by Rachel Carpenter

Happy 34th 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, August 2026.

Today, I took on Level 5 from the comfort of my own living room floor...

and I quickly met my end! (A Green Phase loss! Gah!)

My final score was -78 points: 8 points from Fighting Cards, -5 points from Aging Cards, 0 points from lifepoints, 0 points for defeating neither pirate, and -81 points from Unbeaten Hazards.

Unhappy with this performance and given that the game was over in about 8 minutes... I quickly reset my little island and tried again!

Well, at least I made it to the Yellow Phase...

Here's a closer look.

My final score was -27 points: 23 points from Fighting Cards, -5 points from Aging Cards, 0 points from lifepoints, 0 points for defeating neither pirate, and -45 points from Unbeaten Hazards.

Not great, but better. And I had work to do...

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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 SOON!- Aiming to run this during Effervescent's upcoming crowdfunding campaign!
: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:


Published Games:
:d10-1: Charge the Circle: Post-Contest (Revised Edition) Web-published to BGG. 2nd Edition & 2nd Edition (PNP) & 2nd Edition (Altar Decks ONLY!) coming to The Game Crafter in 2026! You can follow along with the ongoing graphic development here: A new edition coming in 2026!.
:d10-2:Eight Elephants: 2nd Edition now available on The Game Crafter! 2nd Edition, Print & Play also available on The Game Crafter! Original WIP thread: here!
:d10-3: Fireworks for the 4th: Semiquincentennial Edition: Now available on The Game Crafter! Update: There is now a Print & Play of the Semiquincentennial Edition! You can find it on The Game Crafter for just $1.99! Revised (Post Contest) Edition remains available here!.
:d10-4: Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice: 2nd Edition now available on The Game Crafter! 2nd Edition, Print & Play also available on The Game Crafter! Original WIP thread: here!
:d10-5: The United Cards of America: Now available on The Game Crafter! Update: There is now a Print & Play Edition! And you can find it on The Game Crafter for just $1.99!
:d10-6: Lincoln's Cat: Now available on The Game Crafter! Print & Play edition also available on The Game Crafter! New Playthrough Video has been filmed and I'm up to editing! Expect the new video before the end of the month!
:d10-7: Liberty, DEATH, or TAXES: Now available on The Game Crafter! Update: There is also now a Print & Play! And you can find it on The Game Crafter for just $1.99!
:d10-8: Eighteen Eggs: BGG page is live! And ALL 2nd Edition files are now available!


