Lately, I have been going on some completely unnecessary, but fun, side quests in my game design.
I know that the art is the least important part of a prototype considering the publisher will (most likely) change it all anyway if the game gets picked up. The focus should be on the gameplay and making sure the systems work and the game is engaging.
Clipart is perfectly fine, or even leaving blank spaces for where future art could go (like I am doing in my game The Empress).
But, for my game Snack Run, I have been having a great time making the art for the icons on the cards and the player board, knowing full well my drawings would most likely not be used in the final game if it gets picked up by a publisher.
But, I’m doing it anyway. Because it brings me joy. And at the end of the day, isn’t that why we’re making games in the first place?
I am, however, giving myself some parameters:
I set a timer whenever I do these drawings, to make sure I am not spending TOO much time on these side quests
I am only making four icons that are used for the backs and fronts of the cards as well as a couple scenes for the player board
I am also promising myself to not get too attached to any of this art and to not keep an element in the game that isn’t working just because I want to keep the art I made for it
I’m not making individual art for 100’s of cards. It is a limited number of drawings which I think is why I decided to have some fun with the art in this prototype specifically. It also helps that the subject matter (snacks) is fairly easy to draw.
So, while I know that the art I made for this game will almost certainly not be used in the final game, that doesn’t take away from the fun I had making it. And as long as my focus is still on the gameplay, I think I will continue to go on a few random side quests for games that require a few icons that I could draw.
Many designers talk about “finding the fun” in their games and then focusing on those aspects of the gameplay. But doing these completely unnecessary, but fun, drawings for one of my games got me thinking about that phrase and how it can apply to the actual design process as well.
What aspects of board game design give you the most enjoyment?
Here are some things that bring me joy when making a game:
the social aspect of spending time with family and friends (and strangers)
the pride/excitement I feel when things start to finally click
getting good at using different programs to make digital prototypes (like Dextrous and Tabletopia)
getting inspired and energized by other designers and our shared passion for making games (this is especially true when attending playtesting conventions, I always leave on such a high!)
occasionally making art for my prototypes (that only need a few icons or drawings)
So, I’d like to know, what aspects of board game design is the most fun for you?
That’s all for now, I hope you have a great week!
Thanks and speak soon.
Your pen pal,
Pam
PS: Book a free 10 minute session or a paid 45 minute session with me: https://calendly.com/pwgamedesign
You can become a paid subscriber or buy me a coffee :) Thank you!
💜 Thank you to the paid subscribers of this newsletter: William, Gareth, Corcaigh, Bret, Jamiano and vmmalvaiz
Flip letters to find hidden words and climb up the monthly and all time leaderboards.
Play at www.leterflip.com and follow on Instagram for daily puzzle solve videos
Become a member to watch my videos early and ad free!
✨I also host co-working streams every Tuesday! I work on these newsletters during those streams, so I might still be streaming RIGHT NOW! Check it out on Youtube or Twitch ✨
I send a full digest of publishers accepting submissions to my Youtube members via Discord and to my paid subscribers in a separate newsletter. Become a paid subscriber or Youtube member to receive the full list. In this newsletter, I will highlight one publisher a week.
AEG has a very helpful Design Portal with a ton of resources and tips for designers to follow when submitting a game to them.
Notable games: Cascadia, Let’s Go to Japan, Fit to Print
They are looking for:
Party games
Card games (both contained and expandable)
Tableau / Engine-Building Games
Pattern-Building Puzzle Games
Family Weight Euro Style Games
Push-Your-Luck Games
Authentically Themed Games
Protospiel Kansas City June 12-13, 2026 | Lee’s Summit, MO, USA
Origins June 17-21, 2026 | Columbus, OH, USA
Game Con Canada June 19-21, 2026 | Edmonton, AB, Canada
In person pitch: June 25, 2026 | London, UK
Virtual pitch: July 14-16, 2026
Protospiel North June 26-28, 2026 | Toronto, ON, CA
Want to see MORE events and view them in calendar format?
Join my membership program to get access to my Board Game Designer Google Calendar that I am always updating!
Job opportunities in the board games industry:
Contests:
Chat with other designers:
Playtest with other designers:
Become a member to playtest with me and other members
Break My Game in person and online playtest opportunities
Virtual Playtesting Discord Server
Designers should play as many board games as possible and Board Game Arena is a great way to do that. Play board games online with friends or gamers around the world! Not a member yet? Use my referral link to join for free!
I hope you have a great week and best of luck with your designs.
Until next week,
Pam
PS: You can view past newsletters here.
No generative AI was used in the creation of this newsletter.
No posts
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.