“What may seem like a fantastic idea in your head, whether it be simply an idea or a fully worked-out game, can turn out to be clunky, boring and simply not work when you get put it on paper. Prototyping fast and ultimately failing fast is therefore critical to successful game design.”

— Janice Turner

Suggestions for making solo playtesting easier:

https://twitter.com/OroroPro/status/1309037958004191233

“One thing I’ve learned is that your game is never going to please every player; there will be some very vocal opponents that want you to create the game THEY want to play. While feedback is important, evaluate the feedback and see if what they are saying is true for all players, not just them.”

— Brian Lewis

A small Kickstarter creator shares lessons learned across nearly half a dozen campaigns:

https://bagamesco.com/lessons-from-kickstarter-creators-fundamental-games/

How various board games have used a “qualifier” mechanic that determines which players are eligible to win:

http://www.gamesprecipice.com/qualifiers/

The factors you should consider when setting up stretch goals for your Kickstarter:

https://stonemaiergames.com/how-to-choose-realistic-stretch-goals-for-your-board-game-kickstarter/

Quick answers to common questions from first-time Kickstarter creators:

• When should I launch my Kickstarter?

• What’s the best time to launch?

• What should my funding goal be?

• How do I build up interest for my game?

http://rockmanorgames.com/2020/09/18/running-your-1st-kickstarter-campaign-you-need-500-backers/

A critical look at how board games can alternately portray or endorse certain moral ideas:

https://spacebiff.com/2020/09/17/talking-games-10/

Tips for how to enter and win board game design contests (video):

http://www.weirdgiraffegames.com/carla/wordpress/2020/09/14/entering-contests-with-marcus-ross/

Excel-based hex tile grid generator:

https://grumpyspider.com/blogs/all/we-made-a-thing

“i believe great designers are curious. they want to learn. why did another game do it this way? what is that mechanic trying to evoke? is it successful? what would i change about it? if you can be curious, then no matter what game you work on, you’ll be successful.”

— Katie Chironis

Gamers share their favorite elements for improving rulebooks:

https://twitter.com/Boardgame_girl1/status/1305488932734410752

Prolific game designer Reiner Knizia discusses the game design process, tips for creativity, industry trends, and more (video)

An introduction to commonly used board game terms and mechanics (audio):

https://soundcloud.com/malthausgames/ep73-introduction-episode-to-board-game-terms-and-how-to-play-games-affordably

Fiddliness in game design (audio):

https://www.buzzsprout.com/48513/5282658-episode-64-fiddly-games

Suggestions for how to improve on some common wisdom about board game design:

https://twitter.com/belltowergames/status/1304774935152340994

The importance of self-care and how it can affect your work (audio):

https://www.boardgamedesignlab.com/self-care-and-dealing-with-designer-burnout-with-kirk-dennison/

Intrinsic motivation and its role in game design:

https://www.universityxp.com/blog/2020/9/10/what-is-intrinsic-motivation

“Vomit your work on to paper and get it to the table. Play it.

It will be terrible, and you’ll be embarrassed. And then you’ll either be inspired to make the next iteration better, or decide this is not for you and give up.

Both (and the entire spectrum between) are 100% valid.”

— Eric Lang

A look at loss aversion and the role it can play in game design:

https://www.psychologyofgames.com/2020/09/podcast-63-loss-aversion-and-game-design/