The Dark Imp Blog
An exhausting digital treasure hunt
Last week we spent the week in Wales. We had a holiday rental at Plas Talgarth near Machynlleth. The first time I visited Plas Talgarth was in 1979 when I was 3. We went every year for the whole of my childhood - one week in the summer and later a second week at New...
Video: Why board games are perfect for family holidays
If you're off on holiday in the next few weeks, make sure you are armed with some board games. Family holidays are a perfect time to try a new game. There are fewer distractions, more time and less stress. Plus the expectation from everyone is that you will all spend...
Update: Three reviews and a podcast
Cards or Die Cracker Games Review The first review of the Cracker Games is in... and it's a goodie! "I have bought more expensive crackers but even the higher end of the cracker 'gift' range includes a lot of useless tat. The Dark Imp Christmas Cracker offers...
Alfie reviews… Dead & Breakfast
Alfie Dix, 17, reviews board games that he plays with the family and subsequently with groups of friends. Here’s his review of Dead & Breakfast. Enjoy your stay? Unlikely! If only hospitality was a concern in this game of monsters and managers. In the twisted...
Update: More reviews and a free magazine!
Board Game Gumbo Review BuzzleBox 2: Doughnuts & Cake has had a lovely new review from the American site - Board Game Gumbo. Here are some quotes: "I’m trying to make this review sound like the kids were excited about opening all of this stuff up, and sure, they...
Paul Sharman’s Eight Games
In Eight Games different board gamers share the eight games they’d select in eight different situations. The links are given to Board Game Geek listings for you to find out more. This month Paul Sharman chooses his eight games. Paul is a board and card game...
Finding time to play board games
Whenever I meet a family that doesn’t play many (or any) board games, I ask the parents why. Sometimes the response is about the cost of games. Sometimes parents struggle to prize the kids off their phones. Sometimes it’s that board games cause arguments and they want...
Video: Behind the scenes at Dark Imp HQ
Have a look around the home office of Ellie Dix, owner of The Dark Imp. It's a multi-purpose room... storage, design workshop, office, recording studio and a guest bedroom! https://youtu.be/6PfV3TVUi_M
Update: A live show and a Hungarian review
A Live Show On Wednesday evening I guested on the "Nick & Andru Show" on the Zatu Games Facebook Page. The show is based around a board game quiz. I was told not to worry about the quiz and that it would be simple. It wasn't. I lost. I've definitely not played or...
Squares in Line
Squares in Line is a 2-player pencil and paper game, a little bit like the classic game Boxes. To play, you'll need some squared paper. Download and print some here, or draw your own. Start with a square of 7x7 or 8x8 boxes. On your turn, choose a box and put your...
Video: Why Sleuth Box is a perfect activity for Maths lessons
Ellie explains why the coaster game Sleuth Box is a perfect activity for teachers and tutors to use in Maths lessons. Sleuth Box can be played in pairs, table groups or as a 'beat the teacher' style challenge. It's quick and easy to get started: games last 3-5...
Update: Semi-finals here we come!
The Board Game Design Workshop 2020 Contest I'm thrilled to be a semi-finalist in the 2020 Board Game Design Workshop Contest with my game Uranus! The top 20 games from round 1 have gone through to the semis (Uranus! was placed in 10th position). These are the full...