DISCOVER HOW TO CREATE A MEMORABLE BOARD GAME
- Generate game ideas quickly
- Playtest your game like a pro
- Discover whether self-publishing or pitching to a publisher is right for you
YOU CAN CREATE YOUR OWN AMAZING GAME.
I CAN HELP.
I CAN HELP
Hi, my name is Joe Slack.
I've been designing board games since 2014 and I have helped over 4,000 game designers just like you. For years I have been helping game designers hone their skills and achieve their goals.
- I wrote the #1 international best-selling book "The Board Game Designer's Guide"
- I have taught Game Design and Development at Wilfrid Laurier University
- I developed and run an online Board Game Design Course
- And I have participated in coaching and mentoring programs
A little more about me and my game design experience:
4 GAMES PUBLISHED WITH ESTABLISHED PUBLISHERS
- Zoo Year’s Eve
- Kingdom's Candy: Monsters
- Four Word Thinking
- King of Indecision
3 SUCCESSFUL KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGNS
My game, Relics of Rajavihara, not only funded in just 4 hours but it also raised 663% of the original goal.
The expansion campaign in 2021 reached 1,634% of its funding goal after funding in just 25 minutes.
14 Frantic Minutes also surpassed its goal.
BEST SELLING AUTHOR ON BOARD GAME DESIGN
4 books, including
1 international best-seller and 2 other #1 new releases.
The Board Game Designer's Guide
The Top 10 Mistakes New Board Game Designers Make (and How to Avoid Them)
The Board Game Designer's Guide to Getting Published
The Board Game Designer's Guide to Careers in the Industry
Some people are natural game designers. Some people are natural teachers. Learn from someone who is recognized as both.
I've helped many other designers turn good games into great games and get them signed with publishers. I want to help you do the same.
HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE AMAZING PUBLISHERS I HAVE WORKED WITH:
“Without a doubt, if I had read Joe’s book back in 1989, it would have accelerated my progress and potential as a game designer by decades.”
-Jamey Stegmaier Designer of Scythe, one of the top 10 board games of all time.
GET CLARITY NOW
You don't need to read hundreds of blogs or attend every game design panel session at all the big Cons.
You just need clarity.
Once you understand the process of designing a game the right way, you'll see that it doesn't have to be that hard.
AFTER DESIGNING GAMES FOR 15 YEARS, DANNY FINALLY HAD 2 OF HIS GAMES PUBLISHED WITHIN A YEAR OF PARTICIPATING IN THE CREATION TO PUBLICATION PROGRAM
"Joe Slack's course gives you an opportunity to pick the brain of an industry insider as well as the other pupils. I highly recommend the course. Joe improved my games, and also helped me place them by suggesting four publishers."
-Danny Goodisman Creation to Publication Program Student
“The course really helped me understand the process involved in designing a board game. Joe is a great instructor. He is able to ask probing questions that help to draw out answers so he can assist you with your game design.”
-David Neal Board Game Design Course student
I'M COMMITTED TO HELPING YOU MOVE YOUR GAME FORWARD
Here's what you'll experience in The Board Game Design Course:
- Understand how to continuously improve your game
- Ask a question, get an answer. You’ll never be stuck again.
- Discover what questions the pros ask when playtesting their game to ensure you're always moving forward
- Examples, templates, checklists, and other helpful resources you won't find anywhere else
- Engage with and learn from other game designers just like you
I’ll guide you down the right path. And, I will be with you every step of the way.
"The course was helpful in creating a support system for me. It created a community of fellow designers that were experiencing the same difficulties that I was having. I have already recommended the Board Game Design Course to others getting into game design."
-Chris Cormier Board Game Design Course Student
WHAT WILL YOU GET WITH THE COURSE
Here is exactly what you will get when you join the Board Game Design Course:
✔
PRE-RECORDED COURSE MATERIAL
All 31 lessons in the Board Game Design Course, which will take you from “Inspiration to Creation” and help you get started faster - includes video, audio MP3s, and written transcripts (Originally $499)
✔
8 WEEKS OF CONTENT
A wealth of resources to help you create and develop your game... Plus some helpful bonus content.
