You don’t need a published game to call yourself a designer. If you want to be one, just start designing and you already are one.
WannabeBoardGameDesigner.com is a learning journal. An ongoing project to collect resources and share stories and information about the board game design for anyone interested in board games.
I share what I’m learning as I go, from first prototypes to playtests gone wrong, so you can skip a few mistakes and join the fun.
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Finding new ideas for board games
Diaries of a wannabe board game designer, entry date 16th May 2025
Ever wonder where board game ideas truly originate? In this entry from “Diaries of a Wannabe Board Game Designer” (Entry Date: May 16, 2025), I’m sharing my journey of discovering inspiration in the most unexpected places!
We’ll explore:
✨ How everyday life – from playful pets to the ins and outs of your day job (past and present!) – can spark incredible game concepts.
🤔 The big question: Can any theme, even something seemingly mundane like accounting or watching paint dry, be transformed into an engaging board game?
💡 A personal story about the surprising catalyst for my first serious game design project (hint: it involved a much-needed digital detox!).
🧠 How stepping away from screens and daily distractions can supercharge your creative thinking and help bring your own unique ideas to life.
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Lessons learned from first prototypes and playtesting
Diaries of a wannabe board game designer, entry date 1st May 2025
In this episode of “A Wannabe Board Game Designer’s Diary,” I’m sharing my personal experiences and insights as I create, prototype, and playtest my first (card) game. From my initial concept through to physical prototypes, I’ll show you the challenges I faced and how I overcame them.
I’ll tell you my views:
- How I physically manufacture my card game prototypes at home, including tricks to prevent issues like identifiable card backs.
- The importance of clear rules and how misunderstandings can shape your game design and playtesting process.
- Essentials on game box markings, European regulations like CE marking, and setting accurate age recommendations.
- My method for gathering anonymous feedback, what critical questions I ask testers, and how I use this information to refine my game.