How to design board games with a FULL TIME JOB Adam in Wales - Board Game Design 2026-09-20 | How to design board games with a FULL TIME JOB
SELF-SABOTAGE and Board Game Design Adam in Wales 2024-03-07 | If effort was all it took, we’d all be millionaires. This video is a cautionary tale for board game designers.---------------The Adam in Wales: Board Game Designer Journal is available worldwide, via Amazon's print on demand service. You can also purchase a downloadable PDF of the journal from Drive Thru RPG a the following link: drivethrurpg.com/product/472771/Adam-in-Wales-Board-Game-Designer-Journal?affiliate_id=430883To purchase on Amazon, use the links below. IF NOT LISTED BELOW, search on your local Amazon for Adam in Wales: Board Game Designer Journal.UK: https://amzn.eu/d/6HWPjVNUSA: https://a.co/d/63DoQmZFrance: https://amzn.eu/d/cSt7sS5Germany: https://amzn.eu/d/bcaR6NwItaly: https://amzn.eu/d/cYAThwUSpain: https://amzn.eu/d/4mDzsR5Australia: https://amzn.asia/d/4lh9IhuNetherlands: https://amzn.eu/d/bvH9JlKPoland: https://amzn.eu/d/aSdig1uSweden: https://amzn.eu/d/1fimV2VJapan: https://amzn.asia/d/0HgWhr8Canada: https://a.co/d/15F7NKOThe journal provides a multitude of reflective tools to help you develop as a tabletop game designer. This is not a playtesting journal. That is to say, the journal is not focused on one specific game or project. It is focused on you. You are the project.The journal is broken down into logs, with prompts to guide your reflections.You will be guided to reflect on:- Your own definition of success- Your gaming preferences and those of the market- Games you have played and what you learned from them- The people who support you in game design- How you support other designers- Your design ethos- Your goals and ambitionsThe journal contains a selection of tools to help you analyse your prototypes in development.- The Hook Generator - to help you create concepts which will catch attention- The DARE Model - to help you prioritise your ideas- The Ladder Model - to help you determine how engaging your game is- The Idea : Execution Matrix - to help you determine how likely your game is to achieve commercial success- Player Journey Maps - to help you identify the pain points in your gamesThese tools are all based off of models and matrices developed and discussed on the Adam in Wales Youtube Channel. If you would like more information about any of these topics, there is a huge amount of information within that channel.
Reflecting on Board Game Design: games played, achievements and future goals. Adam in Wales 2024-02-29 | Board game designer Adam Porter reflects on recent games played, achievements, and future goals.The Adam in Wales: Board Game Designer Journal is available worldwide, via Amazon's print on demand service. Use the links below, or IF NOT LISTED BELOW, search on your local Amazon for Adam in Wales: Board Game Designer Journal.UK: https://amzn.eu/d/6HWPjVNUSA: https://a.co/d/63DoQmZFrance: https://amzn.eu/d/cSt7sS5Germany: https://amzn.eu/d/bcaR6NwItaly: https://amzn.eu/d/cYAThwUSpain: https://amzn.eu/d/4mDzsR5Australia: https://amzn.asia/d/4lh9IhuNetherlands: https://amzn.eu/d/bvH9JlKPoland: https://amzn.eu/d/aSdig1uSweden: https://amzn.eu/d/1fimV2VJapan: https://amzn.asia/d/0HgWhr8Canada: https://a.co/d/15F7NKOThe journal provides a multitude of reflective tools to help you develop as a tabletop game designer. This is not a playtesting journal. That is to say, the journal is not focused on one specific game or project. It is focused on you. You are the project.The journal is broken down into logs, with prompts to guide your reflections.You will be guided to reflect on:- Your own definition of success- Your gaming preferences and those of the market- Games you have played and what you learned from them- The people who support you in game design- How you support other designers- Your design ethos- Your goals and ambitionsThe journal contains a selection of tools to help you analyse your prototypes in development.- The Hook Generator - to help you create concepts which will catch attention- The DARE Model - to help you prioritise your ideas- The Ladder Model - to help you determine how engaging your game is- The Idea : Execution Matrix - to help you determine how likely your game is to achieve commercial success- Player Journey Maps - to help you identify the pain points in your gamesThese tools are all based off of models and matrices developed and discussed on the Adam in Wales Youtube Channel. If you would like more information about any of these topics, there is a huge amount of information within that channel.About the authorAdam Porter is an award winning game designer from the United Kingdom, known for making accessible games suitable for families, and for his popular YouTube channel Adam in Wales where Adam talks candidly about his experiences pitching and licensing games to publishers. Many new designers have looked to Adam for guidance when taking their first steps in the board game industry. Adam's published games include Pikoko, Doodle Rush, Kompromat, Qwuzzle, Zooligans, Thrown, Big Bazar, and Zing-a-Zam.In 2022, Adam Porter was listed as a Design Champion in Mojo Nation's 100 Most Influential Figures in Toy and Game Design."Adam’s videos have already achieved must-watch status in the industry for me. They’re a great resource for established pros and newcomers alike." Mojo Nation 100"If you’re a game designer, I highly recommend Adam Porter’s YouTube channel, Adam in Wales. It has a similar vibe to my game design YouTube channel in terms of its focus on specific game mechanisms, but Adam is far more eloquent and polished." Jamey Stegmaier, designer of Viticulture and Scythe.“Adam Porter has been putting out great videos on board game design for years, offering an experienced designer’s view of how the industry works… some of the most insightful and comprehensive overviews of the current state of the industry as it undergoes considerable challenges, all delivered with his characteristic wry wit.” Cardboard Edison
