Designing GAMES
Presented by Gina Manola
Owner, CALICO, LLC
Designing
GAMES
You’ve come up with
a great game idea
Now it’s time to
make it real.
Where do you
begin?
Do you want to create a
board game?
If so, what shape?
• Square
• Rectangle
• Circle
• Other
(Keep in mind that manufacturing costs play a role in shape of a game board.
The more unique the shape, the more costly it may be).
out the board games that you have around the house and visit your
Tip: Check
local toy store to see what sizes are used. Also take note on how the boards
fold and fit into the box. If you find a shape you like, you can use that as
your template for your game board.
Example: Rectangle (meandering path through landscape)
Example: Rectangle (grid of circles)
Example: Square (path along perimeter of gameboard)
Example: Square (meandering path within square)
Example: Round (organized star shape indentations and stacked circles)
Example: Cirlce within a Square/Rectangle
(circular path within a rectangle and square)
Example: Multi-Player Game boards
Components
What components do you want to include?
• Spinner
• Pawns
• Timer
• Cards
• Dice
• Score Pads
• Other
(Keep in mind that manufacturing costs play a role in your selection of components.)
games, thrift stores, craft stores as well as many online vendors carry a
Tip: Old
variety of items that you can use for research for components your game.
Example: Board game components
Example: Board games with multiple components
Example: Board games with multiple components
Other Games
Don’t want to make a board game? There are lots of fun
games that don’t include a board at all.
• Dice Games
• Card Games
• Spinner Games
• Dimensional Games w/manipulatives
Example: Dice Games
Example: Card Games
Example: Spinner Games
Example: Dimensional Games w/manipulatives
Example: Dimensional Games w/manipulatives
Example: Dimensional Games w/manipulatives
Example: Active Games w/manipulatives
Example: Games w/electronics
Resources
Materials
Craft stores and thrift stores are great place
to pick up materials to use in making your
prototypes.
Resources
Materials
There are many online resources where you
can order parts or have a professional
prototype made of your game.
http://www.gameparts.net
http://www.boardgamedesign.com
http://www.rolcogames.com/
http://www.boardgamedesign.com
Resources
Books
This is a small selection. There are also specific books
on dice games and card games as well as many other
books on inventing and designing games.
Resources
Fairs
A great way to meet and talk with game inventors is
to visit the Chicago Toy & Game Fair.
Resources
Contests
The Young Inventor Challenge is a great opportunity to
test your inventing and design skills.
Visit http://chitag.businesscatalyst.com/yic.htm
Download a complete packet including step-by-step
instructions for creating your own toy or game.