The Problem with Wildcards
Games ask players to make choices to overcome obstacles and reach a goal. Wildcards, resources that you can use as any other, remove both choices and obstacles. The more wildcards a player has,
Why Some Game Mechanics Feel Flat
Games are most fun when you are still learning and the possibilities are endless. The parts of our brain responsible for reward and motivation respond more strongly when the reward-to-effort ratio exceeds expectations,
Crits at a Cost
One great thing about output randomness is getting better-than-average results. Who doesn't love rolling a natural 20 or seeing their dice explode? But in a competitive game, one player's
The Great Zimbabwe and the Design of Active Pricing in Passive Trade Systems
Passive trade systems in tabletop games solve a big problem: trade is fun, but negotiations can slow gameplay. In a passive trade system, some players offer resources for sale, and others can buy
How Cooperative Games Preserve Player Identity
Cooperative board games offer many advantages. Players can win more often, interactions are naturally positive, and players gain a sense of shared purpose. But being part of a team risks blurring a player’