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Rulebook writing conventions?

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Sun, 01/27/2013 - 14:23
BenMora
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Is there a generally acceptable convention for text formatting of terminology in rulebooks? For example:
In my rule book, I have been Italicizing terms for actual game components. There are pieces that represent temples so anytime the word "temple" is used referencing these pieces, I write it as "Temple".
Does anyone think this works well, or is unnecessary or something else?
For elements of the game that are intangible or abstract such as referencing different game phases, would quotations be adequate and make sense? For instance: During the "Influence Phase" you may blah blah blah...

Any other ideas you use?

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Sun, 01/27/2013 - 14:50
#1
pelle
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I think Capitalized Words are

I think Capitalized Words are good and enough to mark game terms and that seems to be common use. I have seen many rules use italics or bold to mark the first use of a term to make it easier to spot at a quick glance.

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Mon, 01/28/2013 - 05:26
#2
svenne
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I am using bold text for

I am using bold text for components and pictures of them with description with same bold test beside them.
Maybe Italic would be looking better...

There is many set of rules that is using different kinds of formatting. I think the most important thing is to be consequent through the text.

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Mon, 01/28/2013 - 15:35
#3
The Game Crafter
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The most important thing is

The most important thing is that you use consistent formatting for everything. If you use italics for terms, then don't use italics for other things.

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Mon, 01/28/2013 - 20:02
#4
BenMora
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Thanks guys! Hey GameCrafter,

Thanks guys! Hey GameCrafter, side note, I'm super stoked that my prototype just shipped from you guys!

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Mon, 01/28/2013 - 21:56
#5
JustActCasual
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In my opinion:

Capitals are good for showing that you're talking about something game-specific like components, actions, or phases.

Bold is good for providing index points or markers for players who are trying to find something quickly. So bolding the first occurrence of something, or where something is defined, is good practice for quick reference.

I would say italics are best used when you want to drill something into the players memory: you will see it a lot of the time for specific exceptions and in other cases where you have small but impactful rules.

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Mon, 01/28/2013 - 23:40
#6
The Game Crafter
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Woot Ben!

BenMora wrote:
Thanks guys! Hey GameCrafter, side note, I'm super stoked that my prototype just shipped from you guys!

Woot!

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