For Love of the Game
Casual Game Insider|Summer 2024
Philosophies of Game Design
Bayard Catron
For Love of the Game

In the past, I’ve mused in these pages about the intersection of games and philosophy from a player perspective. This time around, I’m delving into the mind of the game designer, in search of what makes them tick. Luckily, the timing worked out such that just before writing the article, I attended the 35th annual Gathering of Friends, a game convention founded by Alan R. Moon (Ticket to Ride) teeming with game designers of all stripes. I did not hesitate to grab the opportunity to get in my designer friends’ heads!

What got you into designing games? Where do you get your ideas?

Ideas can come from anywhere; so too can a game design, career, or pastime. The folks I talked to came to the world of design from many entry points. A common thread was simply a love of playing games. Family game nights were foundational for many. Frank DiLorenzo of R&R Games states, “I loved games and didn’t have money to buy them, so I started making them.” Elizabeth Hargrave (Wingspan, The Fox Experiment) was dissatisfied with the themes of the games she was playing and wondered what it would look like to play a game about something she really cared about: the natural world.

This story is from the Summer 2024 edition of Casual Game Insider.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the Summer 2024 edition of Casual Game Insider.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM CASUAL GAME INSIDERView All
GAME REVIEWS: SKYTEAM
Casual Game Insider

GAME REVIEWS: SKYTEAM

Mimicking the explosion of board game manufacturing and designs, the expansion of the content creator space has done its own Big Bang in the last decade.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Summer 2024
Finding a Unique Board Gaming Niche
Casual Game Insider

Finding a Unique Board Gaming Niche

Mimicking the explosion of board game manufacturing and designs, the expansion of the content creator space has done its own Big Bang in the last decade.

time-read
6 mins  |
Summer 2024
Checking Out the Fun
Casual Game Insider

Checking Out the Fun

Borrow. Play & Build Community with a Board Game Library

time-read
7 mins  |
Summer 2024
Bringing the Heart with Board Games
Casual Game Insider

Bringing the Heart with Board Games

Whether you are going out for a family camping trip or eagerly awaiting the next big blockbuster, these new casual games offer a little something for anyone! So, grab your strongest SPF, a favorite refreshing beverage, and dive into the waves of new titles this summer.

time-read
5 mins  |
Summer 2024
For Love of the Game
Casual Game Insider

For Love of the Game

Philosophies of Game Design

time-read
6 mins  |
Summer 2024
REDUCE, REUSE, REPLAY: THE HIDDEN TREASURE OF GAME THRIFTING INT
Casual Game Insider

REDUCE, REUSE, REPLAY: THE HIDDEN TREASURE OF GAME THRIFTING INT

With almost 3,000 new tabletop games released every year, it's easy to get a little fear of missing out (FOMO).

time-read
7 mins  |
Summer 2024
Rebel PRINCESS DELUXE EDITION
Casual Game Insider

Rebel PRINCESS DELUXE EDITION

Developing a Modern Classic

time-read
3 mins  |
Summer 2024
GAME REVIEWS
Casual Game Insider

GAME REVIEWS

This little card game takes only a couple of minutes to teach, but is surprisingly engaging and full of fun.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Summer 2023
Fun Is No Mystery with: Scorpion masqué
Casual Game Insider

Fun Is No Mystery with: Scorpion masqué

Scorpion Masqué is a Montreal-based board game publisher founded in 2006 by former literature teacher and game enthusiast Christian Lemay

time-read
6 mins  |
Summer 2023
PAGE TURNERS: Games Unfurl Their Majestic Pages
Casual Game Insider

PAGE TURNERS: Games Unfurl Their Majestic Pages

Have you picked up a good book lately? Perhaps you've struggled to find inspirational reading material

time-read
5 mins  |
Summer 2023