I thought I'd share some of the helpful resources that I have engaged with which have helped me grow my knowledge of game design, as well as my overall appreciation for the hobby. Over the past few years I have read, watched, or listened to these sources and picked up valuable insights into how to design a game, what makes a good game, or things to consider if you want to publish a game.
PODCASTS
There are lots of board game related podcasts out there. Some of the ones I have found consistently insightful, as well as easy to listen to, are:
Gabe Barrett and his weekly guests take a look at a mechanic, concept, trend, or other aspect of the board game industry and dissect it, all with a view to helping game designers make better games.
Richard, Jeremy, and Brian talk about board games with a focus on the business side of things, looking at topics such as manufacturing costs, marketing, presence at conventions, and how to make your game stand out in a crowded industry.
Probably the most in-depth podcast in terms of analysing game mechanics, and the "why" of gaming. Over 200 episodes, mst of which offer a deep dive into core aspects of games and how they work.
A look at the board game industry through 3 different perspectives: a designer, a publisher, and a developer.
YOUTUBE CHANNELS
Personally I find YouTube most useful for how-to-play videos, game reviews, and entertainment, rather than to learn about game design per se. The channels I recommend for anyone in the hobby are:
Consistently hilarious content and reviews from the team at SU&SD. Their passion for board games is infectious, and they provide entertaining and balanced reviews for a wide variety of games. Impeccable production values too.
The Dice Tower is a collective of different content creators, all contributing under one banner. They generate a lot of content, and to be honest it's not all killer, but there's plenty of stuff to pick and choose from that I'm sure you'll find something you like. Personally, I think the reviews by Tom Vasel, and the Week In Review videos are the most entertaining and valuable.
Video reviews that are informative, balanced, entertaining, and often funny.
A must for anyone who plays a lot of new games. Rodney does a great job and explaining how to play a wide range of games, and makes the process of learning new games easy and fun.
BOOKS
Books offer probably the best, most in-depth resource to expand your understanding of game theory, specific game mechanisms, and the psychology of gaming. Here are a few that I've found helpful.
An excellent resource for game designers to learn about the implications of design decisions including player count, game length, incentives, heuristics, complexity, and lots of other key concepts. Highly recommended.
Gabe Barrett, host of the BGDL podcast, compiled a book based on interviews with a wide range of game designers. Some useful content, though the book is organised by interviewee rather than by concept so it can be difficult to find the information you're looking for.
GROUPS, FORUMS, & WEBSITES
I think it is essential for aspiring game designers to be active within the design community. There are several excellent Facebook groups to join, and other blogs that I would recommend.
A Facebook group for people who listen to the BGDL podcast. A common space for people to ask questions related to game design, Kickstarter, publishing, or to ask for feedback.
Another public Facebook group where you can ask game design related questions, read threads, request feedback, and interact with other community members.
A Facebook group for game publishers where you can learn helpful tips about manufacturing and marketing considerations.
Jamey Stegmaier, founder of Stonemaier games, shares his thoughts, opinions, and insights on board game creation and production. Especially useful if you're considering a Kickstarter campaign.
What tabletop gaming resources have we missed? What do you recommend that we can add to our list?
Happy gaming!
