Tips for getting past the conceptual stage of game design and into actually designing the game:

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2167091/getting-past-conceptual-stage-game-design

“A question I ask routinely in early tests: ‘Is there anything you wanted to do in this game that you couldn’t?’”

— John Brieger

2019 BostonFIG Tabletop Showcase

Deadline: April 15, 2019

https://www.bostonfig.com/festival/tabletop-games/

Answers to a young game designer’s questions:

https://streamlinedgaming.com/3-questions-from-a-young-aspiring-game-designer/

How incentives can change player behavior:

https://remptongames.com/2019/03/09/game-design-in-real-life-playing-with-incentives/

“Don’t sit on one game for too long. Try to design a lot of games early on. Figure out what sort of games you like to play and design. It’s very rare that your first game will be a breakout hit.”

— Shem Phillips

Notes on building a business making board games:

https://brandonthegamedev.com/dont-just-build-a-board-game-build-a-business/

A co-creator of Exploding Kittens discusses fostering a community on Kickstarter:

https://tompetgames.wordpress.com/2019/03/11/elan-lee-the-co-creator-of-throw-throw-burrito-and-exploding-kittens/

A list of board game design advice you should never follow:

https://twitter.com/kasper_lapp/status/1104053766901428224

Board game designers discuss the various places where they get inspiration:

http://design100.org/6-inspiration/

“Playtesters are people, not just a data input to your #gamedesign. Recognize that and treat them well.”

— John Brieger

“Remember to take breaks from your concepts/prototypes so that you can approach them with fresh eyes. Time to detox lets you take on your work as a new(ish) player would, versus someone that just designed that rule/mechanic. Perspective is everything.”

— Phoenix Covenant

“Build a crowd BEFORE you launch. You and your game are the cultivator, best practices are the converter. Don’t get that backwards.”

— Daniel Zayas

Thoughts on the importance of catch-up mechanics:

https://boardgamedesigncourse.com/making-a-comeback/

A short list of what to include in a sell sheet:

https://twitter.com/WeirdGiraffes/status/1104032904349470721

Notes on the importance of proofreading your rulebook:

https://mavengames.co.uk/proofreading/

“Remember card game designers, your game is better when the abilities evoke your theme. It’s not just clever, it makes the game easier to learn and play.”

— T.C. Petty III

Reasons theme is important in your prototype (audio):

http://theforbiddenlimb.libsyn.com/reasons-to-theme-your-prototype-ep-78

Board game designers share which part of the process they find the most difficult:

http://design100.org/5-struggle/

Cardboard Edison's Favorite Tips & Resources - February 2019

This month, our roundup of favorite board game design links and quotes includes counterintuitive tips, deep thoughts that are worth thinking about, advice for working in the industry, and more.

theory:

• Notes on the importance of thinking through your game design decisions

• 8 kinds of fun  

process:

• Board game designers answer the question: “What common game design saying or piece of advice do you most disagree with, and why?”

• “my biggest piece of advice for aspiring board game designers is to play more modern games. play so many games. as many as you can. different kinds. pay attention to designers and their styles. learn what you can about how people who know what they’re doing do their thing.”—Daniel Newman

• “If you never try your game idea because you doubt it’ll be any good, then it will never improve, and it will never be any good. Don’t expect your game to be perfect the first time you play it.”—Seth Jaffee

industry:

• Reflections of a full-time board game designer after a year on the job

publishing:

• More than 200 artists and graphic designers, with links to their portfolios and notes on style

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Cardboard Edison is supported by our patrons on Patreon.

ADVISERS: Rob Greanias, Peter C. Hayward, Justin Gibbs, Robin Kay

SENIOR INVENTORS: Steven Cole (Escape Velocity Games), Calvin Johns, Chris and Kathy Keane (The Drs. Keane), Joshua J. Mills, Marcel Perro, Behrooz "Bez" Shahriari, Shoot Again Games, Nick Thacker

JUNIOR INVENTORS: Ryan Abrams, Luis Lara, Neil Roberts, Jay Treat

ASSOCIATES: Dark Forest Project, Stephen B. Davies, Thiago Jabuonski, Doug Levandowski, Nathan Miller, Matt Wolfe