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The two of us have been working for almost a year on designing our game, codenamed Project Impervious, and we’ve learned a lot about each other in the process. For starters, Harry is much more creative than I am. Lots of the game’s best features were ideas that randomly popped into his head. I, meanwhile, am more methodical and logical, and enjoy problem solving. I like to make things work, while Harry likes to make things that work.

This creates tension sometimes– Harry might have a really interesting idea that, to me, just doesn’t fit the game. I may come up with a solution to a problem, but Harry sees a way to avoid the problem altogether. In general, I’m a lot more resistant to change, but Harry is always willing to go out on a limb.

More often than not, however, these differences enhance the board game design experience. I created the first draft of Project Impervious a year ago, and without Harry’s input, the game was very, very boring. And without me to slow him down, Harry jumps from idea to idea instead of sticking with one concept to see if it works. As projects evolve over time, we don’t worry about upsetting each other, because we trust that what we say is in the best interest of the game.

At the end of the day, board games are about bringing people together. This means compromising and trying new things, even if you don’t think they’ll work. I’m grateful that Harry is able to push me out of my comfort zone and show me how to improve one adjustment at a time.

For those of you working on your own board game design, or even working on any collaborative projects, how do you handle working with people with different work styles? Is there a tip or trick you use when conflict arises? Let me know in the comments or reach out to our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter what your experience with collaboration is!

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Playtesting Can Seem Terrifying at First

Playtesting your new board game can be terrifying. It’s a crucial step in the board game design process, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be riddled with anxiety the entire time. However, playtests don’t have to be daunting. If done right, they can actually be one of the most enjoyable times in the design process. Seeing other people enjoy your game is incredibly rewarding. I’ve been playtesting Factions of Sol with our team for about a year now, and I’ve put together some tips that helped me hone my method.

1. When playtesting, be open to feedback and criticism

This is the most important thing. While it may seem obvious, I’m sure we’ve all had the experience of showing a piece of art to the world and getting a lukewarm reception. Before heading into your playtest, take a moment to remind yourself that whatever people say is not a reflection of you. Breathe and remember that they’re only trying to make your game better. No board game is amazing right off the bat. There are always problems. When playtesters have something negative to say, they’re helping you identify them. Of course, that doesn’t mean everything they say is worth noting down…

2. Learn what criticism is helpful and what is not

Playtesters are people too, and often they won’t say exactly what you need to hear. They can have plenty of good insights, but sometimes they may say something that just isn’t worth worrying about. “I think the pieces should be like this” and “What if you had little aliens instead of robots” are examples of feedback that aren’t helpful when you’re testing out your new mechanic. Take their critiques seriously, but remember that they’re (usually) not board game experts and they don’t represent the majority opinion. If you think your trade mechanic is fine the way it is, don’t change it at the whims of one person. 

3. Know what you want feedback on

…and tell your playtesters ahead of time! This is hugely helpful for playtesters. A new game is a lot of information for one person to process. If you tell them beforehand “I’m testing the power deck, let me know what you think” or ask them afterwards “Did the power deck help you finish the quests?” they’re much more likely to provide useful feedback. A general “What did you like?” is useful as it tells you what stands out about your game, but it’s not as helpful when you’re testing something new or looking for feedback on something specific.

4. Have an effective rulebook

You may not think the rulebook is as important when you’re first starting your game, but giving playtesters something to reference really lowers the barriers to entry. The rulebook doesn’t need to be perfect–  if the game isn’t finished, your instructions aren’t either. But it’s important that players fully understand your game so they can give helpful feedback. More time spent figuring out rules is less time playing. Put your best foot forward and give them a manual to reference. 

5. Be prepared for playtesting to go wrong

No matter how much effort you put into your rulebook or how much time you spend explaining rules, there will be problems. Players will find a scenario you didn’t think about or an exploit you didn’t find. That’s ok! Learn to roll with the punches. The point of playtesting is to find those things. If one playtest goes awry, it’s not a huge deal. Learn what you can, make adjustments, and try again.

Other Playtesting Resources

• Playtesting: A Complete Encyclopedia – BGDL
• Board Game Playtesting – Print Ninja
• 6 Ways to Find Playtesters – Brandon Rollins

Tell Us About Your Experience!

Do you have any other playtesting tips? Have any of your playtests gone horribly wrong? Let us know in the comments or message us on our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! We can all learn from each other.

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Board games are about human interaction. They require multiple people working together, sitting around a communal area, talking and laughing and generally having a grand ‘ole time. Unfortunately, these are all things that COVID-19 took away from us. Some games can be played online– I myself enjoyed a few Tabletop Simulator games of Terraforming Mars, and they were quite delightful. We even coded a Tabletop Simulator for Factions of Sol. However, my favorite board games—Secret Hitler and One Night Werewolf—are not as transferable to a digital space. They require an intricate intuition about the social situation and of course, deception. Which… is difficult to get over a Discord call.

So, when I heard about Among Us!, I was ecstatic.

Games that use Deception

Among Us!, if you’re not aware, is a video game in which you and your friends are little astronauts working on a ship. However, one or two of you is actually an alien trying to kill everyone else. It’s basically a spruced-up One Night Werewolf in a digital space. The game exploded practically overnight and has millions of downloads. It wasn’t a perfect substitute for a late-night game of Secret Hitler, but it was incredibly close. And it had cute little space people. 

However, the popularity of the game led me to ask a big question: Why do we love games in which the entire goal is to lie and deceive? I consider myself a decent person, but the thrill that runs through me when I draw Werewolf is unmatched. Having thought about it, I’ve come up with 5 possible reasons we love board games that require deception.

1. Deception means we can be mean with no consequences

It’s not the most positive of reasons, but it’s true. Sometimes we like to be the bad guy. Getting to be the person that stabs everyone in the back can be a fun experience, as long as the consequences are limited to the game. It’s the only acceptable time I can call my friend a dirty liar knowing full well that I’m the one with blood on my hands.

2. We want to see how well we can lie

For people with a solid moral compass, there are so few opportunities to lie in real life. When else am I going to get a chance to lie to my five closest friends? When I’m a Fascist in Secret Hitler, I rehearse my lines in my head. I scan every reaction to see how well I’m doing. It’s not a skill I get to use in daily life– so why not practice in the morally grey area of a board game?

3. We enjoy puzzles

If you’re not the Impostor, you’ll likely spend your time watching everyone else and seeing who looks “sus.” It’s a puzzle in which every movement or word can give you a clue. When you’ve spent the game observing and you’re 99% sure you know who it is, all you want is to know if you’re right or wrong.

4. We want to prove we know our friends

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve entered a game of deception saying something along the lines of, “Don’t even try, I can read you like a book!” I know exactly who will crack with a little bit of pressure. I know who talks more when they’re guilty and who stays quiet. We enter these games fully assured that our friends are open books and we are locked down tight.

5. We like being right and proving others wrong

To me, this is the biggest reason we love these games. Once we’ve gathered our evidence, solidified our suspicions, and made our arguments, we get to know who was right and who was wrong. Honest, I don’t care who wins or loses a game like Among Us! or Secret Hitler. All that matters is that I did my homework and came to the right conclusion.

Do you like games with deception?

Are there any other board games of this variety that you love? Do you have a particular favorite? What’s your best deception game story? Please let me know in the comments below or contact us on our Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

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