Game Design Resources


(Note: The links below are more current.)

There are literally hundreds of resources available both online and offline to help you in your journey to creating a board game. Below is just a sampling of some places you can go to learn more, get components, and network with other designers. There are tons more resources as well, but this should get you started on the path.

* Indicates resources that are not in the PDF.

Board Game Design Groups & Websites

Design Conventions

  • Protospiel – These events are popping up all around the country and are great for designers to meet, play each other’s games, and provide feedback.  Some of the more popular events include Protospiel Online often throughout the year, Chicago in September, Madison in December, Minnesota in January, Milwaukee in April, Indianapolis in May, and the original in Michigan in July.  But new events are always getting added, so be sure to check back often. protospiel.events * (Just a new link.)
  • UnPub – This is an annual event (plus a number of mini events) great for getting playtesting feedback from the general public. They are also great for marketing your game prior to publication or pitching your game to publishers. unpub.net
  • *ProtoATL - This annual event in Atlanta started out as a Protospiel but evolved into its own style of event.  It is great for designing, playtesting, pitching, and networking.  There is a stronger focus on pitching games at ProtoATL than most other design conventions.
  • Other Game Conventions – Most game conventions have locations or opportunities to playtest prototype games or to have your prototype games played.  Larger conventions, like GenCon, Origins, and others often have rooms with tables that can be reserved (often for a nominal fee) specifically for playtesting.  These conventions also have lots of opportunities to pitch games to publishers, including Speed Pitching events where designers set up a game at a table and publishers rotate around the room spending a few minutes with each designer.

Printing & Components

  • The Game Crafter – The top name in print-on-demand prototype creation. They have tons of choices for printable components, non-printable components, and a great support community. They also sponsor a ton of design related events around the country and are physically located in Madison, WI. thegamecrafter.com
  • Component Studio – A service of The Game Crafter, Component Studio can be used to generate cards, tiles, and other components quickly and easily, then import them into The Game Crafter for high quality printing! component.studio
  • DriveThru Cards – Part of the DriveThru family (DriveThru RPG and DriveThru Comics), they excel at printed cards and books, but don’t have any other gaming components. They’re an excellent choice to have card games printed at. drivethrucards.com
  • Print & Play Games by Ad Magic – Print & Play Games has lots of components and can print things like cards, tiles, and game boards. printplaygames.com
  • *BoardGamesMaker.com - Another option for printing prototypes.  boardgamesmaker.com 
  • *Make My Game by Cartamundi - A Belgium based printer for prototypes and more.  makemygame.com
  • Local Printers – Local printers are usually more expensive, but faster for quick turnarounds of basic printed components. You’ll have to cut your own cards, tokens, and boards though, and double-sided printing is often misaligned. I find it best to print cards without backs and put them into sleeves after cutting, or print fronts and backs separately and sleeve them together in clear sleeves.  Full-sheet shipping labels are also great for printing on and then sticking to matboard for tokens and mats.  Examples of local printers include officedepot.com and staples.com
  • Local Libraries – Many local libraries have 3D printing, laser cutting, craft cutters, computers, printers, and more that can be used to create game components.
  • Hobby Stores – Hobby stores like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby often have great little bits that can be used for components in your games.
  • Second Hand – Thrift stores like Goodwill or even garage sales are great places to get old games to use for components. Cover an old Monopoly board with new graphics!

Support Services

  • Indie Game Alliance – A group dedicated to promoting games from independent designers and publishers. indiegamealliance.com
  • Double Exposure – A group that not only runs conventions, but also organizes events for designers to showcase their games. dexposure.com
  • *Board Game Publishers List - A paid service that includes a list of 500+ board game publishers and their submission details.  bgpublisherslist.com

Icons and Graphics

Blogs

Podcasts

Books & Kits (affiliate links)

More Resources!  (Not in the PDF)

*Digital Board Games

*Dice Emulators
*More Stuff Dumped
Here are links to more stuff, unsorted, but useful.  None of these are in the PDF.
6 Steps of Game Design

1. HAVE AN IDEA

Your idea may be based on an interesting theme, mechanic, funny phrase, or an experience.  Ideas can come from anywhere.  Whatever inspires you, run with it!

2. EXPAND THE CONCEPT

Once you have a core idea, expand it into a full game.  This may mean writing out rules, grabbing sample components and testing out mechanics, or creating flowcharts.  Everyone works differently, so do whatever works for you.  Remember, a game is about an experience.  Think about what experience you want to provide.  An interesting game has meaningful choices that help shape the experience.

3. PLAYTEST, UPDATE, REPEAT

Once you have your idea worked out, you’ll need to play your game.  Start with cheap, easily replaceable or changeable components, like index cards, coins, cardboard, and parts of other games.  Make changes as you learn what works and what doesn’t.  Start with solo playtests, where you take on the role of all players yourself, then introduce the game to friends and family.  Refine the rules and gameplay as you continue to playtest, and keep past versions if you need to roll back changes.

4. IMPROVE COMPONENTS

Once the game is more stable you may want to improve the components.  Don’t spend money on artwork; you can find free graphics online.  For a more refined look and feel, use print services like The Game Crafter.

5. BROADER PLAYTESTING

As your game progresses you’ll want to get playtesting from a wider audience.  This is also a great time to get feedback from other designers at events like Protospiel.  Eventually you may also want to conduct blind playtesting, where players read your rules and play your game without your involvement.  This will ensure your rules are clear, consistent, and easily understood.

6. PUBLICATION

Not everyone wants their game published, but if you do there are two main paths to choose from.  
  • Self-publishing requires that you raise money (usually through crowdfunding like Kickstarter) and handle all the business aspects of publishing, like marketing, dealing with manufacturers, etc.  This is a lot of work and involves personal risk, but the benefits are more creative control and the opportunity to start your own business. 
  • You can also pitch your game to existing publishers.  Different publishers have different submission processes, but usually you’ll start by creating a sell sheet for your game.  You can pitch to publishers in person at conventions and designer/publisher speed dating events, or through online submissions.  Pitching games can be stressful, but it allows you to focus on game design rather than all the business aspects of publishing.

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