I don’t usually buy books on board game design.

However I do own one or two on video game design (which is natural considering I taught the video game units on the now defunct BTEC National when I was teaching at local colleges). One of the books in that collection that I loved and used a lot to support my teaching was Level Up! by Scott Rogers.

I found Rogers style very accessible and informative.

So when I found out Rogers had a new book out on board game design I had to get it.

To be honest I hadn’t really thought about designing my own board game. I have play tested one or two games that friends have created and given honest constructive feedback (well I hope it has been). So I may not be the target audience for this book.

The book includes chapters on creating your game, writing a rule book, play testing, and selling your game.

If you work your way through the book from cover to cover, and create the games in the book. By the end you will have created as the book promises six board games. But you are encouraged by Rogers to make the designs your own.

Right from the go by the end of the first chapter you have created a simple game and modified it.

I like that Rogers wants you to learn by doing.

The chapters all have a similar format where the game mechanic is discussed, followed by creating and modifying a game based around that mechanic. With a recap of the main points wrapping up the chapter.

It’s that mix of “theory” and creation (with explanation) that makes Rogers approach within the book so effective. I think he’s got the balance just right.

I love the idea from the first appendix of creating a toolkit for prototyping games with. One that is portable, that can be carried with you.

The book finishes with a second appendix with example sell sheets.

Scott Rogers has written another great book that if I was running a game creation course that had a board game design element would be just as influential as his previous tome Level Up!

The book has also inspired me to not only put together a prototyping toolkit. But also to think about designing my own dice game!