Game Development Services

Every now and then I receive a game that narrowly misses being "Major Fun." Frequently, it's because of a minor oversight - something unclear in the rules, some small problem with the packaging, some minor flaw in the layout of the board or graphics. Because I do not write negative reviews, and because I only review published games as I receive them, I find myself simply shaking my head, and donating the games to some good cause in the hopes that they'll be able to make better use of them.

Designing and developing games is sometimes an arduous process. Whether the entire process is done in-house or in cooperation with outside agencies, it is often difficult, if not impossible, to get a new and fresh perspective on the implementation of a design. Even after multiple play tests, informed, unbiased, expert evaluation is still difficult, if not impossible to come by until the game is released into the market. And by then, it's generally too late to do anything about it.

As you know, the success of the European games has had a major impact on the games market world wide. Beautifully illustrated, and often very complex games, played for hours at a time have galvanized a cadre of "gamers" who often spend 6-12 hours at a time in marathon game sessions. Though successful in bringing board games back into vogue, they have also left a big hole in the market.

Most recently, Hasbro released new versions of some of their most successful games. These "Express" versions of Monopoly, Scrabble and Trouble were each developed to respond to the casual gamer, who, unlike the "serious" game-player, seeks games that take a few minutes to learn, less than an hour to play, and are focused more on fun than on competition. They are portable, self-contained, very easy to learn, designed specifically to be played anywhere, whenever people have a few precious minutes for fun.

These are the very characteristics of Major Fun games that I have spent more the last 30 years designing, developing, advocating. With these services, I can help you do the same.

In addition to the Major Fun Award program, I offer 5 different levels of service, from preliminary design to implementation and design evaluation.

1. Design evaluation - Before your game is in production, I will review it in depth, looking specifically for minor changes in the rules and in the design of the principle components of the game that will significantly impact the overall playability of the game.
2. Implementation evaluation - Before the components and packaging are finalized, I will examine every aspect of the game and come up with specific recommendations for improving the components, making them easier to use and understand and more consistent with the game theme and purpose.
3. Implementation development - Once the game concept and mechanics are finalized and prototypes have been developed, I will recommend refinements to all aspects of the game to help assure high replay value.
4. Design development - Once the overall concept is defined and the game mechanics specified, I will help refine the basic design to assure age-appropriateness, ease of learning,
5. Preliminary design - While you are still in the early stages of developing a game concept, I will work closely with you to develop several alternative, innovative, preliminary designs which effectively embrace the initial concept.

In each case, I will be working closely with your design and development team, via voice and email, submitting periodic reports as needed, responding to concerns as they arise.

Please let me know how I can assist you in developing even more Major-Fun-award-worthy games in the future.