Butter up your playtesters by creating a fun and comfortable environment:

http://bellwethergames.com/component/content/article/1-latest-news/208-playtesting-2-buttering-them-up.html

Queen Games “Escape: The Curse of the Temple” Design Contest

Details: design an expansion to Queen’s game Escape

Deadline: Feb. 7, 2013

Prize: possible publication

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/152579/queen-games-escape-the-curse-of-the-temple-design

Game Salute (@GameSalute) is accepting proposals to fill its line of games based on The Princess Bride:

http://gamesalute.com/princess-bride-announcement/

Viticulture co-designer Jamey Stegmaier (@jameystegmaier) joins the Funding the Dream podcast (@FundtheDream) with ideas for attracting Kickstarter backers and forging relationships with them:

http://www.buzzsprout.com/4646/74831-funding-the-dream-ep-116-jamey-stegmaier-viticulture

The Ludology podcast discusses feedback loops:

http://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-48-fun-with-feedback

What types of emotions can board games elicit in players? A BoardGameGeek designers forum discussion:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/920897/boardgames-and-emotions

“Anyone creative can generate an idea. Most designers can cut moderate to bad ideas. Good designers need to cut good ideas, too.”

— Eric Lang (@eric_lang)

“When I run into game design challenges, I try to think like a sculptor instead of a painter. Take more off.”

— Corey Young (@hakubak)

Designers panel from Unpub 3

The Plaid Hat Games (@PlaidHatGames) crew discusses how time can be used in board games:

http://www.plaidhatgames.com/podcast/78

“I’m a big believer in not writing the first draft rules for my games. I learn a lot by reading another writer’s interpretation.”

— Eric Lang (@eric_lang)

What makes a game fun? The Reddit community weighs in:

http://www.reddit.com/r/tabletopgamedesign/comments/171udg/id_like_to_know_what_makes_a_game_fun_for_you/

Tips for creating your Kickstarter project video:

http://stonemaiergames.com/2013/01/23/kickstarter-lesson-6-the-project-video

James Mathe of Minion Games (@MinionGames) answers many of the most common questions that new designers have:

http://www.jamesmathe.com/myth-busters-board-game-designers-episode/

The designers of The Lord of the Rings Dice Building Game–Brett Myers (@brettspiel) and Jeph Stahl (@BoardGameBrewer)–discuss collaboration, deck (and dice) building, working with an existing property and more:

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/16456/the-lord-of-the-rings-dice-building-game

An extensive glossary of terms used in board gaming and game design:

http://islaythedragon.com/guides/guide-to-gaming-what-do-all-these-terms-mean/

How to use Google+ for playtesting:

http://bellwethergames.com/component/content/article/1-latest-news/207-playtesting-2-uses-of-google.html

So you want to start a board game company? James Mathe of Minion Games (@MinionGames) gives the 10,000 foot view of what it takes to make a hobby board game these days:

http://www.jamesmathe.com/10000-feet-to-publishing-a-board-game/

Publishers panel from Unpub 3

The Boardroomers February Game Design Contest

Deadline: Feb. 14

Details: restricted components

Prizes: logo and art work, and your game published on boardroomers.com

http://www.boardroomers.com/february-game-design-contest/