“Find your own niche and then own it. Each thing you make is pushing yourself in a new direction. Don’t just push along one axis constantly and use one perspective of what ‘good’ means.”

— Behrooz "Bez" Shahriari

Designers share what they read to learn more about game design:

https://design100.org/28-reading/#

A guide to some basic terms related to a game’s printed materials:

https://mavengames.co.uk/printed-materials-guide/

Pointers for designing with the final product in mind:

https://twitter.com/PKTyson/status/1159618884166508544

“You don’t need to tell playtesters if you’ve already tested a suggested solution. Refocus and keep them talking.”

— John Brieger

Should space-themed games get the science right?

https://meeplephd.com/2019/08/should-space-themed-games-get-the-science-right/

“Have patience. Lots of patience. Developing a game until it is good can take many years. Is a publisher interested in your game, then you still need to have patience. Keep in mind it can take months, sometimes years before a game is published.”

— Dennis Merkx

“To ensure a steady stream of playtesters, you need to engage with your community. You can’t have all your interactions be you asking them to testing your games.”

— John Brieger

What is necessary for a game to stand out from the crowd?

https://design100.org/27-unique/

Two things most pitches to publishers lack: what makes the game unique and how will it become a hit:

https://www.nickbentley.games/bad-board-game-design-pitches/

“Customers will likely play your game more in the first month of its release than all of your playtesting combined.”

— John Brieger

Graphic design tips and what game designers should pay attention to when working with graphic design elements (audio):

http://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-204-the-eyes-have-it

“There are many reasons to make games — making a commercially successful product is only one measure of success.”

— John Brieger

“When writing game rules, be wary of VAST COSMIC FORCES that occupy the negative space when you don’t identify the actor in a sentence. Example:

”The deck is shuffled.”
BY WHOM?...
BY VAST COSMIC FORCES!

Try “Shuffle your deck.” or “Each player shuffles their deck.””

— Daniel Solis

Tips for designing games with dice:

https://twitter.com/playnyctophobia/status/1155989285658492928

How to meet with publishers at conventions even if they’ve never heard of you:

https://boardgamedesigncourse.com/how-to-meet-with-publishers-at-conventions-even-if-theyve-never-heard-of-you/

Board game designers share their thoughts on the issue of balance:

https://design100.org/26-balance/#

What to make of a playtest that flops after one that goes well?

https://boardgamedesigncourse.com/from-good-to-bad/

The six zones of play: the physical areas that compete for players’ attention during a game:

https://mrbossdesign.blogspot.com/2019/07/the-6-zones-of-play.html

A look at objectives and how they work in games:

http://makethemplay.com/index.php/2019/07/24/in-game-objectives/