Write your idea.
Making notes on a book or computer helps you get a good idea. Use this note to write down all the ideas about your game. This will help you separate good ideas with bad ones. There are two approaches in designing this game are: Themes and Mechanics. These two concepts are the foundation of all Board Games.The theme is the essence of the game, it can also be used as a genre. have a simple theme in defeating your opponent where a complex game will have a theme about major conflicts and player strategies.
Mechanical is the basic way players communicate with the game. In monopoly, the mechanic wrestles around dice, buys property, and makes money. At Axis & Allies, the mechanic struggles around moving large points between boards connected, using dice to resolve conflicts between players.
There is no right and wrong when starting to design your game. Some people start from the mechanics then to the theme, where others make the theme first and then make the appropriate mechanics with the theme.
Specify the player's age range.
Knowing the age range helps you develop game rules that match your target age. For example, if you are designing for a small child, the theme should be simple, fun, and easy to understand. For adults, you need to design something interesting and competitive.
Set goals.
When you have a basic idea of your game, determine also the goals that will help you shape your game. Ask yourself what kind of experiences your players want to feel, what you want to achieve from this game. Consider the following:
How many players can be involved in this game. Are two people pleasant enough? Or more? Think how long this game will last. Think also the first game where players will still adapt and learn this game. Ask yourself how complex this game will become. Some people love complex games with thick instructions where others like simple and easy games. Consider how much your game will depend on profit or skill.
Specify how players will win.
The end of Board Game is a crucial aspect because players need the ultimate goal as an encouragement to win. Consider different ways for players to win.
Write down the basic rules.
This may change as long as the game is developed, but the ground rules can allow you to instantly try your game. Always remember conditions to win and make sure all mechanics are clear.
Test the Game
Create a test game. Before you start work with the actual game, make a rough test game so you can experiment with mechanics. No need to be too pretty, you just need to see if this base is working properly.
Remove marker or slab from card stock or index card.
Use a coin or poker chip as a counter.
Sketch the rough draft of the board design.
This allows you to specify more or less details in the final design. Depending on the theme and mechanics of your game, your board may include or exclude these elements:Path. Be sure to add places to start and end and make clear directors for the characters to move. Specify whether to share or add a path to increase the variation or length of game time.Playground. This is the opposite of the path. Games that have an area do not require a path. Risk is an example of a game that uses a play area rather than a path.Position to land. This can be determined by the shape (box, circle, triangle) or the object drawn / location (rock, island, cloud). Make sure that some positions will redirect players, instruct them to take cards, or cause them to lose or obtain items. When designing positions that can move players to other positions, be careful not to make a domino effect (eg "Step Two Steps" position will move the player to "Five Step Forward" position).Playing cards. A random card will add variety to the game. A card usually tells a fast story that affects players such as adding or subtracting values and can also move the player's position. Having lots of cards will make the game more interesting.
Prototype test.
When you have all the basic parts for your rough draft, you can start testing the game and see how the game runs. Before showing it to other people, play it by yourself by playing with all the characters. It will be quite difficult to fight yourself, but you will get a lot of information.
Always write what works and what does not and make changes that will suit the game and other components.Try to solve your game by testing against yourself. See if there are ways in which players can always win if they do a certain way, or there are less matching rules.
Play with friends and family.
When you have enough to play your own game, try for the actual test. Collect friends or relatives and explain to them that you are trying a new game. Let them know that the game is still in development and you appreciate every input.Make notes as the game progresses. Note when there is someone who does not look happy, or when the rules seem confusing. Watch how the game ends. If one player is always far superior, see how that happens. Game Board is more fun if there is a competitive atmosphere.Do not defend yourself when criticized. Criticism is useful to make your game better and more fun for everyone, be polite and write it down.If possible, see how the game progresses without you getting involved. This will help you see how a group of people unfamiliar with the game is playing.
Test with different people.
Try to get different players to play your game. Everyone plays this differently, and many tests will make your game more suitable to everyone. The more you play your game, the more you will find the shortcomings of your game.
Fix your game.
After you finish the test game, make changes on your board, rules, or components to make it more fun to play.
Collect your material.
Once your test process is over and you are satisfied with the results, you can start to make the final version of your game. Make a list of what the final game you need.
Board Games usually range from boards, or binder boards.
This gives a professional feel to your game.
You can use your old game board as a base if you do not want to buy a new one.
Use cardstock to use as a canvas from your board.
Cut the card or buy a pack of empty cards from the hobby shop.
Press the circle out of cardstock to use as token or counter.
Illustrate your board.
Your board is the center of your Board Game, so you are free to create with design. Make sure the path or play area is clear and all the instructions on the board are easy to read.
There is no limit to the items you use to design the board. Anything you can use.
Make your board design as attractive as possible so as to capture the attention of the players.
Make a game slab.
You can draw on paper and paste it into thick material like cardstock. If you are making a game for family or friends, you can even use player photos. If you want to spend a little money, you can use the professional help to create this section.
To make your plate stand up, cut your cardstock a little so that it can create a 3D triangle fold (like a photo frame retention), then stick it behind your slab.
Another way to make your slab stand is to stick the foam under your slab.
Make additional material.
If your game involves the use of dice, you can use your old dice, or can also make it yourself. To do this you need pins, round pieces of cardstock, cardboard arrows, and markers. Paste the pin through the arrow and the cardboard slab and draw the result.
Take a look at 3D prints.
If you really want your game interesting, try the 3D print slab. You need to submit a 3D model to the company that created this, but the result will look like a custom slab of the game in the store.
Tips
Do not forget the front cover! Make it look creative and colorful depending on the theme of the game.If you make a rule book, make it look neat and easy to read.
Try to be creative with rules.
For example, instead of moving within the same distance on a play path, give a special token player to move in different directions over a certain period of time.Add a game room that takes you to another room or multiply your next turn.The final goal is different than just reaching the finish line.Create a card that shows what color to move (as in Candy Land).Get opinions or ideas from other players before finalizing your game. Ask friends, family then think "Is this what I want?" Remember, your friends and family will also play this game.
Do not make games with a theme that is not clear because it can confuse your players.
You can use the illustration board (often used illustrator for drawing)If your Board Game involves a flat box, use a ruler to design it so it looks neat and nice.Create a Mini Game Board. You can use a bottle cap as a slab.You may consider designing ground rules and developing ones depending on who will play them. If implemented correctly, a simple version can be used when introducing the game and the developing version can be used when everyone is familiar with the basic rules.If you do not have access to a 3D printer, create a slab by printing a cartoon character and paste it on the eraser.
WARNING
Make sure your rules are fair.
The goal of the game is to provide an exciting, fun and positive experience - and do not cause misunderstanding of your players. If you are misunderstanding, of course the atmosphere becomes uncomfortable.Do not make rules that are too complicated. Make them short and simple. Anything that is too complicated will make the player uninterested and hard to make.If you plan to publish or sell your game, make sure you are not involved in permission and copyright issues. You may have to modify your game.
Things You Need
The Basics of Board Game - Cardboard, Cardstock, old Pizza Box, or your old board game.
Game slab - use your old game plates or create your own.
Dice or card - you can use from other games or create your own.
Drawing and receiving tools - Markers, paints, pencils, pens.
Design tools - computer print things, magazine pieces, family photos.
Scissor
Glue or solatip
Ruler
Instruction book
Paint (As per your choice)
Article Source :
http://www.thegamesjournal.com/articles/ThemeVsMechanics.shtml
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1018707/brief-crash-course-game-design-issues-processes-an
