Make Your Own Board Game: Designing, Building, and Playing an Original Tabletop Game

by Jesse Terrance Daniels

Tabletop board games are having a comeback, and especially within a younger, tech-y audience who enjoys the challenge and opportunity to work in an analog sphere. Game design expert Jesse Terrance Daniels teaches all the fundamentals of game design, from rule-setting to physical construction, along with original illustrations that capture the ethos and energy of the young, contemporary gaming community.
 
Readers will learn the “building blocks” of game design, including game components, rules, and gameplay mechanics, and then how to craft a game, with a variety of examples and design prompts. After completing Make Your Own Board Game , readers are equipped with a broad understanding of game construction and flow and ready to create games that are playable and satisfying, while also expressing the makers’ unique creativity and passions.

Genres: Nonfiction, Games, Reference

144 pages, Paperback

Published August 30, 2022

Reviews

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not kidding around! All kinds of aspects of board gaming are expounded upon, going into a lot more detail than I had initially expected. You can of course decide how complex you want your game to become - this isn't just for children. Plenty of examples are provided, too.

Also interesting for people who are more generally interested in the mechanics of board games.

(Thanks to Storey Publishing for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley)

[Diz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to board game design. It is written in a way that would be easy to understand for middle schoolers and it is filled with charming illustrations throughout, which helps readers get through some of the drier explanations of rules. At the back of the book, there are some sample games that readers can photocopy and build themselves. What I really like about these games is that the author encourages readers to make alterations to the rules and gives some recommendations for doing so. This gives new designers the experience of playtesting and adjusting rules before they get around to making their own games.

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Make Your Own Board Game is a well thought out and thorough book for both adults and children to help influence, guide and support making their own board games.
I really want to get to trying to make my own board game after reading this book. Not only does it get your creative brain juices flowing but it helps you to contemplate what you will need, what will work (in the way of components) and what will make a satisfying and enjoyable game to play and share with others.
This book goes through every aspect and component I can think of to help you make and create your own board game and suggests using items at hand too.
If you love games and gave wondered about how to form your own- you definitely need this book! With the summer holidays coming speedily closer, this is a great book to give a try with your children or family!

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is from my 11-year-old son, who likes to make up his own games:

I liked that the book explains so many different parts of board games. There are so many examples, this book would be better used as reference guide, rather than a book you read all the way through at once. If you want to create a more developed board game, then it would be a good book for you. It would help you create a more complex board game (rather than a simple one.)

I received an Advanced Review Copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very thorough book on how to design your own board game (or other game) with lots of details about the various materials and elements you may want to incorporate. It does not tell you how to do this on a commercial scale, like materials and marketing, but more along the lines of games you'd make in your family and with friends. Colorful illustrations are used throughout.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book via NetGalley.

[Becki Sims · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read.

This was an enjoyable read, it is well written and goes into just about the right amount of depth without being too confusing.

Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an unexpected gem!

I didn’t realize just how in-depth it would go involving making your own board game, but it goes extremely in-depth! Some of the opening information I was familiar with, but almost everything else was new to me! It “debunked” how to make a board game (which was something I didn’t feel I would ever learn how to do) because once I saw this book, I thought it would be fun to try making one with my family! I can definitely say (and confidently at that!) I feel we officially can now!

I really enjoyed the illustrations and how it enhanced what the author was saying. I also liked the layout of the pages and how it flowed.

I highly recommend this to anyone interested in the “mechanics” of board games or how to make your own! It’s was insightful and very helpful!

*(I received an e-copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.)*

[Jennyfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore board games and tabletop games. I love the competitive ones, the ones you have to think about, the quirky-off-the-wall ones. The ones with catapults, or strategy. The ones with good design.

This book is for prospective game designers. It gives a detailed look at the game mechanics of a game (pieces, turns, rounds, rules, actions, movements, currency, negotiation, story telling, puzzles, chance, randomisations, levels and so on), giving real-life examples of such games in each category.

After the nitty-gritty, we get into design! Here the author provides their own experiences with game design, offers tips, and gives some examples of different types of games in each general category for the prospective designer to explore further.

