ABSTRACT

Building Blocks of Tabletop Game Design: An Encyclopedia of Mechanisms, Second Edition compiles hundreds of game mechanisms, organized by category. The book can be read cover to cover and used as a reference to solve a specific design problem or for inspiration and research on new designs. This second edition collects even more mechanisms, expands on and updates existing entries, and includes color images. Building Blocks is a great starting point for new designers, a handy guidebook for the experienced, and an ideal classroom reference.

Each Game Mechanisms Entry Contains:

  • The definition of the mechanism
  • An explanatory diagram of the mechanism
  • Discussion of how the mechanism is used in successful games
  • Considerations for implementing the mechanism in new designs

 

chapter 1|30 pages

Game Structure

chapter 2|46 pages

Turn Order and Structure

chapter 3|64 pages

Actions

chapter 4|72 pages

Resolution

chapter 5|48 pages

Game End and Victory

chapter 6|46 pages

Uncertainty

chapter 7|48 pages

Economics

chapter 8|52 pages

Auctions

chapter 9|22 pages

Worker Placement

chapter 10|56 pages

Movement

chapter 11|22 pages

Area Control

chapter 12|20 pages

Set Collection

chapter 13|34 pages

Card Mechanisms