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The Board Game Designer's Guide: The Easy 4 Step Process to Create Amazing Games That People Can't Stop Playing
“ Without a doubt, if I had read Joe’s book back in 1989, it would have accelerated my progress and potential as a game designer by decades .” – Jamey Stegmaier, designer of Scythe
Do you have a board game idea, but don’t know how to get it out of your head and onto the table? Have you made a game, but now it's just sitting in a closet somewhere? Have you been working on your game for a while, but you don't know what to do next?
Discover how to create your own game , make a memorable experience for your players, and be confident knowing how to share your game with the world in the way that’s right for you.
The Board Game Designer's Guide will give you all the tools and inspiration you need to create the game you’ve always wanted to play. It’s the definitive guide to getting started in board game design.
“ If you have a game idea and [are] wondering how to bring it to life - this book is your definitive first step. ” – Artem Safarov, designer of smash hit, Unbroken
“ Having something like this two years ago when I first started to get into the hobby would have been a big help. ” – Matthew Hester, game designer
Do you have a board game idea, but don’t know how to get it out of your head and onto the table? Have you made a game, but now it's just sitting in a closet somewhere? Have you been working on your game for a while, but you don't know what to do next?
Discover how to create your own game , make a memorable experience for your players, and be confident knowing how to share your game with the world in the way that’s right for you.
The Board Game Designer's Guide will give you all the tools and inspiration you need to create the game you’ve always wanted to play. It’s the definitive guide to getting started in board game design.
“ If you have a game idea and [are] wondering how to bring it to life - this book is your definitive first step. ” – Artem Safarov, designer of smash hit, Unbroken
“ Having something like this two years ago when I first started to get into the hobby would have been a big help. ” – Matthew Hester, game designer
231 pages, Paperback
Published December 11, 2017
83 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 13, 2021
Core idea: Board game design is about designing your players feelings and experience, made possible by a carefully selected game theme and mechanics. Start with familiar mechanics and mvp game pieces, then iterate the art and design and mechanics with playtests.
The book is more about general considerations of game design, production and distribution, than the details fine-tuning the game, e.g. wish the book would cover the balancing of the gameplay.
The flow of the book relies heavily on the chapter subtitles. Thus Kindle version much better than Audible.
The book is more about general considerations of game design, production and distribution, than the details fine-tuning the game, e.g. wish the book would cover the balancing of the gameplay.
The flow of the book relies heavily on the chapter subtitles. Thus Kindle version much better than Audible.
June 18, 2018
Due to the current popularity of board games, it should come as no surprise that there are offerings on how to design such games. With "The Board Game Designer's Guide" by Joe Slack, those who are novice designers or are curious about the process now have a book aimed at their level of experience. Slack presents a variety of subjects all geared to the novice designer and his "cheerleader" writing style will encourage you to pursue your design aspirations. Although it is good book for a beginner, more experienced designers will want to look elsewhere.
July 26, 2020
Never too old
In my mid twenties,( I am twice that now) I made a game as a project for college, showing how to run a business. It was called ' mind your own business.' It was played a few times by friends and colleagues then put in the loft and forgotten about. It has been lost now.
Back in April 2020, I got to thinking that I needed a hobby, something to occupy my idle hands!! I remembered the fun I had making up a game, so I started thinking of game ideas. I was amazed at how many I thought of and needed to figure out a way of prioritising them. Hard work when you don't know what you're doing!
I read this book and it has put things in order for me, especially finishing one game before starting on another.
Thanks Joe, this as been a real help *****
In my mid twenties,( I am twice that now) I made a game as a project for college, showing how to run a business. It was called ' mind your own business.' It was played a few times by friends and colleagues then put in the loft and forgotten about. It has been lost now.
Back in April 2020, I got to thinking that I needed a hobby, something to occupy my idle hands!! I remembered the fun I had making up a game, so I started thinking of game ideas. I was amazed at how many I thought of and needed to figure out a way of prioritising them. Hard work when you don't know what you're doing!
I read this book and it has put things in order for me, especially finishing one game before starting on another.
Thanks Joe, this as been a real help *****
February 4, 2018
Great Read!
A great read for anyone looking to get into this industry. Joe is able to break down the process of game design and provide step by step guidelines for those that are not as familiar with board game design. As a business graduate, I can follow Joe's logic and he is able to explain what would be required to move forward from a business perspective. He is very knowledgeable of this process and I highly recommend this read.
A great read for anyone looking to get into this industry. Joe is able to break down the process of game design and provide step by step guidelines for those that are not as familiar with board game design. As a business graduate, I can follow Joe's logic and he is able to explain what would be required to move forward from a business perspective. He is very knowledgeable of this process and I highly recommend this read.
December 13, 2017
Excellent book!
In my idea book I have several game ideas. I'd write out the rules and even sketch game boards but I never knew what to do next. After reading this book I feel confident I could make these game ideas or reality or at least know how to find out if they would be fun to play.
In my idea book I have several game ideas. I'd write out the rules and even sketch game boards but I never knew what to do next. After reading this book I feel confident I could make these game ideas or reality or at least know how to find out if they would be fun to play.
April 30, 2022
Game design books tend to lean more towards the theoretical than the practical, however this one is definitely on the more practical end of the spectrum. For someone who has already been practicing game design, some of the content here was not new and/or basic common sense, but overall it provided motivation and clear, simple methods to get moving for someone who has been a bit stuck.
December 20, 2017
Have you ever wanted to design a board game - or you already have one rolling around in your head? Get it created! The Board Game Designer's Guide walks you through each step of the process of creating your game. so get it done. Now!
December 14, 2017
Very insighful
This Book does take you from concept to final product. I love the examples in the book especially how you want your players to feel during the game and techniques to design the game for your desired play. Great book for any person who wants to make their own game!
This Book does take you from concept to final product. I love the examples in the book especially how you want your players to feel during the game and techniques to design the game for your desired play. Great book for any person who wants to make their own game!
July 6, 2019
It's a good introduction but doesn't cover the math asepct well enough. Repetitive at parts.
September 18, 2021
Good book for anyone interested getting into board game designing!
June 20, 2022
just describe flow of boardgame design test to publish , almost no design philosophy or specific guide to make your game better.
January 26, 2023
Useful content for any new game designer or entrepreneur
December 16, 2020
This is a great resource for beginning board game designers! Chapters are straightforward, brief, and practical. Each chapter ends with an action step to promote forward momentum. Looking forward to Joe's other books.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews