Hey, folks.
So, regulars likely know me as the person-who-proofreads-rules-documents. I have an idea -
Would anyone be interested in a thread or document that describes good conventions in rules-writing? There are very common errors I find throughout my editing (primarily formatting, numbers presentation) that could be avoided, methinks.
What are your thoughts? Would you use something like that?
Thanks,
Kesh
Well, if someone said no, would that really stop you from writing it?
I'm certain it would be a useful resource. Rules-writing is notoriously undervalued, and even if someone's scrambling before a convention at the last minute, I imagine they would stop and take a look at your document anyway to see what they've been missing.
I say go for it. I know I would read and use it.
I was having a real difficult time writing my rules for TWHW. It seems as if there was too much to explain before going into HOW to play the game...
That was until I found a rulebook format that had a "Concepts" section BEFORE actually describing how to play the game. In this section you describe the various concepts used in your game and you present them to the reader before your "How to play" section.
Once I had that format, I was able to write my rulebook.
I can't remember exactly where I found the rulebook format with the concepts preface, but it was from a publisher. I *THINK* it was Victory Point games, but I'm not 100% certain.
Anyways - FORMATs can help you when writing rules!
Edit: My advice is surf around for other rulebooks to give you ideas as to different formats you can use... It really helped me!
Sounds like a helpful idea. I'd certainly check it out.
I would certainly study such a document with great care, so thank you in advance!
Same here.
I would love to have some guidelines.
I would really appreciate a rules guideline. Definitely want to know when you've got one out!! Thanks a ton
Not much has been written about rules writing, so every little bit helps.
I have an audiovisual course online, "How to Write Clear Rules". It is not free, use this link for a discount: https://www.udemy.com/how-to-write-clear-rules/?couponCode=WCR%244offOct14
You can get a feel for the course through this free YouTube playlist (9 videos):
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtXAtXVkSZwjBImMncVS1lRFlY7n1NOal
The Kobold Guide to Board Game Design has a helpful chapter on writing good rules. It covers several rules-writing conventions, and includes real-world examples of games which did not follow those conventions in their rulebooks, and discusses how to avoid the pitfalls.
I'm currently reading the book and would recommend the chapter to those who want to improve their rulebook authoring skills.
I use the Case System when writing my rules. Most games use this system and has been used since the old wargaming days.
Unfortunately, it's a bit of an explanation, so I'm not going to put it up here.
Basically write rules for 2 different occasions:
-When the players are learning the game
-When the players are referencing the game during play
Honestly, if the rules take up more than one page, then they are too long. If you cannot put all of the rules onto one page, then rethink your game. That is my advice. The shorter the rules the better.
Well that would certainly kill my last game. The rulebook is pretty extensive, but then I also include a ton of graphics to illustrate how different mechanics work. Maybe too many examples?
I agree with the group sentiment, rules are difficult to write in that it's easy to make them more for yourself as a designer than for the player, i.e. they may seem logical and well structured for me as the author, because they represent the way in which I understand this particular game, but may not be easily accessible to a new player or organized ideally to provide them the references they need.
Dan
Here's a challenge for you: find a game in top 20 on BGG with a 1 page rulebook ;)
Are you serious? My rulebook is 20 pages long. And that is a condensed version because previously it had over 30 pages. Depending on the complexity and nature of your game, you may need more pages to fully present all aspects of your game.
You can download my rulebook from this link if you want a peek (see what 20 pages does for you...):
https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/tradewars-homeworld:-early-access/d...
The rulebook is free to download by anyone... I also had the rulebook checked by The Game Crafter's Sanity Test. Had three (3) tests done to score a 70%. I re-vamped the rulebook with TGC's help.
Cheers.
None of my favourite games have a 1 page rulebook, but I guess everyone look for different things out of their games. I feel like a game that is that simple would probably not command my attention for long. I know there are exceptions, like Chess, with very simple structures but that allow great complexity in gameplay and strategy, but most are heavily abstracted and I really love strong thematic gameplay.
Snakes and Ladders has a 1 page rulebook, or at least, it could. I don't play much of that anymore, but sure when I was 5 year old, it was all the rage.
If you need help with your rules, start here:
http://www.boardgamedesignlab.com/rules/
As far as length of rules: They should be written one page at a time...but saying they shouldn't be longer than X number of pages is just silly.
Even mass-market games can have rules longer than a page. Richard Borg suggests two pages. (Whatever a page amounts to . . .)
I do suggest that any designer provide a one-page rule summary, copy for each player, with their games.
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