Bring Your Game Ideas to Life
Transform your concepts into engaging tabletop experiences that players will want to explore, share, and return to again and again
Back to HomeWhat This Workshop Offers You
This workshop provides you with the skills and confidence to develop board games from initial concept through to publication-ready prototypes. You'll gain practical experience in mechanics design, component creation, and playtesting methodologies.
Clear Design Framework
Learn structured approaches to game design that help you make informed decisions about mechanics, theme integration, and player engagement. You'll understand how successful games balance challenge, strategy, and enjoyment.
Hands-On Development
Create actual game prototypes throughout the workshop. You'll work with different mechanics, test your ideas with real players, and refine your designs based on meaningful feedback.
Publishing Pathways
Understand your options for bringing games to market, from traditional publishing to crowdfunding campaigns. You'll learn how to prepare pitch materials and connect with potential publishers.
Designer Community
Connect with fellow game creators who share your interests. The workshop environment encourages collaboration, feedback exchange, and building relationships that extend beyond the classroom.
You'll leave this workshop with practical skills, working prototypes, and a clear understanding of how to continue developing your game design projects with confidence and direction.
The Challenges You May Be Facing
Many aspiring game designers encounter similar obstacles when working to bring their ideas to life. These challenges are understandable and can be addressed with the right guidance and support.
Translating Ideas Into Playable Systems
You have interesting gameplay concepts in mind, but figuring out which mechanics will work together effectively feels unclear. Balancing complexity with accessibility, or knowing which components serve your game's goals, can be challenging to determine on your own.
Uncertainty About Testing Approaches
Playtesting seems important, but you're not sure how to organize sessions, what feedback to gather, or how to interpret the responses you receive. The process of iterating based on testing can feel overwhelming without clear guidance.
Navigating the Path to Publication
The route from prototype to published game appears complex and filled with unfamiliar requirements. Understanding publisher expectations, crowdfunding preparation, or manufacturing considerations involves learning about aspects of game design you haven't yet explored.
Working Without Collaborative Feedback
Developing games in isolation means missing out on the valuable perspectives that come from other designers, playtesters, and people who understand the creative process. Having a community to share ideas with and learn from can make a meaningful difference.
These experiences are common among game designers at various stages of their journey. With structured learning and supportive guidance, you can develop the skills and confidence to address these challenges effectively.
Our Approach to Board Game Design
This workshop takes you through a comprehensive learning process that addresses each aspect of game design systematically. You'll gain both theoretical understanding and practical experience in creating board games.
Mechanics and Systems Design
Learn how different game mechanics work together to create engaging experiences. We explore resource management, player interaction, progression systems, and strategic decision-making. You'll understand how to select and combine mechanics that serve your game's goals.
Theme Integration
Discover how to weave theme and mechanics together so they support each other naturally. You'll see how successful games create cohesive experiences where the theme enhances gameplay and the mechanics reinforce the narrative.
Component Development
Work with different game components including cards, boards, tokens, and dice. You'll learn practical prototyping techniques and understand how component quality affects the player experience.
Playtesting Methodology
Develop structured approaches to testing your games. You'll learn how to organize playtesting sessions, ask productive questions, and interpret feedback in ways that lead to meaningful improvements.
Balance and Refinement
Understand the mathematics behind game balance and how to adjust your designs for optimal player experiences. You'll work with probability, resource curves, and difficulty scaling.
Publisher Relations
Learn what publishers look for in game submissions and how to present your work effectively. You'll explore different publishing routes and understand the considerations involved in each path.
The Learning Process
Throughout the workshop, you'll work on actual game projects that progress from initial concepts to polished prototypes. Each session builds on previous learning, giving you time to apply concepts and receive feedback.
Foundation
Learn core principles and design frameworks
Application
Create prototypes and test your designs
Refinement
Polish your work for presentation
What Your Workshop Experience Looks Like
The workshop provides a supportive environment where you can explore game design concepts, experiment with different approaches, and develop your skills at your own pace.
Weekly Sessions
Each session focuses on specific aspects of game design, combining instruction with hands-on work. You'll have time to ask questions, work on your projects, and receive guidance from instructors who understand the creative process.
Sessions are structured to balance learning new concepts with applying them to your designs. You'll see how theory translates into practice through demonstrations, examples from published games, and your own project work.
Practical Project Work
Throughout the workshop, you'll develop your own board game from concept to prototype. This hands-on approach means you're not just learning about game design in theory, but actively creating and refining a playable game.
You'll have opportunities to playtest your designs with other workshop participants, gather feedback, and iterate on your ideas. This process helps you understand what works well and what aspects of your design might benefit from adjustment.
Community and Feedback
The workshop brings together people who share an interest in game design, creating opportunities for collaboration and mutual support. You'll exchange ideas with fellow designers, offer feedback on each other's work, and build connections in the tabletop gaming community.
