Lots of advice for running a playtest and handling feedback, on the Something From Nothing vidcast

The Something From Nothing vidcast discusses staying motivated and other topics of interest to designers

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/