While I'm not likely to be designing games in a hurry, this was a excellent introduction into the different mechanics behind what I enjoy so much.

**Many thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initial thoughts with a more thorough review to come:

My husband and I are avid board gamers. Okay, that’s a bit of an understatement. We’ve networked with indie board game companies, test-played prototype versions, hosted 3-4 game nights a week (pre-Covid) and have one of the largest collections in our community… so we might know a thing or two!

This guide is a great introduction to everything board game related, from components, mechanics, turn order, and end game conditions. It’s a very well thought-out approach to designing your own game - even with some examples of different types of games that can be sampled and played.

One thing that I feel the digital ARC caused me to miss out on was the formatting. Artwork was interspersed throughout, which will translate well into a dynamic physical copy. Understanding that ARCs still need some finally touches, I am hopeful that there will be easy reference materials for readers, such as a glossary and index. Even moreso, imbedded links for a PDF version would work well for this newer digital age!

[Julien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very thorough exploration of how to craft your own games. It really does start from the ground up with components and the very basics of rule and gameplay styles, providing brief pros and cons for these basic styles. It then goes very in depth into various game mechanics, providing clear explanations and examples of how each might work in a game. In addition, the charts and illustrations were fun and engaging and the layout of the overall book helped keep the book fun and engaging.
Overall, I would highly recommend this for someone looking to make their own game or even just curious about the basic components of tabletop gaming in general.

FTC disclosure: I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[SpinsNReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so much fun, and informative at the same time. My daughter is an aspiring board game designer, and she read through this enjoying the great deal of information contained therein. The artwork made the experience even more enjoyable, covering the pages in colorful game related images.

The first portion of the book covers the various types of games that exist and their general properties, game play, game pieces, etc. The next portion gives various types of games encouraging the reader to create their own games using the templates, and general rules provided. The templates are placed in order of difficulty. Overall, this is a fantastic book set to help inspire and support other buddy game makers in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing us the opportunity to review this book.

[Jayasree B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I enjoy this book? YES!
I definitely think this is one of those books that one can learn from and actually put to good use in one's life.

[Jessica M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Make Your Own Board Game by Jesse Terrance Daniels is a guidebook that lays out what is needed to learn board game design. Daniels builds upon a solid foundation in a formatted way, which makes it easy for the young reader to understand the guidebook.

The book inspires and deepens creativity for its young audience, by providing the audience with adaptable, and approachable information. Additionally, Make Your Own Board Game is full of vibrant and fun illustrations which capture the reader's attention and brighten their imagination.

Daniels takes a refreshing take on a deeply intricate subject and gives the reader the sense that creating a board game is accessible to them. By guiding the reader through easy-to-read language, Daniels creates a tone of encouragement for the young audience.
I admire the author's focus on creating a guidebook that encompasses all knowledge levels of board game design.

Overall I found this book engaging and I can see how it’s a necessary addition to the world of creativity and board game design. Thank you to Netgalley, Jesse Terrance Daniels, and Storey Publishing for the DRC!

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a surprisingly thorough book!

The book is a guide to making board games. It lists the important components, tips for making rules, how to identify and make gameplay, and other tips. The book also includes sample games that highlight certain components of game design. There's also dissection of classic games to show points each chapter talks about.

There's a lot of information packed into this book!

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Game design is important for board games. The rules can be available to interpitation or defined. You also need chance. It will be great for interesting situations.
Interest book for creative mind. I found out my son really like this book and interest with some of the projects. And I am sure this book will inspire people to build creativity with crrating their own game.

[Maddy Addison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make Your Own Board Game is a great book idea!

