“Working on the first game that you’re serious about self-publishing? Start small. No, smaller. Smaller. Keep going.”

— Daniel Solis (@DanielSolis)

“Don’t make the players keep playing once you’ve figured out what is broken.”

— Donald Dennis (@OnBoardGames)

“Playtest a lot. Get comfortable asking strangers at a game store or convention to play *without* being awkward about it.”

— Daniel Solis (@DanielSolis)

“Play with people who have the capability to break your game. Breaking your game early is gold for a designer.”

— David Short (@dshortdesign)

“All the shortcuts and tricks in the world won’t help you unless you’re actually working on your game. Go work on it!”

— Chris Darden (@cbdarden)

“It’s important as a game designer to find what bothers you in the games people are playing and imagine solutions; that’s vital practice in developing the problem-solving skills you need, but also one of the better sources of inspiration.”

— Jay Treat (@jtreat3)

“Sometimes it’s easier to just go with something and test it rather than toil over numerous design iterations in your head. Get your games on the table! You might be amazed at the results.”

— Ed Marriott (@EdPMarriott)

“There will always be someone who doesn’t like your game. What is important is that the target audience DOES enjoy it. So in a nutshell, know who your audience is and make design decisions with them in mind!”

— A.J. Porfirio (@VanRyderGames)

“Don’t wait for Eureka moment. Just sit on your ass and work as hard as you can. That’s all you need.”

— Ignacy Trzewiczek (@trzewik)

The NPC Cast discusses traitor mechanics:

https://npccast.wordpress.com/2014/10/18/episode-94-traitor-joes/

Ludology analyzes the works of Reiner Knizia:

http://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-90-kniziathon

Data on Kickstarter videos and success:

http://gotgeniusgames.com/kickstarter-stats-101-kickstarter-video-matter/

“Self-doubt is my first play tester.”

— Grant Rodiek (@HyperboleGrant)

“You can not let negativity exist in your campaign. You can’t be the only positive one. You have to ask your Backers to help.”

— Christian Strain

Responding to a feeling of defeat among your Kickstarter backers:

http://www.leagueofgamemakers.com/reflections-3-the-face-of-success/

“As you make your way through the design process, designers should be looking for the one thing that makes the long hours and months-long development process awesome.”

— Chris Renshall (@TGIK_Games_CR)

Designing a trick-taking game: variations on the basic rules of the genre:

http://kevingnunn.com/2014/10/18/tricky-tricky-part-2/

Thoughts on exceptions in rules:

http://oakleafgames.wordpress.com/2014/10/16/making-an-exception/

How to build a following online before launching a Kickstarter:

http://indieconquest.com/2014/10/11/ksc4-when-and-where-should-i-advertise-my-kickstarter/

What a first-time board game designer can expect from the process:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/toys/stop-reading-this-and-go-build-your-own-board-game-17314604