“When designing a game, if you restrict yourself based on components or box size, then it helps to focus your mind.”

— Michael Mindes (@TastyMinstrel)

“If you are stuck on a design, play it with someone new. New eyes bring new perspectives.”

— Peter Gousis (@MVPboardgames)

On segmenting mechanics along thematic lines:

http://www.3dtotalgames.com/sectioning-design-space/

Finding public playtests and preparing a prototype:

http://www.acrosstheboardgames.net/luke/prototypes-n-playtesting/

Ways that project creators can establish certainty for backers in an uncertain environment like Kickstarter:

http://stonemaiergames.com/kickstarter-lesson-163-the-power-of-certainty/

Designers share their “golden rules” of design:

http://www.robindavid.info/2015/09/golden-rules-of-game-design.html

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)