So you want to create a boardgame, eh? Publish it? MAKE MONEY from it?

Well, look no further, here is a list of handy resources everyone with a game inventor's itch should be familiar with. This is a collection of useful websites and books which I discovered in my years of wandering the earth as an unpublished yet aspiring game author... which is about to change in a big way, I hope.

Creating board games is not all about designing, not by far. Once you've brought your perfectly crafted and balanced creation from the seething ocean of endless chaotic possibilities, your journey is only beginning. No game is made to be played by its author only, so whether you want to get rich by inventing a new Trivial Pursuit, or you just want to share it freely with folks of this planet, publishing a boardgame is quite a different game altogether.

Boardgames are experiencing a huge resurgence in popularity. It seems that people who spend most of their working time isolated and sitting in front of a PC don't necessarily want to sit alone in front of a computer once they get home. Go figure. They'd much rather invite a couple of friends over, buy a bag of pretzels and open up some drinks... Strange but true, but good old cardboard and dice industry has been experiencing a steady yearly growth of more than 10 percent...

Since originality is one of the crucial components in any boardgame success, today's leading companies remain open to outside designers. While many great games have been created by in-house staff, there is still plenty of room for independent designers to make their mark. So, if you do have a fantastic idea you just need to share with millions of players out there, here are some cool sites and books that will help you on your way.



