How to know when your design isn’t working, and what to do about it:

http://hyperbolegames.com/2015/08/28/the-54-card-guild-4/

The Inquisitive Meeple Playing Card Challenge

Design a game with just a deck of playing cards

http://theinquisitivemeeple.com/playing-card-challenge/

Trove designer David Somerville (@thisistrove) on experience-first design, rapid prototyping, taking criticism, researching design and more:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1425655/board-game-designer-interview-1-david-somerville-s

The Game Crafter Survival Challenge

Design a game where the players are in a dire situation and must survive

Deadline: Nov. 30, 2015

https://www.thegamecrafter.com/contests/the-survival-challenge

Kickstarter vs. Indiegogo–pros and cons:

http://stonemaiergames.com/kickstarter-vs-indiegogo-which-crowdfunding-site-should-you-choose/

“When play testing a game, if a player asks “can I do this fun thing?” The answer should almost always be “yes!””

— Matthew O'Malley (@BlackOakGames)

“Think about why your tester said something, not just what they said.”

— Paul Peterson (@warewolf00)

“Make it smaller. Then make it smaller again. Until you can’t anymore.”

— John du Bois (@JohnduBois)

“Surround yourself with people who will encourage you and will never, ever let you get by with subpar work.”

— Jason D. Kingsley (@JasonDKingsley)

“Don’t start with what players do, but rather what you want players to think about. Then focus the mechanics from there.”

— J. Alex Kevern (@AlexWithIdeas)

“Don’t add something to your game just because it should be there. Add it because it can’t be left out.”

— Nat Levan (@OakleafGames)

“If you want your game to be published, consider the publisher part of the audience.”

— Steven Cole (@steveongames)

“Designing a game is an exploration. Guess to start. Seek to learn. No decision is final that isn’t informed by play.”

— Jay Treat (@jtreat3)

“The ending of a game should feel consistent with the rest. Once the middle is fun, try different ways to end it.”

— Randy Hoyt (@randyhoyt)

“Listen intently to your playtesters, but rarely do what they say. You must filter the info to deduce the real problem.”

— David Short (@dshortdesign)

“There are types of gamers, know which type you are designing for and remember, it’s not always you.”

— Luke Peterschmidt (@LPeterschmidt)

“Test your Minimum Viable Game. Don’t work on a broken game longer than you need to.”

— @AndHeGames

“Note which rule or mechanic players always get wrong the same way. Try to make it actually work that way.”

— Darrell Hardy (@HardyTales)

““Perfect” is the enemy of improvement. Stop searching for the perfect mechanism and focus on making your design better.”

— Matt Wolfe (@mattwolfe)

“Playtest playtest playtest - when you think you’re done, do it more. Blind tests are even better.”

— JR Honeycutt (@JayAhre)