When winning isn’t the point

The beauty of playing games is getting to dwell in multiple realities, one game at a time.

From chasing the Dark Lady in Black Sonata, fighting monsters in One Card Dungeon, to saving lives in Call the Doctor, you end up with a whole spectrum of personalities waiting to burst into action when needed.

While most of my personalities lean toward chaotic, adrenaline-rushed adventures, there’s one sitting quietly in the corner, waiting for a game that lets me unwind. No final boss battle. No rush. Can you relate?

If so, you’ll like this game. And if not, check it out anyway!

Rolling Village is a free roll-and-write designed by Diego Di Maggio, the creator of Lantern, a game I keep coming back to. In Rolling Village, you shape your village by building (drawing) houses, lakes, forests, and town squares, with the dice and your own choices steering the way. Print a sheet, grab a pair of dice, a pen, and you’re good to go.

You can play with a pen/pencil, but it’s one of those games where colors fit in naturally, as you can associate them with each element you draw. Using different markers turns the sheet into something closer to a canvas than a scorecard. Halfway through a game, you may find yourself caring more about how your village looks than how many points it’s worth!

I played Rolling Village solo and with a group, and the solo experience really stood out for me. It quickly became a go-to after a stressful day. A break from competitive energy. A moment to slow down, roll dice, and color without rushing.

Rolling Village is available for free on BoardGameGeek. If you’re looking for a game that helps you unwind, then pick up some coloring pens, get a nice playlist going, and let winning take a back seat for a while.

Click to read my detailed blog on Rolling Village [includes link to game file]

PS: Loved how reMarkable put together this free ebook for reflecting on the past year and planning the next with clarity.

I already gave it a go, and it’s well worth checking out if you’re curious. 👇

Start your year with clarity

Written by Shane Parrish and reMarkable, this workbook helps you pause and reflect. Rather than add pressure, it relieves it, bringing clarity to what truly matters.


A simple reset for January. A thoughtful way to review your year.

Download the workbook