Top-5 best books for Game Designers

I planning to write this article for the last 3 months. It was in draft and every week I checked it and try to write a few more words about each of this book. I add a new one, then delete another one because of thinking that it may be not as great as all others. Finally, I decide not to do TOP-3, or TOP-5, but just write this article and do it [LIVE], so if I will read a new fantastic book and decide to recommend it, I will just edit this list. So, let’s begin!

Blood, Sweat and Pixels

As an avid gamer and someone who's interested in the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating video games, I found this book to be an insightful and informative read. Schreier, a veteran journalist who covers the video game industry, provides an in-depth look at the development process of several prominent games, including "Destiny," "The Witcher 3," and "Diablo 3" One of the key takeaways from the book is just how difficult and unpredictable game development can be. Despite the best efforts of talented and dedicated teams, projects can go over budget, suffer from creative disagreements, or face unexpected technical challenges. Reading about these struggles and the personal toll they take on developers was eye-opening and gave me a newfound appreciation for the hard work that goes into making games. Another interesting aspect of the book was Schreier's coverage of the indie game scene. He highlights the stories of small teams and solo developers who created successful games through sheer determination and ingenuity, despite having limited resources. These chapters were inspiring and showed that even in an industry dominated by big-budget titles, there is still room for creativity and innovation. Every time when I don't believe in myself and want to give up I read a part about "Stardew Valley". Overall, I would highly recommend "Blood, Sweat, and Pixels" to anyone interested in the video game industry or game development in general. Schreier's writing is engaging and informative, and his reporting provides valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of game development. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the complex and fascinating world of game creation. It's also available in the Ukrainian language.

Boardgames That Tell Stories

I found "Boardgames That Tell Stories" to be an insightful and thought-provoking read. Ignacy Trzewiczek, a game designer and industry veteran, explores the concept of storytelling in board games and provides examples of games that effectively use narrative to enhance gameplay. He is one of the best, in my opinion. One of the main points that stood out to me was Trzewiczek's argument that storytelling is not just a nice-to-have in board games, but an essential component of the experience. He explains how a strong narrative can create emotional connections with players, and how it can make the game feel more immersive and engaging. Ignacy also offers tips and advice for designers who want to incorporate storytelling into their games, such as creating interesting characters and building a rich and detailed world. And all of them are written as small fun stories. To be clear, it was a post from his own blog, and only after that, it starts to be books. One of the highlights of the books is the section on specific games that Trzewiczek believes do an excellent job of integrating storytelling into gameplay. As someone who has played some of these games, I found Trzewiczek's analysis to be insightful and informative, and it made me appreciate these games even more. Another interesting aspect of the book is Trzewiczek's exploration of the different types of stories that can be told through board games. He discusses how some games focus on creating a specific narrative arc, while others are more open-ended and allow players to create their own stories through gameplay. This was an eye-opening insight for me and made me appreciate the versatility of board games as a storytelling medium. Ignacy's writing is engaging and informative, and his insights into the use of narrative in board games are valuable for both designers and players.

Kobold Guide to Board Game Design

As someone who is interested in board game design and wants to learn more about the process of creating great games, I found "Kobold Guide to Board Game Design" to be an incredibly valuable resource. This book is a collection of essays and insights from some of the top game designers in the industry, including Richard Garfield, Matt Leacock, and Rob Daviau. One of the things that stood out to me about this book is how comprehensive it is. It covers a wide range of topics related to board game design, from the initial concept phase to playtesting and publication. Each essay provides unique insights and perspectives on the process, and the collective knowledge of the contributors makes for a truly comprehensive guide. One of the key takeaways from the book is how important it is to focus on the player experience when designing games. The contributors stress the importance of creating games that are engaging, intuitive, and fun to play and offer tips and advice for achieving these goals. They also discuss the importance of understanding the audience for a game and tailoring the design to meet their needs. Another interesting aspect of the book is the section on game mechanics. The contributors offer insights into the different types of mechanics that can be used in board games, such as worker placement, drafting, and deck-building, and provide examples of how these mechanics can be used to create compelling gameplay. This section was particularly helpful for me as someone who is still learning about the different mechanics used in board games. Also, I had a huge privilege, because Im speaking and reading the Polish language, and in the Polish version of this book there are also a lot (nearly 1/5) of new articles from the best Polish Game Designers. Highly recommend this book to everyone from the industry.