Instructors provide guidance tailored to your specific projects and design goals. Whether you're working on a family-friendly game, a strategic euro-style experience, or an innovative party game, you'll receive relevant feedback and suggestions.
Skill Development Timeline
The workshop progresses at a pace that allows you to absorb concepts and practice new skills. Early sessions establish foundational knowledge, while later sessions explore more advanced topics like balance mathematics and publisher pitching. You'll see your capabilities develop as you work through the program.
Workshop Investment
Complete Board Game Design Workshop
What's Included
- Comprehensive curriculum covering all aspects of board game design
- Hands-on project development with personalized feedback
- Playtesting sessions with experienced designers and fellow students
- Prototyping materials and resources for game development
- Access to design resources, templates, and reference materials
Value Beyond the Workshop
- Skills you can apply to multiple game design projects
- Connections with fellow designers and industry contacts
- Working prototype ready for further development or pitching
- Understanding of publishing pathways and market considerations
- Confidence to continue developing your design practice
This investment supports your development as a game designer, providing you with knowledge, skills, and connections that extend well beyond the workshop duration.
How the Workshop Supports Your Progress
Structured Learning Framework
The workshop curriculum has been developed through years of teaching experience and refined based on student feedback. Each session builds logically on previous learning, helping you develop a comprehensive understanding of game design.
You'll work with proven design principles that successful games have demonstrated, while also exploring innovative approaches that can make your work distinctive.
Practical Application Focus
Rather than just learning theory, you'll immediately apply concepts to your own projects. This hands-on approach helps you understand how design principles work in practice and gives you experience troubleshooting challenges that arise during development.
The workshop environment provides a safe space to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from the iterative design process.
Progress Tracking
Throughout the workshop, you'll see tangible evidence of your developing skills as your game prototypes evolve from rough concepts to polished experiences. Instructors provide regular feedback that helps you recognize your progress and identify areas for continued growth.
Realistic Timeline
The workshop spans multiple weeks, giving you adequate time to absorb concepts, work on your projects between sessions, and develop your designs thoughtfully. This pacing supports meaningful learning rather than rushing through material.
What You Can Expect to Achieve
By the end of the workshop, you'll have developed a working board game prototype that incorporates balanced mechanics, cohesive theme integration, and player engagement elements. You'll understand how to continue refining your design and have clarity about potential paths to publication.
More importantly, you'll have gained confidence in your ability to design games and a framework for continuing your development as a creator. The skills and connections you build during the workshop provide a foundation for your ongoing journey in game design.
Our Commitment to Your Experience
We're dedicated to providing you with a supportive learning environment where you can develop your game design skills with confidence. Your experience in the workshop matters to us.
Quality Instruction
Our instructors bring experience in game design, publishing, and education. They're committed to helping you understand concepts clearly and providing guidance that addresses your specific project needs.
Responsive Support
If you have questions or encounter challenges during the workshop, instructors are available to provide assistance. We want you to feel supported throughout your learning journey.
Clear Expectations
We provide transparent information about what the workshop covers, the time commitment involved, and what you can expect to learn. This helps you make an informed decision about participation.
Initial Consultation
Before enrolling, you're welcome to connect with us to discuss your design goals and ensure the workshop aligns with what you're looking to achieve.
We understand that choosing a learning program involves consideration. We encourage you to reach out with any questions about the workshop content, structure, or whether it's the right fit for your current goals.
Taking the Next Step
Starting your board game design journey is straightforward. Here's how to get involved with the workshop.
Get In Touch
Reach out through our contact form to express your interest in the Board Game Design Workshop. Let us know about your design goals and any questions you have.
Discuss Details
We'll connect with you to provide more information about the workshop, answer your questions, and ensure it aligns with what you're looking to learn.
Begin Learning
Once enrolled, you'll receive information about session schedules, materials needed, and how to prepare for the first meeting. Then your design journey begins.
What Happens After You Contact Us
After receiving your message, we'll reach out within a few days to discuss your interest in the workshop. This conversation helps us understand your background, design interests, and learning goals.
We'll provide detailed information about the workshop structure, upcoming session dates, and answer any questions you have about the program. There's no obligation in this initial conversation, it's simply an opportunity to learn more.
If you decide the workshop is right for you, we'll guide you through the enrollment process and provide everything you need to prepare for the first session.
Ready to start developing your board game design skills?
Begin Your Game Design Journey
Connect with us to learn more about the Board Game Design Workshop and how it can support your creative goals. We're here to answer your questions and help you determine if this workshop is the right fit for you.
Contact Us TodayExplore Other Course Options
Interested in different aspects of tabletop game design? We also offer specialized workshops in card game development and tabletop RPG creation.