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Tuesday, December 26, 2017

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How To Use Student Created Board Games in the Classroom

by Chloe Campbell Leave a Comment

If you aren’t using board games in your classroom , you’re missing out! Board games are an easy way to get students excited about learning.  Most of the time, they’ll forget they’re actually practicing skills or learning new concepts when they’re playing board games.  I’ve used board games in my class for several years for small group work, early finisher activities , review, and to help reinforce new skills.  When I introduced student created board games though, it was a total game changer!  

I’m sharing more on exactly what student created board games are, how to create a board game creation assignment,  and how to use the board games in your classroom! 

What are student created board games?

Student created board games are just that – a game that students create by designing a game board, coming up with questions and answers, and writing gameplay instructions. You may provide a game board template to your students or have them design one from scratch.  

You can implement student board game creation as an individual assignment, partner project, or in small groups.  Board games can be made for any subject area also:

• Math problems
• Reading comprehension
• Vocabulary terms
• Spelling lists
• Science topics
• Geography quizzes
• History questions

There are dozens of types of board games that your students could create.  While it’s fun to create more intricate games, it can easily become overwhelming for both the student creator and the students playing the game.  I suggest focusing on more straight-forward board games in the classroom. 

Assigning a board game creation project

One of the most important steps to assigning a board game creation assignment is to ensure your students are familiar with educational-based board games.  Offer plenty of opportunities to play the games in class so students are comfortable with how they are designed, how to play, and the types of questions that work well for games.  

If you’re looking for board games to play in the classroom, I have over 200 board games in my Teachers Pay Teachers store! 

Once your students have experience playing different board games in the classroom, it’s time to expand and allow them to get creative.  

Assigning a board game creation project can be a big undertaking as a teacher. Make the process easier on yourself by providing things like templates, art supplies, and even sample questions.  If you’re allowing students to choose things like what type of pawns or game advancement tool (dice, spinner, etc) they will be using, be sure to have those on hand!  Keep board games available for students so they can refer to them and use them for guidance when creating their games. 

Although it can be fun to get super creative and give your students lots of freedom, you may want to set some basic guidelines. Consider using a rubric for the student created board game assignment.  Even if you aren’t grading the board games, it can be used as a tool for guiding students.  

You can assign the project as a small group, partner, or individual project.  If this is the first time you’re doing a board game creation assignment in your class, I would suggest setting it up as a partner project.  Working with a partner isn’t as intimidating as working alone for some students.  

Steps to Creating a Board Game

First, you’ll want to decide which skills you want students to focus on when creating their board games.  It’s best to stick to just one skill so the game isn’t overwhelming and can be easily used as a study tool or review activity for a specific skill. 

Once students know which skill their game will be created around, have them create an outline of how their game will be played.  It’s important for them to decide on aspects of the game before they get started.

Students should decide:

• What the game board will look like
• How players will advance on the board
• What types of questions will be asked

Review their outline and provide feedback before permitting them to start on any game board creation or question writing.  This will help them understand areas where they may need to be more specific or make adjustments to their game.   

If you’re completing the games completely in class, set timeframes for them to complete each phase of the game creation.

Phases of board game creation

• Game board design
• Question writing
• Instruction writing

Setting these guidelines will keep students productive and moving at an acceptable pace.  If they start to struggle or fall behind, they can ask for assistance.  Checking in frequently is important during the entire process so you don’t end up at the finish line with games that were stalled during one of the steps.  

Once the games are completed, it’s time to start implementing them into the classroom. I suggest having students “test” their games with their peers in small groups.  This helps iron out any kinks and allows the creator to receive feedback.  Reinforce that this isn’t a “judging” of the games, but rather a test group in order to help the creator make any tweaks and improvements that are needed. You can create a form or checklist so students can write down 3 things they like about the game and 1 thing that could be improved upon to give to the creator.  This will help students receive both positive and constructive feedback.  

Once the game has been tested with a small group it’s ready for use in the classroom!

Using student created board games in class

There are so many ways you can use student created board games in class.  Obviously, they are great for centers, small group activities, and for early finishers.  You can also use them for reviews and extra skill practice if needed. 

You may find that some of the games created work really well in class.  If you come across a student made game that you may want to hang onto for other classes or future years, be sure to ask permission from that student to add their game to your “board game inventory”.  Not only will this be a great achievement for the student, but you can also share with other students who use that game later that it was a student created board game.  Show an example of a student created game to help other students build confidence when it’s their turn to create their own games.  

Do you use board games in your class?  Have you given your students the opportunity to create their own games?  I’d love to hear about your board game creation process! Share in the comments below! 

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• all Visual Literacy lessons
• all classes
• art teacher resource
• art vocabulary

by JuliannaKunstler.com

assignment:

• Create a design for a dice board game.
• Include directions sheet
• Make game prototype including all pieces
• Design and produce packaging
• Marketing campaign

Think of a theme (subject matter) for the game ( medieval, pirates, butterflies, ocean, underground, etc )

Think of images that will support the theme.

Do all necessary research on the topic.

Use worksheet to write down words associated with the theme.

Ex: castle. unicorn, knight, horse, rock bridge, dragons, etc.

Create the rules based on the theme. Consider the following questions:

1. What is the objective of the game? Get somewhere, rescue somebody, escape from somewhere, find something, collect bonus points, be the first one to get to a point, etc

2. Who are the players? How many players can play? Do players follow the same path?

3. What are the start and end points? Where are the players at the beginning of the game and what is their goal and the purpose of the journey?

4. What obstacles are there for the players to set them back, quit, stop, or change the rout?

5. What advantages can the players get to move forward? Are there any shortcuts? Are there any perks or "lucky" steps?

What layout will work better for your game?

What is the shape of the field itself? It does not need to be a rectangle.

Start sketching concept thumbnails.

Mark Start and Finish spots.

How many players can play?

Do players follow the same path?

How many Start and Finish spots do you need?

May be all players come to the same finish spot?

Is the play field going to be a side view or a top view?

What is the general shape of the path?

What is the direction of the move (up, down, return to start, etc.) ?

