When you think about the most valuable properties in Monopoly, do you think of Boardwalk and Park Place? The two dark blue spaces next to Go might be the most expensive, but they actually aren’t the most lucrative properties to own.
Since releasing Villages, I’ve discovered that the game’s colorful pixel art style appeals to young kids. But the many character abilities and direct combat aspects of Villages can be a lot to handle for them.
Shogi’s similarities to the Western variety of chess got me wondering if they shared a common ancestor. When I went looking, I found a lot more than I bargained for.
If there’s one thing game designers always need more of, it’s playtesters. The Board Game Designer’s Guild of Utah has always been a great resource to get new games tested and critiqued, but now, they’re kicking things up a notch by organizing a new public playtesting convention they’re calling ProtoCON.
What better way to learn Magic than trying out the new free-to-play online version, Magic: the Gathering Arena? My plan was to install it, learn the rules, play a few games, and move on to something else. Oh, how naive I was.
Ever wonder why poker cards have the suit and value printed in two corners?
When it comes to manufacturing things like card games and books, technology has come a long way. But it’s not perfect. Printers are machines with sensitive moving parts, and sometimes, they slip out of alignment and don’t work like they should. Yep, even robots have bad days.
The Villages Cardsmith Kit is an online tool you can use to create your own custom Villages cards. Here’s how to use it.
Printing and testing your first prototype is a great milestone, and should happen as early as possible in the design process–ideally on the same day you start working on the design. I say this because a game’s first playtest is usually awful.
If you’re just starting out as a new game designer, you might be wondering how to print and test your cards. After designing a few finished games and dozens of prototypes myself, here’s what I do.