Playtesting 1, 2, 3… is this thing fun?
The hard part of playtesting a game prototype isn’t the playing. It’s the testing. (If the playing is the hard part, you’re either suffering some… Read More »Playtesting 1, 2, 3… is this thing fun?
Game Design
A Few of my Favorite Things
Remember the old days of the Internet? When you could drop a bulleted list of links onto a shocking pale and naked page of HTML… Read More »A Few of my Favorite Things
Theme and Mechanics: Gaming’s Cake and Icing
In last week’s accidentally-long post on immersion and engagement in games, I touched on something that I realized could be its own (much shorter) post:… Read More »Theme and Mechanics: Gaming’s Cake and Icing
What’s the story with MMOs?
I’m trying to be brief. My inner editor is holding my inner game designer’s dog at gunpoint and nodding meaningfully at his watch. “Keep it… Read More »What’s the story with MMOs?
Zen and the Art of Immersive Gameplay
“The world is nothing but an illusion,” says the stoner mystic. “Reality is all in our own heads, man.” While his very words force me… Read More »Zen and the Art of Immersive Gameplay
In Defense of the Niche
“Go big or go home” is great when you’re Donald Trump, rich enough to hire people to grow their hair for your toupee. If you… Read More »In Defense of the Niche
Know Your Game Fiddler
When I first saw Magic: the Gathering at the game store, I thought it was silly, desperate, and pre-failed for your convenience. “So it’s a… Read More »Know Your Game Fiddler
The Price of Victory
Good games are designed to be played, not to be won. Whoa! Back off there with the torches and pitchforks. Games need victory conditions, and… Read More »The Price of Victory
Designing with a Twist
Innovation in game design is good. Too much innovation, however, can leave your audience scratching its collective head, shrugging its collective shoulders, and wandering away… Read More »Designing with a Twist
Stat Stories in RPGs
Characters in tabletop roleplaying games are often defined by their stats. “Bob’s our tank, since he’s got the highest Stamina score” or “My wallet seems… Read More »Stat Stories in RPGs