A couple years ago I was discussing board game design with a fellow designer. We were debating when it was appropriate to consider game expansions. Do you plan out the expansions when you create the base game? Or do you launch the base game and wait for sales numbers or gamer feedback? I told him… Read More Expand, Or Expand Not. There is No Try
As any fan of Quentin Tarantino can attest, not every filmmaker uses the three-act structure, but the vast majority of filmmakers do. And as it turns out, so do a great many board game designers. Click to Continue…
The authors of Characteristics of Games – George Skaff Elias, Richard Garfield and Robert Gutschera – began their text book with the statement that they weren’t going to define the term “Board Game”. What a board game is defined as isn’t as important as what a board game is comprised of. Not being as wise… Read More Board Games As: The Anti-Puzzle
It was an innocent question. While at work during an all-hands meeting concerning departmental culture, a simple question was asked. “Do all happy hours need to be at bars?” Click to Continue…
Just as in life, games impress limits upon you. But even with these conditions, many games – my favorite games – still allow you to strategize, theorize, and experiment. You can say, “this may not work, but let’s try it anyway”. If it works out, awesome. If it doesn’t, oh well. At least now you… Read More The Freedom of Limitations
Getting together to play an RPG is almost identical to attending a book club. The primary difference is that book clubs gather to discuss the latest chapter, and role players gather to write it. Click To Continue…