Are there any hidden paths?

Design the board. Use full size drawing paper.

Start with the background / setting. Include possible "obstacles" and "advantage" spots.

Add start and end spots.

Add obstacles that would slow down the players.

Add advantage spots.

Draw the path that will go through action spots.

Draw step spaces along the path.

Mark return spaces.

Use arrows or signs (ex.: return 3 spaces).

Mark advance spaces with arrows or signs.

Mark other actions (skip turn or skip 2 turns, etc).

Create the board & play pieces

Write down and design the game rules

Design marketing campaign

Design and create packaging / ad

Test the game based on your rules.

Any adjustments needed?

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How to Design a Board Game

Last Updated: March 16, 2024 References

This article was reviewed by Ashton Wu . Ashton Wu is a Board Game expert at Shelfside. After delving into the Yugioh tournament community while growing up, Ashton launched himself into the board gaming community in 2014 and went into reviewing board games as a career full-time in 2019. His YouTube channel Shelfside has over 35K subscribers and over 4 million views, assisted by written reviews on the Shelfside website and BoardGameGeek.com. He also consults with gaming companies to build high-quality gaming products. Ashton is a tournament commentator, board game playthrough director, and host of the Shelfside Podcast, where he talks about board games with his business partner, Daniel. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in addition to the Technology Management Certificate. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 115,562 times.

Board games have made a major comeback in recent years, partly because they’re so accessible—anyone with a good idea can make one. Designing your own board game starts with choosing a basic theme or central idea that will drive the game’s events. From there, your primary focus will be working out the mechanics of the gameplay in a way that makes sense and keeps players interested. Once all the important details are in place, you can produce a prototype of your game and begin play-testing in phases to see where you can make improvements.

Coming up with a Basic Idea

• For example, “Risk” is a military strategy campaign in which players compete for world domination, while “Candyland” takes place in a colorful fantasy world where everything is made of sweets.
• Take inspiration from other games that you enjoy, paying close attention to how the theme relates to the way the game is played. [1] X Research source

• If your game deals with pirates, the objective might be to find and uncover a stash of buried treasure before the other players.
• In a horror-based card game about a flesh-eating virus, the victor will be the player who manages to survive to the end.

• This description will also serve as a kind of rough pitch should you ever attempt to sell your concept to a gaming company.

• A combination of different elements can help make gameplay more sophisticated. For instance, players could roll dice to see how many spaces to move their piece, then draw a card matching the color of the space to receive directions for their next roll.
• Make an effort to tailor the complexity of your board game to the age range of its intended player.

Create a board game that is quick to set up, easy to play, and moves fast. Shorter games are usually more fun. Board game experts are seeing a trend towards shorter, streamlined games. A game with better flow, speed, and ease of movement will be much more enjoyable, so focus on mechanics that prevent dragging and make each turn impactful.

Working Out the Gameplay Mechanics

• In many classic board games, players roll dice and move their game piece a certain number of spaces depending on the number that comes up. More sophisticated games, like "Thunderstone" or "Settlers of Catan," challenge players to build strong card decks or score points in order to win.
• For a game with a “paperboy” theme, players might roll to complete their newspaper route before the school bell rings while encountering obstacles like lawn sprinklers and unfriendly dogs on the gameboard.
• Keep them extremely basic at first. Little by little, you can make your rule system more intricate by adding secondary objectives, random events, or penalties for making poor decisions. [2] X Research source

• Keep in mind that the more people you have playing, the more difficult it will be to make the game mechanics work.
• A head-to-head strategy game could be played by as few as 2-3 people, whereas one that involves identifying a criminal from a lineup of suspects would benefit from having more players in order to make the gameplay more of a challenge.

• Stick to 1 or 2 components to keep the gameplay from getting convoluted. Players who are forced to juggle cards, coins, dice, and a pen-and-paper scorekeeping system will quickly find themselves overwhelmed.

• The simplest game boards are there to direct the players’ movements. Others might serve as a platform for laying down cards and reading their outcomes, or provide clues for solving puzzles.
• Commit a crude version of your game board to paper as soon as an idea hits you. This will make it easier for you to work out any remaining kinks without losing the thread of the game.

Completing Your Board Game

• If you find yourself stumped, it may help to zoom in on key images from the game. What’s the most desired object in the game, or the most important part of the “story”?
• Take your time thinking up the perfect name. This can be one of the hardest (and often final) parts of the creative process.

• Don’t worry too much about how your prototype looks. The only thing that matters at this stage is whether it plays the way it’s supposed to.
• If you’re serious about making your game a reality, send your materials off to a custom printing company to have them printed professionally. The price will vary depending on the different components required, but you can typically expect to pay around $10-20 per game for a wholesale order. [5] X Research source

• Make sure your players are people you can trust to give an unbiased opinion. That way, you can be sure that they’re shooting straight with you.
• Rather than giving your play-testers an in-depth spiel on how to play, write out the rules and see if they can figure them out for themselves. That way, you’ll know whether or not your instructions make sense.
• In order to draw out more helpful criticism, ask specific questions, such as, “Did the basic rules make sense?”, “Was there anything that confused you about the mechanics?”, or “What would have made this game more fun?”

• After you’ve made a few tweaks, get your play-testing group back together and see what they think of the new version. [7] X Research source
• Designing a unique, innovative board game is a slow process. You may have to go through multiple versions before you end up with a game that’s anything close to what you originally imagined.

• Shop your game around to different companies to find one you think would be a good match. Parker Brothers, for instance, specializes in turn-based, family-friendly games, whereas companies like Games Workshop and Arcane Wonders tend to put out titles with more emphasis on complex strategy and customization.
• Game developers don't have time to look at each and every submission in depth, so it's important that you send them a prototype that's fully functional. easy to comprehend, and different enough from the rest of their catalog to warrant publishing. [9] X Research source

Making a Functioning Board Game

• Stiff cardboard or composite board will be sturdy enough to hold up under hours of play. A sheet of vinyl backing (also known as "contact paper") is another good choice.
• If you've got some graphic design expertise, use an illustrator program to create a design for your game board. Print the design on sticker paper, then transfer it to the board for a cleaner, more professional look. [10] X Research source

• It's important that you use clear, easy-to-understand language when typing up your rule sheet, especially if your game has a complicated structure.
• This is a good chance to see the game's mechanics laid out in front of you and review for inconsistencies before you first play-through.

