“Even if a project is abandoned, the time you spent working on it was never wasted. The lessons learned help you hone your skills.”

— Bez

Play styles can have a big effect on what happens at a table, here is a quick rundown of some different kinds (audio)

tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/01/28/play-styles-topic-discussion/

How to estimate shipping costs and how that affects the cost of a game (audio):

http://ninjavspirates.libsyn.com/who-what-why-s21e08-shipping-charged-after-podcast-episode

An example of a preliminary pitch letter to a publisher:

https://boardgamedesigncourse.com/the-exact-letter-i-sent-to-a-publisher-that-got-my-first-game-signed/

Keith Matejka of Thunderworks Games on world-building, staying on track with a project, pushing through after the initial spark, and more. (Meeple Syrup, video)

An overview of several board game design contests and where to find more (video)

Tips for identifying the “core” of your game and strengthening it during playtesting:

https://boardgamedesigncourse.com/getting-to-the-core-of-your-game/

“Geoff’s Law: Your game is more complicated than you think it is, even when you take into account Geoff’s Law.”

— Geoff Engelstein

Notes on the importance of setup and teardown times:

https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/99739/industrial-musings-part-v-importance-setuptear-dow

Lessons from Spirit Island for aspiring board game designers:

https://brandonthegamedev.com/4-lessons-from-spirit-island-for-aspiring-board-game-designers/

“Every designer can talk about their own games for hours – instead, be the designer that listens.”

— John Brieger

“Pay attention to point differentials and their psychological impact. In a zero sum game, you losing 1 point is the same as your opponent gaining 1 point. The latter feels more fair, though.”

— Daniel Solis

What it takes to maintain a full-time job as a freelance board game designer:

https://subsurfacegames.ca/2020/01/17/on-the-viability-of-game-design-as-a-full-time-job/

“Being part of a design community is about investing in the success of that community. Be giving of your time and talents.”

— John Brieger

“‘I don’t want to submit my game til it looks nice’
I have literally received a prototype in a macaroni cheese box. I’ve watched pitches where the bits were simply sharpie drawings on the backs of used printer paper. Don’t let perfection get in the way of your design’s progress!!”

— AnnaMaria Jackson-Phelps

“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