“Playtest with as many different groups of people as you can – from diverse backgrounds – and really carefully observe and listen to them to evaluate your game as you iterate.”

— Matt Leacock

Pointers for attending a playtesting convention:

http://brandonthegamedev.com/5-lessons-i-learned-at-a-play-testing-convention-protospiel-atlanta/

Ways that working within constraints can help the design process (audio):

http://thegamecrafter.libsyn.com/designing-with-constraints-with-the-game-crafter-episode-146

Ways of balancing a game before playtesting:

http://www.leagueofgamemakers.com/finding-balance-before-playtesting/

Two perspectives on working as a team in the board game industry:

http://www.theindiegamereport.com/designing-as-a-team-sport-or-all-about-finding-good-creative-partners-to-build-better-games/

http://brandonthegamedev.com/how-to-work-in-a-team-in-the-board-game-industry/

“Don’t ask irrelevant questions – know where you are in your process and tailor questions for your test.”

— John Brieger

Escape Room in a Box Game Design Challenge

Deadline: April 3, 2018

Prizes: The Game Crafter shop credit and more

https://www.thegamecrafter.com/contests/escape-room-challenge

Keeping the manufacturing process in mind while designing (audio):

http://breakingintoboardgames.libsyn.com/breaking-into-board-games-episode-54-ben-rosset-panda-game

Advice for pitching to a publisher and working with them, from final testing through publication:

http://blog.nskn.net/pitch-me-a-game/

“I think the hardest part for any designer is letting go. You have to be willing to kill your babies if you want to design effectively.”

— Chris Kirkman

Chris Kirkman on letting go of design decisions, knowing when a game is done, what makes a game stand out and more:

http://www.theindiegamereport.com/dice-talk-to-me-a-conversation-with-chris-kirkman-of-dice-hate-me-games/

Hook Box Challenge

Design a game that will fit into an 18-card "hook box"

Deadline: Jan. 15, 2018

Prizes: The Game Crafter shop credit, possible publication and more

https://www.thegamecrafter.com/contests/hook-box-challenge

A brainstorming exercise for creating a new board game:

http://www.cudoplays.com/board-game-brainstorm-the-cure-for-game-designers-block/

“Playtesters enjoying the game doesn’t imply there is nothing to change, and vice versa.”

— John Brieger

“Never forget how important hope is to your players. The longest odds make the greatest moments.”

— JR Honeycutt

A look at the Euro and American styles of board game design (audio):

Part 1: https://www.snakesandlattes.com/podcast/287/Euro-vs.-Amerithrash,-Part-1-__-What-is-a-Euro-game_ques_/

Part 2: https://www.snakesandlattes.com/podcast/288/Euro-vs.-Amerithrash,-Part-2-__-Defining-Amerithrash-(or-American__style-games)/

Part 3: https://www.snakesandlattes.com/podcast/289/Euro-vs.-Amerithrash,-Part-3-__-The-differences,-and-coming-together/

“Even if you work alone, you *really* need blind playtesters who don’t care about your feelings. That’s how good games get made.”

— Brandon Rollins

Ways to use asymmetry and variable player powers (audio):

https://www.buzzsprout.com/48513/581555-episode-36-asymmetry-and-variable-player-powers

“Instead of: ‘That question’s answered in the rules.’ Think – ‘Can I prevent anyone needing to ask the question?’”

— John Brieger

What to do after getting negative playtest feedback on your design:

http://brandonthegamedev.com/how-to-turn-negative-play-test-feedback-into-a-brilliant-game/