Recognizing and escaping from “monkey traps”–those ideas you just can’t seem to let go of:

http://www.koryheath.com/monkey-traps/

MicroStack Games Summer 2014 Design Contest

Deadline: July 31, 2014

Prizes: GeekGold

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1182028/summer-2014-design-contest

“Don’t be afraid to play with other games’ toys. The end result should be something that stands on its own anyway.”

— Dave Chalker (@DaveTheGame)

Stealing From Games (And A Game About Stealing)→

critical-hits:

Stealing From Games (And A Game About Stealing)

I see this a lot among game designers of all kinds, both new and experienced:

I really want to use [game mechanism X] but I worry it’ll be too much like [popular game]

I am here to set you free and tell you not…

See also: http://oakleafgames.wordpress.com/2014/05/27/stealing-from-existing-games-part-2-great-artists-steal/

“Game design is a very difficult, long, frustrating, lonely process. Stick with it. Your diligence will pay off.”

— Grant Rodiek (@HerrohGrant)

“If you’re pitching, have a good pitch. A good short pitch. Find the thing that makes your game cool, and be able to convey it quickly and clearly.”

— Chris Cieslik of Asmadi Games (@AsmadiGames)

Tips for editing a large rules paragraph:

http://danielsolisblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/tips-for-editing-large-rules-paragraph.html

Solutions to player-order advantages, in three parts:

http://kevingnunn.com/2014/05/23/the-dreaded-player-order-advantage-part-1/

http://kevingnunn.com/2014/05/28/the-dreaded-player-order-advantage-part-2/

http://kevingnunn.com/2014/05/30/the-dreaded-player-order-advantage-part-3/

The Ludology podcast answers a variety of questions about randomness in games:

http://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-81-random-acts-of-kindness

Jamey Stegmaier (@jameystegmaier) joins Board Game University to discuss Kickstarter, blind playtesting and more:

http://boardgameuniversity.libsyn.com/board-game-university-episode-33-jamey-stegmaier

Eric Lang (@eric_lang) joins Something From Nothing to discuss designing games from existing IP, knowing what your goal is, and more

The theme for the June 2014 24-hour game design contest is “gothic”:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1180826/24-hour-contest-june-2014

Cardboard Edison's Favorite Tips & Resources - May 2014

Our monthly roundup of useful advice and helpful links for board game designers features sage words about a common concern, tips for approaching publishers, a blast from the past and more:

#industry:

• Some thoughts for designers who are worried that someone will steal their game idea

#process:

• “Consume knowledge and experience as though starving. Then, go by your gut.” - Eric Lang (@eric_lang)

#licensing:

• How to approach publishers—via email or in person at conventions

#playtesting:

• Something From Nothing offers lots of advice for putting out a print-and-play
• “It is important to not make too many changes at once, and to playtest any changes you do make thoroughly, with different types of players. Take notes on what works and what doesn’t, make adjustments, and try again.” - Doug Bass of Meridae Games
• “A playtest where your game breaks? Whether it’s truly a bad playtest is up to you. It could be the most important test of your game’s development.” - Gil Hova (@gilhova)

#theory:

• A treasure trove of articles about game design from 2000 to 2005

“Pro tip: don’t bother attempting to solve issues like first mover advantage until your game is fun.”

— Eric Lang (@eric_lang)

2014 Solitaire Print and Play Contest

Deadline: Aug. 2, 2014

Prizes: GeekGold

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1179655/2014-solitaire-print-and-play-contest

Unpub 5

Feb. 6-8, 2015

Baltimore Convention Center

http://unpub.net/unpub-5/

“Master the rudiments of your craft, then develop the discipline to forget them whenever convenient.”

— Eric Lang (@eric_lang)

What makes a board game that creates a story? A Board Game Design Forum discussion:

http://www.bgdf.com/forum/game-design/topics-game-design/making-games-tell-stories

Stealing from existing games–responsibly:

http://oakleafgames.wordpress.com/2014/05/27/stealing-from-existing-games-part-2-great-artists-steal/

SEE ALSO: What is fair use?

http://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/30657/whats-up-with-fair-use-part-1-an-overview

“It turns out, you already know how to work with publishers. Treat them like people.”

— Christina Major (@delphina2k)