not who you thought they were.
This is worth saying clearly: AnamnesiA is a social game. It requires 2–4 people sitting together. It's not solo journaling — it's a shared psychological experience where the other players are part of your character's inner world. If you've ever wanted horror that comes from the people around you, not from a rulebook, this is it.
What's included:
Full GM-less rules with a rotating Custodian role
4 Archetypes: The Survivor, The Witness, The Protector, The Catalyst
2 complete scenarios (a private clinic, a dinner party gone wrong)
Safety tools built into the system (X-Card, Lines & Veils, full Session Zero guide)
The Lethe Infection — a free modular appendix bringing the Right-Hand Rule into OSE, Mörk Borg, and Call of Cthulhu
5 languages: English, Italian, Spanish, French, German
Fulfillment via DriveThruRPG print-on-demand — no shipping complications
The game is complete — written, playtested, fully translated. This is a fulfillment campaign.
Want to try before backing? The free quickstart (full rules + 1 complete scenario + 24 cards) is here: https://ilgiocointavolo.itch.io/anamnesia
Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ilgiocointavolo/anamnes... — ends March 5th.
Happy to answer any design questions here.
New comment on Item for GeekList "Kickstarter RPG Game Books - 2026"
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 05:22:46
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 05:22:46
Related Item: Top Ten Games You Can Play In Your Head By Yourself
I'd love to add AnamnesiA (ZineQuest 2026, ends March 5th) to this list — the RPGGeek entry is pending approval. GM-less psychological horror RPG for 2–4 players, with a unique mechanic where the player to your right interprets your memories. Free quickstart at https://ilgiocointavolo.itch.io/anamnesia — KS: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ilgiocointavolo/anamnes...
New comment on Item for GeekList "[US] RPGG Pay It Forward: No Obligation List"
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 05:21:27
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 05:21:27
GeekList Item: Item for GeekList "2026 NPI: Goons and Ghosts"
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 04:57:05
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 04:57:05
by Hes11
An item RPG Item: Professor Gilroy's Heavenly Handbook has been added to the geeklist 2026 NPI: Goons and Ghosts
GeekList Item: Item for GeekList "2026 RPGG Challenge: Play Five RPGs You Have Never Played Before (Each At Least Once)"
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 04:33:07
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 04:33:07
An item RPG Item:
Briar & Bramble
has been added to the geeklist
2026 RPGG Challenge: Play Five RPGs You Have Never Played Before (Each At Least Once)
Reply: RPGGeek Suggestions:: Re: This Week In Geek History - Discussion
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 03:54:36
February 22
February 23
February 24
February 25
February 26
February 27
February 28
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 03:54:36
by sdonohue
The cuts for February 22 - 28February 22
1732- George Washington, first president of the United States [microbadge=13693]
1857- Englishman Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scout movement [microbadge=19362]
1980- "Miracle on Ice": US Olympic hockey team defeats Soviet Union for gold [microbadge=14949]
February 23
1685- German composer George Frederick Handel [microbadge=3419]
1889- American film director Victor Fleming (Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind) [microbadge=30944]
1939- American actor Peter Fonda (Easy Rider) [microbadge=2071]
1944- English historical novelist Bernard Cornwell [microbadge=6194]
1945- US Marines raise American flag atop Iwo Jima [microbadge=760]
February 24
1803- US Supreme Court 1st rules a law unconstitutional (Marbury v Madison) [microbadge=42798]
1868- US House votes to impeach President Andrew Johnson (the Senate failed to convict 1 vote short of the 2/3 majority requirement) [microbadge=3112]
1885- WWII US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Chester Nimitz [microbadge=32886]
1942- The "Battle of Los Angeles" (1400 shell anti-aircraft response to false rumor of Japanese attack) [microbadge=25337]
2022- Russia invades Ukraine, causing thousands of deaths on both sides and creating Europe's largest refugee crisis since WWII [microbadge=13256] :star:
February 25
1841- French painter Auguste Renoir [microbadge=5784]
1901- American actor/comedian Zeppo (Herbert) Marx (the not so funny or talented foil for the rest)[microbadge=27481][microbadge=27480][microbadge=27479][microbadge=26926]
1917- English author Anthony Burgess [microbadge=1525]
1956- Krushchev denounces the cult of personality of Stalin [microbadge=35298]
February 26
1815- Napoleon Bonaparte escapes from exile on the island of Elba [microbadge=31235]
1829- Blue jeans maker Levi Strauss [microbadge=22219]
1852- Surgeon and cornflakes developer John Kellogg [microbadge=32452]
1932- American singer-songwriter Johnny Cash [microbadge=6495]
February 27
272- Roman Emperor Constantine the Great [microbadge=15436]
1827- 1st Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans [microbadge=8353]
1891- David Sarnoff (Father of American television) [microbadge=6968]
1902- American author John Steinbeck [microbadge=23102]
1930- American actress Joanne Woodward (Here's her hubby: [microbadge=6325])
1932- English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor [microbadge=10899][microbadge=17085][microbadge=10899][microbadge=17085][microbadge=10899][microbadge=17085][microbadge=10899][microbadge=17085][microbadge=10899][microbadge=17085][microbadge=10899][microbadge=17085][microbadge=10899][microbadge=17085]
1954- Singer-songwriter-guitarist & Journey founder Neal Schon [microbadge=4482]
1957- Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith [microbadge=4195]
2018- Singer/actress/director Barbara Streisand reveals she has cloned her dog...twice [microbadge=37161]
February 28
1890- Russian ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky [microbadge=9047]
1901- American chemist and physicist Linus Pauling (Twice winner of the Nobel Prize) [microbadge=4712]
1942- Rolling Stones co-founder Brian Jones [microbadge=1194]
1944- English graphic designer/iconic album cover artist Storm Thorgerson [microbadge=13135][microbadge=13127][microbadge=1143][microbadge=13131][microbadge=13130][microbadge=13133][microbadge=4481][microbadge=8039][microbadge=8051] etc...
