Skip to Content
 

I have an idea, how do I make it?

2 replies [Last post]
Tue, 01/06/2009 - 18:03
dnddmdb
dnddmdb's picture
Offline
Joined: 01/06/2009

This is my first post on this forum, so I believe I will start with a Hello!

I am not a huge devotee to board games, but recently I have been on sort of an obsession. I have, in the past few weeks, bought or recieved 4 different Euro-style board games.

Anyway, I have an idea for a game. It is completely sculpted, and I have my entire "Instruction Booklet" typed out on Word. I just need to know ways to make the stuff I need. Anyone have any help?

There are many different cards in the game (near 200 total).

The board consists of a black tray that is 15"x15". You fit the board with 25 3"x3" tiles, each depicting different parts of a city (skyscrapers, houses, bridges, power plants, etc.).

There are many differnet nickel-sized cardboard counters used to keep track of Population, Wreckage, Evacuation, and Disease.

D&D/Risk style figurines to keep track of rampaging monsters and Military Units.

Does anyone know any tips for making this stuff or where I can get the materials neccessary?

Much Obliged,

dnddmdb

Top
Tue, 01/06/2009 - 22:06
#1
Meddler
Meddler's picture
Offline
Joined: 08/05/2008
Welcome dnddmdb, There are a

Welcome dnddmdb,

There are a number of options for producing materials, what I'd suggest starting with though is just something very basic (whether hand done or mocked up quickly on a computer) to test exactly how well various ideas and mechanics will work together. Most games tend to go through a lot of revision as concepts that seem great on paper don't work quite as well in reality so spending only a small amount of time on a rough prototype (even just pen on cardboard) helps to avoid wasting a lot of effort on a high quality version that may have to be scrapped. Assuming you haven't already done a bunch of testing/revision of course, wasn't sure from your post.

In terms of higher quality production I've found the program Nandeck to be excellent for producing cards. It's got a bit of a learning curve initially but is excellent once you get to grips with it (I found it easiest to start by modifying some of the example decks). In terms of then printing them out bland cards can be bought that can be run through some printers, I've no experience with that directly though and have simply used card images printed onto normal paper tucked into a plastic card sleeve with an normal playing card tucked behind to give support (a good compromise between quality of appearance and ease of putting together in my experience so far).

www.nand.it/nandeck/

Image creation/modification wise the GIMP image tool's always served me well too, think a free (open source) version of Photoshop basically.

There are some existing discussions around on board creation, well worth tracking down, I've no personal experience there. Plastic minis are going to be quite a challenge I gather, with the only options for customisible stuff being pretty pricey indeed, again there's been past discussion on this so have a dig around.

For tiles buying thick cardboard (try arts supplies stores) and using a spray on adhesive to glue on printed out images (Nandeck or GIMP produced or whatever) has worked well for me. Can be time consuming though so again something to do for a refined version, not a first stab at things.

Hope some of this helps,

Meddler

Top
Tue, 01/06/2009 - 22:32
#2
dnddmdb
dnddmdb's picture
Offline
Joined: 01/06/2009
Thanks very much!

Thanks, meddler.

I have done some very basic revising of it, but no actual testing. I suppose that will be my next step.

I think you're right and its probably wise to go with a really rough draft first.

I will check out that program definitely. Thanks for the info.

I will also look for those discussions as well.

Thanks very much for all the information. This is a TON of help.

Top
Syndicate content


forum | by Dr. Radut