Cardboard Edison
@cardboardedison.com
Board game design and tips for board game makers. cardboardedison.com
Pinned
Today's the perfect day to reveal some more about our game Houdini's Last Act: cardboardedison.com/houdini We'll have a limited number of hand-made copies available at PAX Unplugged's Indie Games Night Market on November 22!
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Check out the *next* new hotness before it's even published at our Proto Alley! Meet local indie game designers, and see what's next for the world of tabletop games.
Proto-Alley
Proto Alley The TCTC Proto-Alley is a space for game designers to showcase and playtest their latest unpublished game designs. Meet our local and not-so-local designers, play games that are in…
terminalcitycon.ca
November 11, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Check out the *next* new hotness before it's even published at our Proto Alley! Meet local indie game designers, and see what's next for the world of tabletop games.
Update: The assembly area for Houdini’s Last Act has outgrown its first table and taken over a second one. A third table is on call.
November 11, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Update: The assembly area for Houdini’s Last Act has outgrown its first table and taken over a second one. A third table is on call.
Yesterday was a pretty big day for Houdini’s Last Act. Not only did we get the rulebook tested but also the boxes arrived from the printer and came out great! Indie Games Night Market, here we come!
November 10, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Yesterday was a pretty big day for Houdini’s Last Act. Not only did we get the rulebook tested but also the boxes arrived from the printer and came out great! Indie Games Night Market, here we come!
The word for the November / December 2025 Bi-Monthly 24 Hour Design Challenge on BoardGameGeek is the incomplete word “_ _ _ ANKS” which designers can interpret as they wish
November / December 2025 Bi-Monthly 24 Hour Design Challenge - _ _ _ ANKS | BGG
hr]For general questions, references, and most things, check out 2025 Bi-Monthly 24-Hour Design Challenges Discussion Thread and Meta-Thread [hr]
Word of the Bi-Month:
_ _ _ ANKS
Welcome back everybo...
boardgamegeek.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:17 PM
The word for the November / December 2025 Bi-Monthly 24 Hour Design Challenge on BoardGameGeek is the incomplete word “_ _ _ ANKS” which designers can interpret as they wish
A preview of some new features in Component.Studio 3 from @thegamecrafter.bsky.social
Component.Studio 3 (Fun Problems #75)
YouTube video by Blue Beard Entertainment
www.youtube.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:45 PM
A preview of some new features in Component.Studio 3 from @thegamecrafter.bsky.social
Game designer Pam Walls shares how much money she’s made from royalties and advances for her games
How much money I have made as an indie board game designer (2025 update)
YouTube video by Pam Walls Game Design
www.youtube.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Game designer Pam Walls shares how much money she’s made from royalties and advances for her games
Suggested terms to discuss different types of “randomness” in games
“Randomness” alternatives
Hey all. Okay, we’re not using “Randomness” anymore. Or, this is a proposal to use some different terms, for different, specific things. The word “randomness” is reall…
keithburgun.net
November 8, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Suggested terms to discuss different types of “randomness” in games
Here’s a small, free set of game icons for use in tabletop games:
www.reddit.com/r/BoardgameD...
drive.google.com/drive/folder...
www.reddit.com/r/BoardgameD...
drive.google.com/drive/folder...
From the BoardgameDesign community on Reddit: I made a free set of game icons for tabletop games
Explore this post and more from the BoardgameDesign community
www.reddit.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Here’s a small, free set of game icons for use in tabletop games:
www.reddit.com/r/BoardgameD...
drive.google.com/drive/folder...
www.reddit.com/r/BoardgameD...
drive.google.com/drive/folder...
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
November 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
A little under 3 hours until the Midnight Market opens. It's a waning gibbous moon tonight, which means the games offered will be especially spectacular.
November 8, 2025 at 2:12 AM
A little under 3 hours until the Midnight Market opens. It's a waning gibbous moon tonight, which means the games offered will be especially spectacular.
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
"Game designers will routinely fail at making something fun. When the game of making games is played right, it is always right outside the edge of what the designers know how to do."