Friday on Friday- Working, Learning, and Making Progress
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 03:49:15
/pic9423394.jpg)
Hello again, Level 4!
/pic9423393.jpg)
Nooooooooo!!!!
/pic9423392.jpg)
Dun dun dun, another Yellow Phase Loss.
My final score was -28 pts: 24 points from Fighting Cards, -10 points from Aging Cards, 0 points from lifepoints, 0 points for defeating neither pirate, and -42 points from Unbeaten Hazards. I'll be staying on Level 4 for at least one more week. That's okay, there's plenty of 2026 left to hit Level 5 🏝️.
---------------------------
Weekly Updates:
Challenge Updates:
:d10-1: 2023 Extreme Numerology Challenge / 2024 Extreme Numerology Challenge / 2025 Extreme Numerology Challenge: Wrapping up. Microbadges for 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 will be awarded, please stay tuned! 2026 is live: 2026 Extreme Numerology Challenge
:d10-2: Fire in the Library- Summer/Fall 2023 Solo Challenge- Extended!!: Done! Stay tuned for a new series of mini challenges that include some more Weird Giraffe-themed fan promos. COMING THIS SUMMER! (2026)
:d10-3: 2025 Challenge: 25 un(der)played in 25: is Wrapped! If you spot errors or make updates, please geekmail me.
:d10-4: 2026 Challenge: 26 un(der)played in 26: is Active!
:d10-5: A special note on the Friday on Friday challenges: ALL owed microbadges should be system-awarded THIS YEAR. ALL microbadge reimbursements complete! Update: Stay tuned for progress on microbadges!
Designer's Corner:
:d10-1: The 7th Seal : No new progress.
:d10-2: Finders Keepers: No new progress.
:d10-3: Charge the Circle: Currently re-working for self-publication via The Game Crafter in mid- 2026! Updated timeline: I want this to be for sale by August 1st! Here's the sitch: the game is fine to pitch in its current form BUT needs quite a bit of work if I'm going to put this up on The Game Crafter and get the game noticed that way. The current art.. probably isn't enough to catch attention. I've got ideas... but I'm also open to ideas, so, if you've got anything you'd like to share or anything you'd like to see, please let me know! You can follow along with the ongoing graphic development and vote for your favorite versions here: A new edition coming in 2026!. Yes, there are currently some comments/feedback waiting for me that I haven't addressed. I will get there! Promise! I'm just juggling a lot of irons right now.
:d10-4: Bears love Bows: Merry Trashmas edition: Now pitching! Pitch still ongoing??? Bow Tokens are now a thing, but forward momentum has stalled...
:d10-5: Really Retail: No new progress.
:d10-6: Barricade Brigade: Tentatively coming to The Game Crafter in late 2026. Needs work and a new coat of paint.
:d10-7: The Boxcats of Meowazon : No new progress.
:d10-8: Contagion and Calamity: The Philadelphia Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793: formerly Philly Fever 1793: Officially On Hold. Not a priority right now.
:d10-9: Read the Runes: Check out the updated TTS! I need playtesters to help me continue refining this one. I like the current art direction, but this will need more if I decide to go The Game Crafter route...
:d10-1::d10-0: 10 Minutes to Midnight: I've still got feedback to address over in the WIP thread... *sigh* This has been lower on my priority list of late... that said, THIS WILL BE COMING TO THE GAME CRAFTER! Less complex to adapt than Abydos but more complicated than Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice, I'm tentatively aiming for a mid-year release.
