“If you are a game designer – then surround yourself with other game designers!! You learn so much – even if you just playtest their games all the time.”

— Jay Cormier

Nothing Personal co-designer Stephen Avery (@Stephen_Avery) offers advice for working with publishers:

http://goforthandgame.com/2013/11/11/a-conversation-with-stephen-avery-co-designer-of-nothing-personal/

Tips for how to get out of the designer doldrums:

http://boardsandbarley.com/2013/11/14/designer-doldrums-and-how-to-get-out/

Reasons to participate in a 24-hour game design contest:

http://www.cardboardrepublic.com/articles/the-podium/designing-under-pressure-creativity-through-limitations

On Board Games (@OnBoardGames) discusses deck-building games:

http://onboardgames.libsyn.com/obg-120-shuffleupagus

The SnakesCast takes a high-level look at auctions in games: different methods and common pitfalls:

http://podcast.snakesandlattes.com/uploads/34/Goinggoinggone.mp3

A look at more than 20 board game manufacturers, with pros and cons for each:

http://www.jamesmathe.com/hitchhikers-guide-to-game-manufacturers/

When should you use variable player powers? A BoardGameGeek designers forum discussion:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1067691/character-powers

Dice Hate Me (@dicehateme) is running a 54-card game design challenge, with the winner receiving publication (details at 2:04):

http://www.buzzsprout.com/3256/128220-the-one-about-your-right-to-party

Advice for attending the Spiel gaming convention in Germany as a Kickstarter board game publisher:

http://www.stonemaiergames.com/4-great-reasons-for-kickstarter-game-creators-to-attend-essen-spiel/

“Have fun! If you’re not enjoying it, then what the hell is the point?”

— Alan Gerding, co-creator of Two Rooms and a Boom

Thoughts on mapping theme to mechanics for a well-integrated theme:

https://oakleafgames.wordpress.com/2013/10/19/game-theory-isomorphism/

Exceptions in games: When are they appropriate?

http://www.mostdangerousgamedesign.com/2013/11/investigating-exceptions.html

Thoughts on using carrots or sticks in a design:

http://3dtotalgames.com/carrot-vs-stick/

“I don’t recommend building a medium or large game for your first design. Start simple. Design time scales exponentially with complexity.”

— Jay Treat (@jtreat3)

Jamey Stegmaier (@jameystegmaier) discusses how to get low-cost international shipping on the Funding the Dream podcast (@FundtheDream):

http://www.buzzsprout.com/4646/128546-free-international-shipping-on-kickstarter-ep-170-w-co-host-jamey-stegmaier

Matt Worden (@MattWordenGames) discusses fitting game design into real life on the Happy Mitten Games podcast (@HappyMitten):

http://www.happymittengames.com/16/

January 2014 is 4P Month–playtest your games four times in one month:

http://gil.hova.net/2013/11/05/january-2014-will-be-4p-month/

“Don’t dismiss your idea as tough or not important, but work on it and support it.”

— Babis Giannios, designer of Shadows Over the Empire

The theme for the November 2013 BoardGameGeek 24-Hour Contest is “map”:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1064485/24-hour-contest-november-2013