How to Create Your Own Board Game?

Creating a board game is a dream that many enthusiasts have at some point. Whether you are a board game veteran or a beginner full of ideas, anyone can create their own game with a little creativity, perseverance and patience. In this article, we go over every step to turn your ideas into a real game that could become the next big hit!

1. Find a basic idea

It all starts with an idea. It can be a theme, a mechanic or even an emotion you want players to feel. For example, you might want to create a game where players explore a dungeon full of monsters, or a strategy game where they build a civilization.

How to find inspiration?

• Theme or mechanic? Some creators start with a theme: "I want to make a pirate game". Others start with a mechanic: "I'd like to make a game with dice and cards". Both approaches work.
• Get inspired by existing games: play games from different genres to see what you like. Do you enjoy management games like Agricola or bluffing games like The Resistance?
• Combine ideas: sometimes the best games come from mixing two existing concepts. You could combine deck-building with a science fiction theme, for example.

Creative tip

Keep a notebook to write down all your ideas, even the wildest ones. Sometimes a fairly ordinary idea turns into something brilliant after some thought.

2. Choose the game mechanics

Once you have a basic idea, it's time to think about the mechanics that will bring your game to life. Mechanics are the rules and systems that let players interact with the game. Here are a few popular mechanics:

• Worker placement (as in Agricola): players place their pieces on specific spots to collect resources or take actions. See our worker placement games
• Drafting (as in 7 Wonders): players pick cards or resources from a limited pool, competing with the other players.
• Hidden roles (as in Werewolves): each player has a secret identity, and the goal is to figure out who is who. See our bluffing games
• Deck-building: each player improves their deck of cards over the course of the game. See our deckbuilders
• Roll & Write: roll the dice and write your choices on a sheet. Perfect for a first prototype! See our Roll & Write games

Mechanics tip

Make sure the mechanic you choose fits the theme. If you are making a pirate game, combat or plundering mechanics may be a good fit. If you are creating a cooperative game, communication and coordination between players will be crucial.

3. Write the rules

The rules are the heart of any board game. They define how players interact with the game, what actions they can take and how they can win. Here is how to write clear, consistent rules:

• Goal of the game: start by clearly explaining the goal. Players should know from the start what they are trying to achieve, whether it's scoring the most points, eliminating all opponents or completing a mission.
• Player turn: describe what a player can do on their turn. Can they play a card, roll dice, move pieces?
• Victory conditions: explain how a player wins. Victory conditions must be clearly defined and achievable.

Writing tip

Keep the rules simple and concise. Read them several times and, above all, test them with other people to make sure they are easy to understand. The clearer, the better!

4. Build a prototype

Once you have an idea and basic rules, it's time to build a prototype. It doesn't need to be fancy at first. A sheet of paper, a few dice and homemade cards are enough. The goal is to test the mechanics and see if the game works.

What to include in your prototype?

• Game board (if needed)
• Cards (for actions, events or items). Card sleeves let you slip a piece of paper in front of an old card to make sturdy test cards.
• Pawns or figures (use pieces from existing games or simple objects like buttons)
• Dice or other random elements (if needed). We carry a wide choice of dice in every shape.

Prototype tip

Don't get too attached to your first prototype. It will almost certainly change a lot after several tests. Stay flexible and ready to change what doesn't work.

5. Test, test, test and test again

Playtesting is the most important step of the creative process. You will need to play your game over and over to make sure it is fun, balanced and easy to understand. Invite friends, family or even strangers to try your prototype.

You can also bring your prototype to ProtoFest, an annual event that brings board game designers together for a weekend of prototype testing between designers and interested players. It's a great way to get honest feedback and meet the local game design community.

What to check during testing

• Fun: are players having a good time? Are there boring moments where they wait with nothing to do?
• Balance: does one player or strategy always dominate? If so, some elements need adjusting.
• Understanding the rules: do players understand the rules easily, or do they ask a lot of questions?

Playtesting tip

Listen to criticism, even when it's hard to hear. Testing is there to improve the game, not to confirm you got it perfect from the start (which, spoiler, almost never happens).

6. Improve and refine

After each playtesting session, take the time to review the feedback and adjust the mechanics or rules. This step can take a long time, since every change needs a new test to make sure everything still works.

Common adjustments

• Shorten or lengthen the game.
• Add or remove rules to make the game flow better.
• Rebalance cards, characters or resources.

Join board game designer groups on social media to discuss your idea and get advice. Here are a few examples:

• Création de jeux de société (Québec)
• Créateurs et auto-éditeurs de jeux de société

7. Create the visual design

Once the mechanics and rules are solid, it's time to tackle the graphics. Design is crucial to attract players. Even a great game can go unnoticed if the visuals don't appeal.

What to consider?

• Illustrations: hire an illustrator or, if you are artistic, create your own. The style should match the theme of the game.
• Board and card layout: everything should be clear and easy to read. Good graphic design improves the experience by making information easy to find.
• Game box: the box is often the first thing people see. A great cover can make the difference for an impulse purchase.

Design tip

On a tight budget, start with free graphic resources available online, or look for a freelance illustrator on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.

8. Produce and distribute

When your game is polished and ready for the world, it's time to think about production. You have several options:

• Self-publishing: you handle production yourself, often through a printer. It gives you more control but requires a bigger upfront budget.
• Crowdfunding: platforms like Kickstarter or Gamefound are very popular for board games. They fund production by letting players pre-order the game before it is made.
• Publisher: you can also submit your game to board game publishers. If they like it, they take care of production and distribution.

Quebec publishers to know

Quebec is full of board game publishers who publish local designers. Here are a few, with their games available at our store:

• Le Scorpion Masqué
• Synapses Games
• Gladius
• Locomuse
• Unigoat Édition, the publisher of Coin Up
• G1iDGames
• Ruse Games
• Rock, Stone and Dice, the publisher of Gems of Iridescia

More local publishers are listed in the "Brands" menu of our site.

Production tip

If you self-publish, start with a small print run to test demand. There's no point printing 5,000 copies if you aren't sure you can sell them.

Prototype supplies at L'As des jeux

No need to make everything from scratch! At our Gatineau store, we have a large selection of assorted loose pieces to build your prototypes. Online, you will also find:

• Dice in every shape and colour
• Sleeves for your test cards
• Low-priced pre-played games, a goldmine of pieces and ideas

Conclusion

Creating a board game takes time, creativity and a lot of testing, but it's an incredibly rewarding adventure. Every step, from the first idea to production, is a chance to learn and refine your project. And who knows, your game might become a favourite in our store!

For inspiration, take a look at our new releases and our best sellers: you might find the next game that inspires you to create your own!