Creating a board game for family and friends... with Launch Tabletop Adam in Wales 2024-02-22 | This is the most self-indulgent project I’ve ever made. Dinosaurs vs Cowboys in a traditional Stratego-style showdown. It’s really cool. And it’s just for me.This project was a real geek-out. The great thing about a print on demand service like Launch Lab is that it lets you really indulge your creative impulses and make something which looks and feels like a professional game - even if it’s just for you, and you alone.Sponsored by Launch Tabletop.www.launchtabletop.com-------------------------ADAM IN WALES BOARD GAME DESIGNER JOURNALUse the links below, or IF NOT LISTED BELOW, search on your local Amazon for Adam in Wales: Board Game Designer Journal.UK: https://amzn.eu/d/6HWPjVNUSA: https://a.co/d/63DoQmZFrance: https://amzn.eu/d/cSt7sS5Germany: https://amzn.eu/d/bcaR6NwItaly: https://amzn.eu/d/cYAThwUSpain: https://amzn.eu/d/4mDzsR5Australia: https://amzn.asia/d/4lh9IhuNetherlands: https://amzn.eu/d/bvH9JlKPoland: https://amzn.eu/d/aSdig1uSweden: https://amzn.eu/d/1fimV2VJapan: https://amzn.asia/d/0HgWhr8Canada: https://a.co/d/15F7NKO
The 10 REAL skills you need as a Board Game Designer. Adam in Wales 2024-02-18 | It may sound weird but game design is just one aspect of the job of a game designer. And while it may be the foundation of what we do, it will never get you anywhere if you don’t possess the other traits in this list.Use the links below, or IF NOT LISTED BELOW, search on your local Amazon for Adam in Wales: Board Game Designer Journal.UK: https://amzn.eu/d/6HWPjVNUSA: https://a.co/d/63DoQmZFrance: https://amzn.eu/d/cSt7sS5Germany: https://amzn.eu/d/bcaR6NwItaly: https://amzn.eu/d/cYAThwUSpain: https://amzn.eu/d/4mDzsR5Australia: https://amzn.asia/d/4lh9IhuNetherlands: https://amzn.eu/d/bvH9JlKPoland: https://amzn.eu/d/aSdig1uSweden: https://amzn.eu/d/1fimV2VJapan: https://amzn.asia/d/0HgWhr8Canada: https://a.co/d/15F7NKO
Your PATH to SUCCESS as a board game designer. Adam in Wales 2024-02-15 | Award winning board game designer Adam Porter introduces you to his new journal for tabletop game designers.The Adam in Wales: Board Game Designer Journal is available worldwide, via Amazon's print on demand service. Use the links below, or IF NOT LISTED BELOW, search on your local Amazon for Adam in Wales: Board Game Designer Journal.UK: https://amzn.eu/d/6HWPjVNUSA: https://a.co/d/63DoQmZFrance: https://amzn.eu/d/cSt7sS5Germany: https://amzn.eu/d/bcaR6NwItaly: https://amzn.eu/d/cYAThwUSpain: https://amzn.eu/d/4mDzsR5Australia: https://amzn.asia/d/4lh9IhuNetherlands: https://amzn.eu/d/bvH9JlKPoland: https://amzn.eu/d/aSdig1uSweden: https://amzn.eu/d/1fimV2VJapan: https://amzn.asia/d/0HgWhr8Canada: https://a.co/d/15F7NKOThe journal provides a multitude of reflective tools to help you develop as a tabletop game designer. This is not a playtesting journal. That is to say, the journal is not focused on one specific game or project. It is focused on you. You are the project.The journal is broken down into logs, with prompts to guide your reflections.You will be guided to reflect on:- Your own definition of success- Your gaming preferences and those of the market- Games you have played and what you learned from them- The people who support you in game design- How you support other designers- Your design ethos- Your goals and ambitionsThe journal contains a selection of tools to help you analyse your prototypes in development.- The Hook Generator - to help you create concepts which will catch attention- The DARE Model - to help you prioritise your ideas- The Ladder Model - to help you determine how engaging your game is- The Idea : Execution Matrix - to help you determine how likely your game is to achieve commercial success- Player Journey Maps - to help you identify the pain points in your gamesThese tools are all based off of models and matrices developed and discussed on the Adam in Wales Youtube Channel. If you would like more information about any of these topics, there is a huge amount of information within that channel.About the authorAdam Porter is an award winning game designer from the United Kingdom, known for making accessible games suitable for families, and for his popular YouTube channel Adam in Wales where Adam talks candidly about his experiences pitching and licensing games to publishers. Many new designers have looked to Adam for guidance when taking their first steps in the board game industry. Adam's published games include Pikoko, Doodle Rush, Kompromat, Qwuzzle, Zooligans, Thrown, Big Bazar, and Zing-a-Zam.In 2022, Adam Porter was listed as a Design Champion in Mojo Nation's 100 Most Influential Figures in Toy and Game Design."Adam’s videos have already achieved must-watch status in the industry for me. They’re a great resource for established pros and newcomers alike." Mojo Nation 100"If you’re a game designer, I highly recommend Adam Porter’s YouTube channel, Adam in Wales. It has a similar vibe to my game design YouTube channel in terms of its focus on specific game mechanisms, but Adam is far more eloquent and polished." Jamey Stegmaier, designer of Viticulture and Scythe.“Adam Porter has been putting out great videos on board game design for years, offering an experienced designer’s view of how the industry works… some of the most insightful and comprehensive overviews of the current state of the industry as it undergoes considerable challenges, all delivered with his characteristic wry wit.” Cardboard Edison
Picking the best BOX SIZE for your board game Adam in Wales 2024-02-11 | Board game designer Adam Porter discusses how to select the best box size for your game.Sponsored by Launch Tabletop.
