While many tabletop games focus on particular strengths, there are certain things that basically all games need to be successful: a cohesive aesthetic, ways for…
Given the upcoming Protospiel at Pacificon, it’s time to take another look at playtesting. The best games are yet to be made, and a key…
There are battles, and then there are BATTLES. And what bigger battle is there than mechanics vs. theme? Ask any game designer which is more…
In the game industry, copyright, trademarks, and patents don’t work. We need something else. Recently, a federal court in Texas handed down a judgment that…
I’ve been a Graphic Designer for 14 years and a Boardgame Designer for almost 4 years. Most Boardgame Designers who are working towards a Kickstarter…
Recently I had the opportunity to visit Japan for my day job. This was my first trip outside the US and I was a little…
Cubes get a bad rap in the boardgame community. They are often seen as unthematic, boring, and unoriginal. “Cube-pusher” is a derogatory term used to…
For several years I’d heard about Sasquatch, a small, invite-only convention in Seattle, but I never had the time to get up there for it….
All games need actions. Otherwise, do you really have players, or just observers? Today I continue my examination of the different core elements of games…
Whether you’re self-publishing or pitching to a publisher, it’s important to keep in mind, the cost of the game you’re designing. When you’re pitching a…