• Make sure your accessories are just the right size for the game board. If they're too big, they may look disproportionate. If they're too small, they'll be hard to keep up with and may be easily lost.
• Try buying and painting small figurines to create detailed, one-of-a-kind game pieces.

• Include any other relevant information that the player might need during gameplay, such as category, point value, and directions for how certain actions should be followed up.
• One you've got your cards looking the way you want them, run them through a lamination machine. This will help safeguard them from tears, spills, and other accidents while lending them a sleek finish. [12] X Research source

• Assuming you're not as concerned with appearances, you could also invest in a compartmentalized carrying case to keep the game board, cards, player pieces, and other accessories neatly organized.

What Are Tips For Designing a Board Game?

Community Q&A

• Play as many board games as you can. Not only will they be a great source of inspiration, they’ll give you an overview of the different types of games are out there, which will help you create something truly original. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Be willing to deviate from your original concept if it means make the finished game stronger. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Don’t despair if your game isn’t working as-is—it may just need to be adapted to a slightly different format. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

• Avoid copying other games outright. This is considered intellectual property theft in the gaming world. Thanks Helpful 12 Not Helpful 4

Things You'll Need

• Pen and paper
• Scrap cardboard
• Index cards
• Markers and colored pencils
• Other board games (for reference)

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://geekandsundry.com/6-must-know-game-design-tips-from-the-creative-director-of-fluxx/
• ↑ https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/designing-the-best-board-game-on-the-planet/
• ↑ http://karma-games.com/best-strategy-board-games-by-number-of-players/
• ↑ http://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/gaming/a11376/stop-reading-this-and-go-build-your-own-board-game-17314604/
• ↑ https://scottalmes.wordpress.com/2013/08/22/before-you-pitch-to-a-publisher/
• ↑ https://scottalmes.wordpress.com/
• ↑ https://geekandsundry.com/6-must-know-game-design-tips-from-the-creative-director-of-fluxx/
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0t6PBypahI&feature=youtu.be&t=116
• ↑ http://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Playing-Cards.html

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There are 4 modules in this course

Welcome! This course is an introduction to the primary concepts of gaming, and an exploration of how these basic concepts affect the way gamers interact with our games. In this course you will understand what defines a “game” and the mechanics and rules behind different types of games. Through four linked assignments you'll learn ways to create and describe a game concept, and specifically what makes a compelling game. This course focuses on the conceptual underpinnings of games, and all assignments can be completed with a pencil and paper – no previous programming knowledge is required.

Week 1: The Simplest Games

This week we start at the beginning: what are the principles of very simple games, like Hangman and tic-tac-toe? How do these games work? Why do people play them? What are the elements that define games and the gaming experience? And finally, what do games have in common with each other, and what sets them apart? In addition to covering the basics and ground rules for this course, we'll conclude this week with a very simple, low-tech assignment: create a game on a single sheet of paper.

What's included

6 videos 5 readings 1 peer review 1 discussion prompt

6 videos • Total 16 minutes

• Welcome! • 1 minute • Preview module
• Elements of Gaming • 3 minutes
• The Game Design Document • 1 minute
• Feedback • 3 minutes
• Making a Simple Game and Brainstorming • 3 minutes
• Week 1 Homework • 2 minutes

5 readings • Total 23 minutes

• About this Course • 10 minutes
• Instructor Presence and Staff Support • 1 minute
• Academic Integrity • 2 minutes
• Forum Guidelines • 5 minutes
• Requesting Peer Reviews • 5 minutes

1 peer review • Total 60 minutes

• Make a Simple Paper-Based Game • 60 minutes

1 discussion prompt • Total 5 minutes

• Meet and Greet • 5 minutes

Week 2: Rules and Discovery

How does a player learn the mechanics of your game? How do they learn anything about your game? This week we will talk about the rules that define gameplay, and how those rules are communicated to your players. We also discuss the way rules are bent and broken by players.

6 videos 1 peer review

6 videos • Total 19 minutes

• Introduction to Rules • 1 minute • Preview module
• Balance • 3 minutes
• What are rules? • 6 minutes
• Breaking the Rules • 2 minutes
• Learning the Rules • 3 minutes
• Week 2 Homework • 1 minute
• Refining the Rules on Your Paper-Based Game • 60 minutes

Week 3: Tell a Story

How does narrative drive a player to start playing your game? Or to finish it? This week we'll look at some of the ways you can make your game more compelling with story, and discuss some of the ways story can drive gameplay forward, or enable a player to make their own way through it.

9 videos 1 peer review

9 videos • Total 32 minutes

• Introduction to Story • 2 minutes • Preview module
• Story Purpose • 7 minutes
• Who's In Charge of Your Game Story? • 1 minute
• Writer-Driven • 6 minutes
• Writer-Led • 1 minute
• Player-Led • 1 minute
• Roleplaying & Character Motivation • 5 minutes
• Explaining & Imagining • 4 minutes
• Week 3 Homework • 1 minute
• Narrative Elements for Your Paper-based Game • 60 minutes

Week 4: The Friend and the Enemy

What purpose does an enemy serve in a game? What effect does a second player have on two-player games? Can a game work without an adversary or a final goal? We'll address all of those questions in this last week of the class, and work towards finalizing your board game project with characters.

6 videos 1 reading 1 peer review

6 videos • Total 26 minutes

• Introduction to Characters • 0 minutes • Preview module
• Characters in Gaming • 5 minutes
• Types of Characters • 3 minutes
• Multiplayer Rules and Balance • 3 minutes
• Bonus Interview: Adam Spragg, Designer of Hidden in Plain Sight • 11 minutes
• Week 4 Homework • 1 minute

1 reading • Total 10 minutes

• Course Credits • 10 minutes
• Multi-Player Paper-Based Game! • 60 minutes

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Pretty basic and easy to follow. Not sure that all of my peers were able to benefit from the "peer reviews". It would be great if there were a final review from the instructor as well.

