YoYoni

@yoyoni.bsky.social

Playing history. Filmmaker and Designer of “Chicago ‘68” and “The Nights of King Ludd”

@maxhaiven.bsky.socialReposted by @yoyoni.bsky.social

THE CHEATED PLAYER: The core of the argument in my new book is fairly simple. Over the last 50 years of neoliberal financialized capitalism, individuals have been tasked with recasting ourselves as competitive speculative players, striving to make the most judicious investments in a merciless game.

@yoyoni.bsky.social

We did it! "The Nights of King Ludd" will makes it way to backers in 2027. Made by human hands and minds, never AI. Deeply grateful for everyone who pledged, played, and supported the project throughout. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it!

@yoyoni.bsky.social

Reading @danthurot.bsky.social's criticism inspired me to design my own games and to make them as plucky & idiosyncratic as befits their subject matter. King Ludd, he writes, is "a challenging, thought-provoking rumination on an oft-misplaced history ... Stark, sobering, and sometimes hopeful."

A view of the Commons and the Regency, two Card pools in the game, The Nights of King Ludd. A quote from Dan Thurot's preview: "The Nights of King Ludd is “a challenging, thought-provoking rumination on an oft-misplaced history, collective anger, and the depths power and capital will plumb to protect their interests. Stark, sobering, and sometimes hopeful, the game is an essential work for students of labor history and new-wave historical simulation.”
@yoyoni.bsky.social

@colewehrle.bsky.social's designs have been massively influential on this game, esp. JoCo & Pax Pamir. Cole and Drew have been kind enough to play various early iterations; "If you're interested in early modern labor politics or want to try your hand at smashing a stocking frame, check it out!"

The Nights of King Ludd, a view of the prototype board with all components from the perspective of a player mulling their next move. A quote from Cole Wehrle: “I've been fortunate enough to play this throughout its development and cannot wait to see the final thing. If you're interested in early modern labor politics or want to try your hand at smashing a stocking frame, check it out!”
@yoyoni.bsky.social

@fredserval.bsky.social is a known entity 'round here and my favorite youtube host / historical game designer / shit stirrer on the internet. Fred sez: "Organize a workers’ movement, smash some machines, and perhaps destroy capitalism along the way, all in one box? Count me in!"

a wide view of the upcoming board game, The Nights of King Ludd, with a quote from Fred Serval: "I love Yoni’s work on historical games, and he has a unique ability for bringing social movements to life on the table. Organize a workers’ movement, smash some machines, and perhaps destroy capitalism along the way, all in one box? Count me in!"
@yoyoni.bsky.social

I met Ashlyn Sparrow at the Medievalist Design Games symposium at UChicago. Ash is an assistant professor of Cinema Media Studies and a brilliant (& hilarious) play tester: "The Nights of King Ludd is such a neat little collaborative game with just the right amount of crunch."

Two people playing the upcoming board game "The Nights of King Ludd" with a quote from Ashlyn Sparrow: "The Nights of King Ludd is such a neat little collaborative game with just the right amount of crunch. It's great for anyone interested in playing history and looking at the labor movement of the Luddites. Remember kids, sometimes collective bargaining is most effective by starting a fire...👀"
@hawkanddovegames.bsky.socialReposted by @yoyoni.bsky.social

Two demos of Painkillers at OFJH so far. Both went well. This game is a difficult experience for players, but it delivers the argument I want very effectively. I’m very excited to show its full visual presentation soon.

A sign for Painkillers with two QR codes underneath, one to follow the game on BoardGameGeek and the other to subscribe to Hawk & Dove’s newsletter. Painkillers set up before a play.Painkillers at the end of a play. We stopped before the end but are on a trajectory to lose collectively due to overdoses getting out of control.Another demo of Painkillers after a full play. The players did not lose collectively. One player achieved his goal of keeping the overdoses below a certain level. Another achieved his goal of amassing the most personal wealth.
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