Posted on June 6, 2021 by michellelovatosbookreviews, world's first book color commentator, book reviews with a twist

I was up in Washington visiting my family recently, and one day my grandson, who had been quiet for a long time, appeared at my side and asked me if I wanted to play a board game. He just finished making it. Of course, I said, sure.
So he put two sheets and copy paper side by side and revealed an old-fashioned Monopoly-like playing board with some fancy scrolls. It had tiles with bonus points and bankruptcy designations, a few trinkets for game pieces, and a deck of Uno cards (a colorful deck of cards numbered from 0 to 9).
He quickly told me the rules, which were far more intricate than I’d expected, and told me to draw a card. So I did. Around the board, we went – or at least he went. Somehow, I got all the bad cards.
I was impressed with this little effort that kept my seven-year-old grandson busy for quite some time, both beforehand and after its creation. I had no idea if he based that game off of one he played or if he made it up himself. But the idea that a seven-year-old boy created a board game fascinated me.
Now I know something new about my oldest grandboy. That, and that my darling perfect, sinless grandson is a cheater. No wonder he and his big sister fight all the time.
Jesse Terrance Daniels and Storey Publishing already knew something important that I did not know. Making board games is trendy.
It turns out that tech-savvy kids are comfortable with creating customized gaming worlds.
I believe it. In this children’s book, the reader chooses his/her navigation path and method of information consumption. Tools, resources, all the regular stuff you would expect from a book like this are present as a teaching or reminder tool. This book is comprehensive and gives the reader everything they need to consider in its pages.
I give it the “Grandma thinks it’s cool” sticker for future expected success.
Daniels reminds readers that games can be a great way to teach things like history. Choosing a gameboard theme is a great way to learn history, a sport, or whatever main focus your child chooses. And if your grandchild is like my grandchild, he/she might be interested in Pokemon (I can’t believe this is still around) or Super Mario Brothers (Around since my decadent 1980s CHILDHOOD).
Make Your Own Board Game: Designing, Building, and Playing Your Own Tabletop Game by Jesse Terrance Daniels discusses dice, cards, game pieces, props, tokens, tiles, currency, and resources. Then there are tools, timers, and tokens. And let’s not forget the rules.
This looks like a great birthday gift for the child in your life. But it doesn’t publish until 2022, so you are going to be forced to ask Alexa to remember it for you. When you do get this one, however, be prepared to sit down and spend some quality time with your offspring. And expect there might be cheating.

BoutiquePublishingService@hotmail.com
BoutiqueBooks@hotmail.com
Happy are those who respect the Lord and obey him. You will enjoy what you work for, and you will be blessed with good things. Psalm 128: 1-2

[Courtney R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Make Your Own Board Game: Designing, Building, and Playing an Original Tabletop Game" by Jesse Terrance Daniels is a hands-on guide that empowers aspiring game designers to bring their creative visions to life. Daniels' approach is practical and accessible, providing readers with a step-by-step process for conceptualizing, designing, and constructing their own tabletop games. This book serves as a valuable resource for those looking to dive into the world of DIY game creation.

One of the book's notable strengths is its focus on the entire game development process. Daniels covers everything from brainstorming game ideas to crafting game components and playtesting. His detailed explanations and clear instructions make it easy for readers to follow along and apply the concepts to their own projects. The inclusion of practical tips and design considerations adds depth to the guidance provided.

The book's emphasis on hands-on learning is commendable. Daniels encourages readers to actively engage with the material, providing exercises and prompts to spark creativity and refine design skills. The examples and case studies offer valuable insights into the design choices and problem-solving strategies employed by successful game creators. Additionally, the book's layout and organization facilitate a seamless learning experience.

While the book provides a comprehensive introduction to game design, some readers may have wished for more advanced techniques or insights into specific genres of board games. Additionally, a deeper exploration of game mechanics and balancing could have added further depth to the content. Nonetheless, "Make Your Own Board Game" is a valuable resource for budding game designers looking to turn their imaginative concepts into playable tabletop experiences. Jesse Terrance Daniels' practical approach and passion for game creation make this book a worthy addition to the library of any aspiring game designer.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free e-ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was drawn to this book because board games are one of the things my sister, cousins and I have bonded over as we got a bit older. I thought it would be cool to learn a bit more about the mechanics of how board games work, so perhaps I'll be a bit quicker on the uptake when we play a new game (especially with my sis and eldest cousin who are practically geniuses.)

