Rule of Carnage: Designing Better Miniatures Games

In Episode 145, Draws happen. Sometimes they're not much fun, which is a shame, so its worth making them fun. Let's figure out how we do that!===Here Come The Bastards, the first expansion book for SPACE GITS, is on Kickstarter during March-April 2026: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/planetsmashergames/space-gits-here-come-the-bastards?ref=4680n3===If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here: https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join...Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

In Episode 144, Mike has been thinking about the vibes of a game, the special something that makes it more than just the mechanics. The guys talk about it.===Here Come The Bastards, the first expansion book for SPACE GITS, is on Kickstarter during March-April 2026: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/planetsmashergames/space-gits-here-come-the-bastards?ref=4680n3===If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here: https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join...Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

In Episode 143, Mike has been thinking a lot about the onboarding process for games, how to get people playing and keep them coming back. The guys talk about it.===If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here: https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join...Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

Back in June 2025, Mike was in the final development stages of SPACE GITS, buffing edges and polishing out any last blemishes. The guys got together to record what was going to be a full video playtesting session but ended up talking through various problems instead and never turned the cameras on. So while we never got to play a full game, you get a conversation that peeks behind the development curtain on SPACE GITS.Here Come The Bastards, the first expansion book for SPACE GITS, is on Kickstarter during March-April 2026: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/planetsmashergames/space-gits-here-come-the-bastards?ref=4680n3===If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here: https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join...Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

In Episode 141, the guys have been thinking about "cursed problems", and when they think about such things, they talk about them. Next up, politics. This can cover many things, quarterbacking and kingmaking are two they chat about here.===Here Come The Bastards, the first expansion book for SPACE GITS, is on Kickstarter during March-April 2026: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/planetsmashergames/space-gits-here-come-the-bastards?ref=4680n3===If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here: https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join...Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

In Episode 140, the guys have been thinking about "cursed problems", and when they think about such things, they talk about them. Next up, teams often break down during play for various reasons. How can you lessen break downs and strive for unity?===Here Come The Bastards, the first expansion book for SPACE GITS, is on Kickstarter during March-April 2026: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/planetsmashergames/space-gits-here-come-the-bastards?ref=4680n3===If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here: https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join...Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

In Episode 139, the guys have been thinking about "cursed problems", and when they think about such things, they talk about them. Next up, with three or more players you can end up with a "piggy in middle". How can you fix that?===What happened to episodes 137 and 138 you ask? Best you do not.===The Boarders and Black Flags Landing Page:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here: https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join...Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

In Episode 136, the guys have been thinking about "cursed problems", and when they think about such things, they talk about them. Next up, we want minis to have a purpose in our games, but we don't want to allow modelling for advantage, while we want to give people freedom to use the minis they want. What to do about that?Late Pledge Boarders and Black Flags on Kickstarter:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here:https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

In Episode 135, Glenn has fulfilled several Kickstarters, Mike is just fulfilling his first, they talk about some of the tips and pitfalls for that process.Late Pledge Boarders and Black Flags on Kickstarter:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here:https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

In Episode 134, the guys have been at Salute pitching their games to strangers one and all and so they've been thinking about doing that, how hard it is, and how important.Late Pledge Boarders and Black Flags on Kickstarter:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here:https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

In Episode 133, the guys have been thinking about "cursed problems", and when they think about such things, they talk about them. First up, putting differing experience levels together, proscription VS prescription and making impactful failure without creating a win-more.The Boarders and Black Flags Landing Page:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here:https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

In Episode 132, the guys have been thinking about "cursed problems", and when they think about such things, they talk about them. First up, "its possible to win until the last roll of the dice" vs "every decision matters" and then "list building matters" vs "you can't lose before getting to the table".You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here:https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseThe Boarders and Black Flags Landing Page:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

In Episode 131, Glenn recently released Pukeapocalypse, a punk skirmish game, with Exalted Funeral, here the guys talk about it.You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here:https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseThe Boarders and Black Flags Landing Page:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

In Episode 130, since Mike just opened the Space Gits Pledge Manager for late pledges, the guys are having a chat about Pledge Managers.The Boarders and Black Flags Landing Page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here:https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

In Episode 129, Glenn's new game Pukeapocalypse has just come out from Exalted Funeral, so Mike is asking him a few questions about it.The Boarders and Black Flags Landing Page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here:https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

In Episode 128, okay, we've been away for a while partly this is because we've been running a couple of Kickstarters, the other is that we recorded several episodes on running a Kickstarter that I wanted to edit together into one episode. So, here we're back with an absolute monster of an episode going into everything you need to know about running your own Kickstarter.The Boarders and Black Flags Landing Page:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here:https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

In Episode 127, the guys wrote a book, which they've mentioned once or twice, about how to design miniatures games. Since its just lauched, they're going to talk a bit about it. If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012 Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames or Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

In Episode 126, the guys finally actually have the conversation about hidden movement that they've been constantly implying but never having. Its really hard to do hidden movement in minis games, but there are ways and means of representing it to some degree. Pick up Hobgoblin here: https://www.electi-studio.com/store/p/hobgoblin-standard-harcover If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012 Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames or Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

In Episode 125, the guys have returned to thinking about mechanics that are common in boardgames but rarer in minis games, this time its Push Your Luck mechanics. What are they, how do they work, and where do they fit into your game? If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012 Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames or Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames

In Episode 124, we've been thinking a little about the sheer length of rulebooks for minis games. Partly because of the one box wargames challenge, and partly because of our own designs. Why are they so long? Why are boardgame rulebooks so short? Let's chat. If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012 Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames or Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames