Board Game Designer Board Game

Open Preview

See a Problem?

We'd love your help. Let us know what's wrong with this preview of The Board Game Designer's Guide by Joe Slack.

Thanks for telling us about the problem.

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

Be the first to ask a question about The Board Game Designer's Guide

Community Reviews

· 63 ratings · 10 reviews

Start your review of The Board Game Designer's Guide: The Easy 4 Step Process to Create Amazing Games That People Can't Stop Playing

Core idea: Board game design is about designing your players feelings and experience, made possible by a carefully selected game theme and mechanics. Start with familiar mechanics and mvp game pieces, then iterate the art and design and mechanics with playtests.

The book is more about general considerations of game design, production and distribution, than the details fine-tuning the game, e.g. wish the book would cover the balancing of the gameplay.

The flow of the book relies heavily on the chap

The book is more about general considerations of game design, production and distribution, than the details fine-tuning the game, e.g. wish the book would cover the balancing of the gameplay.

The flow of the book relies heavily on the chapter subtitles. Thus Kindle version much better than Audible.

...more

Due to the current popularity of board games, it should come as no surprise that there are offerings on how to design such games. With "The Board Game Designer's Guide" by Joe Slack, those who are novice designers or are curious about the process now have a book aimed at their level of experience. Slack presents a variety of subjects all geared to the novice designer and his "cheerleader" writing style will encourage you to pursue your design aspirations. Although it is good book for a beginner Due to the current popularity of board games, it should come as no surprise that there are offerings on how to design such games. With "The Board Game Designer's Guide" by Joe Slack, those who are novice designers or are curious about the process now have a book aimed at their level of experience. Slack presents a variety of subjects all geared to the novice designer and his "cheerleader" writing style will encourage you to pursue your design aspirations. Although it is good book for a beginner, more experienced designers will want to look elsewhere. ...more

Jul 26, 2020 Wayne rated it it was amazing

Never too old

In my mid twenties,( I am twice that now) I made a game as a project for college, showing how to run a business. It was called ' mind your own business.' It was played a few times by friends and colleagues then put in the loft and forgotten about. It has been lost now.
Back in April 2020, I got to thinking that I needed a hobby, something to occupy my idle hands!! I remembered the fun I had making up a game, so I started thinking of game ideas. I was amazed at how many I thought of and needed to figure out a way of prioritising them. Hard work when you don't know what you're doing!
I read this book and it has put things in order for me, especially finishing one game before starting on another.
Thanks Joe, this as been a real help *****

...more

Feb 04, 2018 David Neal rated it it was amazing

Great Read!

A great read for anyone looking to get into this industry. Joe is able to break down the process of game design and provide step by step guidelines for those that are not as familiar with board game design. As a business graduate, I can follow Joe's logic and he is able to explain what would be required to move forward from a business perspective. He is very knowledgeable of this process and I highly recommend this read.

Great Read!

...more

Dec 13, 2017 Vera Basilone rated it it was amazing

Excellent book!

In my idea book I have several game ideas. I'd write out the rules and even sketch game boards but I never knew what to do next. After reading this book I feel confident I could make these game ideas or reality or at least know how to find out if they would be fun to play.

Excellent book!

...more

Dec 10, 2017 Susan Mead rated it it was amazing

Have you ever wanted to design a board game - or you already have one rolling around in your head? Get it created! The Board Game Designer's Guide walks you through each step of the process of creating your game. so get it done. Now! Have you ever wanted to design a board game - or you already have one rolling around in your head? Get it created! The Board Game Designer's Guide walks you through each step of the process of creating your game. so get it done. Now! ...more

Dec 14, 2017 Lauren rated it it was amazing

Very insighful

This Book does take you from concept to final product. I love the examples in the book especially how you want your players to feel during the game and techniques to design the game for your desired play. Great book for any person who wants to make their own game!

It's a good introduction but doesn't cover the math asepct well enough. Repetitive at parts. It's a good introduction but doesn't cover the math asepct well enough. Repetitive at parts. ...more

Nov 12, 2020 Gail rated it it was amazing

This is a great resource for beginning board game designers! Chapters are straightforward, brief, and practical. Each chapter ends with an action step to promote forward momentum. Looking forward to Joe's other books. This is a great resource for beginning board game designers! Chapters are straightforward, brief, and practical. Each chapter ends with an action step to promote forward momentum. Looking forward to Joe's other books. ...more