“Design is not “coming up with ideas.” That should be happening all the time. Design is synthesis and articulation. Execution.”

— Eric Lang (@eric_lang)

Reiner Knizia (@ReinerKnizia) on playtesting with different groups, not hanging on to dead designs, innovating in a rapidly changing industry, understanding the production process, working with small publishers, and more:

http://andhegames.com/how-reiner-knizia-makes-games-part-2/

How to keep track of different versions of a design:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/GameDesignersGuild/permalink/576879999079416/

How to prevent designer burnout:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/GameDesignersGuild/permalink/578503085583774/

Tips for rulebook layouts–organization, graphics, setup and more:

http://www.buzzsprout.com/4646/230143-ep-238-rulebook-reviews-with-eric-capps

Lessons from an unsuccessful Kickstarter–timing, art, promotion and more:

http://oakleafgames.wordpress.com/2014/12/18/dealing-with-an-unsuccessful-kickstarter

How to write a press release:

http://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/36811/advice-designers-and-publishers-how-write-press-re

Lessons learned from a successful Kickstarter campaign–promotion, Kickstarter algorithms, canceled pledges and more:

http://playintervention.tumblr.com/post/105492690576/kickstarter-lessons-learned-and-stats-from

The six core philosophies for great customer service:

http://stonemaiergames.com/kickstarter-lesson-132-the-6-core-philosophies-for-great-customer-service/

“A designer should work out what people enjoy about their game and then organise the rules such that achieving victory involves doing the enjoyable thing as early and often as possible.”

— Gregory Carslaw (@3DTotalGames)

The pros and cons of having a diverse portfolio of games, both as a designer and a publisher:

http://nothingsacredgames.com/going-wide/

Game industry veteran Mike Fitzgerald joins the Something From Nothing vidcast to offer advice for designers

Free tools for tabletop game designers:

http://www.reddit.com/r/tabletopgamedesign/comments/2pdcqj/what_tools_are_available_for_free_to_design/

Mapped endgames done right and done wrong:

http://lawofgamedesign.com/2014/12/15/theory-mapped-endgames

Everything a Kickstarter creator needs to know about trademark law:

http://stonemaiergames.com/kickstarter-lesson-131-everything-a-kickstarter-creator-needs-to-know-about-trademark-law/

Bruno Cathala discusses scientific game design, creating stories in players’ minds, and more:

http://bluepegpinkpeg.com/2014/12/10/the-seventh-peg-episode-13-bruno-cathala/

The Impressions vidcast discusses getting into distribution amid heavy competition

Stats on whether BoardGameGeek ads helped one small publisher:

http://www.funhill-games.com/2014/12/how-useful-are-boardgamegeek-ads

Richard Bliss (@RichardBliss) joins the Happy Mitten Games podcast (@HappyMitten) to discuss various aspects of board games on Kickstarter:

http://www.happymittengames.com/46/

Travel Game Design Contest

Deadline: Feb. 28, 2015

Prizes: GeekGold

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1284082/travel-games-contest-1000gg-physical-prizes