Active Projects:
:d10-1: Finders Keepers: No new progress.
:d10-2: Bears love bows: Very Merry Trashmas edition: Available for playtesting. Didn't place in the Bad Comet Cozy Contest. Debating entering it for Hippodice just to get some more feedback... Video still in-progress.
:d10-3: Really Retail: No new progress.
:d10-4: Barricade Brigade: No new progress.
:d10-5: The Boxcats of Meowazon : No new progress.
:d10-6: 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... There's also the drift problem... As much as I hate to say it, this might have to stay a print-and-play for now...
:d10-7: 10 Minutes to Midnight: THIS WILL BE COMING TO THE GAME CRAFTER IN 2026! I'm still having a spacing issue with 1 of my 2 custom fonts... and I may well end up having to do the card text as images... Not ideal, but it will work.
:d10-8: Surfboard Stealin' Sea Otters: Contest complete! #2 Best Family Game and #8 Best Overall Game! Woot! Video still on the docket. This will be a Game Crafter release in 2026! Rules revisions continue! I need to rejig the setup graphics and work on the new Solo Scoring Chart. Probably going to keep pitching, but Game Crafter is happening so that I can guarantee the game gets out there 🦦.
:d10-9: Tricky Treats: Game considered complete and officially Ready for Pitching! I still need a video...
:d10-1::d10-0: Squirrelly (formerly Woodland Warriors) : Contest complete! #3 for Best Art! 2 mini expansions available! Ready for pitching! Video still on the docket... *sigh*
:d10-1::d10-1: 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, Print & Play Assembly Guide now available, and while entered in the 2026 Cardboard Edison, it didn't place as a finalist. I got good feedback, but I'm not sure what's next for this kitty... I did take some more video footage for the Cat in May.. and I'm still seriously considering re-jigging things to at least get the original starter set on The Game Crafter... I'm also contemplating submitting it to the Hippodice Competition. I think it and Bears love bows are eligible... and maybe I'll get some leads on potential publishers... or at least some more feedback/exposure...
:d10-1::d10-2: Librarian's Cat: formerly Palm Library. formerly Littlest Library. 2025 In-Hand Game Design Contest: Currently being re-worked! This kitty is back and better than ever and I can't wait to share it with all of you!
:d10-1::d10-3: Elements: Coming to The Game Crafter in mid-2026! New cards, done! New rules posted to the WIP thread, take a look and let me know what you think! Just waiting 'til I've got more proofs ready to order...
:d10-1::d10-4: 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. No progress this week.
:d10-1::d10-5: 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 :geek_grin:.
:d10-1::d10-6: Unlucky Spirits, Revised Edition: Uncooperative Spirits campaign in-progress. Revised Edition formally entered in 2026 Two-Player Game Design Contest, which is now complete. No wins for Unlucky Spirits , but that's okay. I'm keeping on keeping on. And that's why I need you, players to help me get this game off the ground! The PNP files are serviceable. The TTS is functional and up-to-date. I just need some players to help me put the base game through its paces while I continue to write the campaign! Update: If I can get this game in better shape, I might submit it for the 2027 Cardboard Edison...
:d10-1::d10-7: 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 2026. I've figured out a way around the drift issue that works well for Abydos. Work continues. It's been slow, but the game is making progress. I'm still re-doing the labyrinth graphics... gah!
:d10-1::d10-8: Nine Tails: A Solitaire Game: I'll be putting in for the BGG page soon! This one will be coming to The Game Crafter! Art for full color edition done! Art for coloring book version done! Still working on the print-and-play files, revised rules, and boxes! Deluxe PNP will also include the original color & coloring book versions! It's more work for me, but this way, folks can choose! I'm happy and I'm excited.
:d10-1::d10-9: Put a bow on it! The new lease on life continues! The game got too complicated for Bad Comet's Cozy Contest... not sure where this one is going to end up, but I'm excited to see it through!
:d10-2::d10-0: Monk's Cat: Book of [Pawprints]: The third game in the Cat Companion Card Game series, sequel to Composer's Cat and Librarian's Cat. Contest now complete! I'm happy! #1 Best Graphic Design for Visually Impaired Players; #8 Best Use of Theme; & #7 Best Low-Ink Printing! This will be coming to The Game Crafter! Currently being reworked alongside Librarian's Cat. I'm so excited for these 2! "The" removed from name, there's a reason, but it won't be apparent just yet...
:d10-2::d10-1: Caturday: WIP thread coming soon! This WILL be 1 of my 2 entries in the 54-Card Game Design Contest! Watch this space! Solo mode functions, but I need a better handle on the scoring range. Logo/cards/layout/graphics are fine for now. Rulebook needs ironing. Player Aid cards need to be made. 2-player mode(s) need fine-tuning. 3-4 player options need addressing. I want the game "components ready" and the WIP live for September 1st...
:d10-2::d10-2: Elements 2: Sequel to Elements, draws on the setting/visuals/narrative of Elements and builds on the gameplay of Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice with an added rock-paper-scissors-like overlap mechanic. This may be moving to the backburner...
:d10-2::d10-3: Mugs of Madness: WIP thread live! PNP, rulebook, and TTS all available. Officially entered in the 2026 Solitaire Print and Play Contest and The Great Playtest Race! Up next: video(s) and low-ink PNP. I'm thrilled that this game has come together so quickly. If you like Arkham, Elder Sign, dice, big cards, Cthulhu, and or coffee- please check it out!
:d10-2::d10-4: Rachel's Spider Solitaire Project this will be my 2nd entry in the 2026 Solitaire Print and Play Game Design Contest! Which means that I really need to step on it :geek_grin:. Again, this is a strange little idea that I hope gets interest. It's an experiment. 3 games under 1 umbrella. All are unique twists on classic spider solitaire. The 3 games are 1) Out of time! [mini cards, real-time, bomb defusing theme, mechanically and graphically the simplest of the 3 and the easiest/smallest/simplest pnp build], 2) Vines of Nineveh [poker-sized cards, a bit more complex, more emphasis on art, the pretty one], and 3) Fate's Cat: Tangled Threads [poker-size cards, more complex gameplay, fun story/theme. This is a ridiculous and ambitious project and I don't know what the reception is going to be. Maybe 1 game takes off, maybe all 3 do. Maybe none of them find an audience or maybe this time next year all 3 are available on The Game Crafter. I just don't know. There's something here and I'm going to play with it. This week: More playtesting happened, more refinement, and I've started work on the graphics... we'll see if this makes the entry deadline... fingers-crossed!
:d10-2::d10-5: Last Leaves: old name, new game. This is a cozy, cute, Game-Crafter-friendly solitaire matching game that builds on Eighteen Eggs. The original Last Leaves may still happen down the road, but it'll need a new name because the name fits this little game better :geek_grin:. All problems discovered last week have been sorted! Whew. BGG page approved! Expect more details soon.
:d10-2::d10-6: A Walk on the Beach: Solo-only, play-through-the-deck set collection game. This may be my 2nd entry in the 54-Card Contest. Rules and graphics development are now proceeding side-by-side. I like where the game is going, but I worry about the game's reception and marketability... I like it, but I don't know if it's good enough... we'll see what happens :whistle:.