Designing Board Games Which Break the Rules Adam in Wales 2024-01-28 | Board Game Designer explores the history of board games which find notoriety by breaking taboos.
Board Game Wishlist 2024 Adam in Wales 2023-12-23 | It has become a tradition on this channel that at the end of each year, I reflect on the past 12 months, and make some wishes for the year ahead. So let’s bring 2023 to a close, and look forward to 2024.Over the past couple of years I’ve fallen into patterns with my wishlist - it barely changes from year to year! So I’m going with a new approach this year - I’m going to stick with the same categories I’ve used in previous years and give a little update on the following:0:00 Introduction1:11 Designer Spotlight3:43 Youtube Review6:29 My Year in Design8:22 Expansions, Sequels and Remakes11:32 IP Requests13:07 Next Year Prediction
10-1: A Decade of Game Design Wisdom Adam in Wales 2023-12-22 | Board game designer Adam Porter continues his epic journey through 10 years of lessons he's learned about design and the board game industry.0:00 Introduction0:56 You define success for yourself2:33 Don’t make the game which you want to play4:37 Make Sell Sheets6:02 Be willing to change theme7:18 Publishers depend on partners and distributors9:19 If your game is rejected by everyone, don’t self publish10:51 Some games are hard to sell15:03 Never search the discard pile16:36 Do not pay for placeholder art19:24 Accessibility trumps just about everything else
20-11: A Decade of Game Design Wisdom Adam in Wales 2023-12-21 | Board game designer Adam Porter continues his epic journey through 10 years of lessons he's learned about design and the board game industry.0:00 Introduction0:59 Knowledge is power3:16 Publishers speak in hyperbole4:37 The purpose of a pitch meeting is to build a relationship5:55 Physical prototypes beat TTS mods7:32 Journal your playtests9:28 Think about expansions but don’t design them yet10:33 Your prototype must be functional11:56 Don’t design to trends13:38 Your first design probably should not be published15:34 The market is saturated. Add something of value.
30-21: A Decade of Game Design Wisdom Adam in Wales 2023-12-20 | Board game designer Adam Porter continues his epic journey through 10 years of lessons he's learned about design and the board game industry.0:00 Introduction0:42 Your game must have a strong hook3:39 Your game needs to flow5:28 Don’t waste publishers’ time7:01 Sublicensing is a mystery9:40 Time pressure might speed a publisher up11:56 Do not disrespect the giants who have gone before15:01 Attend a local playtest group16:41 Your game is 10X more complex that you think19:33 A pitch is a meeting of equals20:45 Contacts for publishers are easy to find
40-31: A Decade of Game Design Wisdom Adam in Wales 2023-12-19 | Board game designer Adam Porter continues his epic journey through 10 years of lessons he's learned about design and the board game industry.0:00 Introduction0:54 You need a solid 2 player mode2:52 Take care with exclusivity requests6:03 Play lots of games7:55 Make sizzle reels9:25 Write your rules early10:59 More complexity is not the answer12:27 Ignore play tester feedback13:54 Build a community16:07 Laminated Sticker Paper is a revelation18:46 Your game is a product
50-41: A Decade of Game Design Wisdom Adam in Wales 2023-12-18 | Board game designer Adam Porter continues his epic journey through 10 years of lessons he's learned about design and the board game industry.0:00 Introduction0:45 Work to deadlines3:01 Value your playtesters4:32 Theme and mechanisms inform each other6:49 Publishers rush rulebooks9:21 Playtesters come in many forms12:35 Publishers are frequently poor communicators14:53 Pitch meetings can happen anywhere17:15 Don’t design late at night19:36 Know your audience and what they need21:20 A big publisher does not equal big success
The BEST Board Games of the Year! Top 10 of 2023. Adam in Wales 2023-12-17 | Kicking off with his Top 10 of the previous 5 years (2018-2022) Adam Porter shares his favourite games of the last 12 months.0:00 Introduction0:25 Top Ten of Last 5 Years4:46 Silver and Gold Pyramids6:20 Savernake Forest7:34 Beaver Creek8:53 The Fox Experiment11:33 Dawn of Ulos14:04 My Lil Everdell16:07 Medieval Academy19:21 Gigamons21:11 Animals of Baker Street22:49 Disney Lorcana
60-51: A Decade of Game Design Wisdom Adam in Wales 2023-12-15 | Board game designer Adam Porter continues his epic journey through 10 years of lessons he's learned about design and the board game industry.0:00 Introduction0:54 A signed contract doesn’t mean your game will be published3:01 Don’t assume your game doesn’t work with 2 players4:41 Your game will never be bigger than Monopoly5:47 If you design light games, don’t read BGG comments7:52 Blind playtests are powerful10:00 Think about cost of components now11:12 Write down compliments12:16 Make pretty prototypes if it makes you happy14:02 Research and methodically look for gaps16:10 Interaction is wonderful. Feedback is equally important.
