I'm trying to keep the game I'm working on really simple. I have all these ideas which I think would be interesting, and could add to the game. Rather than include them in the standard rules, I'm considering adding them as optional rules. I'm not too fond of optional rules myself (i.e., I never use them), but would appreciate your input on whether this is usually an interesting addition, or just a sign of a cluttered designer's mind :)
Optional rules
Tue, 09/24/2013 - 17:08
Tue, 09/24/2013 - 17:54
#1
As a gamer, I'd rather have
As a gamer, I'd rather have space dedicated to better examples and an overview in a rulebook than optional rules.
But if the optional rules really add to replayability and playtesting shows that your main version of the game gets dull quickly, then I'd suggest making them into a single "Advanced" version of the game (ala Agricola.)
Or leave them out and if the game takes off, you are already into designing your first expansion.
Tue, 09/24/2013 - 19:12
#2
Wait for a 2nd Edition
I have all these ideas which I think would be interesting, and could add to the game. Rather than include them in the standard rules, I'm considering adding them as optional rules.
If these rules CHANGE the way the game is played such that there is more strategy or different strategy, I would consider waiting until you can publish a 2nd Edition of the game. Obviously the goal would be to be COMPATIBLE with your 1st Edition - so that players who bought that initial edition can also profit from new rules.
And so my suggestion is to WAIT until you publish a 2nd Edition of the game. You can even discuss these rules with a potential publisher - stating: "My next edition has X new rules that are compatible with the First Edition of the game..."
Thank you both for your feedback. Your point about waiting for a second edition is one that hadn't occurred to me. I'll keep the optional rules out for now, and focus on the core game.