A new episode has been added to the database: Karameikos!

A new episode has been added to the database: RUNES (Remastered): Introducing Axe and Anarchy Into Your Game

A new episode has been added to the database: [PREVIEW] Eidolon Media Club: Gundam F91

A new episode has been added to the database: In Person A(e)MA - Part 2

by Steve

On February 28th the Beatles came and sang "Happy Birthday to you" for [user=PzVIE][/user]

Happy Birthday Ron!

by Rachel

Happy 9th 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, Level 4! Will this be the week, I again taste victory? We'll just have to see...

I made it to the first pirate.

I got a good start.

Woot!

On to pirate #2.

And... phooey. I was sooo close! 24 fighting points, but I needed more than half of my cards to hit the magic 22 threshold. *sigh*

Victory was just beyond my reach.

My final score was 29 pts: 37 points from Fighting Cards, -5 points from Aging Cards, 0 points from lifepoints, 15 points for defeating 1 pirate, and -18 points from Unbeaten Hazards. Which means that I'll be starting March on Level 4 🏝️.
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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 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. Now aiming for a May 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, 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...
: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!
:d10-2::d10-5: Elements: Coming to The Game Crafter in mid-2026! The rules are fine, the graphics still need work. And I need to rejig the tuckbox...
: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, but, it might end up on The Game Crafter, we'll just have to see...
: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 are a concern. Maybe transparent/plastic cards could be the solution?
: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! Cards redone! Print & Fold Tuckbox redone! This one is ready to go! Woot! Coming to The Game Crafter... soon. Stay tuned!
: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 in-progress!
: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): Logo done! Balance adjusted! Cards done? (Unsure...) Rules in-progress. Box in-progress. Still for a Spring release on The Game Crafter.
:d10-5::d10-7: Lincoln's Cat (America 250 Edition): Cards done? (might want to make a change or two...) Rules in-revision. Box in-progress. Still aiming for a Spring release on The Game Crafter.
:d10-5::d10-8: Liberty, Death, or Taxes (America 250 Editon): Rules sheet done! Box done! Game is ready! Woot! Now, just waiting on the rest of this first batch to cross the finish line so I can order prototypes for approval! On track for a Spring release on The Game Crafter!
:d10-5::d10-9: Fireworks for the 4th: Semiquincentennial Edition: Cards almost done! (I still need a Fuse and a Lighter/Match) Board in-progress. Box in-progress. Rules revision/reformatting in-progress. Still aiming for a Spring release on The Game Crafter.
:d10-6::d10-0: I sits!: NEW: Stay tuned!


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 yet another week of high highs and low lows, with a side of computer hiccups to boot. Still I'm making headway.

Weekend Plans: Finally 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. Aka pretty such the same as last weekend.

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.

by Alexandre Correia

Day 3338. February 20, 2026. Coimbra & Porto...

The day started with an hour-long walk to the bus station. Coimbra, still under a pitch-black sky dotted with stars. Once on the bus, I closed my eyes and turned inward, staying there until we neared Porto. Then I peeked and saw a world hiding in a whirlwind of fog and rapidly moving lights. Our bus driver hummed as he steered the vehicle like a racing car, flashing headlights to scatter slower vehicles to avoid being rammed. The recklessness ripped through the carefully constructed inner peace I had built. To my relief, the bus stopped a moment later.

After navigating the concrete bowels of a gigantic transport hub to reemerge at a metro station, I considered sprinting for the train already pulling in. But the cold outside was too clean, too real, to swap for another jolting compartment packed with blue-lit zombie-eyed commuters scrolling themselves elsewhere, enticing me to join them. I called a cab instead. A few minutes in, the smooth jazz coming from the radio, a sunrise pushing the mist against a backdrop of a waking city, and the soft, careful driving out of downtown's rush hour stitched my calm back together.

When I left the car, I noticed a bakery that had just opened and went inside.

Simple sights for calm minds, by Anastasia
I chose the smallest table, nearest the counter and the cash register, and ordered breakfast. Soon it became the bakery's crossroads, busy with people coming and going, bread, pastry, coffee, and milk. Neighborhood chit-chats about the weather and news layered over a percussion of plates and cups. A choreography of ordinary life. Perfect. For the second time in the day, I looked inward and zoned out of existence.

After writing yesterday's post, I closed the laptop and doodled my next party in 4AD in my everything notebook. Three women encased in paladin shells and a eunuch priest with a ten-foot pole, squeezed between meeting notes, KPIs, and grocery lists. The paladins carry a lantern hooked on their shield, a welcoming, if risky, perk in the new expanded edition.

Happy and filled, I returned outside and walked to the classroom.

Twilight of inspiration.
Nine hours later, I couldn't tell what had left me with more energy than when I walked into class. The experience of learning, despite little interest in the subject? Or the passion of the teachers who preached it? Regardless, I thought I should do something about it. Go back to school, try my hand at teaching. Both?

This time I took the metro. As expected, it was still packed with blue-lit zombie-eyed commuters. The image was too uncanny, their bite too strong to resist. A few seconds after I walked in, I joined them and teleported my mind elsewhere. I took comfort in knowing I wasn't hooking the mind into some social hive mind and instead used the teleporting to research an idea I had for my next visit to Porto in two months. Something worthy of Alastair's MicroAdventure, a chapter in Craig's Things Become Other Things.

Content, I severed the digital thread, exited the screen-drenched carriage, and finished the journey to the train station just as I'd started the day. With a walk.

⭐⭐⭐
One year ago: ...thunders, rogues and wrecks...One year later: N/A

[hr]Thank you. Like what you see here? Subscribe, tip, like... be bold, invite me for a coffee, bid for a game, and we'll plant a tree. Together. [microbadge=35061]

by Lowell Kempf

I normally don’t make posts like this but sometimes you have to.

There’s a bundle at itch.io that’s raising funds for the Immigrant Law Center for Minnesota.

https://itch.io/b/3484/no-ice-in-minnesota

I have a feeling that most folks who would look at my blog are also regular visitors to itch.io but I still felt it was worth sharing.

I’m sure I’ll never look at the vast majority of what’s in the kindle but that’s not what bought it.

Passing the link on is the least I can do.

A new episode has been added to the database: Blade Runner | Case File 01: Electric Dreams Ep. 08

A new episode has been added to the database: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Set Review Part 2 || North 100 Ep191

A new episode has been added to the database: Episode 357: I Like Ice Cream

A new episode has been added to the database: Movie Mastery – Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)