70-61: A Decade of Game Design Wisdom Adam in Wales 2023-12-14 | Board game designer Adam Porter continues his epic journey through 10 years of lessons he's learned about design and the board game industry.0:00 Introduction0:50 Table presence can be a strong hook2:57 Work on many games4:36 Kill your darlings6:24 You can pitch virtually but in-person is superior8:46 Co-designs halve your income but double your fun11:10 Game design is addictive13:20 You don’t earn enough to playtest 100 times15:14 If they are rude, they go on my list16:59 Enthusiasm from a publisher is the tie-breaker18:13 A bad review feels awful; a good review feels OK.
80-71: A Decade of Game Design Wisdom Adam in Wales 2023-12-13 | Board game designer Adam Porter starts an epic journey through 10 years of lessons he's learned about design and the board game industry.0:00 Introduction1:50 Hand crafted prototypes are fine4:39 Show your game to multiple publishers at the same time7:12 Make your values known to a publisher9:53 Ask for more designer copies than you are offered12:02 Get it out of your head and on the table13:19 Watching play testers is more valuable than verbal or written feedback15:06 Your game doesn’t just belong to you19:45 Your game is ready when repeated tests require no adjustment21:12 You must have a clause to get your rights back23:17 Don’t resist feedback. Invite it.
90-81: A Decade of Game Design Wisdom Adam in Wales 2023-12-12 | Board game designer Adam Porter starts an epic journey through 10 years of lessons he's learned about design and the board game industry.0:00 Introduction0:47 Keep your day job3:49 It is not easier to design a simple game4:57 There are too many of us5:58 Downtime kills a game7:22 Write in second person8:10 Nobody is going to steal your unpublished idea11:09 Submission forms suck12:44 The first play is everything13:48 Lift other designers up15:40 Never debate a rejection
100-91: A Decade of Game Design Wisdom Adam in Wales 2023-12-11 | Board game designer Adam Porter starts an epic journey through 10 years of lessons he's learned about design and the board game industry.0:00 Introduction1:21 The industry is obsessed with innovation5:30 Go to conventions7:58 Playtest other designers’ prototypes9:00 You are not an aspiring game designer10:16 Dice are not the answer13:04 Publishers are warm and friendly14:13 Join an online community15:26 Your game is never finished16:52 Your game needs progression17:51 Don’t give away all your free designer copies
RANKED! 15 years of award-winning Board Game Titles Adam in Wales 2023-11-07 | What's a good title for a fantasy game? What about a kid's game? And does a title impact on a board game's success in the market? Adam attempts to answer these questions and more as he looks back at 15 years of award winners.
Why your board game TITLE matters! Adam in Wales 2023-11-07 | Brass Birmingham; Pandemic Legacy Season 1; Gloomhaven, Ark Nova, Terraforming Mars.Five of the most highly ranked games on the board game geek website. But what do we think of their titles? Do they share any common features? Could we create a model for generating a perfect board game title? Does such a thing exist?
Trick taking (sort of) auction game: Goblin Vaults Adam in Wales 2023-10-31 | Goblin Vaults is a 2023 release designed by Thunderworks founder Keith Matejka with Eric Schlautman. It is playable by 1-5 players.I received a complimentary review copy of Goblin Vaults from the publisher, so thanks to Thunderworks.
Creating a SIMPLE card game for children - Zing-a-Zam! Adam in Wales 2023-10-16 | Way back before COVID-19, I was tasked with creating a trick-taking game for children aged 6 and up. In October 2023, Zing-a-Zam had its English language release, and I wanted to share the process with you all. This is my third published trick taking game, and it had rather unusual beginnings.
