Advice for creating an AI opponent in a solo variant:

https://oakleafgames.wordpress.com/2016/07/07/lessons-from-designing-a-solo-variant/

14 ways of reducing analysis paralysis:

http://makethemplay.com/index.php/2016/07/07/14-ways-of-reducing-analysis-paralysis-in-your-board-game/

Decision-first game design:

http://jtreat.tumblr.com/post/147004505072/decision-first-game-design

Cardboard Edison's Favorite Tips & Resources - June 2016

This month, our roundup of favorite board game design links includes lots of lessons from a veteran of the industry, discussions about legal issues, scheduling and software for game makers, notes on life as a game designer, and more.

theory:

• Lessons from 20 years of game design. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

• How positive and negative feedback loops work in board games

• Ways a board game can be broken (audio)

rules:

• How to write a board game rulebook: writing down notes early, structuring a rulebook, do's and don'ts and more

industry:

• An overview of legal topics of interest to game makers (audio)

prototyping:

• 9 sources of images and artwork for prototypes

• A rundown of the many image-software options available to board game designers (audio)

process:

• Looking at the cost--in time and money--of designing a board game

playtesting:

• Body language to look for in playtesters

licensing:

• Advice for demoing your game for publishers (audio)

publishing:

• Creating a production schedule for publishing a board game (audio)

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Cardboard Edison is supported by our patrons on Patreon.

ADVISER: Aaron Vanderbeek

SENIOR INVENTORS: Steven Cole, John du Bois, Richard Durham, Peter C. Hayward, Chris and Kathy Keane (The Drs. Keane), Matthew O’Malley, Marcel Perro

JUNIOR INVENTORS: Ryan Abrams, Luis Lara, Behrooz Shahriari, Aidan Short, Jay Treat

ASSOCIATES: Robert Booth, Doug Levandowski, Aaron Lim, Nathan Miller, Isaias Vallejo, Matt Wolfe

APPRENTICES: Kevin Brusky, Kiva Fecteau, Scott Gottreu, Michael Gray, JR Honeycutt, Scott Martel Jr., Mike Mullins, Marcus Ross, Sean Rumble, Diane Sauer

Legal and ethical considerations when recycling game mechanisms (audio):

http://www.genesisoflegend.com/2016/07/episode85/

Discussion of topics relevant to life as a game designer: making money, making art, making prototypes and more (audio):

http://thegamedesignroundtable.com/2016/06/28/episode-148-more-listener-mail/

A look at "push your luck" in games:

https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/55666/push-your-luck-games

What makes games fiddly and what to do about it (audio):

http://www.buildingthegamepodcast.com/2016/06/26/episode-213-fiddly-bits-and-breakfast-clubbing/

An overview of the economic concept of scarcity in board games:

http://makethemplay.com/index.php/2016/06/30/in-game-economics-scarcity/

July 2016 Game Design Showdown

Pitch a game that uses a timer in a creative way

Deadline: July 9, 2016

http://www.bgdf.com/forum/game-design/game-design-showdown/gds-july-2016-times

The requirement for the July 2016 24-hour contest is "lunar landing":

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1599307/24-hour-contest-july-2016

A look at the core characteristics of the "pool builder" genre--deck builders, dice builders, etc.:

http://www.gamesprecipice.com/pool-builders/

Pros and cons of player elimination and elimination of resources:

http://www.leagueofgamemakers.com/game-elements-elimination/

How to behave during a playtest:

http://www.dancinggiantgames.com/blog/leading-a-playtest-tips-and-tricks

An overview of legal topics of interest to game makers:

http://www.thecompanybard.com/tgc-061-zachary-strebeck-gaming-attorney-law/

Handling criticism after your game is released (at 30:00, with adult language):

https://infoperfected.com/2016/06/20/perfect-information-podcast-episode-19-stories-we-play/

Creating a production schedule for publishing a board game:

https://boardgame.business/2016/06/16/production-schedules/

What to know before signing your first licensing contract:

http://boardgamesinsider.com/2016/06/episode-30-lawsuits-contracts-and-conventions/

See also: http://cardboardedison.com/reports/

Considerations when making a board game into a marketable product:

https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/55363/business-side-design

Ways of becoming--and staying--inspired in board game design:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/48513/390756-episode-17-inspiration