Board games have been a timeless source of entertainment, learning, and social interaction for generations. Most gamers have their own fan favorites which they return to from time to time. However, sometimes the mind wants to discover something new, a fresh board game that hooks you from the first game. But, that is hard to find!
This is one of the reasons why gamers are trying to learn how to create board games to satisfy their cravings. Designing your own board game is a deeply creative and rewarding endeavor, allowing you to bring your game ideas and vision to life.
Whether you aim to create a game for your own or a commercial product for a larger audience, this guide will walk you through each stage of the process from conception to launch.
Table of Contents
Board games combine a variety of elements such as strategy, storytelling, and interaction, making them a unique form of entertainment. They not only encourage social bonding and critical thinking but also ignite creativity, which appeals to people of all ages and backgrounds.
They also provide a sense of connection, challenge, and entertainment, all of which are essential for creating a memorable experience. This makes board game design a crucial element that will determine the overall success of your board game design
Board games are not like other forms of entertainment where users passively consume content. In fact, it gives players an outlet to actively participate in the narrative of the game. This means board game designers and developers must craft engaging and immersive storylines that captivate a broad range of users.
If you are having second doubts about creating your own board game, here are some benefits you should know about:
There are various genres of board games, each appealing to different types of players. Some popular types of board games include:
Strategy Games: Board games that rely on players’ tactical thinking and decision-making (for example- Chess, Catan, etc.)
Party Games: Games that are designed for large groups and often have a focus on humor, quick play, or social interaction (for example- Cards Against Humanity, Pictionary, etc)
Cooperative Games: Board games where players work together to achieve a common goal (for example- Pandemic and Forbidden Island)
Thematic Games: These are games that revolve around a specific narrative or world, often involving role-playing and immersive storytelling (for example- Dungeons & Dragons, Arkham World, and Game of Thrones)
To create a compelling game, it is crucial to study and analyze existing successful games. Pay special attention to elements such as mechanics, themes, and player interaction. Understanding why certain games resonate with players can help inspire your own designs, refine your ideas, and offer valuable lessons in-game balance, player engagement, and storytelling.
If you want to learn how to make a board game, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire process and help in creating a board game from scratch.
The first step in creating a board game is defining its concept. This includes coming up with an original idea and determining what you want your game to be. But how do you do that? For starters, brainstorm and conduct market research to figure out the answers to questions like:
For instance, if you want to develop a game like Ludo, your target audience will primarily be people between 10 to 40 years of age, your competitors will be popular apps like Ludo King, and the objective of the board game is to house all 4 tokens before the opponent.
Building a board game involves choosing the theme and genre. The theme sets the tone and narrative of the game, and the genre dictates the type of gameplay mechanics you will develop.
There are various thematic board games in the market including historical settings, fantasy worlds, and even real-world scenarios. The genre defines whether your game is about strategy, storytelling, problem-solving, or pure entertainment.
One of the most important aspects of designing a game is identifying the target audience. Determine whether your game will appeal to children, families, or hardcore gamers. This will help guide decisions on the level of complexity, content, and the type of artwork and design.
A fun party game designed for families may be significantly different from one designed for competitive gamers. Choose your target audience carefully according to your game’s theme and genre.
Before diving into the technicalities of creating a board game, define the objective of your board game. This means determining what the ultimate goal is for players in the game. Whether it’s winning points, surviving challenges, or completing missions, the objectives should be clear and align with the game’s theme. A well-defined goal will guide players and create a sense of purpose throughout the game.
Now comes the hard part! It is time to design the essential elements and core game mechanics that make up the gameplay experience. Here are some common points to focus on:
Besides that, one of the most important aspects of board game design and mechanics is balancing luck(chance) with strategy(skill). A game cannot be purely random or purely strategic. A purely random board game is basically gambling and not many players prefer hardcore strategy.
A perfect mix of both will ensure that each playthrough offers something new, keeping players engaged. Write clear and concise rules to ensure the game’s success. Make sure to explain the rules, objectives, setup, and victory conditions properly. Lastly, playtest the rules to ensure clarity and that players can easily follow them.
At this stage, it is time to bring your idea to life by creating a board game prototype. Start simple with basic mechanics and develop a wireframe. Avoid stressing over artwork or game pieces and focus on functionality. Use digital tools like Tabletop Simular to test your game virtually.
The goal of creating a prototype is to test the gameplay, not aesthetics. Focus on how the game works instead of how it looks. You can also try different formats, layouts, and components to see what works best.
