GAme Idea Generator
If you are in need of a design challenge or some inspiration I made a quick excel file that pulls the mechanics and themes from BoardGameGeek.com and randomly generates 1-3 mechanics and a theme. From there your challenge is to develop a concept using those mechanics in that theme. It is completely random and sometimes the combinations it generates are absurd, but I find that a few clicks through (recalculating the formulas) usually generates at least one interesting starting off point. Feel free to download the file below and use it. The columns to the right contain all of the data (it is just white text to remove the distraction). I took out a few themes that just never appeal to me, but I also added some and encourage you to do the same.
the_great_game_idea_generator.xlsx | |
File Size: | 46 kb |
File Type: | xlsx |
WEb Resources for designers
Boardgamegeek.com - A reference of all things in the tabletop game world
Board Game Designers Forum - Exactly what it sounds like!
League of Gamemakers - Designer Group based in LA with fantastic posts for game designers
James Mathe - Store owner, game designer, and publisher James Mathe tells it like it is in his blog. Everything you need to know about navigating the industry professionally is here.
Cardboard Edison - Links to articles and tips for game designers
TableTop - Wil Wheaton's show on gaming - I recommend watching episodes to learn new games and also to observe how people play them.
DoubleExposure - Organization that runs highly organized playtesting events, including the First Exposure Playtest Hall at GenCon
UnPub.net - Site for listing unpublished prototypes and a director of play-testing events.
TableTopDay - Event listing for the holiday, generally occurs on a Saturday in April
Spiel Des Jahres - Listing of winners and nominees of the prestigious German game of the year award.
Kobold Press - Publisher of RPG material and information on game design.
The Game Crafter - Parts and printing of components and prototypes
Meeplesource - Premium meeples and resource bits for game design and upgrades
Board Game Designers Forum - Exactly what it sounds like!
League of Gamemakers - Designer Group based in LA with fantastic posts for game designers
James Mathe - Store owner, game designer, and publisher James Mathe tells it like it is in his blog. Everything you need to know about navigating the industry professionally is here.
Cardboard Edison - Links to articles and tips for game designers
TableTop - Wil Wheaton's show on gaming - I recommend watching episodes to learn new games and also to observe how people play them.
DoubleExposure - Organization that runs highly organized playtesting events, including the First Exposure Playtest Hall at GenCon
UnPub.net - Site for listing unpublished prototypes and a director of play-testing events.
TableTopDay - Event listing for the holiday, generally occurs on a Saturday in April
Spiel Des Jahres - Listing of winners and nominees of the prestigious German game of the year award.
Kobold Press - Publisher of RPG material and information on game design.
The Game Crafter - Parts and printing of components and prototypes
Meeplesource - Premium meeples and resource bits for game design and upgrades
Print Resources
Please note, we do not receive any compensation for purchases of these items. This is simply a list of a few of the books we have found helpful.
Kobold Guide to Board Game Design - Mike Selinker with chapters by top game designers - a must read for those new to the industry
Complete Kobold Guide to Game Design - Wolfgang Baur with contributions from many others. RPG Focused
The Game Inventor's Guidebook - Brian Tinsman
A Theory of Fun - Ralph Koster
Eurogames - Stewart Woods
Spielbox - German Magazine on tabletop gaming - english translation available. Most issues include micro expansions to games.
Casual Game Insider - Hobby magazine for game players and collectors
Game Trade Magazine - Industry publication, sometimes available free at local game stores - mostly geared towards stores
Meeple Monthly - Magazine for gamers
Kobold Guide to Board Game Design - Mike Selinker with chapters by top game designers - a must read for those new to the industry
Complete Kobold Guide to Game Design - Wolfgang Baur with contributions from many others. RPG Focused
The Game Inventor's Guidebook - Brian Tinsman
A Theory of Fun - Ralph Koster
Eurogames - Stewart Woods
Spielbox - German Magazine on tabletop gaming - english translation available. Most issues include micro expansions to games.
Casual Game Insider - Hobby magazine for game players and collectors
Game Trade Magazine - Industry publication, sometimes available free at local game stores - mostly geared towards stores
Meeple Monthly - Magazine for gamers
Conventions
GenCon - Indianapolis, generally occurs sometime from late July to mid-August. 56,000 attendees and growing
Origins Game Fair - Columbus, OH, June
Board Game Geek Con (BGGCon) - Con run by the fan site, Dallas, November
Dragon Con - September, Atlanta
TempleCon - February, Warwick RI
Gam3rCon - The main event is concurrent with San Diego Comic Con, July in San Diego, CA
StrategiCon - Several LA based events each year
Essen Spiel - Largest game based convention in the world. October in Essen, Germany
Origins Game Fair - Columbus, OH, June
Board Game Geek Con (BGGCon) - Con run by the fan site, Dallas, November
Dragon Con - September, Atlanta
TempleCon - February, Warwick RI
Gam3rCon - The main event is concurrent with San Diego Comic Con, July in San Diego, CA
StrategiCon - Several LA based events each year
Essen Spiel - Largest game based convention in the world. October in Essen, Germany