Brooks Barber

A while back, I posted about my move to the Netherlands later this year. As part of that move, my family is also venturing into the world of tabletop game publishing through Hawk and Dove. I'd be honored if you would check us out and follow along on our journey!

Penitent and The Gods Will Have Blood are now available on the Lock Horns Game site and shipping to Canada, Europe, and USA. Orders will ship in a few weeks. lockhornsgames.com

On my way to Spiel Essen! It’s my first time there, and my first time at a gaming convention larger than a few hundred people. I’m strapping in to prep for the energy of the place. Very much looking forward to meeting up with friends from the states. If anyone else will be there, hit me up!

When I first started thinking about game design, I set some goals for myself. Some were standard like “get published.” Others were more nebulous. One was to be on Dan’s podcast. So I’m very pleased to share that I was able to chat with him last week about design, publishing, and history.

If you liked the Rune Rite hype spam, you're going to LOVE the Threed hype spam in early 2027. #BoardGames #IndieBoardGames

This is live now folks, go check it out!

A great conversation, not only about the game but also about creating historical games in general, from research to aesthetics to design and production. Well worth the watch!

"A unique, sophisticated, and thought-provoking game that won't be easy to bring to every table." If every person who plays Painkillers comes away thinking this, I’ll be immensely pleased and proud!

Check this one out! Gene is awesome and his games are fascinating.

Color Jam has funded! We're so, so excited about making this coloring game a reality. Thanks to everyone for sharing, supporting, and helping this exist! And a major thanks to the incredible game designers Gene Koo and Joe Kell, as well as artist Erin Laue. You all made this something truly special.

If you’re a fan of powerful puzzles in small packages, check this game out. It’s mechanically simple, fast playing, with lots of fun decisions to be made. It good! www.seahorseandhummingbird.com/shop/rune-ri...

I backed this today, and I couldn't be happier to do so! I've had as much fun playing this with my five year old as I have with groups of friends over beers while yelling at each other. The design is ingenious in that it drives your behavior but lets you to bring what you want to the game. Get it!

One of my favorite annual traditions: The Top Solo Historical Games survey results! Thanks to @armchairdragoons.bsky.social for doing this with me. :) boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/384...

Think I have to stop playing now www.maptap.gg September 17 98🎯 100🎯 100🎯 100🎯 99🎯 Final score: 995

Check this one out folks! It's fun!

Another Hawk & Dove announcement this week. I can't wait to see this one through to the end. Please check it out!

Always loved geography. Got lucky on some of these. www.maptap.gg September 15 99🎯 100🎯 100🎯 78🌞 98🔥 Final score: 927

This is probably the first time reading a rulebook has increased my desire to play a game. It's just delightful. I especially enjoyed the footnotes within other footnotes.

Every one of these games is deserving. If you haven’t already, check them out. Congrats to all the nominees!!

Wrote a little today about Painkillers, the history that inspired the game, and what I’m trying to do with it. Enjoy!

This Sunday @joedewhurst.bsky.social and I will start a The Guerrilla Generation campaign "Resisting Reagan". It will be three episodes, and it will be epic 🔥 - poke @gmtgames.bsky.social youtube.com/live/VvERhDj...

Pack your torches and hammers, it's time to smash some machines ⚒️🔥 "The Nights of King Ludd" is coming to Kickstarter Sept 2. We're kicking it off with a game trailer: youtu.be/cToamg7Zvek Animations by @ronengoldstein.bsky.social, voice over by @5g4d.bsky.social #boardgames #luddite #wargames

I think this trend highlights some major biases in modern society. Layered into this is a general disdain not only for those arts traditionally perceived as childish but also for those historically coded as feminine or working class.

Reminder about El Pulpo, now with some prototype photos! Check alt text for details. Very excited about this one. We’ll be showing it at several cons over the next few months!

One major purpose of TTGDA is to help tabletop game designers negotiate better publishing contracts. We just released the rubric of what we look for -- and info on how different publishers scored on the rubric. Soon we will also release a model contract. More at www.ttgda.org/contract-bas...

This 100%. Several recent instances have shown the system is flawed overall. No game should be stuck in the queue for literal months. Having an entry on BGG is, for better or worse, critical to success, especially for smaller or newer creators. And the timing of that can make or break a game.

Very happy to be announcing this! Dan's game is one of the best I've played in the past few years, and I look forward to seeing it out in the world in earnest. Lots more in store in the future!

This game has had such a weird and winding journey. I’m so happy with how it is turning out and can’t wait to see it in print!!

Today we announce our next board game, "The Nights of King Ludd: The Luddite War on Industry 1811-?" A collaborative game of industrial sabotage ⚒️ 🔥 on Kickstarter September 2: www.kickstarter.com/projects/die... @joedewhurst.bsky.social @thedietzfoundation.bsky.social @ronengoldstein.bsky.social

I'm excited about the possibilities historical gaming presents to us.

Public Domain Art is the lifeblood of small tabletop rpgs, but it can be a nightmare trying to find the right art and license. This week, I’ve re-uploaded my old list from 2020 (with updates) of public domain websites. That's 500,000+ public domain paintings, photos, maps, and film. Link below 🔗👇

Meet with designers and check out their creations