Everything You Need To Know About Board Game Design Adam in Wales 2023-10-13 | Whatever stage you are at in your design journey, Adam in Wales has you covered! Check out the videos below about all aspects of game design.DESIGNER DIARIES:Pitching game designs to publishers: A video blog from Essen 2014youtu.be/eJg5F6B2EroBoardgame Designer Diary: Pitching to Publishers Essen Spiel 2015youtu.be/LMD0giFq-DwDesigner Diary: Pitching to publishers at Essen Spiel 2016youtu.be/kZ1cq9Ue9nIEssen Spiel 2018: Pitching to Publishersyoutu.be/c-RpJ3b09O8Co-design, Collaboration & Qwuzzleyoutu.be/LSt8Xu4sPFYCo-design, Collaboration & Kompromatyoutu.be/hKIXeOLgCdESTARTING POINTSFrom Idea to Shelves: Get Your Board Game Published with Insider Tips from a Published Designeryoutu.be/i_fjx1xVy3gScared of Copycats? How to Protect Your Board Game Ideayoutu.be/oTbHvDb8DHgMaking Your First Board Gameyoutu.be/y2vpRG0EbrI10 Books Every Board Game Designer Should Readyoutu.be/uOdai8dc9bkPROTOTYPINGBringing Your Game to Life: How to make a Board Game prototypeyoutu.be/KlxEF1zXbK0Essentials for making Board Game prototypes... on a budgetyoutu.be/iHvV1Tnd1NQMaking a Board Game like a PROyoutu.be/gKyCRU120XQLevelling Up your Board Game Prototypesyoutu.be/fzn7fNXFg2sMaking a EURO GAME prototype - a guide to producing cards, tokens & rulebooks.youtu.be/ZkHd9p3UUIwThe Expert Guide to Selecting Optimal Dimensions & Cardstock for Your Card Gameyoutu.be/LFDMiD-ddDYBOARD GAME INDUSTRYBoard Game Design: The Board Game Industry | Start Hereyoutu.be/7-cPUjaDEDcBoard Game Design: How COVID 19 changed the board game industry foreveryoutu.be/QM190p6MiPkHistory of Board Gamesyoutu.be/tIM9F3T9nfMI've designed a Board Game: how do I make money from it?youtu.be/-216eAqobYMCrowdfunding Your Board Game: The Pros and Consyoutu.be/-ypL_B5S-sIDesigning Board Games on a Budgetyoutu.be/hgl3Ub8m8a0PLAYTESTINGInside Playtesting: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Get Startedyoutu.be/IgRv8mF7cPoImposter Syndrome & Board Game Design - How many playtests is ENOUGH?youtu.be/KmoT3OxF_6AA Carcassonne Parable for Game Designers: Gathering Playtester Feedbackyoutu.be/9oT1lre1nUkRULES WRITINGRule the Game: Secrets to Writing Clear, Concise, and Compelling Board Game Rulebooksyoutu.be/ud9gcuPFwxkPITCHINGPitch Perfect: The Ultimate Guide to Pitching Your Board Game Prototype to Publishersyoutu.be/pCqNp-JRGcAHow NOT to pitch... don't be this guyyoutu.be/X_1EOJwOKEkBoard Game Design: Sell Sheets - when and how to use them.youtu.be/jIyP-rXXYcIMastering the Art of Board Game Video Reelsyoutu.be/rWX3CO0uF0AHow to choose the right publisher for your Board Game?youtu.be/8FD-pvD6VBICracking the Code: Revealing What Board Game Publishers Want in a Gameyoutu.be/4IiPoKjUxXUThe Secret to Success in Board Game Publishing: Nurture Lasting Relationships with Publishersyoutu.be/N6KAk2pnhhwCONTRACTSCreative Control | Board Game Contracts Explained: Part 1youtu.be/0ZQXPN-yzPcGetting Paid | Board Game Contracts Explained: Part 2 youtu.be/bUteKCkWGxcGetting Your Rights Back | Board Game Contracts Explained: Part 3 youtu.be/pSFRYLGR8VUExpansions & derivative works | Board Game Contracts Explained: Part 4 youtu.be/26s5i4qeMM8Your responsibilities to the publisher | Board Game Contracts Explained: Part 5youtu.be/aldtNWDBCRsPRODUCT DESIGNBoard Game Design: Using Product Design Principles to Enhance your Tabletop Gameyoutu.be/6VUHjjL1LP8How Design Thinking Can Revolutionize Your Board Game Creationyoutu.be/B3-bRXBlsOUBrilliant Idea - Perfect Execution: How to make a BEST-SELLING board game!youtu.be/Xg8izd932FsHow to get players HOOKED on your board game!youtu.be/l-37KuSr8VQBoard Game Design: Give Your Players What They Need!youtu.be/hxbU3ll57DABoard game design: modelling your customers & understanding your audience.youtu.be/Ow2FDl2yiPUBoard Game Design: The Secrets to Onboarding Players Quickly and Painlesslyyoutu.be/kf4cpqpukvkHow to make a board game which demands attention!!!youtu.be/NXYxHmfxxJkYour Board Game needs to DELIVERyoutu.be/sTFDuSSXxf8Stop TRYING to innovate : The Power of Continuous Improvement in Board Game Designyoutu.be/wKuMPOYueaoCREATING A HOOKBoard game design : What makes a GREAT hook?youtu.be/06LoHZi9WkoWhy Great Games FAIL - Board Game Designyoutu.be/FA9Cx-ERlgYDISAPPOINTMENTI designed a board game... and it bombed.youtu.be/IXVyr3S6RV4MECHANISMSPlaylist: How to design games using popular mechanismsyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLp0JfVPxaej1t0bsBS-tvInGWlcF_UcKu
Dawn of Ulos Review - An economic fantasy game in the ROLL PLAYER universe. Adam in Wales 2023-09-25 | I received a review copy of Dawn of Ulos from the publisher. Thanks to Thunderworks.Competing gods influence the development of territories for warring factions in Thunderwork’s fantasy universe. Dawn of Ulos is a tile-laying stock market game dressed up as a high-fantasy battle. Acquire meets Tigris & Euphrates meets Small World. That’s the hook.
Making a EURO GAME prototype with Launch Tabletop - a guide to producing cards, tokens & rulebooks. Adam in Wales 2023-08-31 | Sponsored by Launch Tabletop.In this video I walk viewers through producing a professional quality prototype for a couple strategic board game (often called a "Euro" game) using the Launch Lab print on demand service.3:25 Producing Boxes5:30 Producing Cards10:45 Producing Rulebooks16:24 Producing Tokens28:30 Launch Lab Reports
Hall of Fame: Diamant Adam in Wales 2023-08-30 | Review copy purchased at retail.Diamant was first released in 2005. Designer Alan Moon was flying high after winning the prestigious Spiel Des Jahres award the previous year, for Ticket to Ride, his second win - Elfenland won the award in 1998. And frankly Diamant should have been his third.Alan Moon partnered with his frequent collaborator - the prolific designer Bruno Faidutti - to create Diamant, initially published by Schmidt Spiele. The game was renamed Incan Gold in its subsequent edition from Eagle Gryphon, and then reverted to Diamant in 2016, with a gorgeous graphic overhaul from Iello and Bunny Kingdom artist, Paul Mafayon.
