For Love of the Game

Philosophies of Game Design

- Bayard Catron

In the past, I’ve mused in these pages about the intersection of games and philosophy from a player perspective. This time around, I’m delving into the mind of the game designer, in search of what makes them tick. Luckily, the timing worked out such that just before writing the article, I attended the 35th annual Gathering of Friends, a game convention founded by Alan R. Moon (Ticket to Ride) teeming with game designers of all stripes. I did not hesitate to grab the opportunity to get in my designer friends’ heads!

What got you into designing games? Where do you get your ideas?

Ideas can come from anywhere; so too can a game design, career, or pastime. The folks I talked to came to the world of design from many entry points. A common thread was simply a love of playing games. Family game nights were foundational for many. Frank DiLorenzo of R&R Games states, “I loved games and didn’t have money to buy them, so I started making them.” Elizabeth Hargrave (Wingspan, The Fox Experiment) was dissatisfied with the themes of the games she was playing and wondered what it would look like to play a game about something she really cared about: the natural world.

More than one designer has awakened from dreams with a game idea simmering in their mind, after playing the dream game as they slept. Just going for a walk or taking a shower can generate ideas. And of course, just as a writer should read as much as they can, an aspiring game designer will find playing games to be fertile ground. John Cooper was inspired to create his forthcoming game, The Gang, after playing The Mind — another silent cooperative game. Whereas players mostly find