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Why Asymmetric Games Still Need Symmetric Systems

20 Mar 2026 2 min read Attention Budget
Interactivity in tabletop games can be controversial. Some people think it is an essential component of the experience, while others don't mind multiplayer solitaire. Interactivity encourages players to see the game

Why “I” Is Sometimes Better Than “You” in Game Rules

18 Mar 2026 1 min read Attention Budget
Second-person pronouns are common in board game rules, often indicating that the rule applies to the reader. First-person pronouns are less common but often more efficient. They reduce ambiguity and cognitive

The Best Game Expansions Make You Rethink the Game

16 Mar 2026 1 min read Heuristics
Much of the joy in playing games comes from climbing the heuristic tree. We encounter a new game and don't know what works, so we try different tactics and see better

The Most Satisfying Reward Might Be To Remove a Problem

13 Mar 2026 2 min read Attention Budget
It is tempting to see progression in games as a process of gaining more and more resources and options. But options create noise. When players have many options, it takes more effort to

How Galaxy Trucker Succeeds at Onboarding Players

11 Mar 2026 2 min read Heuristics
Complex games live or die by how well they onboard players. Among other things, this means making sure new players have simple tactics they can latch onto before they understand the game, also
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