Creating a THEME - Board Game Design

[@Quackalope]

I told you I would keep checking in :) - glad to see you in the 2nd video!

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

Haha, you DID!!! Wow, thanks for the support Jesse. Definitely feels good when people respond to what you create!

[@playdeliverance]

Great vid. I think you’re starting “experience first” which is how I love to design. For me, the theme supports the experience when it gives satisfying answers the questions, “Who am I, and why am I doing this in the game?”

[@heylg24]

I’m ready for the next video!

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

You're the best!

[@BeingFriends]

us too!!

[@c3slayer72]

You’re a new channel but you seem so professional! Great job!

[@guywhiteman6759]

This is the best quality video I have ever seen. Amazing job. Keep it up.

[@BeingFriends]

Have you played the game 7th Continent?!? That is a fantastic game to look at when it comes to capturing that feeling of exploration!!

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

I haven't played 7th Continent yet. But I've done ALOT of research on it and tried to find out what makes its exploration function fun and engaging. Although my game will be a lighter tone of exploration than 7th Continent's survival/mystery feeling, I see the strengths that game has in how replayable it is. Thanks for the comment!

[@successfulgeek]

Great video, really like the concept and I am definitely writing ideas down for games as I think of them, but not quite at the stage where I would say I am designing a game just yet. Mainly enjoying playing for now since I have only really been deep in the hobby for a little over a year.

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

I'm relatively new to tabletop games as well. Like you, I was writing down ideas of games constantly, but I couldn't deny to urge to eventually make a game! You should try to make a quick prototype of one of your ideas. I'd love to see it! @newboardgamedesign on Instagram

[@joashchipping-jarrold6518]

Quack. Really love this video! I'm exploring board game design as a hobbyist now at it's lovely to see someone documenting a similar journey (with such a gorgeous camera too)! If I had one game to suggest, it would be Parks. In terms of gameplay I shouldn't think it's anything quite like what you are aiming for, but for theme it certainly sits in a similar area. It's very much a game of ambling through nature and seeing what you discover. If anything, maybe you might see how they use their theme to tell a story and maybe it'll give you ideas, who know :) Awesome video!

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

Quack! Glad to see other Quackalope followers caught one of my videos! Thanks for the suggestion, Joash. You're right, Parks is definitely up my ally regarding its brand of nature, wilderness, and trekking. I haven't played it, but I'll be looking into it more from this reminder. Thanks for the support!

[@NatanelApfel]

Quack. Great video & production quality! :) Im excited to see more of your fascinating journey with this game. Although most of these are "epic fantasy adventures" I recommend you check out Near and Far, 7th Continent, Vindication and The Lost Expedition. A digital game that sounds very much on this idea is Curious Expedition, which I also highly recommend! :)

[@Quackalope]

7th con was my thought. It has that feeling on a massive scale - I would like to see it brought down the elements he talked about.

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

Quack! Glad to see other Quackalope followers caught one of my videos! Thanks for the suggestions, Natanel. 7th Continent has definitely been on my radar. Maybe I need to aim for similar exploration elements just with a hex grid map. Good recommendations!

[@NatanelApfel]

@@NewBoardGameDesign Curious Expedition, although a video game, ticks almost all the boxes you mentioned. So definitely check that one out! :)

[@SurvivorFSX]

Hi, I can't wait for the end of this process. I want to see the full brain work and I have to say that I am loving every bit of your thoughts. I am also on a very similar project. After more than 40 years designing and creating games just for fun, now that I'm getting quite old, I decided to make the game of my life. The most important part of my career has to be a very original and powerful game, a game that you want to play every day, like a real mission. Every believer says "I have a mission on earth, that's my purpose." Well, in my game, you're the Believer! Hope that we'll talk more about our goals. Keep streaming, I'll be watching you...

