I Make Stuff

Welcome to James Ernest’s Blog.

This journal page includes an assortment of convention recaps and travel videos, with information about new games in progress.

If you’d like to see where James Ernest is headed next, jump over to the Schedule page.

If you’d like to read and watch more serious design-related stuff, jump over to the Lecture Hall.

If you’re interested in his graphic design portfolio (and who wouldn’t be?) check out the Gallery.

And if you’re interested in short works of fiction, please visit the Library.

Travel Videos

Here is an assortment of James Ernest’'s entertaining travel and leisure videos, also available on his YouTube channel.

Holiday Gifts: James Ernest unboxes a new puzzle, Winter 2025.

James Ernest and friends visit the Las Vegas Renfaire, October 2024

James and Nora sai on the BGG Cruise, Summer 2019

James Ernest visits OrcaCon in Seattle, January 2025

James Ernest and family sail on the JoCo Cruise, March 2024

James Ernest visits Game Storm 2019 with memories of Cheapass Games.

James Ernest visits PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia, December 2024

James Ernest travels to GameStorm for a busy weekend of gaming, in March 2024

James Ernest and friends visit Gen Con in Indianapolis, 2019

A Lego Project, Among Others
James Ernest James Ernest

A Lego Project, Among Others

This Lego model is clearly a bit janky, and that’s because I limited myself to using only the pieces in the tree house.

Read More
Let’s Revisit Ancient Rome
James Ernest James Ernest

Let’s Revisit Ancient Rome

I want to let everyone know that I’m working on Gloria Mundi again, and perhaps even whet your appetite for a new open beta version in the fall.

Read More
And Now It Is Summer
James Ernest James Ernest

And Now It Is Summer

This photo is from our most recent three-player test of After the Fog, which I continue to spread whenever I get a chance.

Read More
Taste the Difference
James Ernest James Ernest

Taste the Difference

This project started several months ago, when I suddenly became obsessed with making an ad for cigars from Crab Fragment Cay.

Read More
Sheltered in the Palace
James Ernest James Ernest

Sheltered in the Palace

The problem is pretty obvious: making new games requires playtesters, starting essentially on day one.

Read More
Say Hello to Ricochet Poker
James Ernest James Ernest

Say Hello to Ricochet Poker

In the mid-2000’s, I launched a campaign to sell an actual casino game to an actual casino. After fifteen years, I am getting very, very close.

Read More
After the Fog
James Ernest James Ernest

After the Fog

These days, my biggest game is After the Fog. This has been a long and complicated project, and it’s nearly finished.

Read More
Picture Day
James Ernest James Ernest

Picture Day

There’s nothing like updating your head shot to make you feel old.

Read More
It Begins
James Ernest James Ernest

It Begins

I’ve been constructing the idea of Crab Fragment Games for about a year now, based on a throw-away logo that I made for a design lecture in 2018.

Read More