Thoughts on external balance in board games–symmetry, asymmetry and perceived balance:

http://www.gamesprecipice.com/external-balance/

2014 Two-Player Print-and-Play Contest

Deadline: April 30, 2014

Prize: GeekGold

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1108859/2014-two-player-print-and-play-contest

The Game Design Round Table discusses the role of theme in board games with designer Rob Daviau (@robdaviaugamer):

http://thegamedesignroundtable.com/2014/01/21/episode-63-theme/

“Don’t get defensive when people suggest something about your game. Listen carefully, understand them, then think. Hard.”

— Doug Levandowski (@meltdowngames)

“Don’t just share your ideas, give them away. Don’t just give feedback, get involved. You will be repaid tenfold.”

— Andrew Lenox (@andy_lenox)

Tips for a great playtesting event:

http://danielsolisblog.blogspot.com/2014/01/4-reasons-why-unpub4-was-great-and-how.html

Phil Kilcrease of 5th Street Games (@5thstreetgames) discusses Kickstarter for board games on the Building the Game podcast (@PodcastBTG):

http://www.buildingthegamepodcast.com/2014/01/19/episode-86-phil-kilcrease-and-his-kickstarter-wisdom/

How to identify your game’s “core engagement”:

http://kevingnunn.com/2014/01/18/finding-and-serving-your-core-engagement-part-2/

What you need to attend Unpub (or any other playtesting event):

http://unpub.net/attending-an-unpub-event/

Michael Mindes of Tasty Minstrel Games (@TastyMinstrel) discusses Kickstarter and new business models on two episodes of Funding the Dream (@FundTheDream):

http://www.buzzsprout.com/4646/142988-ep-181key-ingredients-to-kickstarter-success-with-michael-mindes-part-i

http://www.buzzsprout.com/4646/143211-ep-182-building-a-hybrid-business-model-with-kickstarter-guest-michael-mindes-part-2

Uwe Eichert of Academy Games discusses managing a customer base and building niche markets on two episodes of Funding the Dream (@FundTheDream):

http://www.buzzsprout.com/4646/141455-ep-178-uwe-eickert-with-academy-games-building-a-customer-base

http://www.buzzsprout.com/4646/142771-ep-180-building-niche-markets-with-uwe-eickert

How to pitch a publisher on your game–advice from Crash Games (@Crash_Games)

1. Have a completely playable game
2. Know how to pitch me your game
3. Have well written rules
4. A fancy prototype isn’t necessary but does help your game pop
5. Relax and have fun, this is supposed to be fun

http://crashgamesaz.com/unpub-4-how-to-pitch-me-your-game/

Lessons Learned: Insights, Mistakes, and Solutions for Offering Worldwide Shipping on Kickstarter

http://www.stonemaiergames.com/lessons-learned-insights-mistakes-and-solutions-for-offering-worldwide-shipping-on-kickstarter/

“If you haven’t extensively tested your game designs, don’t bother asking a publisher to do so.”

— Byron Collins (@CEWargames)

Brad Talton Jr. of Level 99 Games (@Level99Games) on being a full-time game publisher, running a Kickstarter campaign, knowing what you’re capable of, and more:

http://www.boardgamequest.com/interview-with-brad-talton-jr-of-level-99-games/

On internal balance: eliminating false decisions and regulating dominant strategies:

http://www.gamesprecipice.com/internal-balance/

“Eyes on the prize. What are players trying to accomplish in your game? Rules more than one step removed from this are superfluous.”

— Eric Lang (@eric_lang)

Finding and serving your game’s core engagement: What do players do in this game?

http://kevingnunn.com/2014/01/14/009-finding-and-serving-your-core-engagement-part-1/

Colby Dauch of Plaid Hat Games (@PlaidHatGames) discusses creating an infrastructure for a publishing company, designing from theme, and more:

http://hyperbolegames.com/2014/01/15/an-interview-with-colby-dauch/

The SnakesCast discusses runaway leaders (mp3):

http://podcast.snakesandlattes.com/uploads/43/RunawayLeader.mp3

SEE ALSO:

http://cardboardedison.tumblr.com/post/73265456764/guest-post-matthew-effect