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“Most game designers have an original idea they’d like to flesh out; I’d encourage you to do that, but if you’re first to market with it, present it well. A great game mechanic, no matter how unique it is, will not sell well if the game that’s wrapped around it sucks.”
— Tom Jolly
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“Sometimes you have to cut your favorite mechanism from a game to make it better. Use it in a different design, new scenery may help.”
— Peter Gousis (@MVPBoardgames)

Cardboard Edison’s Favorite Tips & Resources – March 2015

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This month’s roundup of useful board game design links features practical advice for making board games a sustainable endeavor, important reminders about playtesting, notes on a taboo game mechanism and more.

industry:

publishing:

playtesting:

process:

  • “We’re all just making this up as we go along. Experiment with crazy ideas when you’re designing.” – Matt Leacock
  • “Pay more attention to the ideas that return to you. They strike a chord for a reason.” – Jay Treat

theory:

Cardboard Edison is supported by our patrons on Patreon.

SENIOR INVENTORS: Steven Cole, Richard Durham, Jeff Johnston, Matthew O’Malley, Isaias Vallejo

JUNIOR INVENTORS: Stephen B Davies, Luis Lara, Behrooz Shahriari, Aidan Short, Jay Treat

ASSOCIATES: Robert Booth, Zachery Cook, Doug Levandowski, Nathan Miller, Marcel Perro

APPRENTICE: Gino Brancazio, JR Honeycutt, Brad Price

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“Don’t let the permanence of design decisions plague you. There’s always a new project on the horizon for your forever-growing mind muscles!”
— Andrew Federspiel (@KnapsackGames)
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“Don’t over complicate your ideas. Maybe you are designing a complicated game, and that’s legit, but be really honest with yourself about whether or not you need all of the elements you’ve included.”
— Heather Wilson
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“Just a good concept will not work. The concept and theme are important but be sure you’ve really thought out the game play. Playtest and be open to feedback!”
— Heather O'Neill