“No one wants to read the rules (well, almost no one). Don’t give the reader any more reason to regret having to read them, than he or she has to begin with!”

— Dr. Lewis Pulsipher (@lewpuls)

Advice for making rules-reading less painful than it has to be

The Meeple Syrup vidcast discusses how Kickstarter is changing the process of game design

Why it’s worth entering design contests–and what to expect when you do:

http://www.leagueofgamemakers.com/game-design-contests-are-they-worth-it/

What gives a game a rewarding moment for players?

http://hyperbolegames.com/2014/09/15/pre-baking-with-dopamine/

The best opening lines for Kickstarter project updates and backer emails:

http://stonemaiergames.com/kickstarter-lesson-115-the-best-opening-lines-for-project-updates-and-backer-e-mails/

“Give yourself license to pursue your idea. Get out of your own way. Ideas don’t have to be perfect.”

— Matt Kirby, creator of Apples to Apples

6 tips for designers to make their game more replayable:

http://www.mofbg.co.uk/2014/09/lessons-on-re-playability.html

SEE ALSO: http://hyperbolegames.com/2014/09/11/designing-for-the-deep-dive/

How to do Kickstarter outreach: reviews, previews, interviews, podcasts and game stores:

http://nothingsacredgames.com/shadow-throne-kickstarter-outreach-part-i/

Hippodice Game Designer Competition 2015

Application deadline: Nov. 1, 2014

Prototype deadline: Dec. 6, 2014

http://hippodice.net/index.php/awbrules-en

A DIY guide to making a prototype game box:

http://www.leagueofgamemakers.com/diy-guide-prototype-box/

“Games that tell stories will bring people back again and again. Remember, though, that your game should merely provide the foundation for the players to be the authors.”

— Grant Rodiek (@HyperboleGrant)

The BoardGameGeek designers forum discusses what characteristics define different countries’ game design styles:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1234451/japanese-game-design

Questions to ask yourself before deciding to launch your game on Kickstarter:

http://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/33884/article-1-kickstart-or-not-kickstart

Amanda Milne of SchilMil Games on playtesting, learning about the industry, codesigning and more:

http://clubfantasci.com/women-board-games-david-lowry-interviews-amanda-milne/

What qualities will help a game stand up to repeated plays?

http://hyperbolegames.com/2014/09/11/designing-for-the-deep-dive/

The four legal issues every Kickstarter creator should know:

http://stonemaiergames.com/kickstarter-lesson-114-the-4-legal-issues-every-kickstarter-creator-should-know/

What mechanics give players a sense of adventure and wonder? A Reddit tabletop designers forum discussion:

http://www.reddit.com/r/tabletopgamedesign/comments/2fzzfe/designing_adventure/

Theme and mechanics: a spectrum, not a binary:

http://www.gamesprecipice.com/theme/

The benefits of including a $1 reward level in your Kickstarter campaign:

http://stonemaiergames.com/kickstarter-lesson-113-why-every-project-should-have-a-1-reward-level/