Make Your Own Board Game is a fantastic guide to board games, and is visually appealing too. The colours are vibrant, and the layout is stylistically simple and easy to follow.

The book takes you step by step through the different elements of board games - tools, tokens, rules etc. It talks about mechanics; like turn order, and currency and resources; and the various alternatives you can use. What I particularly liked was how it explored different options, and then gave you the pros and cons of each option. It also has a sort of 'philosophy' of sorts - you want your game to be fair, easy enough to understand, complex enough that it isn't boring, and have enough choices for the players so that it doesn't just feel like chance. I also liked how they discussed classic games, such as chess and snakes and ladders, to illustrate different types of games.

The last quarter of the book is dedicated to helping you create your own game with the knowledge from the previous sections, with plenty of options and examples.

I think this book has the potential to appeal to a lot of readers/gamers. I remember attempting to make my own board game as a kid (the results were pretty dismal, because I had no idea what I was doing, lol), so I think there is definitely an audience there. And as I said in the intro, I was drawn to it so I could understand how board games work, so there's absolutely an older audience for this book too.

[Pattie Tierney · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many people, I wonder, like me, have picked up a token or a die, and played a board game without giving any thought as to its creation. Never again will I play a game without thinking about all of the thought, work, and creativity that has gone into its creation. Without this book, that never would have occurred to me. Make your Own Board Game, A Complete Guide to Designing, Building, and Playing Your Own Tabletop Games is a fascinating book. While the colorful and engaging cover and interior drawings, may give you the idea that this book is written for children, you’d be wrong. In fact, it would take quite the mature child to fully appreciate all that is contained inside.

This book will guide you step-by-step through what it takes to create a game of your own. It takes you from the basics, i.e. the types of tokens and game pieces and their purposes, provides in-depth information on the various types of games, and even goes as far as to explaining how to write your own clear and concise rules. Additionally, it discusses common games, their creation and gameplay, and contains a detailed glossary to explain terms the reader may find more complex.

Using well know board games and their components to explain the creative process aids the future game board artist in a clear, familiar, and understandable way. If you ever had an interest in creating your own board game, this is the guide that you need.

Many thanks to the author, Storey Publishing, and NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Storey Publishing for an advanced copy of this new games reference book.

Jesse Terrance Daniels's Make Your Own Board Game: Designing, Building, and Playing an Original Tabletop Game is a guide not ony to making a board game for yourself, friends and family, but a really good primer to the history of board and card games, and the importance that both strategy and play have had on people. The book is extremely well written, very interesting and even if you don't make a game, as an avid role player and one who has been known to dabble in games I found it really fun to know the mechanics of game design, and the different ways you can do things.

The author has clearly forgotten more than I will ever know about board games. And he does a ery good job in sharing this knowledge, with a very nice style that is informative and interesting, never boring. You can tell he loves games, and wants to share that knowledge so the reader and his gaming companions can have fun also. The book covers all the ways characters can be generated, moved, fight, fly, live die, and make decisions. What he does not cover, and I appreciated was a marketing aspect. No how to sell your ideas here, this is more for fun. If you want to make a few dollars, well there are other books for that.

I really liked this book, and plan to make something for my nephews when I see them again. It might not be the best game, but we will have fun playing it. And that is all you can ask. A great book for gamers, and those who want to create games.

[Finlay · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reminded me of the meme, “how to draw an owl,” that instructs the aspiring artist:

Step 1: draw an oval for the body
Step 2: draw a circle for the head
Step 3: draw the rest of the owl

If you are looking for in-depth explanations of game design concepts like action drafting, rondels, methods for alternating turn order, worker placement, and so on, this book is a great resource. In fact, there is way too much info to make it useful for your average middle schooler: why say boustrophedonic when you could just say serpentine? Or better yet call it a snake draft (which is what most gamers I know do).

What this book doesn’t include is any actual guidance for how to create a board game. It says things like “when you feel ready, begin crafting something unique”, “there’s no right or wrong order”, and “focus at first on a small feature of your game.” The implication is that the reader will take all the information they learned from the beginning of the book and see how it all works together to make something new. Personally I find this about as likely as handing a middle schooler a chemistry textbook densely packed with new terminology and then saying “now you’re ready to dive into the exciting world of lab experiments!”