After your prototype is ready and functional, you can start designing the game board and components. Create the board game layout including board design, cards, tokens, or any other element that your game might have.
Playtesting is crucial to identify any issues in the design or game-breaking bugs. It also helps uncover problems with game balance, clarity of rules, pacing, and engagement. Conduct multiple types of testing to evaluate every aspect of the game and refine it accordingly. Typically, there are three major types of testing:
You can also conduct a soft launch and gather feedback from a small group of players to get a variety of perspectives. Pay attention to how players interact with the game, what they enjoy, and what they find annoying. Use this feedback to tweak the rules, gameplay, and components.
Once the gameplay mechanics are finalized, focus on enhancing the visual appeal of the game. Hire a professional game designer or use design tools to create visually appealing components, including game boards, cards, tokens, and game artwork. A visually attractive game can draw players in and keep them engaged.
Ensure that each component is communicating properly and to its maximum capacity.
If you have an original game idea, consider registering your concept under copyright or patent laws to protect your intellectual property. Trademark your game’s name and logo to prevent any third parties from unauthorized use.
It is also crucial to understand the laws and regulations regarding board games in the jurisdiction you are operating from. Familiarize yourself with regulations and laws and acquire any licenses if required.
Here are some digital tools and resources that could be used to give life to your original board game concept:
You can also join online communities and forums like r/boardgames to learn from other designers and share your progress. These communities also feature tutorials and guides from experienced designers which can provide valuable insights and advice.
Now comes the development phase. Here, you have two options, you can either develop the board game yourself or partner with a professional development partner. Many board game development companies offer services for custom board game design.
However, choosing the right developer is key to creating a successful board game. Research different companies, request demos, and compare prices and services. Choose a developer that provides the best quality within your budget.
Also, keep in mind that development costs vary based on various factors like quantity, quality, and complexity. In-house development is comparatively more expensive than outsourcing your board game project.
Once your game hits the market you are good to go. However, that does not mean that your work is done. Consider creating expansion packs to add new features, challenges, storylines, and characters. Expansions keep the game fresh and also attract players who are looking for a new experience.
After the launch, keep an eye on player reviews and feedback. Use this input to refine your game and consider rolling out regular updates to cater to player preferences and provide additional content.
The key to success for any online game is solid marketing. Utilize social media platforms, influencer marketing, and Search Engine Optimization to promote your board game and create a buzz among potential players.
You can also take matters into your own hands and attend conventions, host demo events and collaborate with other popular games to promote your game in front of a large audience.
| Game | Genre | Player Capacity | Average Playtime | Description |
| Catan | Strategy | 3-4 | 60-90 minutes | A resource management game where players build settlements and trade. |
| Monopoly | Economic/Strategy | 2-6 | 60-120 minutes | A property trading game where players aim to bankrupt their opponents. |
| Pandemic | Cooperative | 2-4 | 45 minutes | A cooperative game where players work together to stop global disease outbreaks. |
| Ticket to Ride | Strategy | 2-5 | 30-60 minutes | A train-themed game where players collect cards to claim railway tracks. |
| Carcassone | Strategy | 2-5 | 30-45 minutes | A tile-placement game where players build medieval lands and score points. |
| Scrabble | Word/Strategy | 2-4 | 60 minutes | A word game where players form words and try to get the highest score. |
| Risk | Strategy/War | 2-6 | 90-180 minutes | A game of global domination where players battle for territory control. |
| Dungeons & Dragons | Role Playing | 2+ | 120+ minutes | A fantasy role-playing game where players assume characters and go on quests. |
Creating a board game is a profitable project that allows board game developers to combine creativity, strategy, and community building. With dedication, your idea can transform into a game that provides enjoyment for years to come. Although the process can seem daunting and lengthy, starting small and learning from your mistakes can translate into a rewarding journey. By following the step-by-step guide on how to make a board game in this guide, you can effectively design your own unique board game, publish it, and potentially earn from its sales.
Ans. The process of creating a board game can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the complexity of the board game. For instance, a complex game like Catan will take longer to develop than a simple Ludo game.
Ans. Development costs may vary on various factors. If you outsource your board game project to a board game developer, it can cost around $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the complexity and type of board game.
Ans. Graphic design skills will surely come in handy but they are not mandatory. You can hire a board game designer or use pre-built templates to create game assets and build your board game.
