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New to BGDF - Looking for a human! (aren't we all...)

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Plunk
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Joined: 11/07/2017

Hey fellow geniuses,

Been lurking for a bit. I am new to BGD, but have thrown myself into it. I've read several books and how-tos. I've poured through blogs and watched many many videos about board game design and specific games and mechanics. And, of course, I've been playing games. But I still have questions!

Would it be possible to Skype/Hangouts/WhatsApp/FB Messenger/speak with someone who's been in the hobby/industry for a while? I'd love to pick your brain about so many things that are obvious to y'all, but foreign to me. A 20-minute conversation would be so so helpful. If you're willing to help a newbie out, please let me know -- thanks!

Cheers,

Eric Plunkett

P.S. If this is an inappropriate request for this forum, my apologies.

RyanRay
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What books have you read

What books have you read recently? I just finished the Kobold Guide for the second time and would love another good read.

Plunk
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A Theory of Fun for Game

A Theory of Fun for Game Design by Koster
The Game Inventor's Guidebook by Tinsman
The Art of Game Design by Schell
Just started Challenges for Game Designers by Brathwaite and Schreiber

Found them all through googling.

polyobsessive
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Joined: 12/11/2015
Welcome!

Hi Eric, and welcome!

Some good books there, though I've not yet read Brathwaite & Schreiber. As Ryan mentioned, the Kobold guide is excellent. I would also recommend Uncertainty in Games by Greg Costikyan, which is one of my favourite reads so far.

Have you tried actually making a game yourself yet? If not, then I suggest you do so. Don't worry about making your masterpiece, or making something particularly original: designing something closely based on something else is a great way to start (basing it on a statement like "It's basically (game I know) but with (mechanism that game doesn't have)" can be a good was to get going). Make a prototype and then test it, and you're on your way... Nothing teaches you how to design a game like trying to design and test a game.

As for discussing game designs, I tend to read and contribute here and on Board Game Geek, and also find that there is a good game design community on Twitter (I am @harperrob), though that is not generally good for detailed and deep discussion about specific games, but there is a lot of wisdom being shared if you follow the right people.

Good luck in your game designs.

Plunk
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Hi Rob, thanks for the

Hi Rob, thanks for the welcome and book rec!

I have started designing two games:

- A quick card game with a memory mechanic. It was African animal-themed, but I've found so many of those that I'm searching for a new theme. I'm also looking through what's out there to see whether it already exists.

- A light-medium strategy game about how NYC addresses sea level rise. It's got a bidding mechanic and some engine building. I've tested some concepts, but not a full game yet. I'm hoping to have semi co-op and fully co-op modes.

I will definitely keep checking in here and on the Geek.

polyobsessive
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Cool

Plunk wrote:
- A quick card game with a memory mechanic. It was African animal-themed, but I've found so many of those that I'm searching for a new theme. I'm also looking through what's out there to see whether it already exists.

Don't stress too much about originality, particularly on your early game designs. Apart from anything else, memory games are usually targeted at kids or party gamers, and an animal themed game would generally go well for those sorts of audiences. But also, you can't expect every game to end up sellable, so just getting the game designed and tested is a great education, even if you end up dropping it. And if you do, you might end up using elements of it later, retheming, or whatever.

Plunk wrote:
- A light-medium strategy game about how NYC addresses sea level rise. It's got a bidding mechanic and some engine building. I've tested some concepts, but not a full game yet. I'm hoping to have semi co-op and fully co-op modes.

That sounds very interesting. Testing parts of the game is a very good way to get started. I hope you manage to get it developed further.

It looks like you are well on the way. Keep at it, and all the best!

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