There are a few started games included at the back of the book which the reader could in theory modify/hack, but without any guidance about how to do that. A simple “should players roll dice or spin a spinner! You decide!” would go a long way.

With a different premise and title, this could be a helpful handbook.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book talked about designing tabletop games like board, tile, card, and role-playing games (with the most time spent on role-playing). It's solely about the concept, not the manufacture or marketing of a game. The author started with pretty basic stuff, like playing cards are usually these sizes and have the same pattern on the back. You could figure these things out just from playing a variety of board games. He then moved onto game play rules. He explained a variety of ways to handle taking turns, using currency, etc., and the pros and cons of using the different methods. He sometimes pointed out or used an existing game to demonstrate the idea, but not always. At the end, he provided a few example games, from a basic game to a complex one.

The descriptions weren't always easy to follow. Since the author explained different ideas in different areas, he might refer to a concept (like a "bank") in one place but you have to flip to another section to learn about that concept. He pointed out some complex game play possibilities that might make a game more interesting, but it's also trickier to understand how to make it work. This is a good book for inspiration about the possibilities, but I would have preferred more examples of how the more complex ideas worked in an actual game play and the steps of actual game design.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Kenny Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC.

I was really impressed with this book.

The book is structured into 3 major parts:
1) What Makes a Game? - Which covers the basics that make up a typical board game, including it's components, rules, and gameplay
2) Mechanics - Which covers the different methods used by the game to play a game such as actions, card usage, role playing, and winning conditions.
3) Game Crafting - This is where the book really shines. Jesse Daniels gives the reader 4 pre-made games that he challenges the reader to customize and change to help learn more about the design method and how these changes affect the gameplay. I wish there were more examples to follow and customize.

My major complaint is that the cover and art suggest a book aimed at a fairly young audience, but much of the writing seems aimed at higher reading level. But that's really a minor quibble. I think it's accessible to readers as young as 10, but I just think it's also perfectly suitable for older teens and young adults (or even full grown adults like myself).

I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about what goes into designing a game. And if you're a an adult, don't be too scared off by the playful artwork. This is a book I think any reader can get value from.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great example of a book I didn't know I needed for my classroom library until I found it on NetGalley! I was expecting something I could peruse before giving my annual assignment for students to create a board game based on something we read in class - Make Your Own Board Game was so much more. It just upped the ante!
The graphics are great, make sense, are visually pleasing, and add to the overall pleasing aesthetic of the book. I loved that the book started out with the very basics - super simple introduction to the terms used in gaming - then moved carefully and thoughtfully through all the information one would need to create his/her own game, ending with all the components necessary to play some new games.
I especially like the section that explains about making rules and then gives pros and cons for each type of rule. I also appreciated the classic examples of games that might be familiar to readers and from which one might draw inspiration and ideas.
Although I was a bit intimidated when I first opened the book and realized it wasn't quite was I was looking/hoping for, I ultimately came to the conclusion that this is going to be a must-have for my future classroom libraries!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of the book!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Make your own board game is the perfect book if, like our family, you've been bored on a rainy day and after playing a stack of board games, you have been inspired to make your own. I liked that it started off by outlining the benefits of playing games and the essential omponants needed for any game. It's a really comprehensive book which outlines each type of game design and the pros and cons of each.as well as examples of each in the form of the classic games you have played before. Though it's full of bright, engaging graphics that will appeal to kids, the text isn't really suitable for you to hand the book over to your child and let them get on with it. I'd say it's better suited to a whole family effort. There's a lot to learn within the pages of the book, particularly about the history of the games played in ancient societies throughout the world. It was great to have resources at the end of the book you could cut out and use to play with, making the book an interactive experience.

It's definitely a book I rould recommend to families I know, particularly those with elder children. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since tabletop games are still so popular, this book, MAKE YOUR OWN BOARD GAME, will give you the guidance needed to design your own. The author, Jesse Terrance Daniels, is a game design expert and gives detailed insight in to what a good game needs along with many variations that can be incorporated depending on how easy or intriguing you want the game to be.

