“As game designers, it is vital not to perceive critical feedback as a personal slight against us or the games we create. Well-intentioned valid criticism can be the spark that drives us to not accept good enough and instead elevate our work to the next level.”

— Charlie Hoopes

Bruno Cathala on the design process, taking playtest feedback, co-designing, expansions and more:

http://ninjavspirates.libsyn.com/s12e04-design-thoughts-from-across-an-ocean

Zev Shlasinger on founding and running a company, working with a publisher and more:

http://breakingintoboardgames.libsyn.com/breaking-into-board-games-episode-7

Lots of advice for writing rules: where to start, clarity and readability, game terms, examples, repetition, pronouns and more:

http://theinquisitivemeeple.com/2015/12/16/designing-meeples-talks-writing-rulebooks/

35th Concours International de Créateurs de Jeux de Société

Submissions: Jan. 4-29, 2016

http://www.centrenationaldujeu.com/images/Concours/35eConcours/reglements/rules-35th-Concours-2016.pdf

Three designers offer advice for making a better prototype:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-cohen/game-design-playing-with-_b_8802116.html

Advice for making Kickstarter videos:

http://nothingsacredgames.com/kickstarter-videos/

Tools and tips for long-distance co-designing:

http://theinquisitivemeeple.com/2015/12/15/designing-long-distance/

Tips for staying excited about a design: a BoardGameGeek designers forum discussion:

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1490034/im-stuck-cycle

Lessons in board game design from Netrunner:

https://medium.com/@mezzotero/seven-game-design-lessons-from-netrunner-d7543f5102a6#.hpn9n1kyh

Designing and marketing a Christian-themed game:

http://www.happymittengames.com/70-2/

Pointers for designing games with dice and rondels

Reasons for a backer to support a Kickstarter campaign:

http://theforbiddenlimb.com/2015/12/12/reasons-for-backing-a-crowdfunding-campaign/

The perils of designing a game by trial and error:

Lessons learned from the Cauldron Kickstarter: demos, art, emotions, delivery dates and more:

http://stonemaiergames.com/brewing-up-and-screwing-up-lessons-learned-from-cauldron-kickstarter-guest-post/

What are the best ways to break a game? A Reddit Tabletop Game Design Forum discussion: 

http://www.reddit.com/r/tabletopgamedesign/comments/3wiq8k/what_are_the_best_ways_to_break_a_game/

“This one and the next one and the one after that may not be the finished product, but remember that patience and persistence DO pay off.”

— Andrew Federspiel

“What do you have passion for? Passion drives completion more than anything else, except maybe deadlines.”

— Peter Gousis

“It is possible to polish a game until there’s nothing left. Instead of perfect smoothness, focus on finding the right texture for your game.”

— Daniel Solis

Ways to mitigate first-player advantage:

http://cardboardarchitects.libsyn.com/episode-16-the-first-player-problem

See also: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1487268/good-models-mitigating-first-player-advantage