Like discussed in those threads
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/article/11106688#11106688
http://www.bgdf.com/node/7707#comment-28163
I have attempted last night to make a toy play session which consist in playing a game without rules like if it was a toy to explore how the game could be implemented. I was designing an adventure game, so I took components from arkham horror and Dungeonquest for the test.
Which made me think that if I use that kind of method more other in the future, instead of borrowing components from other game, I could use some generic toys like Hero, buildings, events, that could be commonly used in many game ideas.
The playtest notes can be found here:
http://bgd.lariennalibrary.com/uploads/Mainsite/GameIdea/GameIdea2010041...
It should give you an idea of what I decided to note down. Else here is a picture of the playtest:
http://bgd.lariennalibrary.com/uploads/Mainsite/GameIdea/GameIdea2010041...
If you have any questions or comments on the process, let me know.
Mirror threads
Yes you could go progressively, but I try toy play for somehow the expansion phase of the game. I want to dream and see what are all the possible things I would like to happen in my game, at least to know the maximum size of the game, and then during the contraction phase, cut the fat out of it.
Sure, new ideas could come out with time one the design is launched. And when I made this playtest, I already new a few things about the game. Still, it gives a different point of view on the game than just the mechanic part. It's also useful to realise the amount of components you'll need for your game.
I will eventually make a test for my "Master of magic" board game idea to know up to where I can expand the game and to know things players would expect to do.
It the end, it is a kind of brainstorming method, so playing with other players with the same open mind could bring in new ideas.
It's a method I would like to further explore and improve. If it can make the first part of design easier than that's fine with me.