[@nrginsanity3368]

I am working on a board game which sort of mixes the feeling and mechanics of games like chess and risk, to turn into a tile based territorial game. Basically I want it to be chess, but with the same territorial and world power-based mechanisms in Risk to form the definition of what my game could become in the future. I want it to be fantasy based, but with less wizards and Skyrim (and other based games), and with more of the gore of the great war. What I mean by "fantasy" is huge machine guns and robots, but still with the rusty and old fashioned style of world war one and two, for this I also use games like Wolfenstein for inspiration. I try my hardest to keep it thrilling and to keep the players uncomfortable and nervous, but during playtesting almost all (nearly 20) of my play testers were always confident and chill, there was no sense of being alerted of an enemy taking revenge at anytime, or there was no sense of danger when someone attacked, got a good move, or debunked the opponent's battle-plan. If you can help, that would be great, but overall, I have a tad bit of a bitter taste that it is something about the play testers. Anyways, again, I am waiting for the reply, I am looking forward to how you respond or what advice you give me.

[@josedariothenmarinez8646]

Thx for the information, and i think Tokaido is a good game to look for ideas

[@crisalvarez2448]

Good info. I shared this on my fb page Full Contact Nerd and also will in my newsletter

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

Wow, thanks so much Cris! The support is MUCH appreciated!

[@crisalvarez2448]

@@NewBoardGameDesign Sure thing. If I find a link where I learn something new in this field, I share it.

[@ScytheNoire]

I tend to think theme is the best starting point. Perhaps that is more of a western culture thing, as sometimes it seems many euro games could have just about any theme. I know for myself, and the few design ideas I'm working on, I started with theme, then thought about what mechanics and play area would fit that theme. I think that makes a more satisfying design. Sometimes I get ideas, I like to try to think of lesser used themes (we don't need another train or pirate game), but can't figure out the mechanics to make it work (yet). As for your design, a few ideas, or questions to consider. Is there a real world place you would like to base your theme on? A 20-something hiking across Europe? Walkabout in the Australian outback? Trekking the Rockies or Appalachian trail? Is there a start and end? A goal? A character with a purpose? And what about time period? Should it be set in the past, a time before man had explored almost everywhere? Or should it be the future, post-apocalyptic where a pandemic has wiped out 95% of the population and you are trying to get to a beacon location that claims to be a safe haven? I guess I'm just getting that there is a lot of themes that could have exploration. Settling on the story, the purpose, behind it would be valuable.

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

Very good thoughts here. I do have a theme/atmosphere I’m aiming for, but still very open to aspects to make the game more unique and curious. I did already imagine the setting of the game being similar to what you said - young adults with separate reasons for going on an adventure in the wild. Maybe players get to choose those reasons at the beginning of the game as “goals” they’re trying to accomplish. If the player can find what they were looking for (physically/mentally) from the outdoor adventures, then they’ve done it. They win!! We’ll see...

[@calboy2]

You probably know the game parks from key master games, that was the theme that first popped into my head when watching your video

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

Yes, I know about this game, but have never played it. I plan to mention it in my next video to pay it proper respect.

[@TheMagzim]

Love this format. Nice job. I would recommend checking out Archipelago. Hexes are great, they're a goldmine for creating mechanics. But I wouldn't focus too much on them for theme development or gameplay experience. The 'emotion' of exploration has more to do with the content of a hex (the meaning or value it has during gameplay) than the interesting placement puzzle.

[@jeromedemeyere1002]

Antihexer.

[@TheMagzim]

@@jeromedemeyere1002 Pff. Hexhugger

[@gieledelatourette]

+1 for Archipelago!

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

Thanks for suggestion, Mazime! Yea you're right, hexes are a goldmine for mechanics. But I also think your warning to not let them restrict my theme development is a wise reminder. Maybe I'll mention this in my next video ;)

[@ChrisBacke]

Yo - So I'm over at entrogames.com - a lot of stuff is online there. As a traveler / digital nomad, things are... weird... right now. So something that's both A: escapist but also B: based on a real-world place is definitely fun. I'm working on something along those lines, where the player is spending money / energy to travel around a real-world representation of a city to score points... For you, I'd encourage you to think about a *vehicle*. Get off the hiking trail. Maybe a bike trail. A snowmobile, perhaps, or a swamp buggy. Whatever you're doing out here will probably require some sort of vehicle to reach...

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

Interesting suggestion, Chris! Thanks for posting. I agree, vehicles are a cool way to add variety to movement in a game. I made a note of your comment.

[@plasticalchemy8595]

Nice video, designing with authenticity at the heart is brilliant. "Design a feeling"

[@jamafricareggae8942]

Thanks for sharing, amazing and inspiring job. I'd love to see your game Finished!