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How To Design Board Games: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Designing board games is a thrilling and rewarding experience that allows you to create a fun engine that can bring joy and entertainment to people of all ages. A board game is more than just a game; it’s a way to connect with others, build relationships, and create lasting memories. The key to designing a successful board game is to maximize the time to fun ratio, ensuring that players are engaged and entertained throughout the game. By creating a game that is both challenging and enjoyable, you can provide players with an experience that they will want to come back to time and time again. So, whether you’re a seasoned designer or just starting out, designing board games is a great way to unleash your creativity and bring joy to others.

The Board Game Design Process

Designing a board game is a complex process that requires careful planning and attention to detail. To create a successful game, designers must consider a variety of factors, including mechanics, theme, and components. Here are some important things to keep in mind when designing a board game: 🎲 – Mechanics: The mechanics of a game refer to the rules and systems that govern gameplay. When designing a board game, it’s important to create mechanics that are easy to understand but also offer depth and complexity. This can be achieved through the use of different types of actions, resource management, and other gameplay elements. 🎭 – Theme: The theme of a game is the setting, story, or overall concept that ties everything together. A strong theme can help players become more immersed in the game and feel more invested in their decisions. When choosing a theme, designers should consider what will appeal to their target audience and what will make their game stand out from others in the market. 🎨 – Components: The components of a game are the physical pieces that players interact with, such as cards , tokens, and game boards. These components should be well-designed and visually appealing, but also functional and easy to use. When designing components, it’s important to consider how they will be used in gameplay and how they will contribute to the overall experience. 🤔 – Interesting Choices: One of the most important aspects of board game design is creating interesting choices for players. This means giving players meaningful decisions to make throughout the game that will impact the outcome. To achieve this, designers should consider how different mechanics and components can work together to create interesting and challenging gameplay. 📈 – Playtesting: Finally, it’s important to playtest the game extensively to ensure that it is balanced, fun, and engaging. Playtesting can help identify any issues with mechanics or components and give designers the opportunity to make changes before the game is released.

• Don’t be afraid to scrap ideas that aren’t working. Sometimes the best way to create interesting choices is to start over with a fresh perspective.
• Keep in mind the balance between luck and skill in your game. Too much luck can make players feel like their choices don’t matter, while too much skill can make the game feel too predictable.

Conceptualization

Conceptualization is a crucial step in designing a board game. It involves translating thematic elements into mechanics, operating on a scale between total abstraction and pure simulation, and designing a system and behavior, not just rules and actions. The goal is to incorporate elements that enhance the core experience and create meaningful choices for players. This process requires creativity, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of game design principles. By conceptualizing a game in this way, designers can create a unique and engaging experience that will keep players coming back for more.

HOW-TO: Conceptualization

• A clear understanding of your game’s theme and mechanics
• A willingness to experiment with different levels of abstraction and simulation
• A focus on designing a cohesive system and behavior, not just a set of rules and actions
• An openness to incorporating elements that enhance the core experience
• Start by identifying the key thematic elements of your game. What story are you trying to tell? What emotions do you want to evoke in your players? Once you have a clear understanding of your theme, think about how you can translate those elements into game mechanics. For example, if your game is about surviving on a deserted island, you might incorporate mechanics that involve gathering resources, building shelter, and fending off predators.
• Consider the level of abstraction or simulation you want to use in your game. Abstraction refers to simplifying complex real-world concepts into game mechanics, while simulation involves creating mechanics that closely mimic real-world actions. There’s no right or wrong answer here–it all depends on the type of game you want to create. For example, a game like Monopoly uses a high level of abstraction, while a game like Pandemic uses a high level of simulation.
• Focus on designing a cohesive system and behavior, not just a set of rules and actions. Your game should feel like a complete experience, with all of the mechanics working together to create a sense of immersion and engagement. Think about how each mechanic interacts with the others, and how they all contribute to the overall gameplay experience.
• Finally, be open to incorporating elements that enhance the core experience of your game. This could include things like artwork, sound effects, or even physical components like miniatures or custom dice . These elements can help to create a more immersive and memorable experience for your players.
• It’s important to strike a balance between complexity and accessibility. Your game should be easy enough for new players to understand, but deep enough to keep experienced players engaged.
• Don’t be afraid to take inspiration from other games or media. Just make sure to put your own unique spin on things.

Designing the Game

Crafting a board game can seem like a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience. This section will explore the essential components of board game design, such as selecting a theme and objective, fleshing out the concept, creating player aids, promoting inclusivity in design, balancing the game, and considering player count.

The theme and objective of a board game serve as the foundation for the entire game. It’s crucial to choose a theme that captivates and interests players, and an objective that is clear and attainable. The theme should be relatable and keep players engaged throughout the game, while the objective should be challenging enough to maintain interest but not so difficult that it becomes frustrating.

After selecting a theme and objective, it’s time to flesh out the concept. This involves creating game mechanics, determining necessary components, and establishing rules. It’s important to keep the game mechanics simple and easy to understand while still providing enough depth to keep players engaged. The components should be visually appealing and well-designed, and the rules should be clear and concise.

Player aids are a crucial aspect of board game design as they help players comprehend the game mechanics and keep track of their progress. Player aids can include reference cards, score sheets, and player mats. It’s important to design player aids that are user-friendly and provide all necessary information without overwhelming the player.

Inclusivity is a vital consideration in board game design as it ensures that all players can enjoy the game regardless of their background or abilities. This includes color-blind accessibility, language dependency, and character diversity and portrayal. A game designed with inclusivity in mind ensures that all players feel welcome and accommodated.

