/
“Go the extra mile and really get a diverse set of independent playtesters. Be aware that even feedback from people you don’t view as being in the target market can positively influence your game.”
— Richard Garfield
/

Galen Ciscell, designer of Atlantis Rising, shares some lessons learned about working with a publisher on his game’s artwork and components:

If you find yourself doing the art direction for your game, know what you want ahead of time, communicate that clearly to your artist both verbally and, if possible, visually, and work with your artists from the beginning to realize your vision.

Be willing to adapt and experiment with new ideas you hadn’t considered. Publishers and artists know the business and know what is doable and what could be improved!

http://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/12580/designer-diary-atlantis-rising-or-how-atlantis-ros

/
“My advice to creators who want to develop their talent is to spend a lot of time making games. Invent game, throw away, repeat.”
— James Earnest (@cheapassjames)
/

Some semi-serious advice from Aaron Weissblum, co-designer of San Marco and other games:

Make sure you have lots of friends that really like you and are willing to spend many hours testing crappy games.

Play lots of games! When you love a game ask yourself why. When you almost love a game ask yourself what’s missing.

Quit your day job. Recent research indicates that fewer than half of people with day jobs are successful game designers.

http://www.otb-games.com/inventor-of-the-month-aaron-weissblum/

/
“Get the game on the table. You can tweak the rules forever, but it’s meaningless unless you print the game and play it.”
— Benjamin Rosset (@BenjaminRosset), designer of Mars Needs Mechanics
/

Brittania designer Lewis Pulsipher (@lewpuls) gave a wide-ranging two-hour talk at the recent World Boardgaming Championships, covering topics including:

  • the way the industry is set up and how it’s changing
  • the working processes of board game designers
  • what makes a good game
  • variety vs. replayability
  • licensing contracts
  • intellectual-property law

http://pulsiphergames.com/teaching1.htm

Direct link to mp3: http://pulsiphergames.com/presentation/Lew%20Talk%20at%20WBC%202012.mp3

Cardboard Edison’s Favorite Tips & Resources – August 2012

/
/

“HOW DO I GET A GAME PUBLISHED?” in 17 Tweets. I’m sorry, I mean “Steps.”

By John Kovalic (@muskrat_john)

STEP 1: Make a playable prototype of your game.

STEP 2: Playtest the HELL out of it. Not just with family and friends. Most importantly, with people with no vested interest in your sanity.

STEP 3: Keep playtesting it.

STEP 4: No. Seriously. KEEP PLAYTESTING THE DAMN THING, until you’re SICK of it. Then playtest some more.

STEP 5: Go to gaming conventions. Talk with people who own companies. Ask them about their submission process. Buy them beers.

STEP 6: Hey! Look! There’s some free time! Just right for some more PLAYTESTING!

STEP 7: Work on more prototypes to send to companies. Make these the best you can.

STEP 8: Unless you want to FOUND your own gaming company.

STEP 9: YOU DO NOT WANT TO FOUND YOUR OWN GAMING COMPANY!

STEP 10: Is it a day ending in “Y”? Time for more playtesting.

STEP 11: Send out your prototypes. Follow the companies’ submission guidelines TO THE LETTER.

STEP 12: No. Really. TO THE LETTER! If you can’t follow THEIR rules, why should they trust yours?

STEP 13: Be prepared for rejection. Do not let rejection break you.

STEP 14: Accept some of the criticism. It’s nothing personal. Some may be hooey, but some may do you good.

STEP 15: Do not get defensive. NO, JUST DON’T. Send out polite, professional “Thank you"s. Hope they are willing to keep in touch.

STEP 16: Send out more prototypes. Set up more playtests. Did someone say "PLAYTESTS”?

STEP 17: Repeat until you get accepted, or start working on your next game.

/
“Focus is the key to move from someone with a great game idea to a game designer with a great game.”
— Jesse Catron (@ktronod)