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.

Starting Resources Streamline Teaching

17 Aug 2026 1 min read Ergonomics

Explaining how to play a board game is a tricky skill to master. The order in which you explain things greatly impacts how well players absorb your explanation. Because game systems are interconnected,

More Games Need Traveler Mechanics

10 Aug 2026 1 min read Ergonomics

Scheduling is often a major barrier to people getting into the board game hobby. Adults have jobs and responsibilities, and their free time does not always align. This is especially difficult for games

Choosing Between Score Timers and Round Timers

17 Jul 2026 1 min read Ergonomics

One big difference between tabletop and digital games is the need for a timer in the former to ensure the game ends. Two common types of timers are score timers, which end the

The Advantages of Clock-Gating Over Cooldowns in Board Games

22 Jun 2026 2 min read Ergonomics

A long time ago, I made a game in the style of Bomberman. Players moved around a grid, planting bombs that went off after a while, causing different effects. I needed a way

Choosing Between Cards and Tokens

08 May 2026 2 min read Ergonomics

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