Hey, I’m Chris Backe (rhymes with hockey). I make tabletop games and help others make games.
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![Home 2 [#021] Backups, taking notes, and more](https://entrogamescomc28ec.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://entrogames.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_3890-1000x675.jpg)
[#021] Backups, taking notes, and more
Welcome to your weekly dose of board game design!It's May, and things are getting busy! Hope life is well with you?Something I learned about game design this weekWhatever you create, take a backup, people. I recently had a major issue with my entrogames.com website...

Book Review: The Board Game Designer’s Guide (2nd edition) – by Joe Slack
Sometimes, you just want a guide. Joe Slack's newest book is actually the 2nd edition of one of his previous books, just with 13 new chapters and five more years worth of experience under his belt. In that time, Joe's had 6 games and expansions published (2 of which...
![Home 4 [#020] Desire paths, playtesting well, and more](https://entrogamescomc28ec.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://entrogames.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Desire_line.jpg)
[#020] Desire paths, playtesting well, and more
Welcome to your weekly dose of board game design! Almost a third of the way through the year! How are you coming with your designs? Something I learned about game design this week So I'm working on a game with some worker placement, and some of the places to go have...
![Home 5 [#019] Input vs. Output Randomness, a couple of words out of order, and more](https://entrogamescomc28ec.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://entrogames.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-04-02_15_37_34-Snorkel_by_B5_Productions___Kickstarter-1.jpg)
[#019] Input vs. Output Randomness, a couple of words out of order, and more
Welcome to your weekly dose of board game design! Welcome to mid-April - Americans, hope your taxes are all done. The Brits do their taxes a bit different, so that's been a learning experience... Something I learned about game design this week So I accidentally wrote...
![Home 6 [#018] Playtesting with casual players, finding your level of ambition, and more](https://entrogamescomc28ec.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://entrogames.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-04-10_12_47_02-The_Board_Game_Designer_s_Guide__The_Easy_4_Step_Process_to_Create_Amazing_Games-495x675.jpg)
[#018] Playtesting with casual players, finding your level of ambition, and more
Welcome to your weekly dose of board game design! I put my winter coat away... FINALLY... Is there a term for when you leave the house during the day, knowing you'll be back in the evening when it's colder, and you have to decide whether to take the jacket or be fine...
![Home 7 [#017] Painters and sculptors, how to organize and save your files, and more](https://entrogamescomc28ec.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://entrogames.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-04-02_15_37_34-Snorkel_by_B5_Productions___Kickstarter.jpg)
[#017] Painters and sculptors, how to organize and save your files, and more
Welcome to your weekly dose of board game design! Well, you've made it through the first quarter of the year - how did you do? Reply and share =) Personally, it's been a lot of fun - I went to Airecon, playtested a lot, and have finally carved out some time to feel...
![Home 8 [#016] Getting away from board games, real world vs. online playtesting, and more](https://entrogamescomc28ec.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://entrogames.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-23_10_22_19-Estimate_Project___Panda_Game_Manufacturing.jpg)
[#016] Getting away from board games, real world vs. online playtesting, and more
Welcome to your weekly dose of board game design! Spring...? Anytime now please...? Can't wait to put my winter jacket upstairs for at least a few months.. Something I learned about game design this week Ready to get inspired? Get as far away from board games as...
![Home 9 [#015] When to shelve games, playtesting awesomely, and more](https://entrogamescomc28ec.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://entrogames.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_3502-1000x675.jpg)
[#015] When to shelve games, playtesting awesomely, and more
Welcome to your weekly dose of board game design! We're in that weird time where North America has sprung forward and Europe won't until next week... Twice a year for about two weeks each time, the two time zones are out of sync Something I learned about game design...
![Home 10 [#014] Airecon, conventions, and more](https://entrogamescomc28ec.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://entrogames.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_3920-1-1000x675.jpg)
[#014] Airecon, conventions, and more
Welcome to your weekly dose of board game design! I got back from Airecon on Sunday night after four jam-packed days of networking, playtesting, playing, and meandering. If you were elsewhere in England last weekend, I hope this post convinces you to add next year's...

Destination: Airecon 2023 – or, why my second time around was the charm
Held at the Harrogate Convention Centre in northern England, Airecon is second only to the UK Games Expo in terms of size. This was my second Airecon, and I'm happy to mention I had a great time. There wasn't any one thing that stood out (perhaps my first play of...