Arguing that frustration is an essential part of games, neither inherently bad nor good:

https://lestmyopinions.com/2026/07/05/right-in-the-bad-feels/

Thoughts on some unspoken assumptions in board game design discourse, and how the way a game is framed for the market can lead to design choices that run counter to common wisdom:

https://www.hawkanddovegames.com/blog/on-design-discourse

Game designer Phil Walker-Harding on balancing games, inspiration, the design process, players’ negative experiences, and more (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaG_iAwxG4g

Accuracy vs. authenticity: How to assess what’s “real” in historical games? And why do some games feel “authentic” while others don’t? (video)

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

Generating content such as effects and player powers for your game: a process for creating it, games that do and don’t need it, “free” design space, and more (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1oeWTSz26M

Game designer Cole Wehrle on player agency, emergent storytelling, and what it's like to make and play long, heavy games (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_Dz5rUUUBY

What is a eurogame? (video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h8ZDJPVrkI

Considering the many ways in which uncertainty shows up throughout the entire experience of playing a board game:

https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2026/05/19/clearly-uncertain-the-role-of-uncertainty-in-board-games-topic-discussion/

An in-depth discussion about all the ins and outs of designing, prototyping, and testing party games (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBxqe2BOi-g

Mark Rosewater, head designer for Magic: The Gathering, shares lessons about creativity, audience connection, and why great design starts with how you want players to feel:

audio: https://justingarydesign.substack.com/p/mark-rosewater-designing-for-emotion

video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRoiFsMsBpY

Call it thematic integration or resonance or ludonarrative assonance: here’s a deep discussion about making your game's mechanics match the theme, and vice-versa (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urOxG_nZ2F0

Thoughts on balance: Bluesky board game designers discuss their biggest lessons about balance in game design:

https://bsky.app/profile/eanderssonsunden.bsky.social/post/3mkdhneoxxc2d

What makes a good board game for children? (video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m-d7U-i8g8

A wide-ranging discussion about various board game design topics, including development and how to make your game less fragile (video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnAC-92uzWI

Board game designers share their most unusual game ideas:

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3693501/your-most-unusual-game-design-ideas

How to surprise your players (and why you want to do this):

https://boardgamedesigncourse.com/surprise-your-players/

10 ways to use dice in your board game (other than roll and move):

https://boardgamedesigncourse.com/10-ways-to-use-dice-in-your-board-game/

Exploring the concept of degenerate strategies and degenerate game states in tabletop games:

https://www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/degenerate-game

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

This short video runs through three things your board game probably needs—a core loop, complications, and surprises:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sBq8sUZO0Ro