Choosing Between Score Timers and Round Timers
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
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.
The Advantages of Clock-Gating Over Cooldowns in Board Games
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
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
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