Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
From the panel: Game Mechanics in Tabletop Design
Presented at PAX East 2025 on Sunday 11:00am in the Bumblebee Theatre
What is the shape of Yahtzee? What is a Game Mechanic? What are you doing in your mind when you play Yahtzee.
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Despite the staggeringly vast variety of games out there in the world they draw primarily from a core set of basic mechanics. Many games which at first seem very different share fundamental design patterns subgames and strategies. What is a "draft " and more importantly what is its true function? Where to rondels come into play? What is the purpose of an arbitrary decision? What does "skill based movement" mean for a game? Are all auctions created equally? Whether you are a player maker or even simply observer of games understanding these core components will provide a surprising degree of insight into their nature.
This is a lecture by Rym DeCoster and Scott Rubin, hosts of the GeekNights podcast.
#geeknights #pax #gamedesign #tabletopgaming
From the panel: Game Mechanics in Tabletop Design
Presented at PAX East 2025 on Sunday 11:00am in the Bumblebee Theatre
What is the shape of Yahtzee? What is a Game Mechanic? What are you doing in your mind when you play Yahtzee.
--
Despite the staggeringly vast variety of games out there in the world they draw primarily from a core set of basic mechanics. Many games which at first seem very different share fundamental design patterns subgames and strategies. What is a "draft " and more importantly what is its true function? Where to rondels come into play? What is the purpose of an arbitrary decision? What does "skill based movement" mean for a game? Are all auctions created equally? Whether you are a player maker or even simply observer of games understanding these core components will provide a surprising degree of insight into their nature.
This is a lecture by Rym DeCoster and Scott Rubin, hosts of the GeekNights podcast.
#geeknights #pax #gamedesign #tabletopgaming