[@edmundengland]

Lovely camera and edit job!

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

Thanks so much!

[@Adrien.Y]

Great Shaiza yo GG

[@TomasCordilheira]

Hey mate, you clearly worked with video production before, your storytelling structure, your camera framing, your lighting, your editing, it's pretty clear that you did a ton of work to make this video seems effortless, and that's the magic of movies. Really glad to bump into your content, I think I saw on the BGDL community. I am definitely going to use this videos as inspirations to make my own devlogs. Good luck on your journey! Would love to help you but my content is all in Portuguese.

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

Tomas, thanks for the kind comment! I’m doing my best! Yea, I’m trying real hard to make designing a board seen cool and engaging. I’ve noticed that board game video content on KZbin has a long way to go reach the production quality of other online followings, but I’m adding my contribution one video at a time. I realize the language barrier is tough, but keep me in mind for future stuff. I’m sure there’s creative ways we could collaborate!

[@coltoncarr7169]

Just started the idea of making a game based on themes from Mr Robot. LOVE your exploration idea game. Can’t wait to follow you on this journey and play your game soon!

[@matheusrevez]

You should check Wingspan. It's a engine building game, but the nature/bird theme is really connected with all the mechanisms in the game.

[@KelniusTV]

You ask about the games we're currently making. Well, I'm not a game designer I'm a writer, and I made the game for a horror story. I had a lot of fun making it, but it's not actually fun or playable. So, I wanted to see if I could make a game that's actually playable... Thus far, I'm considering "Murder Mystery" ideas. I love Cluedo, but I don't think it's the best detective game... I would love to make a better murder mystery game.

[@BeingFriends]

I’m curious to hear what you’re wanting the main goal of the game to be!! Is the game coop, solo, or competitive? or somewhere in between? I love the idea of the game being more about “the innocence of climbing a tree.” I seriously think you should dive head first into that sort of emotion! Anyways! I’d love to talk through anything and everything about your game man. like I said in the comments of your previous video, game design is my all time favorite thing.

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

Thanks for the comment! My game will be competitive, but mainly about setting individual players goals at the beginning of the game for players to eventually accomplish. If a player meets all their goals, they win! Something like that. Hopefully I can explain more in my next video ;)

[@BeingFriends]

NewBoardGameDesign sounds sweet! yep i just saw your new video and i’m a fan of the idea. i’m excited to see how that idea develops!!

[@KC2Sunshine]

Have you ever played "1001 tales of the arabian nights?" It's a fun game where you are roaming around a board trying to complete quests. but they have a mechanic where you draw a card, and depending on what terrain type you are in determines what you are going to encounter and that will help determine how you react to it! How you react to it, determines what story you are going to read. I've played that game dozens of times but it feels like every play, I'm discovering something new! As for board game design, I'm working on a storm chasing board game where you chase tornados to complete asymmetric goals (depending on who you are playing as). I just discovered your channel and can't wait to see more!

[@jadam42]

That sounds like a cool theme for a game!

[@Johannes_W]

What I find very interesting is that you somewhat take it for granted to start with a theme. From what I learned from especially German board game designers is that they barely bother about a theme as the publishers usually imprint it later on. So they say one should totally focus on mechanisms without restricting in in advance because it has to make sense with the theme. The only designer who starts with the theme that I certainly know of is Vital Lacerda. And it is great in a way, but I am not sure if it is the best idea to do exactly that with your very first design? Or I am not sure, because I also started with a few themes already and I am not sure where it is going 😀 So, what I hear from you sounds also a bit like 7th Continent in a way. But you want to avoid the predetermination of the story and the complexity. This means in my head at this very point that you other go down a legacy path (which I don't think you want either) or the exploration "surprise" has to come through a huge number of combination versatility?! I guess I will just continue watching and see what happens! :-)

[@sboyd100973]

Remember being a kid and roaming the neighborhood on your bike or on foot with your best friend? Or did you ever run away from home, and climb a tree to hide from your parents? Maybe these are not the roaming landscapes you are envisioning, but just adding to your brainstorm. Your “world” does not have to be huge.

[@stephendefalco5081]

sboyd100973 a new(er) show on Cartoon Network called Craig of the Creek would be a great visual example of what you’re describing 😃

[@lambxxjm]

Fitting with your discovery Indiana Jones approach what about the Western legends like lost Aztec treasure or the lost Dutchman mine or some other historically significant find?

