Board game development

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Board game development is the entire process of creating, developing and producing a board game. It includes game design, product development, funding, marketing and promotion.^[1] The process of board game design bears certain similarities to software design.^[2]60Hz

Steps for design[]

There are many ways to go about developing and designing a board game. There is not a single method, but there can be some suggested steps. These steps center more around the design aspect of the process, according to Instructables.com.^[3]

Conceptualisation[]

The first step involves forming a concept around which the game can around. This can have various characteristics such as a theme (e.g.. sci-fi, fantasy, war, sports, etc.) or a set of game mechanics (e.g. card drafting, deck building, dice combat, set collection, roll and write, etc.). Whatever comes first, the other elements can then be developed. In this process the subsequent elements can feedback to the original concept thereby altering it. Other games can provide elements which can be utilised at this stage.

How do you get from here to there?[]

This step is about how to get to your goal. This is the "meat" of the game and can be a long step. This is a period of idea jotting or sketching. Any idea that sparks interest should be written down and considered. Nothing is too minor or major to be considered. This could include character types or names, actions, components, theme, rules, win conditions, complexity and many more. After a long gestation period, there should be a solid understanding of what a player is trying to accomplish and the general path they will take through the journey.

This is a good time to start organizing these thoughts, memos and considerations into an outline. A great resource for a game design outline can be found here, on pages 2 through 4. This will help streamline these thoughts into a coherent flow from opening story and background through gameplay to the conclusion and win conditions.

Flesh it out[]

Allow time (this can be long step) to come up with additional mechanics and gameplay. This includes a methodical analysis of the flow, probabilities, balance and mechanics. Track game time, how many times something happens, excitement level to be playing the game, and whatever else is necessary. Record any ideas that come to mind.

Make a prototype[]

This is where you make a playable version of your game. It will have all of the mechanics and pieces of your game, but it doesn't have to have perfectly shaped anything or be polished at all - this is just so that you can play test the game.^[3] This is a very fluid step where many things can change, even theme. Mechanics, characters, stats or anything can be added as well.

Play testing[]

Play testing is means whereby the design can be tested through playing the game. This can be done by a game designer on their own before involving others. Then, the game should be brought in front of others. The components should be simple at this stage. Playing with someone else brings in a new perspective and establishes a lot: initially the game will need to be tweaked and may be broken, but by returning to it will be possible to fix such issues as probability, numbers and other similar things.^[3]

Make it look pretty and write rules[]

Once you have the rest nailed down, make a finished, beautiful version of the game and write the rulebook. If everything else was done thoroughly and with purpose, this step should be simple.^[3] Now you can enjoy (or try marketing it)!

Manufacturing[]

There are at least 80 printers worldwide that specialize in manufacturing board games. Majority of plastic figure production happens in China. ^[4]

Another set of steps[]

Board game development could be broken down into these six steps, according to a different source:^[5]

Content analysis[]

This is a form of brainstorming aimed at creating a list of suitable topics which fit with the theme of the game.

Incubation[]

This involves subsequent reflection on the list of topics and the addition of new topics.

Chunking[]

This involves assigning the topics to one of the following gaming elements:

• Pieces
• Patterns
• Paths
• Probabilities
• Prizes
• Principles

Aligning[]

This involves aligning the content structure with the game structure.

Drafting[]

This is hands-on experimenting with the physical elements of the game and the development of an explanatory set of rules.

Incubating[]

This is a second period of reflection allowing the sub-conscious help come up with more ideas.

References[]