:d10-1::d10-1: Eight Elephants: Ready for pitching! Coming to The Game Crafter in 2026! The revised art is a bit fancier than the original and if I market it right, I think I can safely market it as a lunchbreak/quick solo game for adults. Aiming for a mid-year release.
:d10-1::d10-2: Surfboard Stealin' Sea Otters: Officially my entry in this year's 54-Card Contest! Contest complete! #2 Best Family Game and #8 Best Overall Game! Woot! Post-contest: expect some minor revisions in the next few months, then I plan on pitching the otters and seeing if I can catch some waves...
:d10-1::d10-3: Rolling Runes Game delayed to 2026 Roll and Write Contest. On Hold.
:d10-1::d10-4: Tricky Treats: Game considered complete and officially Ready for Pitching! I still need a video...
:d10-1::d10-5: Defend your Dreams: (formerly Dreamcatcher Duty): On Hold. Not a priority right now.
:d10-1::d10-6: Squirrelly (formerly Woodland Warriors) : Contest complete! #3 for Best Art! 2 mini expansions available! Ready for pitching! Could use a video when I get around to it...
:d10-1::d10-7: Trick or Treat : On Hold.
:d10-1::d10-8: Last Leaves : If I participate in the 2026 Children and Family Game Design Contest, this will be my entry for the family category...
:d10-1::d10-9: Fireworks for the Fourth: See :d10-5::d10-9: below!
:d10-2::d10-0: Composer's Cat: 2024 In-Hand Game Design Contest: 5th Best Multiplayer Game; 6th Best Innovative Mechanic; 7th Best Use of Theme; and 4th Best Low-Ink Printing! Major revision complete, new video live, AND officially entered in the 2026 Cardboard Edison! Print & Play Assembly Guide now available! Now, I wait...
:d10-2::d10-1: Unnamed design: Involves the Titanic and Jenny the ship cat... On Hold.
:d10-2::d10-2: Nine Nopes: On Hold.
:d10-2::d10-3: Book it!: On Hold.
:d10-2::d10-4: Librarian's Cat: formerly Palm Library. formerly Littlest Library. 2025 In-Hand Game Design Contest: contest is complete... but I've got plenty of unfinished business to see to and I intend to see it all through, eventually. Please stay tuned! Sell sheet available.
:d10-2::d10-5: Elements: Coming to The Game Crafter in mid-2026! The rules are fine, the graphics need work, and I really need to find that papyrus sheet that I know I still have around here. It came with a learn Hieroglyphics book when I was a kid and I never used it. Knew I'd need it someday and now I can't find it 😜.
:d10-2::d10-6: Knick Knacks: Shaker Showdown : Contest complete! #3 Best Solo Game, #3 Best 2 Player Game, and #4 Best Family Game! Not bad, not bad at all, especially since I fell woefully behind on the comments... I do plan on addressing all of the feedback. And I do want to continue to refine and improve the game. There's a decent little game here and it's worth pursuing. On Hold 'til I get at least 10 games up for sale on The GameCrafter. Ideally, I want to refine this one and putch it to traditional publishers...
:d10-2::d10-7: History Heist: On Hold.
:d10-2::d10-8: Lost in the Labyrinth. On Hold.
:d10-2::d10-9: Critter Calls: Ready for pitching!. I'm happy with the TTS and sell sheet, but do want a video. Not a high priority for pitching, but if I see any calls for party games or icebreaker games I will 100% submit it for consideration.
:d10-3::d10-0: Dragon's Draw: On Hold. Too complex for the Children and Family Game Design Contest here on BGG. It could really use acrylic tiles too... Not a priority, but something to keep simmering on the backburner.
:d10-3::d10-1: Push to the Peak: On Hold.
:d10-3::d10-2: Cardshop Caretaker: On Hold.
:d10-3::d10-3: Unlucky Spirits, Revised Edition: Uncooperative Spirits campaign in-progress. Revised Edition formally entered in 2026 Two-Player Game Design Contest! Come on folks, take a look and help me get this game off the ground! Yes, I'm behind on this contest. I've got to get the campaign done and I've got playtesting to do, but the game still isn't getting any traction and I feel like I'm once again wasting effort. Don't get me wrong: I love the game. I believe in the game. But BGG Design Contests are not helping it... The campaign will get done. I will get my playtesting and feedback in by the deadline. I will see this current contest through. But I do need to pivot and figure out a better way forward for Unlucky Spirits. The Game Crafter isn't an option for this one. They can't make the current board (30×30) and don't have good options for the larger albeit modular original design either. This game has to find a home with a traditional publisher or it's not going to make it beyond my kitchen table...
:d10-3::d10-4: Water always wins: On Hold.
:d10-3::d10-5: Sniper, take the shot!: No new progress.