Incredible quote from an amazing article. Something I'm only beginning to understand 10+ years in to designing.
Incredible quote from an amazing article. Something I'm only beginning to understand 10+ years in to designing.
Game design is simple, actually. Except when it isn't. Here are the 12 things you need to know.
Game design is simple, actually
So, let’s just walk through the whole thing, end to end. Here’s a twelve-step program for understanding game design. One: Fun There are a lot of things people call “fun.” But most of them are not useful for getting better at making games, which is usually why people read articles like this. The fun of a bit of confetti exploding in front of you, and the fun of excruciating pain and risk to life and limb as you free climb a cliff are just not usefully paired together.
www.raphkoster.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:40 PM
"Game designers will routinely fail at making something fun. When the game of making games is played right, it is always right outside the edge of what the designers know how to do."
Incredible quote from an amazing article. Something I'm only beginning to understand 10+ years in to designing.
Incredible quote from an amazing article. Something I'm only beginning to understand 10+ years in to designing.
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Protospiel Madison is right around the corner. Don't forget to add any games you are bringing to the prototype list on Tabletop Events. There are only 47 badges left to be sold, so if you haven't gotten yours yet, make sure to snag is now. https://tabletop.events/conventions/protospiel-madison-2025
November 5, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Protospiel Madison is right around the corner. Don't forget to add any games you are bringing to the prototype list on Tabletop Events. There are only 47 badges left to be sold, so if you haven't gotten yours yet, make sure to snag is now. https://tabletop.events/conventions/protospiel-madison-2025
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
It's #CraftWednesday! Do you have a game-related crafting project in progress? It could be a prototype, print and play, upgrading the components of a favourite game, making an accessory or even something larger like a table or games room. Share a picture and join in! Please RP!
November 5, 2025 at 12:55 PM
It's #CraftWednesday! Do you have a game-related crafting project in progress? It could be a prototype, print and play, upgrading the components of a favourite game, making an accessory or even something larger like a table or games room. Share a picture and join in! Please RP!
How to start, run, and grow a playtest group—finding people and the right location, handling disputes, scheduling games, and balancing in-person vs. digital testing
Playtest Groups (Fun Problems #74)
YouTube video by Blue Beard Entertainment
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:12 PM
How to start, run, and grow a playtest group—finding people and the right location, handling disputes, scheduling games, and balancing in-person vs. digital testing
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
I will be at PAXU later this month. If you want to pitch a game, email me (bbornmueller@asmoder.com).
I will also be there showing off Two Towers after 2pm each day in the Asmodee Booth, come say hi!
Feel free to share this post.
I will also be there showing off Two Towers after 2pm each day in the Asmodee Booth, come say hi!
Feel free to share this post.
November 4, 2025 at 2:16 PM
I will be at PAXU later this month. If you want to pitch a game, email me (bbornmueller@asmoder.com).
I will also be there showing off Two Towers after 2pm each day in the Asmodee Booth, come say hi!
Feel free to share this post.
I will also be there showing off Two Towers after 2pm each day in the Asmodee Booth, come say hi!
Feel free to share this post.
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
I'll be participating in a self-publishing q&a panel over at the Break My Game discord tonight at 9PM eastern! Come swing by!
@breakmygame.com
discord.gg/scV7asU2f?ev...
@breakmygame.com
discord.gg/scV7asU2f?ev...
Join the Break My Game｜Tabletop Playtesting Discord Server!
Break My Game is a tabletop/board game playtesting community with a focus on game design and game creation. | 5347 members
discord.gg
November 4, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I'll be participating in a self-publishing q&a panel over at the Break My Game discord tonight at 9PM eastern! Come swing by!
@breakmygame.com
discord.gg/scV7asU2f?ev...
@breakmygame.com
discord.gg/scV7asU2f?ev...
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Sometimes a game isn't working because the structure is fundamentally flawed. But sometimes it's a confluence of small factors--imprecise tuning, unclear UI, inappropriate terminology--obscuring a game that's otherwise solid. For this reason, you do have to start honing the details pretty early!
