Soft skills that board game designers need: giving and receiving feedback, correcting a playtest experience that has gone off the rails, dealing with publishers, and more (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bGs8WSxZE0

Understanding the trick-taking renaissance—looking at the rise of trick-taking games from a data-driven perspective:

https://www.donteatthemeeples.com/understanding-the-trick-taking-renaissance/

A multifaceted conversation about various aspects of making board games: the business side of indie publishing, different approaches to the design process, designing solo games, and more (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezso5wCYTKM

How does the board game design community feel about generative AI? This survey asked for designers’ views about various potential uses:

https://irp.cdn-website.com/2b6905d0/files/uploaded/TTGDA+Member+Survey_+Use+of+Generative+AI+3_25_26.pdf

A pair of timely reminders about why you belong in the game design community (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3P0gg8dBrs

How designing mass-market games is different from designing hobby games (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h7LmXT4L5M

6 tips to help you perform better in a game design contest like the Cardboard Edison Award, and to generally make games that will be more appealing (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_5Wv6CaHKY

Matt Leacock on how the industry has changed in the past 20 years, working with publishers, advocating for game designers, and more:

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2026/02/06/pandemic-creator-matt-leacock-on-fighting-for-designers-rights-working-with-effective-developers-and-his-publisher-pet-peeves/

A grab bag of game design questions: considering component cost when designing, how to remain motivated with a game design, the pros and cons of self-publishing, and more (video):

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

Some trends that shaped the board game industry in 2025 and what they have meant for game designers (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH4o2alaNoA

Our annual Cardboard Edison Best Practices booklet, filled with board game design tips and resources for every step of the process, is back!

In this edition, you’ll find:

• How to make the most of a playtest group

• What should be in a pitch video—and what shouldn’t

• Mistakes to avoid with your prototype’s art

• Onboarding players more smoothly

• How to prepare for indie game markets

…and lots more!

Three publishers on how they’re using—and paying to include—fan designs in their releases:

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/12/16/board-game-publishers-stonemaier-cmyk-and-eurydice-games-on-how-theyre-utilising-and-paying-to-include-fan-designs-in-their-releases/

A history of board game design (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTr3kVXd6LY

Answers to a bunch of questions about designing and publishing board games (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncobd6xxT2Q

Career paths in the tabletop industry: how to gain work experience that’s attractive to publishers and other gaming companies (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vcjh97TFETE

Why the first play of a board game is the most important one—and what designers can focus on to make it count (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rboNxr1KCc

Leveling up as a board game designer: signs that your skills and practices are becoming more like an experienced designer rather than a beginner (video):

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

The Daniel.games game design advice website has been updated with new and revised articles:

https://daniel.games/

A short thread on how potential customers browse at a game store and what designers can learn from it:

https://bsky.app/profile/kevinwilson42.bsky.social/post/3m3zqjfqi3c2b

Aspects of the tabletop industry that can contribute to burnout for board game designers (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2rC_8F10R8