This is your updated PSA on David Leavitt, his latest nonsense, and how you can avoid falling for it. Yes, he recently made a bunch of reckless claims about me, but I'm fine. Perhaps we can help make sure others don't fall for it.
There is a type of comment I often see after posting a tutorial video for a board game that includes an app. Normally I delete and move on. This time I chose differently. Sharing here, but not looking to debate. Maybe reduces the number of these comments I have to delete later?
It's our collective responsibility to unequivocally oppose statements like this in our hobby. I'd argue it's even more of a responsibility for us white guys, since this ignorance is rarely directed at us, and generally costs us the least. Inclusion does not mean tolerating this:
I've had the tweet I shared yesterday about Tascini on my mind, because I recognize I reach a lot of people with a single tweet and can't know if my intentions will be understood (or if my intentions even matter), so I want to unpack it a bit more, for what it's worth:
I made a post today to the GAMA FB group after seeing that Jeff Bergren had hired Jon Del-Arroz and both were now GAMA members. The post was removed by moderators for violating posting rules, so I'm posting it here in the hopes that other GAMA members see it. 1/3
Jeff DeBoer is the head of Funagain Games. Watch It Played does not have any business dealings with this company and won't have any moving forward either. The things people think they can say under the guise of "joking around".
I woke up to this video unexpectedly on the channel. Chaz had worked with all these wonderful people in secret to put it together, and it totally floored me. Thank you for this celebration of 10 years. My life is so much fuller for having you all in it. ❤️
Update from my corner of the Maritimes after the hurricane. Publishers, viewers, colleagues, and friends alike, there may be a slight disruption to videos, emails, etc, coming from me for a little bit.
All the best to all my other Maritimers recovering from hurricane Fiona.
Working on the tutorial video for Summoner Wars had me a bit sentimental. On July 14th, 2021, I'll have been doing this for 10 years. Just wanted to take a moment and acknowledge those who have been a part of this ongoing journey. Whether in big ways or small: thank you.❤️
The sixth tutorial series I ever did was for 7 Wonders first edition back in in 2012, so it's treat to be here 11 years later to bring you the tutorial for the second edition. Join me here and let's learn how to play!
I had expressed concerns about earlier statements from Tascini around race. I don't share this apology to tell you how you should now feel about it (or his games), but it seems appropriate (important even?) to not just share problematic behavior, but also attempts to correct it:
@rsdancey
@elizhargrave
The socialization of western women is too broad to unpack, so I'll just say this:
a) I think women have no shortage of experience facing harsh (not to mention, uninvited) criticism.
b) In my experience, the people worst at receiving (and learning) from criticism are often men.🤷♂️
Had a few more thoughts about the AI Art in board games discussion. I doubt I’ll have much more to say on the topic for awhile, but wanted to pass this along in case it struck a meaningful chord for anyone else wrestling with it.
It's always a good day when you can share some good news! The wonderful talents of Monique and Naveen from
@beforeyouplay_
are going to be contributing game play videos to the channel - please watch our announcement video and give them a warm WiP welcome:
My birthday game of choice with the fam? Catan! I haven’t played in a good while, but what a delight to get this back to the table and teach the family.
Mr. Rogers knew what board gaming is really about. 🫂❤️
Also, a board game teach has never been done better than this.
Credit: Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Episode 1515
Board Game Banter From Bed AMA! Episode 1 (which will assuredly also be the series finale). Before this new series is cancelled get in your questions by posting below and we’re see how long this lasts before the studio heads shut us down! AMA.
PS. Did rapid test: negative so far.
For those who've already written (or plan to write me in the future) to ask that I not get political on social media... when Suz doesn't have to contend with this regularly, I'll certainly consider it - but we don't beat racism/harassment by being silent about it in our hobby.
Look at this cowardly racist little troll. Some board gamer who has a cartoonishly bad understanding of racism and is so pathetic they can't stand by their beliefs and has to create sock puppet accounts to harass me.
Come at me with your real account or go eat boogers.
Got this in response to a series Paula and Monique did. I'm regularly reminded that my path as a creator has been quite different, relative to my female (and other underrepresented) colleagues who have to regularly deal with these kinds of unsolicited messages from neanderthals.
This was a special comment to receive today, and a good reminder of the importance of representation in the hobby (and the important work women are doing in board game media).
The thing about going back through the comments of your older videos, is that it brings you face to face with versions of yourself that you don't even remember existing. Maybe for good reason. Nov 18, 2011.
At the US border going trough customs, heading to Origins:
Border Agent: “Why are you coming to the US?”
Me: “A boardgame convention.”
Border Agent: “Which game?”
And that’s how Rodney ended up in a discussion about the golden age of board gaming and almost missed his flight.
PSA: Please do not leave your friends unsupervised with the Keyper components. They may never fully recover. Poor
@Zee_Garcia
- he was never seen again.
The game isn’t important, as I’m not trying to make an example of someone - but seeing this reminds me that some games still write towards one gender in their rule books. Let’s not communicate that games are intended for one gender of the population. “They” works every time.
This is the
@our_plays
channel. I just found out about them, and am so glad I did. Fun, heartfelt, thoughtful discussions about the hobby and what it means to their family. I've just binged 5 episodes, but subbed after 2. Lets get them to 1K subs! 1/3
Adding a new feature to the channel and wanted to talk to you about it. Join Stephanie and I as we discuss adding some ASL features to some of our previous videos:
In my tweet about the ongoing ketchup debacle, I referred to the chips as *****. I have now been corrected 357 times in the replies. As penance I travelled the Piccadilly line to Cockfosters during rush hour to atone. My apologies. They’re chips!
