Pillars of Game Development

Part of Board Game Design

## Introduction

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These are considered to be the essentials of board game design.

## The Pillars

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* Parsimony \- a game should be no more complex than it has to be

* Excitement \- there should be some inherent interest and excitement throughout the game

* Theme-Mechanic Balance \- the mechanic and theme should work together harmoniously

* Perfect Potential \- at the start, any player should be able to win the game

* Simplicity \- while the concept can be complex, the language of the rules should be very simple and straightforward

* Replayability \- players should not experience the same game twice

* Beauty \- a finished game should have a good look and feel

Much of a game lies in its beauty. Playing a game is an aesthetic experience - just like art, even if different - and it is propelled by our desire of beauty, expressed in the form of fun.

The "toys" should be therefore nice and adequate to the theme: we all know the difference between playing with plastic vs. metal car models or plastic vs. tissue dolls.

* Player Control \- chance should only be used where it adds to the game