If you’re an avid board game player, you’ve definitely thought to yourself, “I could do this. I could come up with a cool, fun game to play.” I’m here to tell you that you absolutely should.
You don’t need to start a company or go into publishing right away. You don’t need a business plan or a Kickstarter account or anything that independent board game designers have. You don’t even have to publish or sell your game at all. But if you have an idea– go for it!
Here are three reasons you should bring your board game into the world– even if you have no plans to profit from it.
1. Unleash your creative side!
Board games are, above all, a creative endeavor. You need to come up with cool mechanics, a fun art style, interesting pieces. If you’re crafty and enjoy creating things– a board game can be your new creative outlet.
There are so many different elements to board games– mechanics, pieces, rulebooks, lore, art… If you really enjoy one part, you can make a great game that revolves around that, while also branching out into other creative spheres. Stretch the limits of your mind! Make a board game.
2. Learn how to problem solve
One thing I’ve learned in over a year of playtesting is that players will figure out ways to completely wreck your game. Your new game won’t be perfect– and that’s great! One of the most important skills you learn is how to put it back together again.
Developing a board game means learning how to solve problems. Maybe the rules are too complicated, so you need to dumb them down. Or maybe there’s a way to exploit a mechanic, and you need a way to prevent it. Designing a board game is a great mental exercise for learning how to come up with unique solutions to unique problems.
3. It’s sooooo much fun
That’s it. It’s just fun. Getting to physically make, come up with, and playtest your very own game is an awesome amount of fun. Even if you don’t plan on ever making money on your game, it can be an enjoyable side-project that lets you think creatively and give you a break from everything else in this crazy world.
If you have an idea, go for it! Whether it’s a simple party game or a lore-heavy civilization builder, it’s worth exploring. You’ll learn valuable skills and make some amazing memories. Do it! Design your board game today!
Do you have a back-of-the-mind idea you’ve been meaning to test? Are you currently designing something on the side? Share your idea below! I’d love to see what you’re up to!