High-level playtesting advice from the Reddit Tabletop Game Designers forum:

http://www.reddit.com/r/tabletopgamedesign/comments/3ksh6u/im_about_to_start_alot_of_play_testing_any/

How to use failure to your advantage:

http://cardboardarchitects.libsyn.com/cardboard-architects-episode-2

Gil Hova (@gilhova) on incentivizing interesting behavior, looking at games as products, moving into self-publishing and more:

http://www.boardgameauthority.com/gil-hova-game-design-theory-self-publishing-star-wars/

Advice for getting started with board game design and turning ideas into games:

http://cardboardarchitects.libsyn.com/cardboard-architects-episode-1

Advice for designing games as marketing materials:

http://www.buildingthegamepodcast.com/2015/09/06/episode-171-groovin-and-gamin/

The Game Design Round Table (@TGDRT) on pitching to publishers, sharing your ideas, making design choices and more:

http://thegamedesignroundtable.com/2015/09/06/episode-132-rob%E2%80%99s-back-time-for-listener-mail/

Three tips for preparing prototypes for reviewers:

http://www.leagueofgamemakers.com/top-3-tips-for-prepping-prototypes-for-reviewers/

What to expect when you’re just getting started designing tabletop games:

http://www.buzzsprout.com/48513/303947-episode-1-getting-started-with-designing-tabletop-games

Lessons from the Bullfrogs Kickstarter campaign: shipping, trimming the fat, manufacturing, boxes, art and more:

http://theinquisitivemeeple.com/2015/09/09/lessons-learned-from-bullfrogs/

The creators of Between Two Cities on game licensing contracts, designing expansions and protecting intellectual property:

http://legalmovespodcast.com/2015/09/02/episode-11-stonemaier-games-between-two-cities-2/

10 games every designer should play:

http://www.leagueofgamemakers.com/top-10-games-every-designer-should-play-part-3/

18 Card Microgame Contest

Deadline: Dec. 31, 2015

Prize: possible publication

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1431026/18-card-microgame-contest-2015

GrandCon Breakneck Design Challenge

One day to design a microgame from a box of components

Date: Sept. 25-26, 2015

Prizes: The Game Crafter gift cards

http://news.thegamecrafter.com/post/128340553197/new-game-design-contest-at-grand-con

“I can summarize good game design in three words: incentivize interesting behavior. A good game designer figures out fun behavior in their game and steers players to act that way.”

— Gil Hova (@gilhova)

“I think probably the best advice I have is work on distancing yourself from your project. Be willing to break it and re-form it and think of it as an object distant from yourself. Be willing to push, and bend, and break that thing, and be focused on creating the best experience for the gamers and understand that it’s something you’re making for them.”

— Anne-Marie De Witt (@firesidegames)

Hippodice Game Designers’ Competition

Deadline: Oct. 31, 2015

http://hippodice.net/index.php/awb-en/awbrules-en

September 2015 Game Design Showdown

Pitch a game to be played in vertical space

Deadline: Sept. 9, 2015

http://www.bgdf.com/forum/game-design/game-design-showdown/gds-september-only-way-out

Looking at intersecting dimensions in a design:

http://www.3dtotalgames.com/dimensional-collapse/

The requirement for the September 2015 24-Hour Contest is “Ice Age”:

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1428251/24-hour-contest-september-2015

Cardboard Edison’s Favorite Tips & Resources - August 2015

Our monthly roundup of excellent board game design links and tips this month includes an interesting method of solo testing, practical advice for pitch sessions, some reminders about the industry and more…

theory:

• On whether to make a good game for a broad audience or a great game for a narrow group

playtesting:

• Different playstyles you can mimic during solo testing
• “No matter how much you think about a game, playtesting is way better! You see problems occur that you couldn’t think about.” - Adam Daulton

process:

• Yves Tourigny on two kinds of designer’s block, not taking feedback personally, dealing with rejection and lots more
• “Good games aren’t designed, they’re developed.” - JR Honeycutt
• Key questions to answer very early in the design process

licensing:

• The Meeple Syrup show offers lots of practical advice for pitching to publishers and navigating a con as a designer
• Tips for pitching to publishers, learned from observing dozens of pitches at Gen Con 2015

industry:

• “If you want your game to be published, consider the publisher part of the audience.” - Steven Cole
• “You have to have a thick skin in any business, and this one is no exception. Name any game and there are people who won’t like it. Sure it’s hard to hear, but as long as there are plenty of good reactions as well, it’s not the end of the world.” - Sean Scott Garrity

Cardboard Edison is supported by our patrons on Patreon.

SENIOR INVENTORS: Steven Cole, John du Bois, Richard Durham, Matthew O’Malley, Isaias Vallejo

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

ASSOCIATES: Robert Booth, Doug Levandowski, Aaron Lim, Nathan Miller, Marcel Perro

APPRENTICES: Gino Brancazio, Keith Burgun, Kiva Fecteau, Scott Gottreu, JR Honeycutt, Brad Price, Diane Sauer, Dan Sinensky