Animals of Baker Street Review - a narrative adventure game for children. Adam in Wales 2023-08-23 | I received a review copy of Animals of Baker Street from the distributor. So thanks to Coiled Spring. Solve mysteries by visiting locations in the buildings, streets, and gardens of Baker Street. Use specific characters in specific locations to take advantage of their natural abilities and unlock new story elements. Solve 7 unique cases, finding lost items, missing creatures, and uncovering mysteries. A Sherlock Holmes storybook with cute anthropomorphic animals centre stage - an immersive, interactive choose-your-own adventure in the form of a cooperative, narrative board game for families. That’s the hook.
Essen Spiel Preparation: Getting CONVENTION ready! With Launch Tabletop. Adam in Wales 2023-08-15 | It's time to start thinking about prototyping, contacting publishers, and setting up meetings to pitch my games!
Hall of Fame: Stratego, LAttaque & the Big Four Adam in Wales 2023-08-02 | Two players secretly line up their pieces on opposite sides of a grid. You can see the values of your own force but you don’t know the values of your opponent’s pieces which face away from you. When two pieces meet back to back, you can declare an attack. And the values are revealed, with the lowest scoring piece eliminated from the game. The goal is to progress through the enemy ranks and capture their flag.The origins of this iconic game system are unclear. A German literary journal, Monatshefte, described a Japanese War Game, known as Gunjin Shogi (or Military Chess) in 1905. The game was subsequently published in Finland in 1906, and described as having been invented during the recent Japanese War, most likely the Sino-Japanese war of 1894, and enjoyed by soldiers and officers alike. Gunjin Shogi is remarkably similar to later titles L’Attaque and Stratego, with the most notable difference being the requirement for a third player to act as arbiter declaring the outcome of any conflict without revealing the identity of the pieces. Patents were filed in 1907 in London by Julie Berg, and 1909 in France by Hermance Edan. It was Edan’s version which achieved commercial success in Europe, under the title L’Attaque. However, the origins of L’Attaque are disputed, because Edan’s estate asserts that she invented the game in the 1880s, which, if accurate, may predate the Japanese wargame.Edan’s L’Attaque was brought to the United Kingdom by Gibson’s Games in the 1920s, and attracted 3 direct sequels: Dover Patrol, Aviation, and Tri-Tactics, all apparently developed by Harry Gibson. These games were marketed as Gibsons’ Big Four or War without Tears.Stratego first appeared in 1946, late to the party by half a century, and almost identical to Hermance Edan’s L’Attaque, though a Dutchman, Jacques Johan Mogendorff, claimed to be the creator. Stratego was licensed to some heavy hitters in the industry, Milton Bradley, Hasbro, and Jumbo, which still retains ownership of the brand in 2023. The Stratego-branded version dominated the market in the West, pushing through to become one of the most recognisable, iconic board games of the last century.0:00 Introduction1:43 The basics2:23 Origins of the system7:14 L'Attaque vs Stratego8:56 Sharpe's Attack10:12 Dover Patrol11:52 Aviation13:38 Tri-Tactics15:04 Swords and Wizardry17:27 The Generals19:14 Luzhanqi21:24 Conquest Stratego23:09 Shadows in Kyoto24:19 Lord of the Rings The Confrontation24:49 Thunder and Lightning25:02 Volto25:20 TacTiki25:35 Confusion
How to design a DECK BUILDING board game Adam in Wales 2023-07-19 | rior to 2007, deck construction was always a solitary, pre-game activity - putting together your own personal deck of cards to bring to a competitive game. But these days deckbuilding is frequently the main event. It has become one of the dominant mechanisms in the world of hobby games. And if you’re interested in how these games work, or even designing a deckbuilding game of your own, this video is for you.0:00 After Us0:56 Introduction1:12 History of deck building2:47 Definition3:44 Dominion6:24 Sponsor7:15 The market11.26 Interaction14:34 On a board18:57 Headwind20:08 Deck thinning22:08 Set collection22:55 Multiple currencies25:03 Enduring effects26:45 Push your luck 28:41 Bag building games30:45 Dice pool games32:43 Dice building games33:47 Card crafting games36:36 Theme37:30 Mechanisms
10 Books Every Board Game Designer Should Read Adam in Wales 2023-07-12 | 0:00 Introduction0:24 Kobold Guide to Board Game Design2:04 Gametek3:17 Sponsor4:48 Steal Like an Artist6:50 Dice Games Properly Explained7:53 Building Blocks of Tabletop Game Design9:14 Obviously Awesome10:36 Characteristics of Games11:57 Challenges for Game Designers13:50 Ego is the Enemy16:07 Fail Faster
Levelling Up your Board Game Prototypes - with Launch Lab Adam in Wales 2023-06-27 | Launch Lab is a print on demand service from Launch Tabletop. In this video, I demonstrate how to use the service to create a professional quality roll and write board game prototype - perfect for pitching to publishers!0:00 Introduction2:19 Setting up a project3:29 Selecting components3:47 Making a score pad4:24 Downloading templates5:10 Laying out artwork8:15 Creating PDFs8:54 Creating a box11:08 Creating cards15:45 Verifying PDFs19:03 Creating an order19:40 Final product!
