“Problem-driven game design”–focus on specific, well-articulated problems and questions:

http://www.koryheath.com/problem-driven-game-design/

“Design a game you like to play. Because you’ll play it lots in testing (incl. bad versions), at demos for cons, and at your FLGS.”

— Dave Chalker (@DaveTheGame)

Calls to action for Kickstarter backers–without project creep:

http://stonemaiergames.com/kickstarter-lesson-89-project-creep/

Maintaining players’ suspension of disbelief:

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/29094/queue-the-theme-music-here-comes-the-slo-mo-walk

“Every theme is pasted on, but the secret is to avoid breaking players out of their suspended reality.”

— Ben Pinchback (@pinchback21)

Graham Russell (@colorninja), designer of The Fittest, discusses social games, the moment when a design stops feeling like work, “making that last cut” and more:

http://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/28886/graham-russell-on-the-fittest

“It’s rare to sell a game after showing it to just one publisher. Selling a prototype can often take months or years, and many prototypes go unsold.”

— Alan R. Moon

Geoff Engelstein (@gengelstein) discusses humor in games, real-time games, “making stupid things happen” and more:

http://www.shutupandsitdown.com/blog/post/actual-interview-space-cadets/

Considerations when using colors, art and keywords to convey information to players:

http://kevingnunn.com/2014/04/02/icons-vs-text-part-3/

Thinking about games in terms of how well they suit less-than-perfect players:

http://www.3dtotalgames.com/perfect-player/

Six things that make a game approachable for new players:

http://www.gamesprecipice.com/intro-to-approachability/

Can “playing the odds” offer a compelling game experience? A Reddit tabletop game design forum discussion:

http://www.reddit.com/r/tabletopgamedesign/comments/21xmfj/is_playing_the_odds_fun/

Different ways of creating a semi-coop game. A Reddit tabletop game design forum discussion:

http://www.reddit.com/r/tabletopgamedesign/comments/21xr20/competitive_games_that_require_cooperative_actions/

“Are you following me to figure out how to get published as a game designer? Play lots of games and be nice to everyone you meet. The end.”

— Chris Darden (@cbdarden)

Jamey Stegmaier (@jameystegmaier) and Game Salute (@GameSalute) discuss money-back guarantees:

http://gamesalute.libsyn.com/21-game-salute-satisfaction-guaranteed-with-jamey-stegmaier

“Work hard so that you can work with the people you most respect who can teach you the most. Don’t partner with fools.”

— Grant Rodiek (@HerrohGrant)

The theme for the April 2014 24-Hour Contest is “Ninja”:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1148721/24-hour-contest-april-2014

Board Game Design Forum’s April 2014 Game Design Showdown

Design a game for only two players that uses bluffing and misdirection

Deadline: April 8, 2014

http://www.bgdf.com/forum/game-design/game-design-showdown/gds-april-2014-fool-me-once

A detailed look at four U.S. card game manufacturers:

http://gotgeniusgames.com/kickstarter-topic-4-manufacturing-a-card-game/

Cardboard Edison's Favorite Tips & Resources - March 2014

Our monthly roundup of links and quotes for board game designers is here! This month features some important information for first-time designers, a useful tool for making grid paper, a valuable list of things that should be in a licensing contract and more:

#industry:

• Designing your first board game? Stop and read these six tips first
• The tools to create a niche game are available to you

#process:

• “You want to design games? You should be playing games. If you have not experienced great games it is doubtful that you will create one.”–Don Lloyd (@knightworks)

#prototyping:

• Make and print your own grid paper

#playtesting:

• The Impressions Vidcast discusses attending unpublished-games events, and setting one up yourself

#licensing:

• What to look for when signing a contract with a publisher

#theory:

• Recommended reading for game designers
• Tips for reimagining well-established game genres
• The Winner’s Curse: a primer for board gamers