:d10-3::d10-6: Abydos: Contest complete, game did not place... I'm disappointed, but I'm still committed to getting this game out there. And, yes, it is coming to The Game Crafter in mid-2026! I'm having trouble with the Mural and cut margins... Charge the Circle poses similar problems, hence delaying both a bit to get a better feel for how best to get The Game Crafter to make them.
:d10-3::d10-7: Nine Tails: Ready for pitching! This one might come to The Game Crafter, but alignment issues may prevent that. We'll just have to see.
:d10-3::d10-8: Puppy Pile: (formerly Dogpile). On Hold.
:d10-3::d10-9: Compound It!: On Hold.
:d10-4::d10-0: My Little Fish Tank: On Hold.
:d10-4::d10-1: Knick Knacks: Lovely Lamps : Sequel to Knick Knacks: Shaker Showdown. On Hold.
:d10-4::d10-2: Put a bow on it! On Hold.
:d10-4::d10-3: Gator Glory! Backburner. Some random ideas. Nothing blogworthy yet.
:d10-4::d10-4: Eighteen Eggs: Contest complete, game did not place. *sigh*. Rain, Rain Mini Expansion and Player Aids available. The future of this little game... I don't know. It's cute, but it's too kiddie for The Game Crafter. Period. And I haven't come across any publishers looking for solo games for kids... That said, if you see a call for submissions, please let me know! Not writing it off, but pivoting to a more-Game Crafter-friendly design in my forthcoming Snow Squall- similar gameplay, but "prettier" and more geared to the "cozy solo" game trend.
:d10-4::d10-5: Triskell (or maybe Triskellion): name not final: On Hold.
:d10-4::d10-6: Snow Squall: In the vein of Eight Elephants and Eighteen Eggs, but a bit bigger, no timer, and more Game Crafter-friendly art. Not much progress this week.
:d10-4::d10-7: So, you want to be a mage...: On Hold.
:d10-4::d10-8: Cursed Cards: Delayed until the 2026 contest. Again, I like this little game, but I need to concentrate my efforts elsewhere.
:d10-4::d10-9: Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice: My entry in Button Shy's 18-Card Cozy Contest! Finalists announced- PS&EN didn't make the cut. *sigh* No Button Shy for me... yet. Contest rules, components, sell sheet, and pitch video still available. All Button Shy references removed! Cape Cozy is back! Lola the B&B Cat is cuter than ever! Rules revised! New logo! Currently re-sizing the Experience Icons and re-doing the cards. Then I need one of my Print & Fold Boxes. And then... coming to The Game Crafter this Spring! Yep, this is set to be 1 of my first 5 games going live together!
/pic9419362.png)
:d10-5::d10-0: Monk's Cat: The Book of [Pawprints]: The third game in the Cat Companion Card Game series, sequel to Composer's Cat and Librarian's Cat. My entry in the 2026 In-Hand Game Design Contest! V3 and V3B (alt. art) Print & Plays available! Workshop Assembly Guide available at the end of updated V4 rulebook. New logo! TTS updated! Photo Workshop Assembly Tutorial coming soon!
/pic9413036.png)
:d10-5::d10-1: War of the Wilds: On Hold.
:d10-5::d10-2: Unnamed Puzzle Game: multi-level campaign puzzle game in the vein of Abydos, Read the Runes, and Charge the Circle. Fuzzball-inspired. Backburner.
:d10-5::d10-3: Nine Lives: Pitch in Open Owl's court now. Maybe I'll hear something soon... even if it's a no...
:d10-5::d10-4: Who's ready for the owlidays?: On Hold.
:d10-5::d10-5: Scratch-off: On Hold.
:d10-5::d10-6: The United Cards of America (America 250 Edition): Art progressing. Playtesting in-progress. Card Back Design exists :geek_grin:. Aiming for a Spring release on The Game Crafter.
/pic9423253.png)
:d10-5::d10-7: Lincoln's Cat (America 250 Edition): Playtesting went well! I'm happy! Now- playing with fonts and experimenting with art. Aiming for a Spring release on The Game Crafter.
:d10-5::d10-8: Liberty, Death, or Taxes (America 250 Editon): Playtesting this week went well. I had to change some rules a bit and I had to expand the game to accommodate the larger player counts. And I decided that Player Aid cards would be a good idea. Rules now fully written and tested. New logo! Fonts! Cards are DONE! I think... Now- the hook box... which will have the full rules written on the inside... Hmm, now it's getting tricky. Aiming for a Spring release on The Game Crafter.
/pic9423252.png)
:d10-5::d10-9: Fireworks for the 4th: Semiquincentennial Edition: Game assets, art, and rules refinements in-progress. It's getting a board! Aiming for a Spring release on The Game Crafter.
Professional Projects:
:d10-1: Explosion in the Laboratory/Fire in the Library (2nd edition): Weird Giraffe Games: Campaign wrapped! Campaign fulfilled! Campaign complete!
