Getting started in game design can be overwhelming. There’s a lot to learn, and it’s not always obvious what you should learn first. Here you’ll find lots of resources to help you get off to a great start as a game designer.
Contents
- Start Here
- Organization
- Games You Should Play
- Industry
- Community
- Game Design Forums
- Game Design Podcasts
- Game Design Conventions
- Time Management
- Staying Motivated
- More Reading
Start Here
More Board Game Terms Explained
10 Steps to Design a Board Game (Video)
Brief Crash Course in Game Design
The Downfall of Aspiring Game Designers
How to Tell if a Concept Is “Valid”
Some thoughts for designers who are worried that someone will steal their game idea
Questions You Must Answer When Designing a New Game
When to Walk Away from a Game Design
Maximizing Your Game Design Time
Tips for Working with a Codesigner
An Introduction to Spreadsheets for Game Designers
When You Get Stuck on a Game Design
10 Things to Do at Home to Become a Better Designer
Self-Publish Board Games or Not?
How to Enter a Print and Play Design Contest on BGG
What I learned at SaltCON about Game Design
How to Make a Tabletop Simulator Demo of Your Game
Games Are Ready When They’re Ready
10 Elements of Good Game Design
Passion and Zeal are No Substitute for Skill
Multi-Tasking Is Actually the Best
6 Right and Wrong Reasons to Make a Board Game
Try, Try, Try Again: How to Fund after Failing Twice
6 Right and Wrong Reasons to Make a Board Game
Why You Should Go to a Protospiel
18 Facebook Groups for Game Designers
Designer vs Developer vs Publisher
Top 10 Short-Term Ways to Stumble into Long-Term Success
Do You Ever Worry about Ripping off Other Games?
Organization
How to Organize All of Your Game Ideas
Organizing Your Game Design Space
Games You Should Play
Top 10 Games Every Designer Should Play Part 1
Top 10 Games Every Designer Should Play Part 2
Top 10 Games Every Designer Should Play Part 3
Wargames Every Designer Should Play
Why Every Designer Should Play a Wargame
Industry
Why it’s so Difficult to be a Full-time Tabletop Designer
Jobs in the Board Game Industry (Video)
How to Work in the Gaming Industry
The Complete Process of a Game Being Manufactured (Video)
Community
Building a Game Design Community
How to Be Part of the Design Community (Audio)
How to Decide if You Need a Game Design Partner
How to Build an Audience (Audio)
How to Create a Game Design Community (Audio)
Advice I Wish I Had When I Was Working on My First Game
What if Someone Steals My Idea?
How to Test Your Game by Yourself
Game Design Forums
Game Designers Guild Facebook Group
Board Game Playtesters Guild Facebook Group
Design Forum on Board Game Geek
Design Forum on The Game Crafter
Game Design Podcasts
A Long List Ranking the Best Board Game Podcasts
Game Design Conventions
A Game Designer’s Convention Packing List
Time Management
The Cost of a Board Game: Time
Balancing Family Life and Gaming Part 1
Balancing Family Life and Gaming Part 2
How to Find More Time to Make Games (Video)
How to Balance Life and Game Design
Staying Motivated
How to Deal with Designer’s Block and Overwhelm (Audio)
Anything Is Possible if You Pay the Price
The Last 10% of Your Game’s Design
Maintaining Enthusiasm on a Design
More Reading
The Full Process of Getting Your Game in People’s Hands
Independent Game Design: What to Expect
The Path of the Game and the Path of the Designer
The Game that Won’t Get Published
Perception Is Reality: How To Be Bigger Than You Are
What Does a Game Cost the Designer
A Publisher’s Perspective on the Top 10 Mistakes New Designers Make
Confessions of a Game Designer
Your Game Idea Is Useless until You Do This
On the Viability of Game Design as a Full Time Job
Designer vs Developer vs Publisher
How a “Zero Based” Calendar Can Supercharge Your Productivity
Why We Don’t Follow Through on What We Set Out to Do and What to Do about It
You Have More than Enough Time, You’re Just Not Spending It Right
Identity Based Habits: How to Actually Stick to Your Goals This Year