“One question I try to always ask playtesters is ‘How well do you think the final scores represent your performance?’ It gets players talking about frustrations, strong moments, opacity, varied strategies, and misaligned incentives. The tone they use also represents engagement.”

— Jon Vallerand

Ways of extending a game that’s too short:

https://twitter.com/peterchayward/status/1194679376710897664

Math is hard: Why you should limit the amount of math players must do in your game:

http://www.phantasiogames.net/2019/11/math-is-hard.html

Different ways that games can obscure who’s winning:

http://www.mechanics-and-meeples.com/2019/11/12/designing-for-loss-part-one-obscuring-the-loss/

Time management tips everyone can use (audio):

http://www.boardgamedesignlab.com/time-management-and-getting-things-done-with-jason-brooks/

Game designers share their methods for dealing with setbacks in a design:

https://design100.org/41-setbacks/

Success and failure with Kickstarter and how to learn from a failed project to find success again (audio):

https://www.buzzsprout.com/4646/1867234

How to solo test your game, step by step:

https://boardgamedesigncourse.com/how-to-test-your-game-even-when-you-have-no-one-to-playtest-with/

Four lessons from Paladins of the West Kingdom for aspiring board game designers:

https://brandonthegamedev.com/4-lessons-from-paladins-of-the-west-kingdom-for-aspiring-board-game-designers/

“Express extreme appreciation for negative feedback, so that testers learn they should always speak up about issues.”

— John Brieger

Tips for what to do before you launch your next crowdfunding campaign (audio):

https://www.buzzsprout.com/4646/1679878

“Don’t be afraid to show a #gamedesign that isn’t ready, be afraid you’ve shown too late to make significant changes.”

— John Brieger

“Diversify your influences. I promise you that it’s immediately obvious if your only source of game design education comes from one book or one writer’s articles.”

— Eric Lang

“Ever playtest a game where it becomes clear the designer doesn’t really want critical feedback but just a pat on the back? Don’t be that person.”

— Jesse Catron

Pointers for designing a light game:

https://twitter.com/peterchayward/status/1192128620434776064

“Be part of a community of designers. You’ll learn just by talking through issues with other experienced people.”

— John Brieger

Reasons to use print on demand companies (audio):

http://www.buildingthegamepodcast.com/2019/11/03/episode-388-when-paul-bunyan-built-the-pnp-arcade/

“Play everything you can… The more you widen your knowledge of styles and mechanics, the easier you’ll come to see how to improve your developing game.”

— Andrew Harman

Things board game designers can learn from Root:

http://makethemplay.com/index.php/2019/11/06/learning-board-game-design-from-root/

How to make the most of players’ time:

http://www.phantasiogames.net/2019/11/time-is-precious.html