How to attract playtesters, run blind playtests and track feedback

Audio version: http://theforbiddenlimb.libsyn.com/when-is-your-game-ready-part-1-ep3

Strategies for dealing with the “creator’s dilemma”–balancing production and consumption:

http://darrellhardy.com/blog/2014/12/02/the-creators-dilemma/

The Meeple Syrup vidcast (@MeepleSyrup) asks board game reviewers what designers and publishers can do better

Board Game Design Forum’s December 2014 Game Design Showdown

Deadline: Dec. 16, 2014

Prize: publication by MSP Games

http://www.bgdf.com/forum/game-design/game-design-showdown/gds-december-2014-msp-games-micro-game-challenge

Signups are open for the 2015 Stonemaier Games Design Day. Date TBD in St. Louis:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Wq004_aNpLZeEEWqA0mH0ZMi-pIUs4gcLgq9sb0OzFo/viewform

(If you attended the 2014 event, you will automatically receive an invitation to the 2015 event.)

Cardboard Edison's Favorite Tips & Resources - November 2014

This month’s roundup of useful board game design links features advice for organizing your rulebook, playtester feedback forms, a reminder about objectivity when designing, and interviews with two giants of the industry.

#rules:

• Tips for writing and organizing rulebooks
• “Game terms are where your game’s mechanics and theme intersect. Choose them wisely.” - Daniel Solis

#theory:

• The paradox of choice, sources of analysis paralysis and reducing downtime

#playtesting:

• Printable playtester feedback form, from The Game Designers Clubhouse: long version & short version
• “Playtest other people’s designs. It’s the best game design education you can have.” - Gil Hova

#process:

• What do you do when you discover that your killer idea is someone else’s killer idea?
• Problems in game design that can result from unchecked emotion
• “Like writing or poetry, I think, perhaps, you need to make a lot of bad games before you can make a great one.” - Matt Leacock
• “Creativity is a muscle, and you need to exercise that muscle. It’s that simple.” - Rob Couch

#industry:

• Tom Lehmann on being a full-time designer, collaboration, designing simultaneous systems, completing your first designs and more
• Peter Olotka, co-designer of Cosmic Encounter and Dune, joins the Ludology podcast to discuss the board game industry, story in games, variable player powers, balance and more

Cardboard Edison is supported by our patrons on Patreon.

SENIOR INVENTOR: Richard Durham

JUNIOR INVENTORS: Jay Treat, Stephen B Davies

ASSOCIATES: Zachery Cook, Nathan Miller, Doug Levandowski

APPRENTICE: Brad Price

Bruno Faidutti discusses his article about how board games use cliches and stereotypes as shortcuts to generate theme:

http://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-93-the-truthiness-of-board-game-themes

“Even if you’re happy with your theme, I challenge you to come up with 3 or 4 different ideas it could be instead. You may just find something you like even more and makes your game stand out.”

— Christian Strain

“Before diving too deeply into blind test feedback, find out which rules your testers player incorrectly. Trust me. Your rules suck.”

— Grant Rodiek (@HyperboleGrant)

Exploring the difference between explicit themes and implicit themes:

http://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/36253/exploring-explicit-vs-implicit-themes

“Letting yourself get too close to a game will prevent you from seeing problems that are obvious from the outside. For the sake of your game, take a step back and try to maintain a level of rationality when making design decisions.”

— Teale Fristoe (@teale)

Problems in game design that can result from unchecked emotion:

http://nothingsacredgames.com/emotional-game-design/

“Have a backup. If that’s regular freelance work, a part time job, or a sugar daddy – whatever it is, just make sure you have enough money to keep the power on and ramen in the pantry. It’s really hard to come up with creative ideas and take bold chances when you’re worried about money.”

— Kim Vandenbrouke (@TheGameAisle)

What non-abstract game designers can learn from abstract game designers, and vice versa:

http://drwictzboardgames.blogspot.com/2014/11/faculty-lounge-nick-bentley-of-nick.html

Kickstarter lessons learned: playtesting, reviews, price points and more:

http://www.hoggerlogger.com/2014/11/25/kickstarter-what-we-did-right-and-what-we-did-wrong/

What do you do when you discover that your killer idea is someone else’s killer idea?

http://hyperbolegames.com/2014/11/26/im-original-no-im-not/

A breakdown of the various subjects, settings and scopes that a game’s theme can take on, and how that translates to the player’s experience:

http://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/36111/players-point-view-theme-and-framing-experience

11 more need-to-knows about game design

An Atlanta game design workshop is scheduled for Dec. 13, 2014:

http://oilandrope.com/game-design-workshop

An analytical look at the customizable card game (CCG) genre:

http://hyperbolegames.com/2014/11/25/ccg-diagnosis/