Keeping engagement high at different player counts (audio):

http://thegamecrafter.libsyn.com/player-count-and-engagement-with-the-game-crafter-episode-121

3rd Iludo Board Game Design Competition

Deadline: July 27, 2017 (or until 40 entries have been received)

Prizes: 300 euros for first place, second place 100 euros in vouchers

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1773189/3rd-iludo-board-game-design-competition-2017

Cardboard Edison’s Favorite Tips & Resources - April 2017

This month our list of favorite board game design links includes overviews of some popular game mechanisms, a useful and fun prototyping tool, solid playtesting advice and more.

theory:

• Different ways games can be fun (video)

• All about worker placement (audio). Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

• All about drafting (audio). Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

• A look at the "crescendo" mechanism where something in a game gets progressively more valuable

• Tips for designing microgames

prototyping:

• Icon-creation tool

playtesting:

• Seven ways to improve the quality of your playtest feedback (audio)

• Playtesting like a pro (audio)

industry:

• Design trends, the design process, commissioned IPs, and when to resurrect projects (audio)

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Cardboard Edison is supported by our patrons on Patreon.

ADVISERS: 421 Creations, Peter C. Hayward, Aaron Vanderbeek

SENIOR INVENTORS: Steven Cole, John du Bois, Richard Durham, Koen Hendrix, Chris and Kathy Keane (The Drs. Keane), Marcel Perro, Behrooz Shahriari

JUNIOR INVENTORS: Ryan Abrams, Joshua Buergel, Luis Lara, Aidan Short, Jay Treat

ASSOCIATES: Robert Booth, Stephen B Davies, Doug Levandowski, Aaron Lim, Nathan Miller, Kasper Esven Skovgaard, Isaias Vallejo, Matt Wolfe

APPRENTICES: Kiva Fecteau, Scott Gottreu, JR Honeycutt, Knight Works, Scott Martel Jr., David J. Mortimer, Mike Mullins, Marcus Ross, Sean Rumble, Diane Sauer

Daryl, Sen. and Dylan answer questions from viewers about game design and the industry in general.

Lots of game design topics: overcoming roadblocks, how-to-play videos, cutting from a game, sports themes, and more
 

Where game themes come from, and what purposes they serve:

http://blog.nskn.net/where-do-themes-come-from/

Harmony and kludges in game design:

http://pulsiphergamedesign.blogspot.com/2017/04/harmony-and-kludge-in-game-design.html

How competition, tension and depth foster player interaction:

http://makethemplay.com/index.php/2017/04/28/how-to-use-player-interaction-for-better-board-games/

Various game design topics: design vs. development, international publishing, narrative in games and more:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/7928/503200-165-listener-mail-april-2017

What goes into designing an asymmetrical game (audio):

http://www.boardgamedesignlab.com/designing-an-asymmetrical-game-with-patrick-leder/

Korea Boardgames 2017 Design Contest

Deadline: June 30, 2017

Prizes: cash and publication offer

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1770305/korea-board-games-2017-design-contest

“It’ll take many years to become skilled enough to sell your games, but the sooner you take that goal seriously and start trading critiques with other designers, the faster you’ll get there.”

— Jay Treat

A look at the "crescendo" mechanism where something in a game gets progressively more valuable:

http://claycrucible.com/2017/04/crescendo-mechanic/

How to take a good game and make it great (audio):

http://onboardgames.libsyn.com/obg-243-from-good-to-great

“Always think about the player experience at the table. What are players physically doing? What are they feeling? How can you improve that?”

— Kevin Wilson

“Imprint yourself on your designs. Own them, love them, care for them.”

— JR Honeycutt

Data and considerations around publishers' customer acquisition costs:

https://stonemaiergames.com/kickstarter-lesson-225-customer-and-subscriber-acquisition-costs/

Advice for creating content that helps others and builds goodwill in the industry (audio):

http://www.boardgamedesignlab.com/content-as-marketing-with-chris-rowlands/

A discussion about working with a co-designer, playtesting and using feedback, bringing a game to Kickstarter, and more (audio):

http://yourtablesonfire.com/2017/04/18/episode-51-peak-oil/

How theme, immersion and player stakes interact (audio):

http://breakingintoboardgames.libsyn.com/breaking-into-board-games-episode-41-hosts-talk-theme-and-immersion

Unexpected things that can happen to you as a publisher (audio):

http://onboardgames.libsyn.com/obg-242-expect-the-unexpected