The Board Game Workshop Design Contest 2019

Deadline: April 21, 2019

https://theboardgameworkshop.com/design-contest-2019/

Tips for finding and making maps for your prototype:

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2167787/where-best-place-get-maps

Designing a game with a serious or sensitive theme—a BoardGameGeek designers forum discussion:

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2167154/question-theme

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