“If you think your game needs to look nice, it probably means it’s just not good enough yet. Focus on the game.”

— Bruno Faidutti

“Negative points are big, loud alarm bells. Ring them wisely.”

— Daniel Solis

Design diary followed by discussion of the highs and lows of an active Kickstarter campaign (audio)

http://www.boardgamedesignlab.com/the-making-of-dungeon-ball-with-gabe-barrett/

Discussion on the role of theme in a game (audio)

http://tgdrt.libsyn.com/-229-round-table-on-the-essence-of-a-theme

“There are certain things you absolutely want to have in a game design contract, such as full reversion of rights a.) if they don’t make the game and b.) if they stop making/selling the game. Don’t get your game stuck in limbo!”

— Emma Larkins

“Designing a game is a much easier process than chipping away at a game that works and making it great.”

— Ben Pinchback

Designers share pictures of what their prototypes looked like when they pitched them to publishers:

https://twitter.com/stuffByBez/status/1214943595918217216

Modern tenets of good game design—a BoardGameGeek designers forum discussion:

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2344424/what-secret-creating-good-choicesdecisions-game-de

Tips for better, faster playtesting sessions—a BoardGameGeek designers forum discussion:

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2346314/tips-power-testing-protospiel

How to use math to balance and develop your designs (audio)

https://indieboardgamedesigners.com/eric-alvarado/

More and more therapists are using games in their sessions, which is another reason to design inclusive games (audio):

https://playability.fireside.fm/36

Tips on how to make your games retail-friendly and what makes a retailer interested in backing your Kickstarter (audio)

http://thegamecrafter.libsyn.com/bryan-winter-and-retail-friendly-games-episode-220

Notes on tracks, tokens and score pads, and when one is better than another:

https://subsurfacegames.ca/2020/01/06/tracks-tokens-score-pads/

Reducing players’ cognitive load through good component design:

https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/96699/components-are-avatars-concepts

An overview of what to do once you have a brilliant idea for a board game:

https://bigpotato.com/blog/what-to-do-with-your-brilliant-board-game/

“A strong negative reaction to an individual gameplay event is sometimes a good sign — generally means the player was invested in some aspect of the game.”

— John Brieger

The Biodiversity Heritage Library has thousands of free-to-use nature-themed illustrations

“As important as balance is to the designer’s craft - and it is crucial - it’s often the perception of balance that matters once the game gets out into the world.”

— Mary Russell

Before you sign your next contract, listen to this episode that offers tips and insights (audio):

http://www.buildingthegamepodcast.com/2019/12/15/episode-394-comprehending-contracts-and-riding-rainbows/

The importance of having a print-n-play version of your game and some tips on making the print-n-play files (audio):

http://www.boardgamedesignlab.com/designing-an-awesome-print-n-play-with-martin-gonzalvez/