What makes a good rulebook?

I agree. The way I have approached designing the game was after writing down a lotta notes (and having an idea for this game for the last six years or so...) was to break the game into sections (as if I was writing the rulebook) and then write up each section, developing the rules system and mechanics as I went along, making change to things I had previously written as they came up. Now it is a a matter of putting each of these sections in order, and then trimming them all down to that they make sense. A part of this is getting away from having to have the same (or simliar) information in more than one place, but at the same time having it in a logical place so that I don't have to write 'see below' etc...

Rulebooks tend to either have the winning conditions right atthe start, or right at the end. Thinking about it more, it does kinda make sense to have them atthe start, so that when going through the rules, players have a good sense of what they are trying to achieve. But I do think it depends on the type of game.

Interesting bringing up the point about explaining games to people orally as well, as I usually find most games are taught by one person reading up on the rules and then explaining them to the group. I think that if the rules are written well, and within a clear logical structure, then it makes it a lot easier to teach people the guts of the game swiftly and in the right way, i.e. A then B then C etc.

Yep, I agree. I also think it helps if the designer 'knows' their game well, in that they know the core aspects of the game that players really need to grasp to play correctly so that they may then focus on the 'special fluff' later. Thus if they understand the core mechanics well, then they can better understand how to utilise the special fluff as effective strategies. For example in the game I am working on there are a lot of special Abilities that players will be able to build up, gather and use. The core mechanics of the game should work without them, but by using these well, I want my players to be able to immerse themselves in the game, get a real feel for the theme and an attachment to their position - each player having a different role, strengths and weaknesses and playing style. But only by understanding how the game essentially flows (gaining/spending resources, where and when they can do certain things during the turn) will player be able to really utilise their special abilities well.

Heh heh, maybe Mare Nostrum wasn't the best example for me :wink: but yes, I totally agree. I think it will be a tricky balance making sure everything that needs to get explained is covered, but in a clear and concise manner that won't cause confusion. I'm kinda looking forward to being able to edit and cut my ruleset down, which is a good sign I reckon :wink: partly because, as you say, if a rule is difficult to explain, then there may be a deeper underlying problem that must first be addressed.

And yeah, for me anyway, writing the rulebook throughout the design process is very important. I see any game I design as being very strong thematic-wise, so the theme should show in every aspect of the design process. I always think back to the 'game-world' I am creating and asking myself how things should happen in that world, thinking how I want the players to 'feel' when playing the game...

No. An excellent rulebook is one you only need to read once ;-))

I agree. It is fine to read a RPG rulebook over and over, as they usually have (well, need to really...) lots of background and useful material. And you can do this in your spare time. But a Boardgame rulebook should ideally be readable once, with anything you need to refer to during the game on player handouts or a reference sheet.

A rulebook that contains brief examples of play that you can read in one sitting and then get stuck into the game without having to refer to it again would be perfect :wink:

Plus, ideally, the game itself should be able to 'teach' you how to play it. i.e. after reading the rules and playing out one turn, that first turn should make a helluva lotta sense and the next turn should feel as if it was a natural progression from the first...

Ah for the day when we can just plug a chip into the back of our necks and download the rules directly to our brain and begin playing... But by then Boardgames (as we know them...) will well be a novelty of the past :wink:

I agree that examples of play help extremely. If each turn is fairly short, then a simulated turn is the most effective way of explaining how it all works.

Different types of games, of different lengths/complexity benefit from different types of rulebooks and styles of explanation methinks.

He heh... The network/internet was down at work this morning, so looking for something to read to pass the time I cam across the MRIPE (Magic Realm In Plan English) rules I had saved a while ago. I have now waded my way through three sets of rules for the game - the Original, the 3rd Edition, and the MRIPE edition. It is amazing how different they are in reading. The Original rules are a nightmare, The 3rd Edition are better, but still maddening if you are a newbie. But the MRIPE rules, man, everything starts to click into place! The actual rules are not different from the 3rd Edition (which Are different/updated from the Original rules) but they are explained and outlined So much clearer. Though I have yet to play a game, with the new rules at my side I am sure it should make a lot of sense ;)

But, the MRIPE rules ARE still 116 pages long... (includes all description lists etc...)

But yeah, different games need different rules ;)

What kind of games do you play? Some games just plainly Need to have rules long enough to go over everything. I was also going through the Arkham Horror rules this morning - Arkham Horror Rules - I am Really looking forward to this game, and though the rules are 24 pages, they look to be very clear and I am not daunted by them. Though this is partly because they are visually great to look at, lots of images etc. But there are loads of examples and detailed outlines of play.

I must say that I am a big 'Theme' gamer, in that one of the main reasons I will play a game is because I am into the theme. I am into Sci-fi/Space/Fantasy/Horror type strategic games and so any game of this type will attract me over an abstract game (thus I am not a big euro-gamer). Then will come the mechanics and how the game actually plays. I have bought a heap of old games of Ebay that I knew were 'broken' or not very good, but I am into the themes they portray and interested in how the designers attempted to make them playable (a couple of examples - Elric, Beastlord, Valley of Four Winds - look em up on BGG...).

So, in saying that, I am looking for games that have a deep theme and have playability that reflects that. For me, I don't mind a long rulebook if the game Needs/Justifies it i.e. Arkham Horror of Twilight Imperium 3.

But yeah, I like to be immersed in a game, and don't mind playing a good game for as long as it needs to be played - 4-6+ hours is cool with me if the game deserves it and holds all the players. The longer the better IF the game is worth it.

Do most gamers prefer shorter games nowadays? - not considering time restrictions. I mean if you had a whole weekend to play games, nothing else, would you rather play a lot of short games, or a few longer games? I know people always talk about never having time these days, or needing games that can be played in a 1-2 hour evening sitting, but really, given a choice, would people rather play long or short games?

Sorry, starting to rant ;)

Hey Darkehorse!

Cheers, that would be useful... I am coming to the conclusion that to help define a 'good rulebook' also depends on knowing what type of game it is for as well - a good rulebook for a Party Game would not work for a more detailed wargame.

Apart from the FF examples I started with, does anyone know of any particularly brilliant rulebooks out there? For different types of games? What are some examples of really nasty beasts, and some beautiful examples? Often a nasty rulebook can turn players away from an otherwise great game...