“Practical Game Theory” presentation from PAX 2013: applying game theory to board games

Tips for running a solo playtest:

http://gil.hova.net/2013/12/16/solo-playtesting/

The Ludology podcast discusses “dudes on a map” and area-control games with Steve Kendall of the Ragnar Brothers:

http://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-71-dude-where-s-my-map

The Building the Game podcast (@PodcastBTG) offers various prototyping tips:

http://www.buildingthegamepodcast.com/2013/12/15/episode-81-prototypes-and-toy-stores/

“Mastering Game Mechanics” presentation from PAX East 2013–an overview of various game mechanics and when designers might want to use them

Modern-day settings in board games: the BoardGameGeek designers forum suggests things to keep in mind:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1086780/stigma-against-present-day-realistic

Ways to get players invested in their character:

http://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/25709/invest-me-getting-me-to-engage-in-a-game

Advice for new board game publishers, from Melanie James of Stratus Games (@StratusGames):

1. define your brand and target audience as specifically as possible early on
2. you cannot please everyone, so don’t try
3. be ready to adapt to change
4. always pay attention to what your customers want (not what you want)
5. don’t underestimate the power of networking
6. be sure to budget for marketing expenses

http://casualgamerevolution.com/blog/2013/12/a-conversation-with-rob-bartel-of-famous-games-co

The Impressions Vidcast discusses the ‘politics’ of soliciting your game into distributors

Examples of elegant accounting tools in board game designs:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1085021/building-accounting-tools-into-your-design

Variants and optional rules: the BoardGameGeek designers forum weighs the pros and cons:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1085213/are-optional-rules-good

The purpose of a pitch: on the importance of engaging backers in your Kickstarter campaign:

http://www.stonemaiergames.com/kickstarter-lesson-73-the-art-of-pitching/

Big games vs. small games–considerations for designers and publishers:

http://nothingsacredgames.com/all-games-big-and-small/

A look at several games that let players make up the rules:

http://3dtotalgames.com/making-rules-go-along/

The Building the Game podcast (@PodcastBTG) discusses ways to build a community of supporters:

http://www.buildingthegamepodcast.com/2013/12/08/episode-80-exploding-beer-and-other-stuff/

A chart of board game distribution companies:

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

A close look at the board game Kickstarter campaigns that failed in 2013:

http://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/25472/kickstarter-analytics-2013-failures

Board Game Design Forum’s December 2013 Game Design Showdown - “The Gifting Season”

Create a game where players must give some component to other players

Deadline: Dec. 9, 2013

http://www.bgdf.com/node/13622

On audience feedback: “Realize that your game can’t be everything for everyone - even within the intended audience.”

http://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/25469/a-designers-perspective-on-audience-feedback

Geoff Engelstein (@gengelstein) on player experience, playtesting, promotion and more:

http://www.mofbg.co.uk/2013/11/geoff-engelstein-interview-part-1-of-4.html

http://www.mofbg.co.uk/2013/11/geoff-engelstein-interview-part-2-of-4.html

http://www.mofbg.co.uk/2013/11/geoff-engelstein-interview-part-3-of-4.html

http://www.mofbg.co.uk/2013/11/geoff-engelstein-interview-part-4-of-4.html