Here are some tips to make your board game more inclusive: 🎨 Color blind accessibility: – Use different shapes or symbols in addition to colors to differentiate game pieces or cards. – Avoid using color alone to convey important information. – Use color combinations that are easily distinguishable for those with color blindness. 🗣️ Language dependency: – Consider creating language-independent components such as icons or symbols to convey important information. – Provide translations or language aids for players who may not speak the primary language of the game. – Avoid using culturally-specific references or idioms that may not be understood by all players. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Character diversity and portrayal: – Include a diverse range of characters in your game to represent different cultures, genders, and abilities. – Avoid stereotypical or offensive portrayals of characters. – Consider consulting with individuals from diverse backgrounds to ensure accurate and respectful representation.

Balancing the game is a critical aspect of board game design as it guarantees that all players have an equal chance of winning. This involves adjusting the game mechanics and rules to ensure that no player has an unfair advantage. It’s important to playtest the game extensively to ensure that it’s balanced and fair.

Finally, it’s crucial to consider the player count when designing a board game. Different player counts require different game mechanics and rules, and it’s important to design the game with the intended player count in mind. This includes 1-player games, 2-player games, and 3-player games, each with their unique challenges and considerations.

Playtesting and Refining

Playtesting and refining are crucial steps in the board game design process. Making a prototype is the first step in this process, and it involves creating a playable version of the game. This prototype should be functional, but it doesn’t need to look pretty. Once the prototype is complete, it’s time to playtest the game. Playtesting involves inviting others to play the game and taking detailed notes on their feedback. This feedback can be used to make improvements for the next edition of the game. It’s important to remember that playtesting and refining are ongoing processes, and the game will continue to evolve as it’s played and improved upon. By taking the time to playtest and refine the game, designers can create an enjoyable and engaging experience for players.

In this tutorial, we will be discussing how to playtest and refine your board game.

• A prototype of your board game
• Playtesters
• A notebook or recording device to take notes
• Making a Prototype
• Gather all the necessary materials to create a prototype of your board game.
• Create a rough version of your game using paper, cardboard, or any other materials you have on hand.
• Make sure to label all the components of your game, including the board, cards, and game pieces.
• Playtesting the Game
• Invite a group of playtesters to try out your game.
• Explain the rules of the game to your playtesters and answer any questions they may have.
• Observe your playtesters as they play the game and take notes on their actions and reactions.
• Ask your playtesters for feedback on the game, including what they liked and what they didn’t like.
• Making Improvements for the Next Edition
• Use the feedback from your playtesters to make improvements to your game.
• Make changes to the rules, components, or mechanics of the game as necessary.
• Create a new prototype of the game incorporating the changes you have made.
• Repeat the playtesting process with the new prototype to see if the changes have improved the game.
• It’s important to playtest your game with a variety of different people to get a range of feedback.
• Don’t be afraid to make big changes to your game if necessary.
• Keep track of all the changes you make to the game so you can see how it evolves over time.

Manufacturing

Board game manufacturing is a crucial step in the game design process. It involves turning a prototype into a polished, marketable product. The manufacturing process includes creating a final game board, writing out a rule sheet, and fashioning game pieces from ordinary objects. Once the game is ready, it is time to send it off to a manufacturer . China is a popular destination for board game manufacturing due to its specialization in printing and plastic figure production but there are definitely great options in the US, as well as in the rest of the world (Germany, anyone?). It is important to choose a manufacturer that can produce high-quality products at a reasonable cost. With the right manufacturer, a board game can be transformed from a simple idea to a tangible product that can be enjoyed by players all over the world.

Tips for Game Designers

As a game designer, it’s important to constantly expand your knowledge and experience. Tabletop game design is a collaborative process, and seeking out the input of others can lead to a better end product. By keeping these things in mind, you can create truly exceptional board games that will endure the test of time.

Here are some tips to help you overcome designer’s block and create amazing games: 🎲 – Play lots of different games: Playing a variety of games can help you get inspired and come up with new ideas. It can also help you understand what works and what doesn’t in game design. 🧱 – Break down your game into smaller parts: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try breaking down your game into smaller parts. This can help you focus on one aspect at a time and make progress more easily. 💬 – Discuss your ideas with other designers: Getting feedback from other designers can be incredibly helpful. They can offer new perspectives and help you identify areas for improvement. 📝 – Keep a notebook: Write down your ideas as soon as they come to you. This can help you remember them later and build upon them. 🎨 – Use visuals: Sketching out your ideas or creating a mood board can help you visualize your game and make it easier to communicate your vision to others.

Designing board games is a challenging yet rewarding process that requires hard work, creativity, and dedication. Throughout this article, we have explored the key concepts of board game design, including defining what a board game is, the importance of designing games, where to start, and finding the fun. We have also discussed the importance of playing lots of games, creating a minimum viable product, and getting feedback from other designers. It is essential to remember that designing board games is not just about creating a fun experience for players, but also about building relationships and creating lasting memories. With hard work, creativity, and dedication, anyone can design a board game that will bring joy and entertainment to players for years to come.

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Game-opoly: Designing & Building Your Own Board Game

Introduction: Game-opoly: Designing & Building Your Own Board Game

• By researching and preparing a presentation about board games, students will develop and improve 21 st century presentation skills.
• By executing design concepts on the computer, students will develop and explore graphic design techniques using Adobe PS and Illustrator.

Attachments

Step 1: Research & Present

Step 2: Presentation Day

• This is not a formal presentation. Don't worry about wearing a suit and tie. You're not presenting to a board of directors. You're basically just having a conversation with the class about the cool things you found out about board games.
• Try to have fun with your presentation. Board games are fun, so the information should be fun.
• Use technology to your advantage. You have a smart board at your finger-tips. Ask to try it out before you present so that you're comfortable with what it can do.
• Think outside of the BOX . Your presentation will stand out in the mind's of your audience if you do something original or unexpected. 
• Content is important, but so is delivery. You might have the best ideas, but it's possible to kill those ideas with a poor presentation.
• Immerse yourself in your project. The easiest presentation to give is the one you know everything about. You don't have to memorize anything if you know it already. You'll find that when you present something you're passionate about, it will just come naturally.
• Make sure that all of your group members have something to contribute to the presentation. There are many different ways to do this.

