Pillars of Game Development
Part of Board Game Design
Introduction
[edit | edit source]These are considered to be the essentials of board game design.
The Pillars
[edit | edit source]- Parsimony - a game should be no more complex than it has to be
- Excitement - there should be some inherent interest and excitement throughout the game
- Theme-Mechanic Balance - the mechanic and theme should work together harmoniously
- Perfect Potential - at the start, any player should be able to win the game
- Simplicity - while the concept can be complex, the language of the rules should be very simple and straightforward
- Replayability - players should not experience the same game twice
- Beauty - a finished game should have a good look and feel
- Much of a game lies in its beauty. Playing a game is an aesthetic experience - just like art, even if different - and it is propelled by our desire of beauty, expressed in the form of fun.
- The "toys" should be therefore nice and adequate to the theme: we all know the difference between playing with plastic vs. metal car models or plastic vs. tissue dolls.
- Player Control - chance should only be used where it adds to the game