“Scoring is what incentivises different behaviours. So, to a large extent, your scoring system IS your game. A good scoring system can provide a higher skill ceiling, differentiation of skill, reward interesting/fun play, tension of risk/reward, and real meaningful choices.”

— Bez

How heuristic evaluation can improve your game design (audio):

https://ninjavspirates.libsyn.com/who-what-why-s22e04-let-me-learn-you-something

The difference between novelty that comes from original concepts and novelty coming from variety–plus ways of increasing replayability:

https://justingary.com/2020/05/05/the-lost-chapter-think-like-a-game-designer/

“Most strategic games are about decisions, and when you decide to do something you’re also often deciding not to do something else. And there is a cost there, and that cost is often not appreciated by some designers.”

— Tom Lehmann

A repository of millions of icons, many of them free:

https://www.flaticon.com/

The 10 Minute Design Challenge is a great exercise for quick thinking and creativity:

http://10minutedesignchallenge.co.uk/

Here’s a video explaining how it works:

https://youtu.be/E3_KhFZZ93c

What makes a racing game a racing game? (audio)

http://dicehateme.com/2020/05/the-state-of-games-ep-173-the-one-about-rockets-and-racing/

What designers should expect from publishers—and vice versa (video)

The benefits of giving Kickstarter backers a discount off your game’s retail price:

https://stonemaiergames.com/whats-up-with-reward-prices-on-kickstarter/

What kinds of biases do board game designers have, and what can be done to make games more approachable to all kinds of gamers?

https://twitter.com/SenFoongLim/status/1263608899975942146

“Your game is 3 to 10 times harder than you think it is.”

— Elizabeth Hargrave

“To make a bridge to the familiar, hobby gamers have to realize what is familiar to a casual gamer.

Worker placement? nope
Variable turn order? nope
Variable set-up? not really
Deck construction? nope
Game phases? nope

You can ask a casual player to learn 2-3 new things at most”

— Dominic Crapuchettes

“A key facet of modern design is that players are engaged in the game from start to finish. Make losing as engaging as possible.”

— T.C. Petty III

Examples of expansions that increase replayability without also increasing players’ cognitive load too much:

http://www.phantomknightgames.com/news/the-one-about-expansions/

A guide to pitching your board game to publishers (video)

How to get your game onto Tabletop Simulator–a step-by-step guide to the basics:

https://boardgamedesigncourse.com/how-to-get-your-game-on-tabletop-simulator/

Board game design advice for absolute beginners:

http://makethemplay.com/index.php/2020/05/13/tips-for-starting-board-game-designers/

Interesting and innovative win conditions and scoring methods–a Twitter board game design discussion:

https://twitter.com/robinwriting/status/1259495527105912832

“Hey you! You know that idea that you have for a new board game? The one you’ve been stewing over for some time now? Well...

GET UP AND GO MAKE IT!

Seriously! Grab some index cards, grab some pennies - whatever you need - and MAKE IT! You’ll thank me later.”

— Tim Blank

Downloadable Excel template for generating hex maps:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mEIh7WFxsntfiJ-Qy_qq5n9Ta3SseRyr/view