Is a unique mechanic or interesting twist necessary for a design to succeed? A BoardGameGeek designers forum discussion:

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2173601/unique-mechanic-or-interesting-twist-absolute-must

“Everyone knows the first poems you write are bad, but you’ve got to get them out of your system. It’s true with game design too. Poets don’t get attached to their first efforts, and neither should you.”

— Chip Beauvais

4 unexpected benefits of using Kickstarter to launch your game (audio):

https://www.buzzsprout.com/4646/975077

Signs it is time to give up on a design (audio):

http://theforbiddenlimb.libsyn.com/signs-it-is-time-to-give-up-on-a-design-ep-79

Suggestions for how to get started making your game simpler:

https://twitter.com/emmalarkins/status/1109300914119032832?s=11

James Earnest delves into the many nooks of the board game industry (audio):

https://www.thinklikeagamedesigner.com/podcast/2018/10/18/think-like-a-game-designer-4-james-earnest

“Please present complete and balanced product ideas. The art does not need to be complete – but for a game the mechanics do need to be complete. ”

— Shari Spiro

“A useful heuristic for testing a game’s limits is to have a player or dummy take a single action/path repeatedly.”

— John Brieger

Ways to save an underfunded Kickstarter project in the final 48 hours:

https://stonemaiergames.com/saving-an-underfunded-project-in-the-final-week-ks-lesson-264/

Thoughts on product design and its relationship to game design:

http://design100.org/8-products/

Ways that publishers can help reach the widest possible range of designers and players:

https://stonemaiergames.com/the-box-matters-how-publishers-can-prioritize-diversity/

“Don’t get too excited about your own game. It makes it harder for players to criticize it.”

— John Brieger

The Game Crafter Social Deduction Challenge

Deadline: Aug. 12, 2019

Prizes: The Game Crafter shop credit and more

https://www.thegamecrafter.com/contests/social-deduction-challenge

A publisher’s perspective on the biggest business-to-business trade shows for board games:

https://scottgaeta.com/f/a-publishers-view-on-b2b-trade-shows

What skills does your game test?

https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/85274/what-skills-does-your-game-test

How to prevent players from losing interest when it’s not their turn:

https://boardgamedesigncourse.com/whose-turn-is-it-anyway/

Steps to take to improve your Kickstarter’s chances of funding in the first 48 hours:

https://stonemaiergames.com/is-it-now-necessary-to-successfully-fund-within-the-first-48-hours-on-kickstarter/

Simple Elegance Contest

Design a game with simple rules, but that doesn’t lack planning or strategy

Deadline: June 17, 2019

Prizes: The Game Crafter shop credit and more

https://www.thegamecrafter.com/contests/simple-elegance-contest

“If you send out a request to meet with a publisher, include some info on your game. Sell sheet, rules, link to information. You know, something to make your game look like it’s worth meeting about. There’s not infinite time to do all the things!”

— Carla Kopp

“When testing family / mass market games, keep in mind hobby gamers’ kids have atypical exposure to hobby gaming.”

— John Brieger