Step 3: Brainstorm

• Make sure that you have a pencil and some scrap paper. Write EVERYTHING down. Most people discard what they think is a bad idea before it even gets to paper. A lot of times a bad idea is all it takes to help someone think of a good idea. If you put it on paper, other people will have a chance to interpret the information in a different way.
• Get feedback from as many possible sources. Talk about your ideas to everyone. You'll be surprised by who gives you the best feedback and inspires you to come up with your best creative thought.
• Your rough work is part of the DESIGN PROCESS . Keep it all, and hand it all in. It's like GOLD , and is actually worth a lot of marks.

Step 4: Logo Design

• Brainstorm ideas for the name of your board game company.
• Once you have a name picked out, prepare a page of rough sketches for your logo.
• There might be one member of your group who completes this task. Logos are fun though, so maybe each member of the group creates a concept and then you vote on the final concept.
• Take the time to come up with a great name and a catchy logo. You'll be using it later when you design the box for your game.

Step 5: Sketch

• Try to be original. You might model your game after an existing game, but please make it different. I don't want to play RISK under a differnt name.
• Again..... write everything down. You're being marked on your design process and your rough work is like GOLD!
• The most important thing to figure out is the CONCEPT of your game and the RULES .
• Once you get a rough idea of the concept and the rules, make a crude version of your game and try to play it. Tweak the rules as you go until you stumble upon something that is fun and intriguing to play.
• You'll be surprised how much your concept changes. Don't forget to get feedback from as many sources as possible.
• Once you think you have the concept and rules figured out, start to think about and sketch what the final board, pieces, cards and box might look like.

Step 6: Design

• Adobe Illustrator works with VECTORS . This means that you can draw clear crisp lines that can be scaled up and down without the loss of resolution. THIS IS A GOOD THING.
• Adobe Photoshop use PIXELS.  If you design an element of your game and decide to enlarge it later, it may become pixelated. Make sure to draw your designs full size and start at a minimum resolution of 300 .
• It's not a bad idea to draw the layout of your board or box in Illustrator, and then export to Photoshop to add graphic elements.
• Decide what box you intend to use. Unfold it, measure it, and draw the outline of the box in ILLUSTRATOR.
• If you choose a box larger than the one pictured, you won't be able to print the entire design on one page.

Step 7: Build the Box

• Print out your good copy of the box.
• Peel a sheet of DRYTAC laminate film and place it carefully over your design. Try to avoid dust and air bubbles.
• Let the heat press heat up to approximately 80 degrees.
• Make sure to put a piece of transfer paper on top of the laminate film.
• Clamp your box design in the heat press for approximately 15 seconds.
• Disassemble your box and lay it flat on the table.
• Spray the top side of your box and the back side of your box design with spray adhesive. 
• Wait for a minute and then stick the two sides together. You only get ONE chance, so make sure it's lined up properly.
• Trim the excess paper with an x-acto knife and reassemble your box.

Step 8: The Board & the Pieces

• After the board is printed out you will glue it to a piece of white foam core that is 20" x 30".
• Use spray adhesive to coat the back of your board and the piece of foam core.
• Carefully align the board and then press it on to the foam core. Remember... you only get one chance to line this up.
• To protect your board, apply a layer of DRYTAC laminating film to the top of your board and clamp it in the heat press for 15 seconds.
• Trim the edges of your board and then cut through the paper backing of foam core to make your creases. Please measure carefully, and make sure not to press too hard on the knife. You don't want to cut all the way through.
• Depending on the size of your board, you may need to make several cuts so that the board folds more than once.
• The thing about making the pieces is that it's easier to find existing ones.
• If you can't think of something to use for your pieces, please ask and I will help you figure something out.
• A good way to make tiles is to print your designs, glue them to a sheet of plastic, laminate them and then cut them out.
• You might also be able to modify existing pieces as shown in the last picture.

Step 9: Commercial Advertising

• Create a stop motion commercial for your game using Stop Motion Pro.
• Create a 2D animated commercial for your game using 2D animation software.
• Create a live action commercial by shooting video and editing it in Adobe Premiere.

Step 10: Final Presentation

Step 11: Play

Step 12: That Was FUN!!

Runner Up in the The Teacher Contest

Participated in the Toy Challenge 2

Participated in the ShopBot Challenge

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Making Time Contest

Engineering in the Kitchen - Autodesk Design & Make - Student Contest

For the Home Contest

How to Make a Board Game for a School Project

Kimberley mcgee, 26 jul 2018.

It’s one assignment students tend to get excited about: When a school assigns the task of creating a board game project, the ideas for fun puzzles and playing themes are seemingly limitless. Board games are a great way to get a student involved in learning new things.

Explore this article

• Homemade Board Games and Education
• Board Game Assignment Ideas
• Rules of Play

things needed

• Game board: manila folder, cardboard, foam board, tag board or legal size white paper
• Game box: cardboard gift box or tag board
• Markers or crayons
• Additional tag board, card stock or manila folders
• Craft knife (optional)
• 3x5 index cards (optional)

1 Homemade Board Games and Education

Board games aren’t just fun, they can be a handy educational tool. When you build your own or create board game assignment ideas, you are approaching a lesson from different angles. For instance, a fourth grade math board game project can assist young minds in understanding new and often more complex math problems that haven’t been introduced in the curriculum yet. Board games can teach social skills and moral problems. When kids create their own board games and sets of rules to play, they are considering the concept of rules as well as cause and effect. They also teach children how to win as well as lose with grace.

2 Board Game Assignment Ideas

First, you will need to choose a topic to wrap your game around. This can be a favorite book, a period in history or the future, a math concept, science facts or current pop star crushes. Once you have chosen a topic you feel comfortable enough with to create a multi-layered game, grab a pen and paper and plot out what the board will physically look like. Consider what shape the pieces will be.

If you’ve chosen a singer, the pieces could look like musical notes or a microphone. A sea-themed board game can have starfish, fishing rods or dolphins. You can choose coins or buttons or create specialty pieces out of polymer clay. Next, think through how the pieces will be moved around the game. The players can draw cards, roll dice, flick a spinner or roll specially made dice that correspond with the game’s overall theme.