✔
WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE
Take the course at your own pace, covering the material as quickly or as slowly as you like
✔
LIFETIME ACCESS
Lifetime access to all the video lessons and resources
✔
MEMBERS-ONLY COMMUNITY
4 weeks 3 months of access to the Private Members-Only Community, including twice-monthly group calls
✔
EXPERT GUIDANCE
Expert advice and guidance throughout the course from an experienced board game designer and instructor
HERE ARE LESSONS WE COVER IN THE COURSE
01
Everything You Need to Know Before You Create Your First Game
How to think like a game designer and avoid the #1 mistake that puts rookie designers months behind
02
Getting Ideas and Creating the Vision For Your Game
Create a compelling vision for your game so that it doesn't get stuck in your head and never makes it to the table
03
Putting it on Paper
Make the first version of your game lightning-fast even if you don't know where to start
04
The First Playtest
How to ask the right questions and get meaningful feedback so that your game doesn't end up becoming someone else's game
05
The 4 I's Framework For Improving Your Game
How to use the 4 I's Framework to design your game like a pro
06
Finding the Fun
Fail fast, find the fun, and reap the rewards
07
Taking Your Game From Good to Great
Taking your game from good to great (while avoiding the bad and the ugly)
08
Wrapping Up & Next Steps
How to get your game out there into the world without losing your shirt
09
Bonus: Blind Playtesting Your Game
How to get your game out there into the world without losing your shirt
10
Bonus: How to Pitch to Publishers
How to get your game out there into the world without losing your shirt
Plus Even More Bonus Content!
Additional lessons include:
- Introducing Randomness to Your Game
- Balancing Your Game the Right Way
- Giving Players Interesting Decisions
- Finding Publishers
- Uncovering the Hook in Your Game
- How to Work With Miniatures
THERE IS ZERO RISK TO YOU!
I’m so confident that you’ll love The Board Game Design Course and will be able to design and develop after taking the course that I stand behind it 100% with my Ripped-Up Legacy Card Guarantee.
If you try out the course and decide it's not right for you, take the receipt and rip it up like a card in a legacy game and I’ll give you all your money back. You have a full 30 days from the start of the course for a full refund.
I want everyone who joins the course to be confident and excited about the game they are creating, and if you’re not, please let me know.
I’m happy to refund your money if the course isn’t right for you. No hard feelings. ☺
BUT DON'T JUST TAKE IT FROM ME
HERE IS WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID
“I would definitely recommend working with Joe. He has a lot of experience to share.”
- Amelie Le-Roche, Mentoring Program Student
“In board game design, there's a limit to how much you can learn just from reading books and blogs; Joe has a firm grasp on industry trends, important networks to follow, and knows what it takes to get a game published.”
- Patrick Hardy, Mentoring Program Student
"Joe really cares and wants to help. He is fully genuine in wanting everyone to succeed. He is constantly putting out content and the course continues to get better. Wherever you are on the journey, I know you’ll benefit from Joe's experience."
- Neal Baker, Board Game Design Course Student
"When it comes to teaching, Joe is a natural communicator. Apart from being an amazing communicator, he is a listener, which in my opinion is an essential asset in problem-solving and game design."
- Sylvain Plante, Game Designer
“It doesn't matter if you’re working on game number 1 or game number 100. Joe takes you through all the steps so you don't miss anything."
- Juan Becerril, Telomander Games
READ MORE TESTIMONIALS
"I feel my game has gotten closer to publication and when it comes to pitching it, I know I can apply the knowledge I gained from Joe. I would highly recommend Joe, as he is easy to work with and can help with many different aspects of your design process."
-Adam Leamey, Mentorship Program Student
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I pay?
You can pay by any major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, etc.) or by PayPal.
What makes the Board Game Design Course different?
Not only is the course taught by an actual game designer who has also taught and written 3 books on game design, but it's also the only course that includes a membership community, group coaching calls and bonus material. I don't just hand you the materials and say "good luck", I walk you through everything step-by-step and I am involved the whole way through, helping you every step of the way.
What if I have a weird schedule?
Don’t worry! All the material is pre-recorded, so you can take the course at your own pace, whenever you have the time. Plus, you can always ask your questions in advance and have them answered on the call, even if you can’t make it live.
Is there a guarantee if I don't like the course or change my mind?
Yes! I’m so confident that you’ll love the course and will be able to create your own game that I stand behind it 100% with my Ripped-Up Legacy Card Guarantee. You'll find all the details above.
What stage should my game be at when I join?
The Board Game Design Course is for anyone interested in making a game. You may be working on your first game, brainstorming ideas, or not have a clue where to start. The Board Game Design Course will help you. Plus, you'll have access for life, so you can always return to the material anytime. If you're still not sure and you have any questions, please email me: joe@boardgamedesigncourse.com
What if I get too busy during the course and have to stop?
No problem! You'll get unlimited LIFETIME ACCESS to all the videos and resources in the course (including the bonus materials). So, the course will still be here for you when you're ready.
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