“Though it might not be required, writing a good rulebook can give you a leg up in not only getting your game published, but getting it published right. If you can’t communicate how your game is played to the publisher, they can’t communicate it to the world.”

— Emma Larkins

An argument that “challenge” is the key to a game that sticks with players:

http://www.phantomknightgames.com/news/eat-your-vegetables/

Board game designers share how they incorporate replayability into their games:

https://design100.org/60-replayability/#

Handy printable sheet with game design axioms to remember

How to playtest your game, plus how to work with playtesters and developers (video)

Lots of tips for funding and publishing your first board game, stated bluntly:

http://tabletopbackerparty.com/funding-your-first-game/

Some thoughts to help you find the motivation to get started turning your idea for a game into reality:

https://brandonthegamedev.com/how-to-turn-your-ideas-into-reality/

A comparison of Tabletop Simulator and Tabletopia, with pros and cons for playtesting on each:

https://firsttakesomedice.blogspot.com/2020/04/prototyping-and-testing-virtually.html

10 contract tips for board game publishers (video)

A short reminder about the importance of doing your due diligence before launching a product:

https://twitter.com/GTGChristopher/status/1254973305154609153

Lots of tips for working on multiple game ideas at once:

http://www.weirdgiraffegames.com/carla/wordpress/2020/04/28/working-on-multiple-games-at-once/

Nifty tool for making 3D-looking cityscapes

https://icograms.com/

“Ideas are cheap, and plentiful, and not so unique. Designers have to decide which ideas to pursue when. That skill is more important than having ideas in the first place. And it still doesn’t compare to actually executing on an idea.”

— Jay Treat

Discussion of fairness in games (audio):

http://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-222-johnny-fairplay

A walkthrough of how to create a digital version of your game in Tabletop Simulator (video)

related: an intro to Tabletop Simulator in bite-size chunks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwxPE5V-nRA&list=PLvtozZoCmlvKL97oudPfVfcf_PGPOvDHx

Tips for working well with a co-designer, making time for game design, and staying positive:

http://www.weirdgiraffegames.com/carla/wordpress/2020/04/21/maximize-game-design-time-part-2/

A thorough response to a common question from new board game designers: Will someone steal my idea? (video)

An in-depth comparison of three crowdfunding campaign pledge managers:

http://rockmanorgames.com/2020/04/22/the-tale-of-3-pledge-managers/

Board game designers on how and when they solo test their prototypes:

https://design100.org/59-solo/#

How different games address situations where one player must decide “who to target”:

http://www.phantomknightgames.com/news/politics-poker/