“If your own designs aren’t among your very favorite games, then you might need to work harder to design games you like.”

— Alf Seegert (@alfseegert)

Alf Seegert on persistence, patience, liking your own games, forcing a design, playtesting processes and more:

http://andhegames.com/how-alf-seegert-makes-games/

When should you shelve a design?

http://www.leagueofgamemakers.com/ask-the-league-when-do-you-stop/

Insights for producing a game with pre-painted miniatures:

http://stonemaiergames.com/legends-lore-and-insights-about-creating-pre-painted-miniatures-for-a-crowdfunded-game/

Board Game Licensing Contracts - Part 2: Post-Publication (high-resolution image)

Board Game Licensing Contracts - Part 1: Pre-Publication (high-resolution image)

“Try the simple stuff first. Add complexity only when needed.”

— Ed Marriott (@EdPMarriott)

Two posts on getting started as a tabletop game designer:

http://www.jamesmathe.com/so-you-want-to-be-a-tabletop-game-designer/

http://www.3dtotalgames.com/whats-game-designer/

What makes a choice interesting–it should be meaningful, informed and limited:

http://darrellhardy.com/blog/2015/01/19/choice-thoughts-on-game-design/

“The best games have “oh crap, I shouldn’t have done that” moments. Because depth. But also the gateway to a player’s heart is thru learning.”

— TC Petty III (@PuppyShogun)

A method of making solitaire modes for multiplayer games:

http://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/37830/automa-approach-method-making-solitaire-modes-mult

“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/