How to make your own custom board game.
Beyond entertainment, games can play a significant role in education, particularly for young people. They offer a dynamic way to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and social skills. In educational settings, games can make learning more engaging and interactive, turning ‘boring’ adult subjects like finance and trade into fun experiences. Whether it’s through strategy games that enhance logical reasoning or cooperative games that foster teamwork, board games can be powerful tools for reaching a new audience. Our agency is proud to have worked with Central Coop on a number of games focusing on Fairtrade and Money Management, complete with original design and eco-conscious production.
Creating and designing board games is a challenging task that combines creativity and strategic thinking, (not to mention a healthy amount of nerdy knowledge about board games).
1. Concept Development
This initial phase is all about brainstorming and refining ideas. We look at the overall goal and learning outcomes, and see whether these align with an existing game framework, such as ‘Snakes & Ladders’, or ‘Snap!’. For original concept games we explore various themes and mechanics, from strategy and role-playing to trivia and cooperative gameplay. The goal is to create a unique and engaging concept that achieves the specific learning outcomes effectively.
2. Mechanics & Prototyping
Once the concept is solidified, we move on to designing the game mechanics. This involves defining the rules, objectives, and interactions that will shape the gameplay experience. We create paper prototypes to test these mechanics, iterating on the design through playtesting sessions. Feedback from these sessions helps us refine the rules, balance the gameplay, and ensure that the game is both fun and challenging.
3. Artwork & Design
With the mechanics in place, our focus shifts to the visual elements of the game. Our in-house designer & illustrator works to create visually appealing components that enhance the gameplay experience. From boards and game pieces to the packaging and rulebook, every visual element is carefully crafted to reflect the theme and enhance the learning experience. Our Fairtrade Snakes & Ladders featured hand drawn digital artwork and packaging, and our More Than A Coop playing cards featured bespoke illustrations from a larger project we created for Co-op Education, a subbrand of Central Coop.
4. Production
The final stage involves preparing the game for production. We work closely with manufacturers to ensure that all components are produced to high standards and use a mix of game specialists and traditional print outlets. We ensure manufacturers meet a minimum level of eco-credentials using sustainable materials from FSC managed sites, and where possible, source from the UK to ensure carbon footprints are low.
We’ve also produced a number of large-scale games for outside use, including giant versions of our Fairtrade Snakes & Ladders printed on durable weatherproof materials.
5. Feedback
The feedback from our Mind Your Money game has been very positive. Central Coop have taken the game into schools all over the country and it has been played by thousands of children. With digital being so commonplace, the physical board game elements can be quite a novelty for younger generations and really helps to improve the engagement levels in areas they otherwise may have little interest. Schools have inundated the coop with requests for copies. Schools currently have very little in terms of physical resources to work with these days, so we’re placed this has filled a gap and given further enrichment that differs from the standard educational approach.
We are happy to explore any ideas you may have in creating a board game, whether it’s in the educational sector, coop or another sector. We can also help with everything included in the process above to how it may work with digital integration, along with supporting marketing materials and branding.
Get in touch with us today!