039: Board Game Design with AC Atienza

AC Atienza joins Toben and Sid to discuss their pathway to becoming a board game designer and consultant, as well as their experiences in those roles. Learn about the board game industry, design philosophies, and the importance of hands-off playtesting. 

Other topics covered include: 

Why are there fewer resources for learning board game design as opposed to video game design?

How does one get a job in the board game industry?

What are the secrets to success with a board game Kickstarter?

What is the difference between input and output randomness in design?

Why are some games more fun to design than play?

How do you identify systemic problems while playtesting?

And what is Gen Con, the largest tabletop game convention in North America, really like?

SHOWNOTES:

Learn more about Wiggles 3D here: https://wiggles3d.com/

Check out Captain's Gambit: Kings of Infinite Space: https://www.cloudfallstudios.com/captainsgambit

About GenCon: https://www.gencon.com/aboutus

Who is Tom Vasel? https://www.dicetower.com/team-members/tom-vasel

Stardew Valley Board Game: https://shop.stardewvalley.net/products/stardew-valley-the-board-game

Azul: https://www.boardgamehalv.com/azul/

Cats: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/257814/cats

Contacts:

AC is reachable at: https://www.cloudfallstudios.com/

AC Atienza's Twitter: https://twitter.com/acatienz

You can learn more about the Games Institute at https://uwaterloo.ca/games-institute/