You’ve got a board game idea rattling around in your head, and now you’re ready to take it further. That’s where we come in. Whether this is your first attempt or just the first time you’re seriously committing to it, let’s walk through the process together.
We’ll break it down step by step and I’ll also point you to other posts and resources we’ve put together so you don’t have to figure it all out from scratch.
Let’s get started.
Step 1: Pin Down the Core of Your Game
Our first task is to define what your game is really about. Is it built around a mechanic you love—like deck-building or bluffing? Or is there a theme you’re excited to explore—maybe farming, dungeon crawling, or deduction?
If you’re not sure yet, that’s perfectly fine. Here are some game types and examples we can use for inspiration:
- 20 Popular Board Game Types (With Examples)
- Best Strategy Board Games for Thinkers
- Great 2 Player Card Games
Start simple. If a mechanic or theme excites you, we can build from there.
Step 2: Decide How the Game Works and How It Ends
Now let’s think through what players will actually be doing. What’s their objective? How do they win? And what kinds of decisions will they be making during the game?
Will players compete for points, race to complete a goal, or try to outwit one another? How much luck is involved versus strategy?
How much player interaction do you want in your game? What’s the optimal player count? Complexity?
Our goal here is to get a rough outline of your game’s experience from start to finish.
Step 3: Choose the Right Components for the Job
Before diving into visuals or polish, let’s focus on the tools your game needs to function. What pieces make sense? Cards? Tokens? Dice? A modular board?
Keep it low-tech for now. We’re building a testable version, not a retail-ready copy. And if you need help choosing which pieces to include, this guide will help:
Once we pick the right pieces, we’re ready to bring the idea into the real world.
Step 4: Build a Simple Prototype
Let’s take your idea and create something we can put on the table. It doesn’t have to look pretty—we’re aiming for functional.
Index cards, paper, markers, and coins are all fair game at this stage. If you want a bit more structure, I’ve already written a detailed walkthrough to help:
We’ll learn a lot more once the game exists in physical form, even if it’s rough.
Step 5: Playtest Early and Often
Now we put the prototype in motion. First, try it solo so you can spot obvious issues. Then, play it with friends who’ll give honest feedback. Later, we’ll test it with people who haven’t seen it before—that’s when we really see if it’s working.
You don’t need to have all the answers at this stage. We’re learning as we go. Just make sure to take good notes and watch how people interact with your game.
We’ve also put together a list of the most common design mistakes so you can avoid the ones many new designers fall into:
Step 6: Refine the Details
Now that we’ve got something playable, we start improving the experience. Maybe the theme needs tightening. Maybe a strategy feels too powerful. Maybe the rulebook is confusing.
This is where a lot of the design work happens—through small tweaks, clear documentation, and sharpening your game’s identity.
One detail we’ll want to finalize is the name. A great title goes a long way toward helping people understand and remember your game. Here’s a post to help you brainstorm:
Step 7: Stay Inspired Along the Way
If you ever feel stuck, take a break and play something great. Study how published games solve problems or deliver fun. Use them to spark new ideas.
Here are a few game list posts that can help you stay inspired:
- Best Uwe Rosenberg Games – Learn from a master of resource-based mechanics.
- Games Like Password – Great ideas for party or word game design.
- Best Push Your Luck Games – See how tension and reward are handled in different systems.
Let’s Keep Going
You’ve already taken a big step by deciding to make your own game. Now we’ve got a roadmap—and we’ll keep learning, testing, and improving as we go.
If you want to dig deeper, keep reading, keep building, and feel free to explore the other posts on the site to support each stage of your journey.
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