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15 November Update
That Was the Week That Was!
It was an exciting this week that saw a lot of movement on a Civil War Miniatures/Board game (pictured here), a Tennis card game, our first space-themed game, our Civil War States of SiegeTM game, and an expansion kit for the ever-expanding Russian front. We’ve even created a new position here at Victory Point Games, and are announcing “The Commissioner” this week, plus we’re pondering our plans for next year.
Interested in the story? Click on the link below…
Empires in America Designer's Notes
(Not Quite) Lost in America
By Joseph Miranda
One of the oldest debates in wargaming is whether some situations are inherently un-gameable due to the advantages one side held over the other. On the surface, the French and Indian War could appear to be one of those situations. Historically, the French were crushed by the superior numbers and leadership of the British.
But there are few things in life that renowned designer Joe Miranda loves more than a challenge... And he swears that the famous painting of Wolfe, meeting his end in front of Quebec, haunted his dreams until hs finished the game. But we digress.
If you want to see how Joe met the unique design challenges of this unique conflict fought on the North American continent, read on.
Circus Train - Playtesting
The 7 Stages of Playtester Feedback
A First Time Boardgame Designer’s Point of View
by Tom Decker, designer of Circus Train
It’s been about 6 days now since I’ve received my first playtester feedback for Circus Train. In this article, I will share with you my journey through The 7 Stages of Grief and twist them around to conform to the world of boardgame design as I chronicle my experiences going through the process of having my first game published.
Make a VPG 10: Pieces - Cards & Tiles
Part 10: Game Pieces - VPG's Die-Cut Cards & Tiles
If you’re interested in trying your hand at designing a game, then this Making a Victory Point Game series of articles is written for you. It provides more information on specific subjects about designing games for VPG. By reading them, you should be well on your way to reaching your goal of becoming a published VPG game designer!
Cards and games have gone together for centuries, and so too they do in Victory Point Games' product line. In this chapter, the origin and use of cards in games is explored, how cards are designed and manufactured at VPG, and the philosophical guidelines followed to make better use of cards in games.
Dresden 20 Design - Phase 2: Playtesting
Designing Dresden 20 - Part 2: Playtesting
By Lance McMillan, October 2009
This is the second article in my series of articles covering the course of design and development of Victory Point Games’ Dresden 20. The first article covered the genesis of the project with a discussion of the basic research that went into the game’s design. This article show how vital playtesting is to the process of creating a good game.
My intent in writing these articles is as much to provide a set of “how to” guideposts for other gamers who are considering submitting game designs to VPG, as it is a teaser for those of you anxiously awaiting this next installment in the Napoleonic 20 series.
Naploeonic 20 Series Dispatch 2
Napoleonic 20 Series Marches On!
In this Dispatch newletter to players interested in the Napoleonic 20 games, Series Developer Lance McMillan unfurls the map to the series' future battles.
Zulus on the Ramparts! - The Making of a Game
The Making of a Game: Zulus on the Ramparts!
By Alan Emrich
If you want to make games, or you’re just curious about this subject, it helps to know the process of how games are made. This article looks at one Victory Point Games title, Joe Miranda’s Zulus on the Ramparts!, and shows you the evolution that it went through from concept to post-release.
If you want to have your great idea for a game published by VPG, it will go through a similar process – and it is the purpose of this article to let our future game designers know what they’re getting into and how things work on a game project.
States of Siege Solitaire Game System
Solitaire Game Systems Analysis
In this article, game designer Darin Leviloff explores his States of SiegeTM solitaire gaming system and why is has an appeal to both the most hard core wargamer and the novice student in a Jr. High School classroom.
Learn about the secret origin and intriguing design theory behind this wildly popular line of VPG games.