:d10-2: Dreams of Yesterday: Weird Giraffe Games: Campaign wrapped! Campaign fulfilled! Campaign complete!
:d10-3: In the Shadows: Resistance in France 1943 - 1944: GMT Games: Complete! I still haven't managed to get this back to my table. Gah! In the meantime... see A Solo Sunday Salute - First Impressions - In the Shadows for a preview.
:d10-4: Crumbs!: The Sandwich Filler Game: Minerva Tabletop Games: Initial feedback in. First impressions and some extra crumbs: Solo Sundays- First Impressions: Crumbs!: The Sandwich Filler Game and Solo Saturdays - Continuing to make Crumbs. More formal review posted: Rachel Reviews It- Crumbs!: The Sandwich Filler Game. Campaign funded! Campaign ongoing. Fingers-crossed that Minerva Tabletop Games comes through... it looks like this is finally in the process of fulfilling...
:d10-5: Crystallo expansions and miniature edition: Light Heart Games: Initial feedback in. Previews and additional adventures shared: A crystal cavern at the garage aka mini Crystallo is here!, First Impressions: Crystallo: Untold Fortune, Solo Saturdays- First Impressions: Crystallo: Den of Dragons, and Solo Stories- Playing with all of Crystallo. More formal review posted: Rachel Reviews It- Crystallo: Untold Fortune and Crystallo: Den of Dragons. Campaign funded! Campaign ongoing... AND there's GOOD NEWS: Crystallo lives!.
:d10-6: Lost Adventures: Belltower Games: First Impressions and continuing adventures shared: Two-Player Thursdays- First Impressions: Lost Adventures, Two-Player Tuesdays- Getting Lost with Mom, and Solo Stories - Lost Adventures. More formal review posted: Rachel Reviews It: Lost Adventures. Campaign wrapped! Campaign fulfilled. Campaign complete.
:d10-7: Quirky Bird Games: The zine campaign funded! That's a wrap! Congrats Beth and Angel! Fulfillment ongoing. Keep up the great work!
---------------------------------------
It's been a week, but I'm making good progress.
Weekend Plans: Get VGG of the Week back on track, more Game Crafter prepwork, the Uncooperative Spirits campaign for Unlucky Spirits, Revised Edition, the Photo Workshop Assembly Tutorial for Monk's Cat, and check in on the 1PG card exchange.
Game Over On borrowed time...
Happy Friday and happy playing!
-Rachel
Thank you for reading my blog. If you liked it; then please click the green thumb [microbadge=23724] at the top of the page. If you really liked it; then please subscribe.
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 03:49:15
by Rachel
Happy 8th Friday of 2026, everyone!! And as always on Friday, here are the current Friday links: 2026 Friday on Friday: Play Friday EVERY Friday of 2026 and Friday on Friday, February 2026.Hello again, Level 4!
Nooooooooo!!!!
Dun dun dun, another Yellow Phase Loss.
My final score was -28 pts: 24 points from Fighting Cards, -10 points from Aging Cards, 0 points from lifepoints, 0 points for defeating neither pirate, and -42 points from Unbeaten Hazards. I'll be staying on Level 4 for at least one more week. That's okay, there's plenty of 2026 left to hit Level 5 🏝️.
---------------------------
Weekly Updates:
Challenge Updates:
:d10-1: 2023 Extreme Numerology Challenge / 2024 Extreme Numerology Challenge / 2025 Extreme Numerology Challenge: Wrapping up. Microbadges for 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 will be awarded, please stay tuned! 2026 is live: 2026 Extreme Numerology Challenge
:d10-2: Fire in the Library- Summer/Fall 2023 Solo Challenge- Extended!!: Done! Stay tuned for a new series of mini challenges that include some more Weird Giraffe-themed fan promos. COMING THIS SUMMER! (2026)
:d10-3: 2025 Challenge: 25 un(der)played in 25: is Wrapped! If you spot errors or make updates, please geekmail me.
:d10-4: 2026 Challenge: 26 un(der)played in 26: is Active!
:d10-5: A special note on the Friday on Friday challenges: ALL owed microbadges should be system-awarded THIS YEAR. ALL microbadge reimbursements complete! Update: Stay tuned for progress on microbadges!
Designer's Corner:
:d10-1: The 7th Seal : No new progress.
:d10-2: Finders Keepers: No new progress.
:d10-3: Charge the Circle: Currently re-working for self-publication via The Game Crafter in mid- 2026! Updated timeline: I want this to be for sale by August 1st! Here's the sitch: the game is fine to pitch in its current form BUT needs quite a bit of work if I'm going to put this up on The Game Crafter and get the game noticed that way. The current art.. probably isn't enough to catch attention. I've got ideas... but I'm also open to ideas, so, if you've got anything you'd like to share or anything you'd like to see, please let me know! You can follow along with the ongoing graphic development and vote for your favorite versions here: A new edition coming in 2026!. Yes, there are currently some comments/feedback waiting for me that I haven't addressed. I will get there! Promise! I'm just juggling a lot of irons right now.
