“Rule of thumb for game design, at least for me–information is twice as overwhelming than you’ll typically consider when conceptualizing.”

— J. Alex Kevern (@AlexWithIdeas)

Designing your first board game? Stop and read these six tips first:

http://richdurham.wordpress.com/2014/03/24/diving-into-your-first-game-design-stop-right-now/

“If all you get is positive feedback, the hairs on the back of your neck better be standing up. It means you have friends, not play-testers.”

— Luke Peterschmidt (via tcpettyiii)

Scoring intervals: fixed, variable and player-controlled:

http://kevingnunn.com/2014/03/21/scoring-frequency/

The value of finding “ambassadors” for your games:

http://stonemaiergames.com/live-blogging-lesson-2-the-value-of-ambassadors/

A view of gamers that challenges the traditional family games/hobby games split:

http://casualgamerevolution.com/blog/2014/03/hierarchy-of-gamers-where-are-the-lines-drawn

Make and print your own grid paper:

http://gridzzly.com/

The Boardroomers (@Boardroomers) discuss gamers’ expectations for manufacturing, value and pricing

Hope, fear and the narrative arc in games:

http://illuminatinggames.wordpress.com/2011/04/11/hamlets-hit-points-for-boardgamers/

Using the logical concepts of completeness and consistency in game design:

http://oakleafgames.wordpress.com/2014/03/09/logical-completeness-and-consistency-in-game-design/

Lessons in Kickstarter scope creep:

http://www.albinodragon.com/blog/book-1-the-pain-of-the-wind-a-lesson-in-scale/

Some categories of games, based on how players use them:

http://pulsiphergamedesign.blogspot.com/2014/03/categorizing-board-and-card-games-by-use.html

Thoughts on variants:

http://hyperbolegames.com/2014/03/18/your-variance-is-showing/

Tips for offering custom art to Kickstarter backers:

http://stonemaiergames.com/kickstarter-lesson-87-custom-art/

Takeaways from Protospiel Houston, useful for any playtesting event:

http://kevingnunn.com/2014/03/18/getting-the-most-from-protospiel-part-4/

Thoughts on using legacy elements in a euro-style game:

http://oakleafgames.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/legacy-elements-in-a-euro-game/

How important is it to have tiebreakers? A BoardGameGeek designers forum discussion:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1140873/how-critical-are-tie-breakers-to-determine-winners

Should beginning designers start with small games? A BoardGameGeek designers forum discussion:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1140247/should-beginners-start-with-small-games

On Board Games (@OnBoardGames) discusses balance in board games:

http://onboardgames.libsyn.com/obg-128-balance-sheet

Lagoon designer David Chott (@3haresgames) on how preparation laid the groundwork for a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign:

http://www.happymittengames.com/interview-david-chott-designer-lagoon-land-druids/