I understand that some people don't like apps in games (which is fine, of course - like what you like), but I did enjoy this diligent viewer following up to reassure this concerned poster that things are still just fine 5 years later.😀
Leaving the UK now. For many of the Watch It Played team, this
@aireconuk
adventure took us far from home. Thank you for always making us feel very much “at” home. Appreciate you all and the memories we made together. Until next time! ❤️
The GMT newsletter just released the board art for Gest of Robin Hood, an upcoming 2 player COIN game that looks gorgeous. It's by
@fredserval
, and published by
@gmtgames
AND IT'S ROBIN HOOD. I'm a little excited. (just look at that board!)
I get it - you current system requires due process, so here's my challenge to every member of the GAMA board: read this tweet from JDA, and then 'you' follow the courage of your convictions and fill in the forms and paperwork. That should be enough people to resolve this, right?
@WatchItPlayed
Code of conduct is here with a form to complain. I understand it looks bad and slow but all organizations need a due process. Feel free to fill it in:
No question, this was a real highlight of the con. Cora and her father have done something really special here. Excited to have been able to pick up a copy at the show!
The reason I block people like Robert Burke and his goons, isn't because I want a social media echo chamber as they would claim, it's because I don't respect their tactics. He wants to call that cancel culture, but as my parents taught me: it's actions having consequences. 1/2
Yesterday a there was private message from me that was shared in a public FB forum and it has been perceived incorrectly. Here's my post clarifying the intent.
Heads up (pun intended!) we have a code of conduct which includes deleting comments on our host's physical appearance.
Like this one! Which is... a unique take, and... "Super cool"?
Note, I don't take personal comments like this to heart. Laugh, delete, block! Ta-dah!
I think I've shared this before, but any time I happen to stumble across this on my hard drive, it's hard not to share. I present, Luke's first review:
I love playing new games as much as anyone else, but today let's try a game that's over 5,000 years old! It's never too late to discover a game that's "new to you", so join me and let's learn how to play Backgammon!
Any Backgammon fans here? Let me know!
AI Art.
I realize not all AI Art tools work the same way. Part of the problem is that we don’t quite understand “how” it works, and until we have a better understanding, some pause for concern is good imo. 1/3
When you packed the game pieces neatly inside the game box, but as you were closing the lid, you realised that you've packed everything inside the lid instead of the base 😅😭
Tom reviewed Tellstones and minced no words about it: he hated it. Some comments are implying he has integrity because of this (compared to reviewers who liked it). Disliking a game does not mean you have more integrity than someone who liked it. 1/4
I loved every second of this. Many of us have been here before, and will be here again (rules, right?), but it's a joyful reminder not to take for granted the barrier to entry for this hobby when we're introducing our 'fun' to strangers, friends and family.
A viewer forwarded me these links also. With 2,000+ new games releasing each year I think we’ll find we can still fill our shelves with great games AND avoid supporting creatives with racist ideologies. Note: Won’t be engaging with replies that disagree. I’m close minded on this.
I'm confident
@JamesWillems
isn't the first person to loudly declare this at a game night, and quite certain he won't be the last. Catch the full
@FunhausTeam
play through of Fireball Island here:
This is a sad (and angering) report of abusive treatment in our hobby. I share this to remind myself and other men in this hobby to be mindful of how you use your power, and how other men around you use their power. We have to correct from within, or we're complicit.
Looks like power could be out for a week or more (thanks Fiona), so gaming is happening when the sun goes down! This time learning a game I bought a month ago: Soldiers In Postmen’s Uniforms by
@djackthompson
and published by
@danverssengames
. Note: This is a solid rulebook!
Two hours ago,
@DiceParadise
and I parted ways, preparing to head in opposite directions across the continent.
Then his flight was delayed.
Now I’m also at the airport and my gate is directly beside his gate. Because of course it is.
Can’t quit you Chaz.
Bought the Dune Imperium app. I have no regrets. This is really well done. The screen might look busy, but I’ve found it very easy to follow. Kudos to
@direwolf
on this.
Do I have any friends who work at
@Twitter
, who can help with this? Eric Lang's account (
@eric_lang
) was suspended. I'm pretty confident he didn't violate any of these rules:
Can we fix this please?
Eric M. Lang is a great asset to the tabletop game community, and it's horribly wrong that his Twitter account has been suspended due to harassment and phony reports of account violations.
Look who's home! I've played the original, but was curious to try out this Horizons version. Luke's first time playing Spirit Island - we won, and Luke really enjoyed.
Please see Xoe's thread for more details (linked below), but
@BerserkGames
/
@TabletopSim
seems to be saying that a user on their platform declaring themselves as gay or trans is crossing their rules against "discussing sexuality, politics and fetishes". 1/3
I'm getting asked about what happened with
@BerserkGames
regarding moderation of
@TabletopSim
global chat and the suppression of gay/trans identities, so I put together these screenshots and answers.
I'm a trans pan mom, let me exist visibly please. 🏳️🌈
Also, in case it's not clear, Jon's YouTube video about who the "hottest" reviewers are, is not talking about hotness in the way gamers generally use it to describe popular games. He's using it the *other* way. 3/3
Today, we're learning my gateway game into the hobby: Monopoly! I played loads of this when I was a kid, but wow did I play it wrong. Maybe you did too? Let's find out!
It started with
@paullicino
posting about living in a basement.
It was followed by
@actualol
writing a rap about not being in a basement.
I am now performing a rap about working in a basement.
I don't know where all this is going, but it's probably gone too far already.