Early Development:
:d10-1: The 7th Seal : No new progress.
:d10-2: Gator Glory! Simmering.
:d10-3: So, you want to be a mage... No new progress.
:d10-4: Barricade Brigade: At the postern gate: A smaller version of the original. Similar story, setting, and mechanics, but more compact. No new progress.

On Hold/Backburner:
:d10-1: Contagion and Calamity: The Philadelphia Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793: formerly Philly Fever 1793
:d10-2: Rolling Runes
:d10-3: Defend your Dreams: (formerly Dreamcatcher Duty)
:d10-4: Trick or Treat
:d10-5: Last Leaves Needs New Name!: This was going to be my entry in the 2026 Children and Family Game Design Contest (family category), but I'm putting this on the back burner instead to concentrate on getting my shop pages up-and-running over on The Game Crafter. Development will continue later this year and you can expect to see this game in the 2027 Children and Family Game Design Contest.
:d10-6: Unnamed design: Involves the Titanic and Jenny the ship cat...
:d10-7: Nine Nopes
:d10-8: Book it!
:d10-9: History Heist
:d10-1::d10-0: Lost in the Labyrinth
:d10-1::d10-1: Dragon's Draw
:d10-1::d10-2: Push to the Peak
:d10-1::d10-3: Cardshop Caretaker
:d10-1::d10-4: Water always wins
:d10-1::d10-5: Sniper, take the shot!
:d10-1::d10-6: Puppy Pile: (formerly Dogpile)
:d10-1::d10-7: Compound It!
:d10-1::d10-8: My Little Fish Tank
:d10-1::d10-9: Knick Knacks: Lovely Lamps : Sequel to Knick Knacks: Shaker Showdown
:d10-2::d10-0: Triskell (or maybe Triskellion): name not final
:d10-2::d10-1: Cursed Cards (Traditional Deck Game)
:d10-2::d10-2: War of the Wilds
:d10-2::d10-3: Scratch-off
:d10-2::d10-4: Reverse the curse!/Witch's Cat
:d10-2::d10-5: Snow Squall: In the vein of Eight Elephants and Eighteen Eggs, but a bit bigger, no timer, and more Game Crafter-friendly art. I may be shelving this idea. Last Leaves really accomplished what I wanted to do here and the theme/art fits better as well. That said, I may reuse the name for another project... Officially shelved for now.
:d10-2::d10-6: Unnamed Puzzle Game: Working name/code name is Threshold. multi-level campaign puzzle game in the vein of Abydos, Read the Runes, and Charge the Circle. Fuzzball-inspired. Officially moved to the backburner.
:d10-2::d10-7: Nine Lives: I haven't heard anything, so I'm assuming this is a no-go. Still, I might revisit this idea down the road... Moved to the backburner.
:d10-2::d10-8: Who's ready for the owlidays?: Not for the 54-Card Contest. Plans change. Moved to the backburner.
:d10-2::d10-9: I sits!: Didn't make the FFF Contest. Moved to the backburner.

