Choosing Between Cards and Tokens
When it comes to randomizers, decks of cards and token bags both provide a collection of items for players to draw from. They aren't interchangeable though; each option has strengths and
Ergonomics
To play a game, there is a certain amount of non-fun work that must be done. Players must perform both physical tasks, like shuffling cards, and mental tasks, like arithmetic. The goal of ergonomics is to restructure gameplay to minimize the amount of upkeep players need to perform.
Pair Complex One-Shots With Simple Passive Effects
When understanding the state of a game, the greatest mental burden is parsing unique, complex text effects. Yet these effects create some of the most interesting content. One way to reduce the attention
Video Games Make Upkeep Easy, but Input Hard
Have you ever wondered if your board game would be better as a video game or vice versa? Online platforms like Board Game Arena might make you question whether board games have any
How Mage Wars Solves the Tutoring Problem
One of the most disruptive common mechanics in card-based games is "tutoring": searching a deck or discard pile for a card to add to your hand. Tutoring interrupts the flow of
Nertz Understands the Ergonomics of Real-Time Card Play
Playing cards present challenges for real-time gameplay. They take time to parse, can be difficult to pick up from the table, and are impractical to shuffle under time constraints. The game Nertz (and