TableHop Blog

Publishing & Marketing

How to Pitch a Board Game to Publishers (Without Wasting Your Shot)

By Johannes Natterer

Most board game pitches fail because they create friction. Learn what publishers actually look for and how clear rules, functional prototypes, and focused pitches improve your chances.

7 min

Mechanics & Theories

Playtest Feedback Is Lying to You (Here’s Why Designers Fall for It)

By Eryk Nowak

Learn why playtest feedback is often misleading in board game design, and how to correctly interpret player reactions. Improve your prototypes and read the feedback better without overreacting to false signals.

3 min

Design Basics

Core, Content, Balance: Why Most Board Game Designs Collapse (and How to Fix Yours)

By Eryk Nowak

Learn how to structure your board game design process using the Core - Content - Balance framework to avoid common pitfalls, improve iteration, and build stronger prototypes.

6 min

Mechanics & Theories

Why Scoring Systems Aren’t Enough in Board Game Design

By Wojtek "Łosiu" Wiśniewski

Learn why point-based victory conditions aren’t always the best choice in board games, and how better scoring systems can create deeper strategic play.

4 min

Case Studies & Inspiration

Rethinking Board Game Balance: Lessons Learned from Gutenberg

By Wojtek "Łosiu" Wiśniewski

Discover why perfect balance isn’t the goal in board game design. Using insights from Gutenberg, this article explores perceived fairness, player expectations, and how to create asymmetric characters that feel exciting and still feel fair.

5 min

Mechanics & Theories

The 8 Types of Fun in Board Games: How the MDA Framework Helps You Design for Emotion

By Wojtek "Łosiu" Wiśniewski

Explore the 8 types of fun in board games through the MDA framework. Learn how mechanics, dynamics, and aesthetics work together to create emotional, engaging player experiences.

6 min

Design Basics

15 Common Mistakes Beginner Board Game Designers Make and How to Avoid Them

By Wojtek "Łosiu" Wiśniewski

New to board game design? Learn the 15 most common beginner mistakes - from delaying prototyping to missing feedback - and how to avoid them so your game improves faster and more confidently.

7 min

Design Basics

How the Board Game Design Process Really Works (And Why Your First Version Won’t Be Perfect)

By Wojtek "Łosiu" Wiśniewski

New to board game design? Learn how the iterative design loop works, why early prototypes fail, and how to move confidently from idea to test to revision.

5 min