Last weekend, I had the joy of attending Unpub 6 in Baltimore. In honor of National Haiku Poetry Day (April 17th), and perhaps to provide you a zen-like respite from the mental strain of tax day, I will now share my Unpub-in-Review Haiku.

Take no offense, lad
With two thousand playtesters
You can’t please them all

Game need something more?
Complexity is easy
Depth is far greater

Game design rock stars
Can my hair be like Eric Lang’s?
Hashtag, new life goal

Furrowed brows and sighs
Bursts of laughter and surprise
Tell more than feedback

Who has time to eat?
Too many games to be played
Bring me Chipotle

Sure, pitch me your game
Then ask if I want to play
There is more to see

Shared experience
Break from our reality
This is why we play

What diversity
Halflings, bonsai, space stations
Need more syllables

This sell sheet numbs me
Ever heard of bullet points?
Hashtag, wall of text

Many games are played
Only a handful are signed
Diamonds in the rough

Demo’ing my game
Should have bathroomed earlier
Someone please win now

Lanterns fans, rejoice
Expansion is coming soon
Launch colored fireworks

Royalty Rumble
Elbow Caesar in the face
Tap out–of control

Each game’s a baby
Coddled, nurtured, cared for, loved
Remember: Be kind

Convention hall closed
Oh well. Hotel lobby now
What is this “sleep” thing

GAME DESIGNER’S LIFE
TO WORK IS PLAY, PLAY IS WORK
LUCKY FOLKS ARE WE