Each section is very informative yet easy to understand. Every time a game component is introduced it also has a classic game described to show what is meant. For example, Tic Tac Toe is both an example of a (1) multiplayer game of opposition, and (2) a spatial game of positioning. It really helps to understand what is being described.

I was given this e-book by NetGalley and Storey Publishing in exchange for my honest review. I found this book to be very informative, easy to understand, and the imagery all added to the subject wonderfully. I recommend this book to anyone that would like to try making a board game to share with their family and friends. It would also be great for those working with kids to help them learn new skills and have a usable item as the end goal. Would be a great resource for libraries, teachers, youth groups, and anyone that enjoys board games.

A high 5 star rating, for sure!

[Opal Edgar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Board games have become huge in the last 10 years. I've played hundreds of them and with my husband own a nice library of almost 300 games. We both have thought about creating something and this book immediately called my attention. The first 3/4 of the book list all the elements of gaming, first listing components such as tiles/cards/dice then mechanics in function of the type of gaming (such as grid coverage, role playing, bluffing, drafting, location control...) it's very complete, clear and well summarised. The illustrations are well chosen and serve the text perfectly, making the book a nice object to look at, and not too dry to read.
The last section holds 4 simple games the author has created as an example of what you can do.
It's cute, and probably more appropriate to creating children's games, but the main element are there, and truthfully I hadn't seen a game creating book before so this feels like it is paving the way for a whole field.
I enjoyed the read and it's nice to see most of what exists in one clear work.
I really hope this helps families to create lots of wonderful fun things!

[Ace · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a real gap in the market for board game enthusiasts wanting to do more with their game experiences and I think this book fits it perfectly. With a few books about board game theory now starting to become popular, 'Make Your Own Board Game' really goes back to the very basic components on what makes a successful board game.
With a detailed glossary of complex and often misunderstood terms, you're in very safe hands to guide you on your creation journey. Explore the different components and familiar comforts that can make the base of gameplay, there are no limits on what you can combine to create something new. The mechanics of game can be make or break, but there's a whole chapter to sort through what does and doesn't work together with really handy (and cute) illustrations to help understand each point.

What I loved most about the guide is that it uses real and commonly played games to help you understand what each set of terms mean and how they differ in actual game play.

I honestly think it's a 'must have' book for any store who stocks board games or any RPG enthusiast.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Free Netgalley book for review!~. If you’re a board gaming nerd like me, you’ll definitely appreciate this book! There’s even some games in the back of the book to print out and play.

The author covers all the design aspects of making a board game, mostly focusing on presenting different types of game play from worker placement to wargames, different betting methods, rpgs and how to change familiar concepts into something new and different.

The cute art gives the book almost a childish feel, although I’m pretty convinced no eight year old is going to be reading this… but I could be wrong and more power to them if they want to make their own games too. I mean kids are learning how to program and at its heart making a board game and various rules is a bit similar to that idea.

I get that this book will have a pretty niche community of readers, but if you’ve ever thought that maybe you could make Snakes and Ladders more fun or tried to make a new card game this will be appealing. There’s no directions for artwork or how to make game components but there’s plenty of info to delve into over at boardgamegeek website for the really curious DIYer.

[John Dodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complete guide to every part of creating your own board game, from the terminology and the concepts within, to the ideas of play, the ways in which different mechanics affect different outcomes, and the way in which the combinations can affect the playability of the game when it's finished.

This is a superb resource for those just starting out on the creation of games, making sure that no part of the creation process is overlooked, and that everything that you need to consider is made clear. In contrast to a number of other books, this presumes that you have no prior experience, either of games themselves in playing, or in the making of them. In turn this can make some of the descriptions needless for those who've been playing for a while and the temptation to skip certain sections is there when you've been playing for a while, but the clear language and good understanding of what makes a game good is present throughout and this would be a worthwhile addition to anyone just starting out on the path to making a new game.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the free ARC in return for an honest review.