Keith Burgun (@keithburgun) on the differences between toys, puzzles, contests and games:

http://keithburgun.net/game-systems-as-engines/

Cardboard Edison's Favorite Tips & Resources - February 2013

For our monthly roundups of board game design links, we pick out the ones we’ve found the most useful.

Here are our picks for last month:

#theory:

• Guidelines for good game design, from Reddit users
• Tips for creating a scoring system
• How to make games for everyone–some things that turn off non-gamers

#process:

• “In the end, game design comes down to discipline. We all need inspiration, but the best designers are those who can focus that inspiration and push their minds beyond the easy answers to find innovation in an already-innovative field.” - Jeffrey D. Allers

#playtesting:

• How to be a good playtester (and get the most from yours)
• “It isn’t so important that YOUR assertions and theories on your design are correct. Much more that the game is fun.” - Grant Rodiek

#licensing:

• Courting a game publisher–do’s and don’ts

#industry:

• A lengthy list of links to resources for board game designers
• Seven principles for making the most of a convention as a designer

When most playtesters are complaining that something is too weak or too strong…should you change it?

http://www.sirlin.net/blog/2013/3/3/the-playtesters-are-saying-to-do-x.html

The way to know when you’ve made the greatest game you can:

http://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/16933/the-way-to-know-when-youve-made-the-greatest-game

James Ernest (@cheapassjames) and Jason Morningstar (@jmstar) discuss the right way to use randomness in game design (audio):

http://www.genesisoflegend.com/2013/03/episode-18-volatility-in-game-design/

Michael Keller (@vhgames) joins the On Board Games podcast (@OnBoardGames) to discuss best practices for playtesting, offering numerous tips for getting the most out of the process:

http://onboardgames.libsyn.com/obg-102-pass-your-playtest

Mark Rosewater (@maro254) discusses synergy in game designs, finding your internal theme and more:

http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/mm/236

The Plaid Hat Games crew (@PlaidHatGames) discusses what works and what doesn't when using licensed properties in board games: 

http://www.plaidhatgames.com/podcast/83

Pointers for your Kickstarter launch day:

http://stonemaiergames.com/2013/03/01/kickstarter-lesson-16-launch-day/

On strategic diversity and tactical diversity:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/938567/strategic-diversity-versus-tactical-diversity-un

“How to be a good playtester”: Also useful so you can tell your playtesters what your expectations are:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/938100/10-playtest-principles-advice-on-how-to-be-a-goo

How players’ expectations can be shaped before going into a game:

Part 1: http://3dtotalgames.com/expectations/

Part 2: http://3dtotalgames.com/expectations2/

Tips for writing an FAQ and previewing your Kickstarter page before launching:

http://stonemaiergames.com/2013/02/26/kickstarter-lesson-15-finishing-touches-faq-and-preview/

Reddit’s tabletop game design community weighs in on a list of guidelines for good game design:

http://www.reddit.com/r/tabletopgamedesign/comments/193nde/guidelines_of_game_design_with_examples/

James Mathe of Minion Games (@MinionGames) crunches the data to bust myths about Kickstarter and referrals, ads, social media and more:

http://www.jamesmathe.com/myth-busters-kickstarter-referrer-page/

Marbles 2013 Game Design Challenge

Design a desktop toy or game

Prize: $2,000 and distribution at Marbles stores

Deadline: April 1, 2013

http://www.marblesthebrainstore.com/design-challenge-2013

The Plaid Hat Podcast (@PlaidHatGames) talks about how inspiration happens and how to encourage creativity and design:

http://www.plaidhatgames.com/podcast/82

Jamey Stegmeier (@jameystegmeier) joins the Funding the Dream podcast (@FundtheDream) to share some out-of-the-box ideas about Kickstarter goals and marketing:

http://www.buzzsprout.com/4646/78400-funding-the-dream-on-kickstarter-ep-123-jamey-stegmaier

A long post covering the pros and cons of several print-on-demand card publishers:

http://www.bgdf.com/node/7882

Considerations for creating add-ons to your Kickstarter rewards:

http://stonemaiergames.com/2013/02/24/kickstarter-lesson-14-the-value-of-add-ons/