10 Books Every Board Game Designer Should Read

0:00 Introduction
0:24 Kobold Guide to Board Game Design
2:04 Gametek
3:17 Sponsor
4:48 Steal Like an Artist
6:50 Dice Games Properly Explained
7:53 Building Blocks of Tabletop Game Design
9:14 Obviously Awesome
10:36 Characteristics of Games
11:57 Challenges for Game Designers
13:50 Ego is the Enemy
16:07 Fail Faster

[marielouiseweeksbattitud]

Don’t stop posting these videos. Keep talking as well as creating.

[jasonlevine]

Great list! A few of these are new to me and I will be getting them right now! I like "Game Design Workshop - a playcentric approach to creating innovative games" by Tracy Fullerton as the best all in one book. "Thinkertoys" by Michael Michalko for practical tips on generating ideas. "Board Game Publisher" by Eric Hanuise for a comprehensive look at what game publishers do - important for game designers to know and the only book of its kind that I'm aware of. And I hope Adam will write a book someday!

[IsaacShalev]

Thanks for including Building Blocks in your list. The 2nd edition has about 20% more content, and has color graphics and photos, so I recommend folks look for that edition.

[uomodibassamorale]

very nice set of recommendations, thanks!

[michelebaioni]

Thank you!
Also consider "The art of game design: A book of lenses" by Jesse Schell

[fleazapp]

finally some fresh and original content within the BG industry. thanks for all the work

[ferbogadoaSalirAJugar]

you made a big difference in my life. It´s a privilege and honor to be your follower. you are my teacher

[kenneth]

It's good to see someone holding hard copies of books. Confirmed bibliophile here.
I'm writing a work of fiction and story unfolding is analogous to a board game concept. So I'll delve into the principles of game design to explore possibilities. Just wondering how closely related the two are. Thanks for the recommends. I also came across The Art of Game Design - A Book of Lenses, by Jesse Schell.

[mlmattin]

You should definitely write a book! You have created so much content that would make the beginnings of a great book on creating games.

[boazdror]

Fantastic video, thank you for all the valuable information!

[ClaudeAndTaylor]

Absolutely wonderful video, Adam!!! Incredibly useful!!

[PeterJurgensen-bq]

Two more book recommendations!
"Glued to games" by Scott Rigby and Richard M. Ryan made a huge splash in the video games industry over the last ten years. IWhile it is about video games, it talks about motivation to play in games, which is applicable to board games as well.
And then there is "On Writing - a memoir of the craft" by Stephen King. This book is about writing, but it it such a precise description of creative work and creative being, that I see it as the best book on game design I ever read. Because a lot of the talking points can be transferred, when doing the transfer from books, reading and writing to games, gameplay and designing. I highly recommend that one.

[COOPFORTWO]

Fantastic list. I really appreciate the videos you make on game design issues. Keep them coming!

[keithparker]

Perhaps games designers may find looking at articles on usability useful specially when it comes to playtesting and rules

[Cube_Nerd]

Check out humble bundle, they have a game design budle out now