Designing Board Games on a Budget Adam in Wales 2023-06-15 | How can you make games, test games, and sell them, when you have no money to invest?
How to design a PARTY game *Board Game Design* Adam in Wales 2023-06-07 | On this channel, I like to dip into specific genres - worker placement, polyominoes, tableau-building, roll & writes - and try to pinpoint the specific elements frequently used in these games. It’s a tool box for you as a game designer. Which common mechanisms do you want to employ in your own party game? Which aspects could you subvert? And crucially, which mechanisms spring to mind which haven’t yet been utilised? Is there space for innovation here?In this video, we’ll be looking at 12 different considerations for designers of party games.
Displaying Board Game Art - with Stellar Adam in Wales 2023-05-31 | Commissioning art is one of the biggest investments for a game maker. The quality of illustration in modern board game has steadily increased over the last couple of decades, as publishers do their best to stand out among the thousands of board games released each year. And as the standard increases, so do purchasers’ expectations. The whole industry has lifted its game, and the scale of investment in board game art is astronomical. So how can game makers make the most of that investment, utilising the art that they’ve commissioned in inventive ways, and support their wonderful artists at the same time. That’s the purpose of Stellar, a new service offered by Board Game Manufacturer Launch Tabletop.Kickstarter link: kickstarter.com/projects/launchtabletop/stellar-prints-metal-art-prints-for-gamersStellar Website: launchtabletop.com/stellar/overview
Making Your First Board Game *Board Game Design* Adam in Wales 2023-05-22 | Creating your first board game can seem like a daunting task, but with determination and a playful spirit, you can turn your idea into a tangible, playable game. Whether you start small with a simple concept or dive headfirst into a complex, immersive world, the key is to keep iterating and honing your game until it is ready for the world.
Wayfarers of the South Tigris - Board Game Review Adam in Wales 2023-05-14 | Explore cities and beautiful vistas, chart surrounding seas, and look to the stars to track comets, constellations & planets. A mash up of worker placement, dice placement, and tableau building in the first title of a new trilogy from a publisher at the top of their game. Wayfarers of the South Tigris follows in the footsteps of the hugely popular North Sea and West Kingdom trilogies. Another Euro game from Phillips, McDonald & Dimitrievski.
Sprawlopolis & Tussie Mussie - Button Shy Games Review Adam in Wales 2023-05-04 | I received review copies of Sprawlopolis and Tussie Mussie from the publisher so thanks to Button Shy.An 18 card cooperative city-building game which plays brilliantly solo, and an 18 card set collection game about flowers from Wingspan designer Elizabeth Hargrave. Two of the most popular titles in the extensive range of wallet sized games from Button Shy. That’s the hook.
Ruining Game Night - Episode 2: The BEST and WORST Board Games for ANY Situation! Adam in Wales 2023-04-20 | In the second episode of RUINING GAME NIGHT, I select 10 random scenarios for game night, roll a die to determine the number of players and then pick two games: One which will DELIGHT the players... and one which will RUIN game night!
The Expert Guide to Selecting Optimal Dimensions & Cardstock for Your Card Game Adam in Wales 2023-04-17 | This video is sponsored by Launch Tabletop, a board game manufacturer with a print on demand service called Launch Lab. If you order a prototype through Launch Lab, use the code ADAMINWALES to receive a 20% discount.No-one wants to play card games with flimsy, ugly cards. In a competitive market, and with easy access to print on demand services, and AI generated art, game designers are levelling up their prototypes. If you want to stand out, you need your card game to not only play well, but look great too. In this video, I’m going to show you the key things you should consider when printing cards. What do publishers want to see from freelance designers? Is professional printing a sensible option? And what factors determine the best choice of card dimensions and cardstock? From picking the perfect size for easy shuffling, to choosing the right stock for durability and the perfect feel in your hands.