[@BillyIndiana]

I'm very excited to follow your creative adventure in designing & developing this board game. Found your channel from the Quakalope reference. I love exploration & adventure based games, so can't wait to see what develops for you.

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

Thanks Billy! I'm fortunate you found the channel through Quackalope. I hope to keep making content our community can enjoy!

[@rebekaersek5324]

You could say it's a *hexploration* game

[@SuddenlyUpsidedown]

From the rough sketches there it looks like you're already thinking on concepts of a kind of deep wilderness exploration/survival sort of thing, so I wanted to toss in something a little different to give you a parallel track to think on: Concept - A group of kids have for the first time been given permission to head unsupervised into the large woods behind the house. It's the group's purpose to find the best place to put their fort and find as much cool stuff to put in it as they can. Certain explored tiles/spots could trigger events to help build a narrative. Semi-cooperative, as you have to get the fort built before everyone has to go home, but you still want to be the one that contributes the most/coolest discovered items. To Chris Backe, regarding city exploration, consider: the players are tourists staying at the same hostel (or the like), in this new city for only a certain number of days. On your own, you can only get so far in a day (movement) or do so many things (energy). After discovering something, you place a token representation of it on the map. You get a small bonus for being the first person to uncover it, but then you also get a bonus if anyone else visits there (justification being they're there on your recommendation). Other players might be incentivized to use the locations you uncovered because it helps them in some way, E.G. maybe you found an excellent restaurant, and by going there they can recover energy. In regards to exploration style games to look into, I've not played many in the board game arena. However there is are two video game that could be worth your time. Sunless Sea and its sequel Sunless Sky are exploration/trading games with a heavy focus on story and discovering new things.

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

WOW! This is exactly why I ask for ideas in the comments! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!, Joshua! I love the theme about kids exploring the "reaches" of their backyard. I've already played with the theme idea that my exploration game starts out very reality-based (where the mountain landscape includes what you would expect - trees, animals, sights to see) but the game becomes "adventurous" once the character start coming across items/locations that blend reality with the fantasy (non-fiction versus fiction). Kinda like the kids' imaginations coming true. Idk, I'll keep workin messing with it. Just fun to think about! Thanks again for the ideas!

[@robertdahlberg1335]

I would recommend checking out the map portion of the Hexploreit series. Obviously their theme is different, but there are aspects of the way they use a hex based map with hidden regions etc that i think you would find intriguing and may help you.

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

Great tip. Thanks so much!

[@TylerAndToast]

Im working on a game this makes me want to post videos about it

[@jnewman12777]

Keep the videos coming! I'm interested to watch the rest of your content but I'm going to be out of videos soon! I've done a couple little iPhone games and I've recently been drawn into the board game world and I'm working on a little card game of my own (think Indiana Jones style boulder-escape deckbuilder). I thought it was cool that you mentioned "designing for a feeling" and I think it's very important to "bottle up" what makes you so excited about a game design in it's infant stages and write that down so you don't lose sight of it as you start making the tough design decisions later on... If you haven't checked out Game Maker's Toolkit, you should. Mark Brown does some incredible analysis on video games but a lot of it is very relevant to all game design.

[@Wolcik3000]

you haven't played the game but you have an opinion - internet at its best

[@jeromedemeyere1002]

Take a look at 7th continent. I liked it but could use a non fantasy/HPLovecraft setting.

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

Your Game Is Garbage Yea, good suggestion. I’m familiar with 7th Continent, but have never played. Watched plenty of videos on it so I know there’s something really unique about its tile and card systems. I will do more research on this game to see exactly what could fit mine.

[@Jaspovideos]

Quack! Nice videos, great start to a channel! I'm Jaspo on Discord, and I'm getting close to Kickstarter with my first game, Looters of the Labyrinth. Pm me if you want to talk about my game's design process or play it on the Quackalope server...if you have a digital and somewhat playable version of your current work I'd certainly be interested in playtesting that as well!

[@derekfrostbeard6419]

0:00 Why does the way you say that make me think you are announcing you are having a kid?

[@eliashartmark1522]

Glad to me here because of quackalope

[@NewBoardGameDesign]

Quack!