2017 Solitaire Print & Play Contest

Deadline: July 30, 2017

Prizes: GeekGold

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1787772/2017-solitaire-print-and-play-contest

Tom, Sam, and Zee discuss a few designer blunders that they find particularly problematic. Come join in the conversation! Buy great games at http://www.coolstuffinc.com Find more reviews and videos at http://www.dicetower.com BGG Link: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/37589/tom-vasel

10 things designers need to stop doing (video)

“Anyone who tells you everything’s been done—that there are no new game mechanics—lacks imagination.”

— Jay Treat

Tips if you want to design a game for a particular market (audio):

http://theforbiddenlimb.libsyn.com/target-markets-ep-56

“The best way to break into this world is by finding ways to create & contribute. Be passionate, work hard, enjoy it.”

— JR Honeycutt

“Just because it works doesn’t mean it’s good enough to be published. If it’s not great, it’s not ready.”

— Daniel Newman

How to respond when a publisher says no, and doesn't give feedback:

https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/65717/feedback-pitches

Things to keep in mind when forming a publishing partnership with another company (audio):

http://passportgames.libsyn.com/16-approaching-a-publishing-partner

Issues related to running an indie tabletop game company: designing your own games and publishing other designers' games, going to cons, working a full-time job and more (audio):

http://www.buzzsprout.com/46339/515713-running-an-indie-tabletop-game-company-with-ben-harkins-of-floodgate-games

To design a game, run a Kickstarter, fulfill, and publish a game takes a ton of skills. For your first Kickstarter, you are probably doing most of them on your own. However, as you grow and take on larger and larger projects, you can consider a range of people to hire.

What jobs you should--and shouldn't--do yourself when running a Kickstarter campaign (video)

“It’s ok to rip out something you think you’re married to in a game. It’s hard to accept that something you really want to work just isn’t working at all. But sometimes that’s what you have to do to let the game evolve.”

— Nicole Kline

What to expect from a successful blind playtest (audio):

http://www.boardgamedesignlab.com/lessons-learned-from-blind-playtesting-with-mike-mihealsick/

Three important steps before a Kickstarter launch: building an audience, getting professional art, and pre-marketing (audio):

https://www.buzzsprout.com/4646/514172-ep-278-james-hudson-3-keys-to-kickstarter-success

Tools and methods to organize your design work (audio):

https://thegamecrafter.libsyn.com/game-design-organization-with-the-game-crafter-episode-123

“Note what parts of your game initially confuse players, even if they understand them at the end.”

— John Brieger

Using "hidden structures" in game design and graphic design to improve the player experience:

https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/65392/hidden-structure

Printable files to create a telescoping prototype box with insert:

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1780367/game-box-plans

“When you’re first getting started, design with the intent to learn, not publish – learn about the process, do the research, and listen to others as much as you can.”

— Dave Chalker

Important advice for young publishers, learned the hard way:

http://hyperbolegames.com/blog/so-you-want-be-tabletop-publisher

Sen brings Jessey Wright and Christopher Chung on to talk balance in game design. And maybe some Star Wars stuff. Maybe.

Topics related to balance in game design (video)