Coming soon · Book Profile
Tabletop Analog Game Design
A collection of essays from prominent designers and academics exploring the art, process, and analysis of creating compelling tabletop analog games.
A profile of this book is on the way.
What it’s about
This volume brings together a diverse group of tabletop game designers, digital game designers, and game studies academics to share their unique perspectives on the world of analog games. Through a series of insightful essays, you'll delve into the practical challenges of game design, from solving the 'three-player problem' and balancing randomness with player choice, to designing for publication and filtering player feedback. The book also offers deep analyses of classic and modern games like Settlers of Catan, Pandemic, and Cosmic Encounter, revealing the design principles that make them so engaging. Whether you're an aspiring designer, a seasoned player, or a student of game studies, this collection provides a multifaceted look at the enduring appeal and design wisdom of tabletop games, demonstrating their value not just as entertainment but as rich systems worthy of serious study.
The through-line
- Who it’s for
- An aspiring or practicing game designer, a dedicated tabletop gamer, or a student of game studies who wants to understand the principles behind creating engaging and meaningful analog games.
- The problem
- They struggle to translate their game ideas into playable, balanced, and compelling systems, finding it hard to navigate common design pitfalls, understand what makes classic games great, or get their own designs published. They feel overwhelmed by the complexity of game design, uncertain of their creative process, and frustrated that their games aren't as fun or deep as they want them to be.
- The plan
- Learn core design principles from experienced designers on topics like the three-player problem, simulation, randomness, and publishing.
- Deepen your understanding by reading detailed analyses of influential games like Settlers of Catan, Pandemic, and Cosmic Encounter.
- Broaden your perspective with academic studies on topics like boardgame aesthetics and games as learning tools.
- The payoff
- The reader becomes a more confident and competent game designer, equipped with a robust toolkit of principles and analytical methods. · They create more engaging, balanced, and meaningful games. · They have a deeper appreciation for the art and craft of tabletop games, enhancing their own play experiences.
See our guide
Additional reading
- Start with Why · Simon Sinek
The book's core idea—'People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it'—is central to crafting a compelling crowdfunding narrative that connects with backers on an emotional level.
- To Sell Is Human · Daniel Pink
Provides insights into the psychology of pitching and influence, such as the importance of making the audience (backers) feel like collaborators, which is a key strategy for engagement.
- Funding the Dream Podcast · Richard Bliss
A recommended resource for creators, offering interviews and specific insights into crowdfunding tactics and strategies.
- jamesmathe.com (blog) · James Mathe
A creator's blog recommended by the author for its detailed, list-based entries full of practical information for crowdfunders.
- Ready Player One · Ernest Cline
Recommended as an enjoyable alternative read for those who decide crowdfunding isn't for them, showing the author's engagement with geek culture.
- Homo Ludens · Johan Huizinga
Referenced for its foundational concept of the 'magic circle,' which defines play as a separate, protected space outside of ordinary life. This contextualizes the author's own theory.
- Man, Play and Games · Roger Caillois
Cited for its academic definition and categorization of games, providing a counterpoint to the more practical definitions offered by game designers.
- Rules of Play · Katie Salen and Eric Zimmerman
Mentioned as a key contemporary text offering a precise, systemic definition of a game, which the author uses as part of his survey of existing definitions.
- Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience · Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
The concept of 'flow' is discussed as a state of deep immersion that is often associated with fun, but the author distinguishes his theory by focusing on learning rather than mastery.
- The Essential Difference · Simon Baron-Cohen
The theory of 'systematizing' versus 'empathizing' brains is used to explain why different types of games may appeal to different people, particularly along gender lines.