“Setting constraints can really help the process. It seems counter-intuitive, but when you set limits - such as “this must fit in a small box” - it can actually help drive creativity.”

— Scott Almes (@Scott_Almes)

“If you just sit on your idea for 2.4yrs, someone else will publish an identical game. Go make something!”

— Corey Young (@C_M_Young)

Marbles: The Brain Store “Who’s Got Game” Game Design Competition

Theme: Pattern Games

Deadline: Aug. 1, 2014

Prize: $2,000 and publication with royalties

http://www.marblesthebrainstore.com/gotgame

When to use diagrams to clarify rules:

http://hyperbolegames.com/2014/06/18/diagramming-for-clarity/

An attempt at defining what games are:

http://oakleafgames.wordpress.com/2014/06/17/gaming-glossary-game

Matt Leacock (@mleacock) discusses co-op game design at the U.K. Games Expo

Schools of game design and their “core priorities”:

http://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/27367/schools-of-design-and-their-core-priorities

Dominic Crapuchettes of NorthStar Games (@NorthStarGames) joins Ludology to discuss designing party games, dealing with mass-market retailers, starting a game company and more:

http://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-82-party-party-evolution

10 Kickstarter mistakes to avoid, from Robert Burke (@robertburke)

Player aides and the design process:

http://mvpboardgames.blogspot.com/2014/06/dtow-7-player-aids.html

“Don’t be afraid of making your first prototype and showing it to your friends and colleagues. After this step is done, everything will be easier.”

— Nikolay Pegasov

Pros and cons of different end-game conditions:

http://www.mostdangerousgamedesign.com/2014/06/game-over-game-end-conditions.html

A tip for creating a simple prototype for a hex-tile game:

http://www.bgdf.com/forum/game-creation/prototyping/tip-building-prototyping-hex-tile-game

“Make, play, test, learn, repeat. Tenacity and stamina help, as does a little luck.”

— Matt Leacock (@mleacock)

Effective ways of showing your passion to Kickstarter backers:

http://stonemaiergames.com/kickstarter-lesson-102-passion-is-contagious/

A look at the Spiel des Jahres winners from 1990 to 2000:

http://boardsandbees.wordpress.com/2014/06/11/0361/

“The key to being a game designer is to design games. Just wishing really hard doesn’t cut the mustard.”

— Kevin Wilson (@KevinWilson42)

“The road to success is a toll road. Our failures are the toll. Accept them and keep always moving forward.”

— Kevin G. Nunn (@kgnunn)

A process for adapting other media to tabletop games:

http://kevingnunn.com/2014/06/11/writing-effective-adaptations-part-3

The biggest challenges facing independent game designers–and advice for overcoming them. A BoardGameGeek designers forum discussion:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1180369/independent-game-design-question