:d10-4: Bears love Bows: Merry Trashmas edition: Now pitching! Pitch still ongoing??? Bow Tokens are now a thing, but forward momentum has stalled...
:d10-5: Really Retail: No new progress.
:d10-6: Barricade Brigade: Tentatively coming to The Game Crafter in late 2026. Needs work and a new coat of paint.
:d10-7: The Boxcats of Meowazon : No new progress.
:d10-8: Contagion and Calamity: The Philadelphia Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793: formerly Philly Fever 1793: Officially On Hold. Not a priority right now.
:d10-9: Read the Runes: Check out the updated TTS! I need playtesters to help me continue refining this one. I like the current art direction, but this will need more if I decide to go The Game Crafter route...
:d10-1::d10-0: 10 Minutes to Midnight: I've still got feedback to address over in the WIP thread... *sigh* This has been lower on my priority list of late... that said, THIS WILL BE COMING TO THE GAME CRAFTER! Less complex to adapt than Abydos but more complicated than Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice, I'm tentatively aiming for a mid-year release.
:d10-1::d10-1: Eight Elephants: Ready for pitching! Coming to The Game Crafter in 2026! The revised art is a bit fancier than the original and if I market it right, I think I can safely market it as a lunchbreak/quick solo game for adults. Aiming for a mid-year release.
:d10-1::d10-2: Surfboard Stealin' Sea Otters: Officially my entry in this year's 54-Card Contest! Contest complete! #2 Best Family Game and #8 Best Overall Game! Woot! Post-contest: expect some minor revisions in the next few months, then I plan on pitching the otters and seeing if I can catch some waves...
:d10-1::d10-3: Rolling Runes Game delayed to 2026 Roll and Write Contest. On Hold.
:d10-1::d10-4: Tricky Treats: Game considered complete and officially Ready for Pitching! I still need a video...
:d10-1::d10-5: Defend your Dreams: (formerly Dreamcatcher Duty): On Hold. Not a priority right now.
:d10-1::d10-6: Squirrelly (formerly Woodland Warriors) : Contest complete! #3 for Best Art! 2 mini expansions available! Ready for pitching! Could use a video when I get around to it...
:d10-1::d10-7: Trick or Treat : On Hold.
:d10-1::d10-8: Last Leaves : If I participate in the 2026 Children and Family Game Design Contest, this will be my entry for the family category...
:d10-1::d10-9: Fireworks for the Fourth: See :d10-5::d10-9: below!
:d10-2::d10-0: Composer's Cat: 2024 In-Hand Game Design Contest: 5th Best Multiplayer Game; 6th Best Innovative Mechanic; 7th Best Use of Theme; and 4th Best Low-Ink Printing! Major revision complete, new video live, AND officially entered in the 2026 Cardboard Edison! Print & Play Assembly Guide now available! Now, I wait...
:d10-2::d10-1: Unnamed design: Involves the Titanic and Jenny the ship cat... On Hold.
:d10-2::d10-2: Nine Nopes: On Hold.
:d10-2::d10-3: Book it!: On Hold.
:d10-2::d10-4: Librarian's Cat: formerly Palm Library. formerly Littlest Library. 2025 In-Hand Game Design Contest: contest is complete... but I've got plenty of unfinished business to see to and I intend to see it all through, eventually. Please stay tuned! Sell sheet available.
:d10-2::d10-5: Elements: Coming to The Game Crafter in mid-2026! The rules are fine, the graphics need work, and I really need to find that papyrus sheet that I know I still have around here. It came with a learn Hieroglyphics book when I was a kid and I never used it. Knew I'd need it someday and now I can't find it 😜.
:d10-2::d10-6: Knick Knacks: Shaker Showdown : Contest complete! #3 Best Solo Game, #3 Best 2 Player Game, and #4 Best Family Game! Not bad, not bad at all, especially since I fell woefully behind on the comments... I do plan on addressing all of the feedback. And I do want to continue to refine and improve the game. There's a decent little game here and it's worth pursuing. On Hold 'til I get at least 10 games up for sale on The GameCrafter. Ideally, I want to refine this one and putch it to traditional publishers...
:d10-2::d10-7: History Heist: On Hold.
:d10-2::d10-8: Lost in the Labyrinth. On Hold.
:d10-2::d10-9: Critter Calls: Ready for pitching!. I'm happy with the TTS and sell sheet, but do want a video. Not a high priority for pitching, but if I see any calls for party games or icebreaker games I will 100% submit it for consideration.
