On Christmas Day 1982, I received a book called the Warlock of Firetop Mountain as a present and I was hooked. Over the next 3 or 4 years I bought and played a number of Fighting Fantasy and other gamebooks. I kept the books and replayed some of them several years ago, but recently I... Continue Reading →
Ever wondered how easy it is to get from first ideas to working game? Wonder no more. Come and have a go! Vince at Asgard Games in Walsall is letting me put on a Games Hack this month. We'll meet up late afternoon on Saturday 22nd July in the shop, then teams and individuals will... Continue Reading →
How many different ways can you make 7 from two dice rolled at random? The answer, obviously is six different ways. 1 plus 6, 2 plus 5, 3 plus 4, 4 plus 3, 5 plus 2 and 6 plus 1. I know some people disagree over counting the combinations in both orders, but the bottom... Continue Reading →
So, after you’ve become a dedicated boardgamer (see part 1 of this series), what is the next step in designing a boardgame? Like in any field of creativity, you need to find inspiration. There are a number of ways in which boardgame designers are inspired and this is very closely linked to the different fundamental... Continue Reading →
I'm trying to write a card based rpg and do you know what? I'm overthinking it. I have a basic mechanic which is designed to be fast and fluid, and the outline of a working narrative to hang the tale from. I even have believable characters to inhabit this world and half an idea as... Continue Reading →
unless you are Reiner Knizia or Uwe Rosenberg (and if you don't know who they are, shame on you!) then play boardgames. Play lots of them. Every week. Most days if you can. And don't limit yourself to your favourite genres, nor to your regular gaming buddies.
Birmingham Game Designers 