How to Invent Board Games

Choose the type of board game that you would like to invent. Different types of board games include things like trivia board games (like Cranium or Trivial Pursuit), goal-oriented board games (like Monopoly or Life), or strategy board games (like Clue or Risk).

Brainstorm a theme for the board game. Themes are what make board games interesting and unique, and it is much easier and more satisfying to choose a theme that aligns well with your interests.

Decide the minimum and maximum number of players you want to play your invented board game at the same time. The wider that you can make the gap between the minimum and maximum number of players, the more people that are going to want to play your invented board game.

Decide on a goal for the players of your invented board game. Whether they play to reach the last space on the board, trap all of the other players, or win a certain amount of points, the goal of the players is what keeps them either in competition against or in cooperation with each other.

Write some rules that keep players from unfairly (or too easily) achieving the goal, or winning the game. The rules are the backbone of a board game, and they determine just how your invented board game will be played. You want to make sure that you not only close all of the loopholes that would result in an easy victory, but also that you take advantage of the fact that rules are your chance to make your board game unique in its gameplay.

Think up a name for your invented board game by combining the type, theme and gameplay of the board game. If you are not fond of this approach, then you may reflect on the fact that you made this board game and thus can name it whatever you want. You can even name it after yourself.

Come up with decorative ideas for your nearly invented board game. All that is left is to think up ways to decorate the board, the backs of cards if your game includes them, the color of dice, and the designs of your pieces if your board game includes player pieces to show where they are on the board.

Draft a list of all of the supplies that you will need to buy in order to make your newly invented board game on a piece of paper.