:d10-3::d10-0: Dragon's Draw: On Hold. Too complex for the Children and Family Game Design Contest here on BGG. It could really use acrylic tiles too... Not a priority, but something to keep simmering on the backburner.
:d10-3::d10-1: Push to the Peak: On Hold.
:d10-3::d10-2: Cardshop Caretaker: On Hold.
:d10-3::d10-3: Unlucky Spirits, Revised Edition: Uncooperative Spirits campaign in-progress. Revised Edition formally entered in 2026 Two-Player Game Design Contest! Come on folks, take a look and help me get this game off the ground! Yes, I'm behind on this contest. I've got to get the campaign done and I've got playtesting to do, but the game still isn't getting any traction and I feel like I'm once again wasting effort. Don't get me wrong: I love the game. I believe in the game. But BGG Design Contests are not helping it... The campaign will get done. I will get my playtesting and feedback in by the deadline. I will see this current contest through. But I do need to pivot and figure out a better way forward for Unlucky Spirits. The Game Crafter isn't an option for this one. They can't make the current board (30×30) and don't have good options for the larger albeit modular original design either. This game has to find a home with a traditional publisher or it's not going to make it beyond my kitchen table...
:d10-3::d10-4: Water always wins: On Hold.
:d10-3::d10-5: Sniper, take the shot!: No new progress.
:d10-3::d10-6: Abydos: Contest complete, game did not place... I'm disappointed, but I'm still committed to getting this game out there. And, yes, it is coming to The Game Crafter in mid-2026! I'm having trouble with the Mural and cut margins... Charge the Circle poses similar problems, hence delaying both a bit to get a better feel for how best to get The Game Crafter to make them.
:d10-3::d10-7: Nine Tails: Ready for pitching! This one might come to The Game Crafter, but alignment issues may prevent that. We'll just have to see.
:d10-3::d10-8: Puppy Pile: (formerly Dogpile). On Hold.
:d10-3::d10-9: Compound It!: On Hold.
:d10-4::d10-0: My Little Fish Tank: On Hold.
:d10-4::d10-1: Knick Knacks: Lovely Lamps : Sequel to Knick Knacks: Shaker Showdown. On Hold.
:d10-4::d10-2: Put a bow on it! On Hold.
:d10-4::d10-3: Gator Glory! Backburner. Some random ideas. Nothing blogworthy yet.
:d10-4::d10-4: Eighteen Eggs: Contest complete, game did not place. *sigh*. Rain, Rain Mini Expansion and Player Aids available. The future of this little game... I don't know. It's cute, but it's too kiddie for The Game Crafter. Period. And I haven't come across any publishers looking for solo games for kids... That said, if you see a call for submissions, please let me know! Not writing it off, but pivoting to a more-Game Crafter-friendly design in my forthcoming Snow Squall- similar gameplay, but "prettier" and more geared to the "cozy solo" game trend.
:d10-4::d10-5: Triskell (or maybe Triskellion): name not final: On Hold.
:d10-4::d10-6: Snow Squall: In the vein of Eight Elephants and Eighteen Eggs, but a bit bigger, no timer, and more Game Crafter-friendly art. Not much progress this week.
:d10-4::d10-7: So, you want to be a mage...: On Hold.
:d10-4::d10-8: Cursed Cards: Delayed until the 2026 contest. Again, I like this little game, but I need to concentrate my efforts elsewhere.
:d10-4::d10-9: Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice: My entry in Button Shy's 18-Card Cozy Contest! Finalists announced- PS&EN didn't make the cut. *sigh* No Button Shy for me... yet. Contest rules, components, sell sheet, and pitch video still available. All Button Shy references removed! Cape Cozy is back! Lola the B&B Cat is cuter than ever! Rules revised! New logo! Currently re-sizing the Experience Icons and re-doing the cards. Then I need one of my Print & Fold Boxes. And then... coming to The Game Crafter this Spring! Yep, this is set to be 1 of my first 5 games going live together!
:d10-5::d10-0: Monk's Cat: The Book of [Pawprints]: The third game in the Cat Companion Card Game series, sequel to Composer's Cat and Librarian's Cat. My entry in the 2026 In-Hand Game Design Contest! V3 and V3B (alt. art) Print & Plays available! Workshop Assembly Guide available at the end of updated V4 rulebook. New logo! TTS updated! Photo Workshop Assembly Tutorial coming soon!
:d10-5::d10-1: War of the Wilds: On Hold.
:d10-5::d10-2: Unnamed Puzzle Game: multi-level campaign puzzle game in the vein of Abydos, Read the Runes, and Charge the Circle. Fuzzball-inspired. Backburner.
:d10-5::d10-3: Nine Lives: Pitch in Open Owl's court now. Maybe I'll hear something soon... even if it's a no...
