My name is Oliver Kinne. I am a native German speaker, originally from Germany, and I have been living in the United Kingdom for more than 25 years. Over this time, English has become my primary language, allowing me to work confidently and fluently in both German and English. I am also an Affiliate Member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), which demonstrates my commitment to professional standards in translation.
With over 15 years of experience in the tabletop games community, I bring deep cultural and linguistic knowledge to my work. I regularly play a wide variety of games, from two-player titles with my wife to four-player sessions with my weekly gaming group. This broad experience ensures that I understand the specific terminology, tone, and nuances used within the board game industry.
Beyond playing, I have supported the community in many roles. I have coached game designers, acted as a judge for game design contests, and playtested numerous games, including several that went on to be published commercially. These experiences have given me valuable insight into the creative and professional side of the industry.
I am also the creator of Tabletop Games Blog, where I publish weekly board game reviews and topic discussion articles. In addition, I co-host the Brainwaves board game news podcast. Through these platforms, I have built a reputation as an active and positive voice in the board game industry, combining passion with professional expertise.