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DesignSpace for Game Designers

So I've been throwing this idea around my head recently, of a MakerSpace for game designers.

Basically the idea is to have a space where game designers can come together and share ideas and work to create better games. To promote the hobby of game design to those questioning it, and to possibly put out group-made games under a license that allows other DesignSpaces to work off them.
Like BGDF, but in real life.

The goal(as of course it needs one) is to Promote Better Games.
It would do this by providing:
-a space with access to building tools and supplies
-a hub for designers to discuss ideas
-workshops for learning new techniques
-challenges to get the juices flowing
-other yet to be decided goals

The only things I've come up with as cons are:
-the lack of money in game design (as opposed to electronics)
-expense of tools
-the possible lack of interest
-lack of resources towards game design

I feel like anyone interested in game design would be interested, and a lot of people just interested in games. But my feelings aren't an accurate yardstick.
I also feel that this would be a great resource building scenario for those interested in game design. As in, by bringing minds together to work on some problem, resources that could be hosted for global use could be made. (The old mechanics database problem, anyone?)

I want to get the idea together and pitch it to my FLGS as a once a month night, as they already have many game nights and such. Even if it started out in a rudimentary form as just a "bring your prototype" night, it would be a step in the right direction, I feel.

So tell me, if you had a DesignSpace in your community, would you go? What would you expect from such a space?

Comments

Unpub

Hi, you might want to check out Unpub. It seems like you'd just be reinventing their wheel.

http://unpub.net/

Thanks for that resource

It certainly seems to be in the same vein, if not the same idea entirely. They focus on the playtesting phase, whereas I want to focus on the design phase. I'll certainly look into it more before doing anything.

But I still want to know what you would like from a DesignSpace for game designers.

Is it just bodies to playtest?
A library of game to test out?
Piece packs?
Printing facilities?
Computers with Photoshop?
A database of mechanics?
Books about design?
Other?

Sure, a lot of things I can think of would be out of the (currently hypothetical and non-existent) budget, but knowing what people want is a great way to start thinking about an idea.

Meetup

This sounds to me like a cool idea on the surface, but it'll be difficult to maintain for the long term. You mention yourself that there's a non-existent budget - at least where you're coming from. If you had a major publisher or donor for the startup/deposit/rent/brick-and-mortar funds, then that would be another story.

Until then, I recommend you find some no-cost tools to have things up and running, even on a small scale.

Have you heard about the website Meetup? It's essentially a website that encourages people to step out from behind their computers and do stuff somewhere else. You may be able to find (or start) a group in your area that focuses on game design.

EDIT: here's the website...

www.meetup.com

I've been moderately successful in my current city, starting off by connecting with board game groups, finding regular meeting spaces, and then branching off into specifically game design and playtesting. I currently use my day job's location as a bi-weekly meeting space for board game events. As long as I'm working there, I have open access to the building, able to use it in off-hours for game-related events.

Until you're able to find the funds to make something happen through your own resources, then I recommend leaning a bit on others to cooperate with you, become interdependent, and develop the scene with their help. You may be surprised at what types of opportunities come along when you see who else your local designers/playtesters are connected to. They might be able to offer up a "free-to-use-occasionally" space for you, while you store the design supplies and resources in your own place, and bring them to the meetings.

Good luck to you on this. With lots of board game fans but exponentially fewer designers, it's an uphill battle. Factor in the financial impossibility of the notion of bankrolling through game design, and it's very tough indeed.

Hackers play games, too

I would look to partner with a local hackerspace to organize a game design night. To have it physical, you'd want to be in a locale with enough bodies to do it.

For a business model, standalone without a hackerspace, I'd have the printing, cutting, parts, etc. atsmall markup. Then form a loose network of editors and graphic designers who could work with game designers on site. To build the mutuality you'd earn playtester credits by playtesting that can be spent for playtesting. A facility like that could also offer classes for teens in board and video game design. A careful balance could really payoff. And making it open to video game (and app) designers would likely be needed unless you are in a big city or by a university.

I'd probably do something like a wall mural of a game design mindmap connecting various play elements.

Yes, there is a non-existent

Yes, there is a non-existent budget. And that does make things very difficult.
However I am hoping to find a place will to host for (next-to) nothing, reducing rent to (close to)$0. (A game store or a local HackerSpace). Even if that means that meeting would be very sporadic, I think it is a place to start.
Part of the desire to do this is to make some of those no-cost tools. Unless you mean actual tools, such as saws and printers and such. In which case, yes, looking for no (to very low) cost physical tools is certainly a must.

If I can make this dream a reality there will be a lot of leaning, I'm sure. I know of one local game store that I can say would likely be up for this, if they didn't have to run it (or take on any costs), so I at least know of a probable place. I just wanted a firmer vision before pitching the idea to them.

I have heard about Meetup, though I hadn't thought of this application. It's a great idea for seeing if there is interest in my area. I know there are PLENTY of gamers about (from nights at this and the game shop across the road), but I have no idea about designers. My hope is that if they hear about it, more gamers would be willing to try and become designers.

I know of only one local HackerSpace, but unfortunately it is very closely tied to Queen's University here in Kingston. Closely as in they do not have a very open view about members of the public; they only host open nights occasionally (from what I know; it could have changed). I am in a major(ish) city(Kingston) and will soon be moving to a more major city (Ottawa), so I may save my plans for when I am established there. But there is certainly no lack of people in the vicinity- it's just finding out what percentage would be interested.

Corsaire wrote:
For a business model, standalone without a hackerspace, I'd have the printing, cutting, parts, etc. atsmall markup. Then form a loose network of editors and graphic designers who could work with game designers on site. To build the mutuality you'd earn playtester credits by playtesting that can be spent for playtesting. A facility like that could also offer classes for teens in board and video game design. A careful balance could really payoff. And making it open to video game (and app) designers would likely be needed unless you are in a big city or by a university.

I'd probably do something like a wall mural of a game design mindmap connecting various play elements.


This is very good information, thank you!
I am near a very major university in a major(ish), and will soon be near two major universities in a major city, but I would still think about opening to video game designers. I believe that the fundamentals of design, and what makes a game fun are very much the same for the two. Plus, with the colleges near to both locations you would hook a lot more people in to possibly become board gamers/designers.

And the wall mural sounds fun!

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