An open, limited-time offer to create free art bits for board games:
How to be taken seriously by publishers:
http://pulsiphergamedesign.blogspot.com/2012/09/getting-foot-into-professional-tabletop.html
James Ernest (@cheapassjames) on the biggest obstacle to becoming a game designer:
There are two definitions of “game designer.” They are “creator” and “developer” or maybe “inventor” and “refiner.” These are both important jobs and you don’t usually find them both in the same person.
“Refiners” need their adult brains turned on. They need to be critical, ask questions, test, and fix broken games. As such, people who tend to live in their adult mode all the time make better refiners.
“Inventors” need their adult brains to shut up. When you’re making something new, everything needs to be awesome. You need to stop second-guessing every spark before you manage to light the fire. You need to stop fixing the leaks before the ship is built. So people who can think with their child brains make better Inventors.
I’d say the biggest obstacle to your becoming a well-rounded game designer is your natural tendency to spend all your waking life thinking with your adult brain.
http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/zq14c/im_james_ernest_president_of_cheapass_games_and/c66rnwz
The Boardroomers (@Boardroomers) discuss Kickstarter from the perspectives of publishers and consumers.
Topics covered include stretch goals and exclusives, running multiple campaigns, engaging with backers and promoting a campaign.
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oYIvUyYic4&feature=plcp
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU0zfY712RA&feature=plcp
Ignacy Trzewiczek (@trzewik) of Portal Publishing discusses gaming in Poland, surprising themes for board games, designing asymmetric games and more, on the G*M*S Magazine Podcast (@gmsmagazine):
http://www.gmsmagazine.com/podcasts/the-gms-magazine-podcast-episode-57portal-with-ignacy
An open offer to copy-edit your rulebook:
http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/854618/dont-send-out-grammatically-crappy-misspelly-ruleb
Examples of cards with awesome graphic design:
http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/853365/examples-of-cards-with-awesome-graphic-design
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
Free Webinar: Mastering Kickstarter and Crowdfunding
Sept. 18, 2012, at 9:00 AM PDT
http://www.thegamewhisperer.com/2012/09/mastering-kickstarter-and-crowdfunding-webinar.html
Answering the question: “What will a player do on his or her turn?”
Pros and cons for the different options:
Part 1: http://hyperbolegames.com/2012/09/06/disorderly-conduct/
Part 2: http://hyperbolegames.com/2012/09/06/disorderly-conduct-part-2/
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/
Some panels at Escapist Expo that might interest board game designers:
http://danielsolisblog.blogspot.com/2012/09/ill-be-at-escapist-expo.html
