“Hobson’s choice” in tabletop games: Is it always bad if a player finds themselves in a take-it-or-leave it situation?

https://www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/hobsons-choice

There are several ways of getting your game out there—here’s a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of each:

https://streamlinedgaming.com/how-to-sell-your-board-game/

Player interaction: a deep conversation about different ways players can interact, and how designers can use those types of interactions in their game designs (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouJNxXm03wY

This spreadsheet combines themes, mechanics, and components to help designers generate ideas for games:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fQXz-e2MGnq3m61nsetAlabsBPLvjrTgyPRFGewvVFQ/edit?gid=0#gid=0

3 things you can do right now to become a better game designer:

https://boardgamedesigncourse.com/3-things-you-can-do-right-now-to-become-a-better-game-designer/

Why incentives matter: some high-profile examples of misaligned incentives driving unexpected or undesired behavior in players:

https://gametek.substack.com/p/team-rocket

Thoughts on when board games are more or less accommodating of different players’ varying playstyles (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgLcgEp9QiU

Tension in board game design: why it’s important, how to build it into your game, and how various mechanics, structures, and narrative elements can create tension (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6trvo4KF_g

How important is it to design against kingmaking? A Reddit board game designers forum discussion:

https://www.reddit.com/r/BoardgameDesign/comments/1ls8w5y/how_important_is_it_to_design_against_kingmaking/

Quick video descriptions of some uncommon game mechanics (and variations on more common ones):

• pyramid drafting: https://bsky.app/profile/fightinabox.bsky.social/post/3lryymytsss2m

• I cut, you choose: https://bsky.app/profile/fightinabox.bsky.social/post/3lsfcmzsvc22z

• rondels: https://bsky.app/profile/fightinabox.bsky.social/post/3lsn55mlxqs2s

• deck-building endgames: https://bsky.app/profile/fightinabox.bsky.social/post/3lsphotvstk2a

Fear in games: What games can inspire some form of fear in players? A BoardGameGeek design forum discussion:

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3536450/fear-in-games

What is a game’s decision space, how can it change while playing, and how can designers use that to create the experience they want?

https://www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/decision-space

Why board game designers should think of the process of making games as a craft (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5teC9KriYQ

An overview of several online tools that can help with different parts of the board game design process, from prototyping to playtesting to staying organized and more:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ_m6Sdg4JU

The basics of crowdfunding for board games: how it works, pros and cons of different platforms, tips for building a successful campaign, and a rough timeframe to expect:

https://tabletop-creator.com/board-game-crowdfunding-platforms/

3 things you can do to make your game a better product that’s more appealing to publishers:

https://boardgamedesigncourse.com/the-top-3-things-you-can-do-to-make-your-game-a-better-product/

Bite-size videos on various steps involved in making a board game, from getting started to playtesting to publishing:

• a simple game design exercise: https://bsky.app/profile/marygeorgescu.com/post/3lsbni2jyv52w

• playtesting tips: https://bsky.app/profile/marygeorgescu.com/post/3lsgshsvyqw2p

• types of playtesting: https://bsky.app/profile/marygeorgescu.com/post/3ls74vyc7f52l

• what mass-market publishers want: https://bsky.app/profile/marygeorgescu.com/post/3ls4mjlr2qb2x

• good box copy: https://bsky.app/profile/marygeorgescu.com/post/3lslpep45ek2v

Teaching your game: some principles that make explanations stick and the specific challenges facing designers during playtests:

https://www.whatifgames.co.uk/the-art-of-the-teach-a-conversation-with-will-the-board-game-wizard/

How to design a nature-themed board game (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xupbQ0M3Edc&pp=0gcJCdQJAYcqIYzv

Deck-building vs. bag-building: what’s the difference and which should you use in your game?

https://streamlinedgaming.com/deck-building-vs-bag-building/