:d10-5::d10-4: Who's ready for the owlidays?: On Hold.
:d10-5::d10-5: Scratch-off: On Hold.
:d10-5::d10-6: The United Cards of America (America 250 Edition): Art progressing. Playtesting in-progress. Card Back Design exists :geek_grin:. Aiming for a Spring release on The Game Crafter.
:d10-5::d10-7: Lincoln's Cat (America 250 Edition): Playtesting went well! I'm happy! Now- playing with fonts and experimenting with art. Aiming for a Spring release on The Game Crafter.
:d10-5::d10-8: Liberty, Death, or Taxes (America 250 Editon): Playtesting this week went well. I had to change some rules a bit and I had to expand the game to accommodate the larger player counts. And I decided that Player Aid cards would be a good idea. Rules now fully written and tested. New logo! Fonts! Cards are DONE! I think... Now- the hook box... which will have the full rules written on the inside... Hmm, now it's getting tricky. Aiming for a Spring release on The Game Crafter.
:d10-5::d10-9: Fireworks for the 4th: Semiquincentennial Edition: Game assets, art, and rules refinements in-progress. It's getting a board! Aiming for a Spring release on The Game Crafter.
Professional Projects:
:d10-1: Explosion in the Laboratory/Fire in the Library (2nd edition): Weird Giraffe Games: Campaign wrapped! Campaign fulfilled! Campaign complete!
:d10-2: Dreams of Yesterday: Weird Giraffe Games: Campaign wrapped! Campaign fulfilled! Campaign complete!
:d10-3: In the Shadows: Resistance in France 1943 - 1944: GMT Games: Complete! I still haven't managed to get this back to my table. Gah! In the meantime... see A Solo Sunday Salute - First Impressions - In the Shadows for a preview.
:d10-4: Crumbs!: The Sandwich Filler Game: Minerva Tabletop Games: Initial feedback in. First impressions and some extra crumbs: Solo Sundays- First Impressions: Crumbs!: The Sandwich Filler Game and Solo Saturdays - Continuing to make Crumbs. More formal review posted: Rachel Reviews It- Crumbs!: The Sandwich Filler Game. Campaign funded! Campaign ongoing. Fingers-crossed that Minerva Tabletop Games comes through... it looks like this is finally in the process of fulfilling...
:d10-5: Crystallo expansions and miniature edition: Light Heart Games: Initial feedback in. Previews and additional adventures shared: A crystal cavern at the garage aka mini Crystallo is here!, First Impressions: Crystallo: Untold Fortune, Solo Saturdays- First Impressions: Crystallo: Den of Dragons, and Solo Stories- Playing with all of Crystallo. More formal review posted: Rachel Reviews It- Crystallo: Untold Fortune and Crystallo: Den of Dragons. Campaign funded! Campaign ongoing... AND there's GOOD NEWS: Crystallo lives!.
:d10-6: Lost Adventures: Belltower Games: First Impressions and continuing adventures shared: Two-Player Thursdays- First Impressions: Lost Adventures, Two-Player Tuesdays- Getting Lost with Mom, and Solo Stories - Lost Adventures. More formal review posted: Rachel Reviews It: Lost Adventures. Campaign wrapped! Campaign fulfilled. Campaign complete.
:d10-7: Quirky Bird Games: The zine campaign funded! That's a wrap! Congrats Beth and Angel! Fulfillment ongoing. Keep up the great work!
---------------------------------------
It's been a week, but I'm making good progress.
Weekend Plans: Get VGG of the Week back on track, more Game Crafter prepwork, the Uncooperative Spirits campaign for Unlucky Spirits, Revised Edition, the Photo Workshop Assembly Tutorial for Monk's Cat, and check in on the 1PG card exchange.
Happy Friday and happy playing!
-Rachel
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New comment on Item for GeekList "Northern VA February 2026 Math Trade"
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 03:41:38
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 03:41:38
by Gomers Pile
Related Item: Game Master's Toolbox: Ultimate NPCs: Skulduggery
Trading to jbird_theword
GeekList Item: Item for GeekList "Solo RPGs on Your Table - February 2026 "
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 03:21:51
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 03:21:51
GeekList Item: Item for GeekList "Solo RPGs on Your Table - February 2026 "
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 02:41:19
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 02:41:19
by govmiller
An item RPG Item: HandiQuest has been added to the geeklist Solo RPGs on Your Table - February 2026
GeekList Item: Item for GeekList "16 February 2026: How did your RPG session(s) go this week?"
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 01:52:20
Posted: Sat, 21 Feb 01:52:20
by aramis
An item RPG Item: Daggerheart (Core Rulebook) has been added to the geeklist 16 February 2026: How did your RPG session(s) go this week?
