“If you’re testing for an hour with 4 other people, that’s 4 hours of designer time you’ve used. Give as much time as you can back to your fellow designers.”

— Emma Larkins

“It’s natural for players to want have discussions or make comments midgame as issues emerge. Develop a sense as a moderator for when to cut off those conversations and refocus players back to gameplay.”

— John Brieger

“For those creating co-op games, create uncertainty. That way each player feels they are making their best decision for themselves rather than solving an equation. Each player should feel that they are the hero when it is their time to act. Create interactivity, otherwise, it is just a group of people playing solitaire.”

— Michael Lipton

Ideas aren't worthless: the important role they play in making a game:

https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/79032/ideas-are-important

The "magic circle" and its role in a game design:

https://remptongames.com/2018/07/14/welcome-to-the-magic-circle/

Five ways that games can change during the course of play:

http://makethemplay.com/index.php/2018/07/16/5-ways-of-changing-gameplay-in-your-board-game-design/

2019 Hippodice Competition

Deadline: Oct. 6, 2018

https://hippodice-competition.net/en/info-participation/dates-and-short-info/

Tips for writing a press release about your board game:

http://brandonthegamedev.com/why-how-to-make-press-releases-for-your-board-game/

How to remain encouraged after getting a "no" from a publisher:

http://www.hoopcatgames.com/blog/encouragement-after-hearing-no-no-no-no-no-yes-part-4

On the dangers of chasing a game-design fad:

https://twitter.com/KevinWilson42/status/1018693077005987840

Answers to a wide range of questions about playtesting (video)

Designing games for four different kinds of players and the experience that connects with each type (video)

“Asking whether to design a game theme-first or mechanics-first is like asking whether to paint with red paint first or black.”

— Jay Treat

“What you choose to leave out of your design is as important as what you put in - if not more so. Simplify.”

— Emma Larkins

Board game design history: the origins of common mechanisms and genres:

https://opinionatedgamers.com/2018/07/09/the-innovators-mechanical-innovations-part-1/

https://opinionatedgamers.com/2018/07/10/the-innovators-mechanical-innovations-part-2/

https://opinionatedgamers.com/2018/07/11/the-innovators-new-genres/

“Publishers will say “no” to fun, great games for various reasons. If you have a fun, great game (and thoroughly publicly play-tested!), persist until you find that right publisher match.”

— Charlie Hoopes

Designing games to bring out players' emotions (audio):

http://www.buildingthegamepodcast.com/2018/07/08/episode-319-carol-mertz-and-emotion-first-design/

Eric Lang's best advice for board game designers (audio):

http://www.boardgamedesignlab.com/eric-langs-best-advice/

“Always try it at higher and lower player counts. Your expectation of downtime for 5 or 6 might just be straight up wrong.”

— Josh Mills

Exercises and activities you can do to be more creative (audio):

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/dir-a5djd-43f426a