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!- Crystallo's new Gamefound
: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!
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My new copy of Crystallo + Expansions is still staring at me from the kitchen chair. A comparison between old and new editions is still on my to-do list. Right next to a Friday-related project for one of my co-hosts... and Graham's snooker game...

I would also like 2 Mythic Monday reports done and ready to go. It would be nice to have a buffer again...

How about you? Any fun plans for the weekend?

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. And follow me across social media with my Linktree:
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by Lux_Bux

UNKLE - Hold My Hand
Youtube Video

UNKLE (feat. Ian Astbury) - Burn My Shadow
Youtube Video

by ctimmins

Sure looks like it.

by shawnmccarthy

Happy2BHere wrote:

Out of curiosity, does anyone plan to do anything else with their system?

My local discord pals are bugging encouraging me to run Sleepless. I’m already running Mothership with them, so I might port it all the way back to The Mad City setting instead of space and run it as Don’t Rest Your Head Don’t Roll Your Dice

by aramis

I've been known to run certain games as "pick-up" games...
Games I've used that way:
Og (Unearthed Edition), Marvel Super Heroes, Marvel Super Heroes Adventure Game, Star Wars (WEG 2nd Edition), Star Wars (WEG Original Edition), Starships & Spacemen, Marvel Heroic Roleplaying, Firefly Role-Playing Game, Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (Second Edition), Arabian Sea Tales, Judge Dredd the Role-Playing Game (Games Workshop)

If at home, most of that list are runnable on 20 min notice.
Of those, I could run Og!, Judge Dredd, or MHRP on about no notice if I have my pickup games box... (this tells you what lives in it).

Many a pick-up game turned into a mini-campaign back in the day. Several games were, "Can we try this next week?" (player points to book or box on the shelf.)

I'd be comfortable pick-up play of Vaesen, Alien, or Star Wars from the beginner boxes - they're designed for that, and the pregens are good.

by Happy2BHere

Congrats to everyone who participated and voted! And yay, glad to have squeaked in! 🙂

I had four of the top five in my top five, so, that makes me feel like I was doing something right since others agreed, lol. I'll mention the odd one out that I ranked high -- 'The Dominance of Dragons' 🐉

I don't think I've used the same grading system each year (mainly because I usually can't find notes from year to year), but, for anyone interested, this was what I used for this year on my end -

A Do I think the concept is interesting? +, n, -
B Could I run this game with the rules provided? 0, .5, 1
C Did they do a good job formatting/designing the manuscript? 0, .5, 1
D Are there extra bits included to make running the game easier? 0, .5, 1
E After reading the manuscript would I be interested in running this? +, n, -

So, conceivably the lowest score is a 0 - - and the top is a 3 + +. I had no 0 - - entries. Had several 3 + + ranks so I tie broke based off feels at that point, lol. + was yes, 'n' was neutral, and - was no just to clarify for A and E. I suppose 0 was no, .5 was good enough, and 1 was very good or better for B, C, and D.

Out of curiosity, does anyone plan to do anything else with their system?

It's pretty cool that Michael Ink has been expanding his, and it's awesome that Chuck Dee has shifted energy to another project. I'm hopeful I can expand mine by challenging myself to do a 24 hour setting resource, 24 hour NPC/Enemies resource, and maybe something like a 24 hour module (though with the randomness of the fortunes that move the plot forward, I've done myself no favors there, so, I might have to try something different) 😅

Anyway, very glad to have seen everyone's entries and already ready for next year! 😄 Thanks so much, Steve, for helping keep this contest going!

A new episode has been added to the database: Risky Business | Bitten #31 | #daggerheart

A new episode has been added to the database: RPGaDAY2026 August the 21st Charity

A new episode has been added to the database: RPGaDAY2026 August the 20th Promise

A new episode has been added to the database: RPGaDAY2026 August the 19th Desire

A new episode has been added to the database: RPGaDAY2026 August the 18th Directness

A new episode has been added to the database: RPGaDAY2026 August the 17th Intensity