The different types of playtesting: how to prepare for each (audio):

http://thegamecrafter.libsyn.com/how-to-playtest-with-the-game-crafter-episode140

How to write the "setup" section of a rulebook:

http://www.theindiegamereport.com/rulebook-cookbook-setup/

Designing good character abilities in co-op games:

https://www.3dtotalgames.com/cooperative-character-abilities/

Methods for keeping your game streamlined, a BoardGameGeek designers forum discussion:

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1846483/what-are-your-methods-making-streamlined-game

“Express extreme appreciation for negative feedback, so that testers learn they should always speak up about issues.”

— John Brieger

“Can you summarise the primary focus of your game into 1-5 words? Everything not supporting that core focus should maybe be cut.”

— Behrooz Shahriari

“At some point, you’ll hate your own game. Keep testing through that valley – but be willing to shelve it.”

— John Brieger

How to start a design (audio):

http://podbay.fm/show/580709168/e/1504879500

“Every mechanism has problems and advantages. Good design is using them in the best possible way, for a suitable purpose.”

— Behrooz Shahriari

“It’s not a game designer’s job to know how an idea will play. It’s their job to find out.”

— Jay Treat

Sports-themed games: mechanics, marketability, licensing, challenges, success stories and more (audio):

http://www.boardgamedesignlab.com/fabio-del-rio-on-sports-themed-games/

“Your playtesters’ minor irritants of today are your reviewers’ slams of tomorrow.”

— John Brieger

Playtesting advice from panelists at Fan Expo Canada 2017:

http://www.partyhatgames.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Playtesting-panel-Fan-Expo-2017.pdf

How to find and approach a publisher that is appropriate for your game:

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1843829/how-do-you-go-about-finding-and-approaching-publis

Tools for making hex grids and tiles:

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1843610/best-tool-making-hex-tiles

“It’s not a game until it’s on the table. Get it on the table. Then you’re a game designer. Congrats!”

— JR Honeycutt

The requirement for the September 2017 24-hour contest is "island":

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1842445/24-hour-contest-september-2017

Designing elegant games by paying attention to theme, graphic design, time and more:

http://bluecubeboardgames.com/2017/09/01/designing-elegant-board-games/

Cardboard Edison's Favorite Tips & Resources - August 2017

This month our roundup of favorite board game design links includes new ways of thinking about board games, data on what players are looking for, pitching advice and more.

featured:

• The Gen Con Experience: The gaming convention through the eyes of board game designers

• The Process: The Expanse by Geoff Engelstein

process:

• The right ways to steal ideas

• Managing your time making a game: years, months, weeks, days, hours and minutes

• Game design axioms: starting points for creating good games (audio)

theory:

• 12 skills you can build a board game around

industry:

• Results from a survey about what people like and dislike in games

licensing:

• How to pitch your tabletop game to a publisher (video)

publishing:

• Tips for using BoardGameGeek during a crowdfunding campaign

playtesting:

• “Know what words you want to hear players using. Those words are a great way to tell if your design is immersive.” - JR Honeycutt

Cardboard Edison is supported by our patrons on Patreon.

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

SENIOR INVENTORS: Steven Cole, John du Bois, Chris and Kathy Keane (The Drs. Keane), Joshua J. Mills, Marcel Perro, Behrooz Shahriari, Shoot Again Games

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

ASSOCIATES: Robert Booth, Stephen B Davies, Scot Duvall, Doug Levandowski, Aaron Lim, Nathan Miller, Mike Sette, Kasper Esven Skovgaard, Isaias Vallejo, Ryan Wilson, Matt Wolfe

APPRENTICES: Darren Broad, Kiva Fecteau, Scott Gottreu, Knight Works, Scott Martel Jr., The Nerd Nighters, Marcus Ross, Sean Rumble

How to tell when playtest feedback is useful or not:

http://brandonthegamedev.com/how-to-tell-when-play-testing-feedback-is-useful-or-not/