“Test as early as you can and learn how to ruin your game from the start. Test your game as you are forming the idea. Use a lot of thought experiments.”

— Chris Renshall (@TGIK_Games_CR)

Data on daily and monthly trends in Kickstarter success:

http://paulowengames.blogspot.com/2015/01/statistical-review-of-seasonal-effects.html

Rob Daviau (@robdaviaugamer) on exploring false paths, calling it quits, making fixes and more:

http://playersdisconnected.com/an-interview-with-rob-daviau/

“The only way to make a game is to make a game. Then be horrified that it is awful. Then fix it. And repeat. The trick is to not give up, to explore false paths, to find dead ends – and then keep doing it.”

— Rob Daviau (@robdaviau)

“Some ideas are bad ideas, and you realize that once you get a prototype. Some games are good ideas, but you get stuck and put it aside and never go back. The trick is to be able to discern what is a bad idea, and what is a good idea that needs work.”

— Rob Daviau (@robdaviaugamer)

How to keep players trading in a trading game:

http://drwictzboardgames.blogspot.com/2015/01/trade-mechanic-equilibrium-in-board.html

Advice for designing games with your partner:

http://www.leagueofgamemakers.com/it-takes-two-to-make-a-game-go-right/

Data on the value of a solo mode to a game’s success–and tips for how to approach designing one:

http://stonemaiergames.com/the-compelling-power-of-solo-play-for-tabletop-game-kickstarters/

What is the responsibility of a designer to prevent bad play from ruining a player’s game experience?

http://www.leagueofgamemakers.com/youre-playing-wrong/

Darrell Louder (@getlouder) joins the Happy Mitten Podcast (@HappyMitten) to discuss the Unpub program for unpublished games:

http://www.happymittengames.com/49/

Data on how much offering a print-and-play copy helps a Kickstarter campaign:

http://www.jamesmathe.com/does-a-print-play-version-of-your-game-help-sales/

Protecting intellectual property in a crowded market:

http://casualgamerevolution.com/blog/2015/01/when-games-collide-protecting-intellectual-property-rights-in-a-crowded-market

Guidelines for great art in board games:

http://www.acrosstheboardgames.net/nicole/what-makes-great-art-in-games/

“It’s okay to not put a mediocre thing on Kickstarter just because you’ve spent a lot of time on it.”

— Jamey Stegmaier (@jameystegmaier)

The Long View podcast (@Longviewpodcast) discusses the characteristics and popularity of dice games:

http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepodcastepisode/135031/long-view-dice-games

Adventures in pitching–lessons learned from a year of shopping a design to potential publishers:

http://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-95-the-pitch

“For early prototypes, use what’s on hand. Borrow art from the web, if you want art. Don’t spend a lot of time reinventing the wheel.”

— Brett Myers (@brettspiel)

Advice for honing your rulebook:

http://hyperbolegames.com/2015/01/12/the-rewrite/

Thoughts on unique player powers:

http://lawofgamedesign.com/2015/01/09/theory-rules-for-player-powers/

“Like the first draft of a book, the first physical prototype is a real hurdle to overcome. Remember: freedom to fail. A book could be well-written without an editor. I don’t think any game can be well-designed without playtesters. That’s the second hurdle.”

— Behrooz Shahriari (@bbshahriari)