3 Rules of Play

Make sure to write down the rules to your game clearly. Consider any issues that may pop up when the pieces are moving around the board. Is there a go back to the start option? Are there cards that need to be chosen? Is there a penalty for not saying “blue” when a player lands on a blue square? Have a friend or classmate play out the game so that any issues that could arise can be dealt with before the board game is turned in.

• 1 Fractus Learning: What Board Games Teach Kids?

About the Author

Kimberley McGee is an award-winning journalist with 20+ years of experience writing about education, jobs, business and more for The New York Times, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Today’s Parent and other publications. She graduated with a B.A. in Journalism from UNLV. Her full bio and clips can be seen at www.vegaswriter.com.

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Making a Board Game

Subject: Design, engineering and technology

Age range: 7-11

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

16 July 2020

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Council for Play and Game Studies

Playing pedagogically, teaching writing through board game analysis and design.

As we know from Ian Bogost’s theorization of procedural rhetoric, games can be used to launch valuable, stakes-driven rhetorical. Play can be a medium to teach students how to make meaningful arguments to specific audiences through multiple modes.

In my “Reading and Writing Board Games for Social Justice” course, students analyze and create games to learn composition skills such as argumentation, audience, stakes, and multimodal design. Students in my class have created games about complex, timely topics, including voting access, fake news, microaggressions, and intersectionality.

In this post, I present several activities from my course that engage students in analysis and recursive playtesting to launch procedural arguments. Feel free to adapt these ideas and materials for use in your own classroom!

I discuss three activities: a critical analysis of the game Puerto Rico, analysis and design of board game rulebooks using Canva, and a board game design project using Tabletop Simulator .

Analyzing Puerto Rico

I lead a class discussion analyzing the board game Puerto Rico after students watch a critical analysis video about the game. In class, we analyze the colonial themes in the game using multimodal analysis.

Using the above modes, I frame the discussion with the following questions:

• What dominant narratives does this game challenge and/or uphold?
• What are the stakes (i.e., why does this matter)? Who is affected? How? Why does it matter?
• The workers are referred to as “colonists” (linguistic mode).
• The workers are brown (visual) unpaid laborers (gestural).
• Workers in the game harvest (spatial, gestural) crops that traditionally were harvested by slaves.
• The crops are harvested on plantations (linguistic).
• What is your idea for a game that challenges the dominant narrative you have identified?

Using Canva to analyze and design rulebooks

To learn about genre, students analyze board game rulebooks (available online) to identify common conventions of games. Below, I list some of the conventions that they identified and some of the questions I assign them in small groups to analyze the genre of board game rulebooks as well as unique traits that indicate the audience, tone, and purpose of a game.

What are the common genre conventions of games?

• Consistent design theme
• Number of players
• Characters/roles
• An example turn
• Images of the game

Example questions:

• What are the conventions (common traits) of the genre of game rulebooks? (4-5 traits)
• Which visual design choices are effective/ineffective? (2-3 examples of each)
• What audience is this for (age, views, interests, game experience level, geographical location)? How do you know from the language and design choices?
• What is the tone of this game? Informative? Satirical? Serious? Playful? How do you know?

Students then create their own game concept and corresponding rulebook using Canva , a free online graphic design platform. They apply their multimodal design skills and genre knowledge to create their finished product. See below for the assignment prompt:

• Include an explanation of the premise or theme of the game that connects to your claim and stakes (you do not need to explicitly state your claim).
• The game should have a beginning, middle and end. In other words, setup and game components, basic rules, and how to win the game.
• Use Canva (free online) to design your rulebook. The visual design choices should communicate the claim of the game and its rules through layout, image, typography, and color choices.

The examples below illustrate students’ demonstration of genre knowledge. The first image shows an example turn and cards from the students’ game. Students identified example turns and images as important useful features of rulebooks during the genre analysis activity.

In the example below, students demonstrate genre conventions including the overview, player count, objective, age range, and table of contents.

In the following example, students demonstrate genre conventions including the overview, player count, objective, age range, and table of contents.

Using Tabletop Simulator for board game design

In the second half of the term, students work in teams of three to design their own claim-driven, evidence-supported playable board game (corresponding with the rulebook they designed in the previous activity) on Tabletop Simulator , a $20 software for playing and designing board games. I assigned the software as students’ textbook for the course.

Through playtesting (which I often liken to peer reviewing an essay), students see how their claims are taken up by players (readers). They engage in a recursive playtesting process and practice skills like making stakes-driven arguments, applying research, and using elements of design to persuade and work with genre conventions.

By watching others play and manipulate a game, students see how different iterations of their projects are received by an audience. Cards are read out loud. Pieces are moved. Players react to each other and to the game. These forms of engagement can happen in other ways through essay peer review, but they do not often happen in real time or through as many modes, and there is a layer of detachment from the audience. The applied nature of the board design assignment and opportunities to receive and respond to many rounds of playtesting feedback cultivate a rich learning experience.

The following examples are among the most successful procedural arguments made through games in this class.

The first of these two groups designed Beyond Democracy, a satirical game highlighting problems with voter suppression and accessibility. Players buy districts, steal money from their opponents, and bribe other players while intentionally preventing working class and BIPOC individuals from voting. The winner is determined by the amount of money and votes suppressed. The Beyond Democracy designers used a satirical tone in their rulebook and subverted traditional symbols of American imagery, such as Lady Liberty covering her eyes and the US Capitol Building on fire, on their game board to indicate distress and a lack of democracy.

While Beyond Democracy takes a satirical approach and targets an adult audience, another successful group tackled an equally serious topic by creating an educational board game for children about racial microaggressions. In The Troublesome Path to Wonderland, players draw situation cards and discuss positive and negative responses to observing microaggressions. Part of the design process in Tabletop Simulator, where students created, revised, and playtested the game is shown below. Example cards are shown in their rulebook in the previous section.

Adapting Materials

Please contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions if you adapt these activities and materials. As always, good luck and have fun!