Build, Flick, Play: KUGO - a toolkit for creative disc flickers. Adam in Wales 2023-04-14 | Prepare your battlefield; devise rules; build, flick, play. KUGO is a box of high quality wooden blocks which can be used to create and play a diverse range of tabletop dexterity games. A toolkit for creative disc flickers. That’s the hook.This video is a little different to my usual content, in that it’s a preview for an upcoming product. I was approached by Michael Allan, a British designer, who asked me to take a look at KUGO - a game created by Michael and his family. I don’t normally say Yes to Kickstarter previews. But if you’ve been watching for a while, you’ll know I’m a sucker for flicking games, and KUGO just looked great.So I agreed to check out the game; no fee attached - just a complimentary copy of the game - so you can be sure this is my honest opinion. Michael is intending to launch KUGO on Kickstarter in June 2023. If you’re interested in the game, follow the link:kickstarter.com/projects/mikeyallan/kugo?ref=clipboard-prelaunch
Carcassonne - Expansions & Sequels: Board Game Design Hall of Fame Adam in Wales 2023-04-12 | Klaus-Jürgen Wrede’s Carcassonne landed at the turn of the century, and immediately found massive success. Two decades on there are now at least 16 different standalone versions of the game, some simple, some complex, some cut-throat, some cooperative - plus many repackaged versions: big boxes, travel versions, and winter editions. And that’s not to mention the additional material: 10 mainline boxed expansions, and too many promos and mini expansions to count.In this video, I’ll be taking a look at many of the variant rule sets, and discussing which version might be best for a player who enjoys thematic games; which version you might like if you want meaningful choices; which version is great for interaction; and plenty more. Sadly many of the older expansions and variants are currently out of print, but they all come up frequently on the second hand market, with some inevitably attracting a higher price than others. I’ll be discussing the game design lessons that I’ve learned from immersing myself in the vast catalogue of Carcassonne titles.Today, Carcassonne joins Kingdomino, Everdell, Sushi Go, and Viticulture in my game design Hall of Fame.0:00 Introduction2:19 Sponsor3:40 Carcassonne5:07 History of the game6:43 Box covers9:53 Hunters & Gatherers10:28 Onboarding11:55 Terminology13:32 Carcassonne Junior13:49 Over Hill & Dale14:43 Engagement Ladder17:05 Star Wars Edition19:03 Gold Rush20:31 Princess & Dragon21:16 Mists Over Carcassonne24:18 Castles25:00 Amazonas26:14 Sheep & Shepherds27:21 New World28:02 South Seas28:52 Builders29:14 Bonus Tiles (H&G)30:32 Variant (The Discovery)30:57 Inns & Cathedrals31:31 Traders31:51 Pigs32:18 Product Design Checklist33:43 Design Lessons34:10 Safari36:50 Hills37:40 Magic Portals38:03 Circle of Expectation38:43 Bridges & Bazaars40:45 The City41:18 Regional Maps41:40 The Castle43:34 The Discovery44:23 House Rule46:45 Design Challenge
Hiroba - multiplayer Sudoko! Board Game Review Adam in Wales 2023-04-05 | Competitive multiplayer Sudoko in a serene Japanese garden. That’s the hook.Hiroba is a 2022 abstract area control game for 2-4 players, designed by Johan Benguto, Alexandre Droit, and Bertrand Roux, and published by French publisher Funny Fox.I received a review copy of Hiroba from the distributor, so thanks to Hachette Board Games UK.
How to design a WORKER PLACEMENT board game Adam in Wales 2023-03-27 | Worker Placement is one of the BIG mechanisms. It has a wide appeal - and it’s adaptable to many different themes and genres. Worker placement games can be simple, or they can be incredibly complex. And they’re everywhere. A lot of gamers LOVE worker placement games.In this video I highlight ten or so design choices which you might want to consider when designing your own worker placement game. Even better, look at what has been done before, find a gap, subvert a mechanism, and create something totally new.This video is sponsored by Launch Tabletop. If you would like to create a single copy of your prototype board game, or anything up to 1000 copies, then visit www.launchtabletop.com and start prototyping!0:00 Introduction1:28 Sponsor2:33 Definition of mechanism3:28 History of mechanism5:54 Appeal of mechanism8:54 Scarcity of rewards9:45 Accumulation spaces10:10 Timing of rewards11:42 The provost12:40 Tracks14:38 Turn order15:46 Variable setup16:38 Asymmetric powers16:55 Build action spaces19:00 Neutral workers19:31 Specialised workers21:42 Dice workers22:10 Gain new workers22:32 Feed workers23:04 Events25:32 Bring workers home27:57 Action blocking31:55 Checklist for designers
Ruining Game Night - the BEST & WORST board games for ANY situation. Adam in Wales 2023-03-23 | In this video, I select 10 random scenarios for game night, roll a die to determine the number of players and then pick two games: One which will DELIGHT the players... and one which will RUIN game night!
Game Design Hall of Fame: What KINGDOMINO & expansions taught me about BOARD GAME DESIGN Adam in Wales 2023-03-16 | Build a landscape around your central castle by placing domino tiles in a grid, matching terrain types and amassing crowns to score points. Kingdomino burst onto the scene in 2016, winning the prestigious Spiel Des Jahres, Germany’s game of the year award, the following year. And even among the distinguished company of past Spiel winners, Kingdomino stands out as one of the most successful. It’s a true evergreen - never out of print - regarded highly by casual players, families, and gamers alike. And inevitably followed by a slew of expansions and sequels.I received review copies of Dragomino and Kingdomino Origins from the distributor, so thanks to Coiled Spring.
YOU told me I would LOVE this... Skulls of Sedlec board game review Adam in Wales 2023-03-10 | Novice monks dig up graves and stack skulls in the Sedlec Ossuary. Your job is the collect the most pleasing combination of skulls and position them according to the final wishes of the deceased. Skulls of Sedlec is a simple dose of card drafting and set collection, for 2-3 players… a lot of game in a tiny package; the entire deck contains just 18 cards.I reached out to the publisher Button Shy Games and they kindly provided me with review copies of Skulls of Sedlec, and its 6 card Executioners expansion, for the purposes of this video.
Vamp on the Batwalk: Trick taking & Deduction Adam in Wales 2023-03-06 | Compete to become the most fashionable vampire in the trick-taking card game Vamp on the Batwalk. You’re going to have to play your best cards if you want to win tricks, but information is limited. You know the colours of the cards in your hand; but you don’t know the values. You DO know what everyone else is holding though! So it’s up to you to deduce what’s in your hand, which card to to play, and when.A trick taking deduction game with a spooky vibe. That’s the hook.I received a review copy of Vamp on the Batwalk from the publisher.
