If you’ve ever wanted to design your own board game, you’ve probably realized something quickly: there’s no single “right” way to do it. Designing a great game involves creativity, iteration, testing, business decisions, and a lot of learning along the way.
Over the years at Streamlined Gaming, I’ve written many posts aimed at helping new and aspiring designers navigate that process. This article serves as a central hub, bringing all of those board game design resources together in one place.
Whether you’re just getting started or refining a nearly finished design, you’ll find something useful below.
Core Game Design Fundamentals
These posts focus on what makes games work at a fundamental level—before worrying about components, production, or publishing.
- 5 Attributes of a Great Game
Breaks down the common traits shared by memorable, replayable games across genres. - What Makes a Board Game Fun?
Explores player engagement, tension, choice, and feedback loops that keep games enjoyable. - 10 Famous Quotes That Will Instantly Improve Your Game Design
Design wisdom for game designers and creators that applies directly to tabletop games. - How Long Should I Make My Board Game?
Looks at ideal game length by audience, genre, and player expectations.
Avoiding Common Design Pitfalls
Many first-time designers struggle with the same issues. These articles help you identify and fix them early.
- 5 Common Board Game Design Mistakes New Designers Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Covers frequent problems like overcomplexity, lack of player agency, and unclear goals. - 10 Questions to Ask Before Finalizing Your Board Game Design
A checklist-style article to help you sanity-check your design before moving forward.
Prototyping & Component Creation for Board Game Designers
Turning an idea into something playable is one of the most important steps in game design.
- How to Make a Board Game Prototype
Walks through physical and print-and-play prototyping options. - 11 Popular Board Game Pieces for Prototyping Your Game
A practical guide to commonly used components and why designers choose them. - Icons for Board Game Prototypes
Helps you improve clarity and usability with effective iconography.
Using nanDECK for Card & Component Design (Prototyping Your Ideas)
For designers creating card-driven games, nanDECK is a powerful (and intimidating) tool.
- Make Trading Cards Using nanDECK
An introduction to creating functional, scalable card layouts. - nanDECK Resources
A curated list of tutorials, scripts, and tools to speed up your workflow.
Learning the Language of Board Game Design
Understanding terminology makes it much easier to communicate with playtesters, publishers, and other designers.
- Board Game Designers Glossary
A growing glossary of common board game design terms and concepts.
Industry Knowledge & Inspiration
Designing games doesn’t happen in a vacuum. These posts help you learn from the broader hobby.
- Popular Board Game Channels on YouTube
Great channels for learning about design, playtesting, and the industry. - The Best Board Game Conventions in the U.S. and Around the World
Where designers go to test games, pitch to publishers, and meet the community.
Business & Publishing Considerations
Designing a game is only part of the journey—getting it into players’ hands is another challenge entirely.
- How to Sell Your Board Game
Covers self-publishing, pitching to publishers, and common sales paths. - Why a Business Plan Is Important (Adrienne Smith – Blitz Champz)
Explores the often-overlooked business side of board game creation.
How to Use This Guide on Board Game Design
If you’re:
- Just starting out → Begin with the fundamentals and common mistakes
- Actively designing → Focus on prototyping, fun, and design questions
- Nearing completion → Read the selling, conventions, and business posts
You don’t need to read everything at once. Most designers revisit these topics multiple times as their game evolves.
Final Thoughts – From One Lifelong Aspiring Board Game Designer to the Other
Board game design is an iterative, creative process—and no single article has all the answers. This hub exists to give you a clear path forward, whether you’re designing your first prototype or polishing a nearly finished game.
If you ever feel stuck, chances are there’s a relevant post here to help you take the next step.
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Keep educating and inspiring others with posts like this.
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