Acknowledgements

Beyond Democracy was designed by Annicette Gilliam, Pedro Rodriguez, and a student who wishes to remain anonymous. The Troublesome Path to Wonderland was designed by Estella Khieu, Nancy Le, and Rumie Lee. My gratitude goes out to these students for allowing me to share their work!

About the Author Sara Lovett is a PhD candidate and writing instructor at The University of Washington. They design educational LARPs, teach using board games, and study equity and accessibility in higher education. She distracts herself from dissertation writing by hanging out with her two dogs, drafting Magic: The Gathering , and acting in musical theatre productions.

This piece is part of a series written by CPGS members about current thoughts, reflections, or projects in and around games and gaming in the context of college writing pedagogy. If you are a CPGS member and would like to contribute, please us via [email protected] or the CPGS Discord server.

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Demystifying Board Game Design

Page Visits

Course layout.

Module 0- Introduction

About the Course Course Contents

Phase 1 Introduction

Module 1- Play & Learn

LEC 1: Why Demystify Game Design?

Resource: Students'work in game design at IDC school of design

LEC 2: Games, Play & Education

Resource ALM 1: Video:  Forest Kindergarten

ALM 2: Video:  Excerpt from Michael Moore's film ‘Where to Invade Next’ (Finland education system)

ALM 3: Video:  Turning trash into toys for learning | Arvind Gupta

LEC 3: First Game design Assignment

Resource: Group Assignment 1

LEC 4: DEMO: Self Play Testing of Zero Cost Games

Resource: On Play Testing

Module 2- Games, Play & Learning

LEC 1: Understanding the Essence of Games

Resource: Why design a zero cost game?

LEC 2: Games & Education

Resource: Why games in education?

Resource: Educational games and learning

Resource: How does learning occur?

Resource: Understanding play

Resource: Play-n-learn and cognitive development

Resource: Facets of playfulness

Resource: Games with a purpose

Resource: Design opportunities

LEC 3: Journey of Game Design Course

Resource: My encounters with game design

Resource: Teaching game design - Second accident

Resource: Practice to teaching to theory

Module 3- What Makes a Game a Game?

LEC 1: Developing a Challenge

Resource: Defining Games

LEC 2: What Makes a Game a Game- Part I

Resource: What makes game a game?

LEC 3: What Makes a Game a Game- Part II

LEC 4: What Makes a Game a Game- Part III (Games, races & puzzles)

Resource: Games, races, puzzles and gamification

Module 4 - Test of the Pudding

LEC 1: Initiating Play Testing of Games

Resource: On play testing

Resource: Links to additional zero cost examples

LEC 2: DEMO 1: Play Testing of Word Building Game

LEC 3: DEMO 2: Play Testing of Game on Geometric Shapes

Resource: Video: Games on Hereditary Traits

LEC 4: Reflecting on Play Testing

Module 5 - Never Leave a Good Game Alone

LEC 1: Design Scope in Redesigning Games

LEC2: DEMO 1: Redesigning Scrabble

LEC 3: DEMO 2: Redesigning Tic Tac Toe

Resource: Video: Redesigning Monopoly

Resource: Video: Redesigning Jenga

Resource: Video: Redesigning Abalon

LEC 4: Reflecting on Student Presentations of Redesigned Games

Resource: Design redesign: Why redesign games?

A short overview of phase I

Phase 2 Introduction

Module 6- Technicalities of game design

LEC 1: Terminologies- 1

Resources: Terminologies I

LEC 2: Terminologies- 2

Resources: Terminology II

LEC 3: Designing a new game from scratch

Module 7- Play of conflict and uncertainty

LEC 1: Creating conflicts and the role of uncertainty

Resource: From artificial conflict to uncertainty

Resource: Generating a good conflict

Resource: Designing game is designing game mechanics

Resource: Complexity of games

Resource: Why offer choices to players

LEC 2: Uncertainty principles

Resources: Uncertainty as a temporal experience

Resource: Injecting uncertainty

LEC 3: Locating inequality-equality cycle in games

ALM 1: Video: Locate inequality-equality cycle Group 1 (Group –Word formation)

ALM 2: Video: Locate inequality-equality cycle Group 2 (Group- Geometric shapes)

ALM 3: Video: Locate inequality-equality cycle Group 3 (Group- Hereditary traits)

Module 8- How Influencers Manage Uncertainty

LEC 1: Introduction to Influencers

Resource: Glimpses of key influencers in action

LEC 2: Use of Thinking

Resource: Games as a cerebral act 1

LEC 3: Use of Skills

Resource: Games as a corporal act

Resource: Can corporal drive the cerebral?        

LEC 4: Use of Knowledge and Memory

Resource: Games as a cerebral act II

Resource: Awareness of gameplays and players

LEC 5: Use of Chance

Resource: Give chance a chance 

Resource: Influencers in edu-games

Resource: Completing the influencer story 

Module 9- How things fall in place

Lec 1: Introducing game design process

Resource:Game and problem solving

Lec 2: Revisiting educational goals

Lec 3: Design process: Building a game

Lec 4: Revising game dynamics

Resource: On play testing 

Lec 5: Infrastructure

Lec 6: Major project: Discussion and brain storming

Resource: levels of identity

Resource: Redesign and design of games

Module 9 [annex 1] : Play testing of major project

Lec 1: Play testing – Rajneeti

Lec 2: Play testing – Race-cue

Lec 3: Play testing – Oasis

Lec 4: Play testing – Smacklet

Lec 5: Conclusion

Module 9 [annex 2] : Playing with Senior students

Lec 1: Play test with senior students - Rajneeti

Lec 2: Play test with senior students - Smacklet

Lec 3: Play test with senior students – Farmoney & oasis

Module 10 - How things don't fall into place easily

Lec 1: Design process-alternative starts

Lec 2: And the winner is / Forms of conflicts

Lec 3: Chris Crawford _ what makes game a game - Minimum condition to qualify as a game

Lec 4: What makes a good game

Lec 5: Get Set Go

Module 11 - And the winner is ….

Lec 1: The last inning

Lec 2: Final presentation _ Rajneeti

Lec 3: Final presentation – Race-cue

Instructor bio

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