November 4, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Sometimes a game isn't working because the structure is fundamentally flawed. But sometimes it's a confluence of small factors--imprecise tuning, unclear UI, inappropriate terminology--obscuring a game that's otherwise solid. For this reason, you do have to start honing the details pretty early!
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
I added a "game design resources" section to my site: www.petermcpherson.com/game-design-...
This is a collection of mostly free online tools I use regularly, as well as links to excellent podcasts, blogs, and YouTube channels. I hope people find something helpful here! 🎲✂️
This is a collection of mostly free online tools I use regularly, as well as links to excellent podcasts, blogs, and YouTube channels. I hope people find something helpful here! 🎲✂️
Peter McPherson - Game design resources
Here’s a collection of online tools I’ve used over the years. This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list, but I hope new and experienced designers can find useful tools to help their designs at all sta...
www.petermcpherson.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I added a "game design resources" section to my site: www.petermcpherson.com/game-design-...
This is a collection of mostly free online tools I use regularly, as well as links to excellent podcasts, blogs, and YouTube channels. I hope people find something helpful here! 🎲✂️
This is a collection of mostly free online tools I use regularly, as well as links to excellent podcasts, blogs, and YouTube channels. I hope people find something helpful here! 🎲✂️
Leveling up as a board game designer: signs that your skills and practices are becoming more like an experienced designer rather than a beginner, via @matthewdunstan.bsky.social
How to level up as a game designer
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
www.youtube.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Leveling up as a board game designer: signs that your skills and practices are becoming more like an experienced designer rather than a beginner, via @matthewdunstan.bsky.social
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
I talk about my finances each year (most recent is here: matthewdunstan.substack.com/p/finances-o...), and will hopefully soon do a video about 2025, and a separate video about my whole career.
Finances of a Game Designer, 2024 edition
Another year is in the books, which means its time again to review what my finances were like as a full time game designer for 2024!
matthewdunstan.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I talk about my finances each year (most recent is here: matthewdunstan.substack.com/p/finances-o...), and will hopefully soon do a video about 2025, and a separate video about my whole career.
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
Hey! Will you be at #ProtoCON BC this weekend? We'll have a small crew there. Catch us Sunday at 1 PM as we present A Crash Course in Game Manufacturing and learn the ins/outs of manufacturing. Bring your questions! www.protoconbc.ca
ProtoCON BC
www.protoconbc.ca
November 3, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Hey! Will you be at #ProtoCON BC this weekend? We'll have a small crew there. Catch us Sunday at 1 PM as we present A Crash Course in Game Manufacturing and learn the ins/outs of manufacturing. Bring your questions! www.protoconbc.ca
Reposted by Cardboard Edison
I will moderate a panel discussion with fellow Game designer friends. The topic for the discussion is "How to approach publishers". Live session on Tuesday if this sounds interesting!
If you can't attend: the discussion and the following Q&A will be made available afterwards.
fb.me/e/386Ikv0wm
If you can't attend: the discussion and the following Q&A will be made available afterwards.
fb.me/e/386Ikv0wm
Redirecting...
fb.me
November 2, 2025 at 1:02 PM
I will moderate a panel discussion with fellow Game designer friends. The topic for the discussion is "How to approach publishers". Live session on Tuesday if this sounds interesting!
If you can't attend: the discussion and the following Q&A will be made available afterwards.
fb.me/e/386Ikv0wm
If you can't attend: the discussion and the following Q&A will be made available afterwards.
fb.me/e/386Ikv0wm
Board game design duo Inka and Markus Brand on designing games as a couple—and as a family
Inka and Markus Brand: 'Our minds are always buzzing with ideas for games'
The award-winning designers on creating new release Snake Charmers with their family and never switching off from creating their next game together
thegenerationsgames.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Board game design duo Inka and Markus Brand on designing games as a couple—and as a family
The exhaustive game design advice website Daniel.games has been updated with new and revised articles about every step of the process
November 1, 2025 at 11:47 PM
The exhaustive game design advice website Daniel.games has been updated with new and revised articles about every step of the process