Head full of Games (Głowa Pełna Gier)

Adam Kwapinski is a Polish game designer who has made a name for himself in the board game industry with his innovative and engaging game designs. He is known for creating games that are challenging, and strategic, and offer a deep and rewarding gameplay experience. "Głowa Pełna Gier" is Kwapinski's book about game design, and it provides a wealth of insights and advice for aspiring game designers. The book covers a wide range of topics related to game design, from the basics of game mechanics to the importance of player psychology and understanding the market. Unfortunately, at this moment, the book was published only in the Polish language. One of the things that stood out to me about this book is how practical and hands-on the advice is. Kwapinski draws from his own experiences as a game designer to provide real-world examples and insights into the process of creating great games. He offers tips on how to prototype games, how to playtest effectively, and how to iterate on designs based on feedback. Another strength of the book is how it addresses the unique challenges faced by game designers in Poland and Eastern Europe. Kwapinski discusses the challenges of breaking into the industry from a non-Western country and offers advice on how to navigate these challenges. This was an eye-opening insight for me as someone who is not familiar with the board game industry in Poland. In addition to practical advice, Kwapinski also provides insights into the creative process of game design. He discusses the importance of finding inspiration, the role of intuition in game design, and how to balance the competing demands of creativity and commercial viability. "Głowa Pełna Gier," is a valuable resource for aspiring game designers, and provides insights and advice that are practical and useful. Kwapinski's passion for game design is evident throughout the book, and his enthusiasm is infectious. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in game design, regardless of their level of experience.

A Theory of Fun for Game Design

Written by game designer Raph Koster, "A Theory of Fun for Game Design" is a book that explores the concept of fun and its role in the design of successful games. The book provides a fascinating and thought-provoking exploration of the psychology behind why we find games fun, and how designers can use this knowledge to create engaging and enjoyable games. One of the key takeaways from the book is that fun is not just a superficial aspect of game design, but is actually a fundamental part of what makes games enjoyable and rewarding. Koster argues that the best games are those that engage players on an emotional level, providing a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Another interesting aspect of the book is the way it explores the psychology behind why we find games fun. Koster delves into the neuroscience of play and explains how our brains are wired to seek out pleasure and reward. He also explores the role of storytelling in games, and how the narrative elements of a game can enhance the fun and engagement. One of the strengths of the book is the way it uses humor and cartoons to illustrate its points. Koster's writing style is accessible and engaging, and the cartoons help to make the ideas more approachable and entertaining. The book is also well-structured and easy to follow, making it a great resource for game designers of all skill levels. Koster's insights and observations about the psychology of play and the importance of fun in game design were thought-provoking, and his writing style was engaging and entertaining. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in game design, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to create engaging and enjoyable games. It's also available in the Ukrainian language.

The Art of Game Design

"The Art of Game Design" is a comprehensive guide to the art and craft of game design. Written by veteran game designer Jesse Schell (Among Us VR, I Expect You To Die, Lost Recipes...), the book provides a detailed exploration of the principles and techniques that go into creating successful and engaging games. One of the key strengths of the book is the way it breaks down the game design process into manageable components. Schell covers everything from the basics of game mechanics to more advanced topics like level design, narrative, and player psychology. He provides practical tips and strategies for each of these components, as well as real-world examples and case studies to illustrate his points. Another standout feature of the book is the way it explores the role of game design in the broader context of culture and society. Jesse argues that games are an important form of human expression, and that game designers have a responsibility to create games that are not only entertaining but also meaningful and thought-provoking. He also discusses the social and cultural impact of games, and how game design can be used to promote positive change in the world. Schell's writing style is clear and accessible, making the book easy to read and understand. The book is also well-organized, with each chapter building on the concepts and principles covered in the previous chapters. And what is also brilliant is there is a special app which you use when reading a book. Incredible idea! I would highly recommend it to anyone who is serious about game design and has at least some experience in this.

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