Reviews and tips on a wide variety of games including Acquire, Backgammon, Black Box, Careers, Cartel, Clue, Cosmic Encounter, Diplomacy, 4000 A.D., High Bid, Monopoly, Nuclear War, Parcheesi, Quebec 1759, Rail Baron, Risk, Scrabble, Smess, Speed Circuit, Summit, Twixt, UFO and many others including sports games, role-playing games, wargames and Strip Poker, of course. There is even a primer on probability.

Each chapter by a game expert describes and analyzes a different game: Alan Calhamer on his game Diplomacy; Terry Donnelly on his game Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire; Darryl Francis on Scrabble; John Humphries on Confrontation, Escape from Colditz, Tri-Tactics; Josie Matthews on Speculate; David Parlett on Cluedo, Monopoly, Sigma File; David Wells on Mastermind, Ploy, Twixt.

Game Rules :

• Abbott, Robert,
  • Abbott's New Card Games (Stein & Day, 1963)
  • Supermazes: Mind Twisters for Puzzle Buffs, Game Nuts, and Other Smart People (1997)
• Costello, Matthew J., The Greatest Games of All Time (1991)
• Frere, Thomas, Hoyle's Games: The Modern Methods of Playing the Latest and Most Fashionable Games
  Read on-line
• Hofstadter, Douglas R., Metamagical Themas. (1996)
  Includes rules for the bluffing game Mediocrity. The title is an anagram for "Mathemetical Games".
• Knizia, Reiner,
  • Dice Games Properly Explained
    The prolific game inventor presents here 200+ pages discussing hundreds of games and variants along with their strategies and tactics as well as probability calculation. Original games include Matches (page 23), Tit for Tat (51), Equal or Quit (125), Octo (143, previously published 1990), Six Hundred (167, previously published 1990), Thirty Six (171), Mr. Postman (178), Criss-Cross (182, previously published 1990), Criss Versus Cross (186), Catego (187, previously published), Powerplay (192), East-West (193, previously published 1995), Double or Quits (200), Mice and Men (210) and Rats! (213). [US edition] [UK edition] [amazon UK] [Deutsch]
  • Kartenspiele im Wilden Westen (1995)
    Cardgames of the Wild West (in German) consists of 12 cardgames by award-winning game inventor Reiner Knizia. They can be played solitaire, two-handed or in large groups, and are intended for both 32 and 52 card decks. Many examples are included. The reader's constant companion is Joe Joker, who recounts tales of the Wild West's Saloons and campfires, of panning for gold and swindling in the building of railways. Nerve-wracking fun for all. Out of print.
  • Neue Taktikspiele mit Würfeln und Karten (1990)
    New Strategy Games with Dice and Cards (in German) consists of rules to the following games: Complica (Dia-Complica, Doppel-Complica), Dubito (Judico, Subito), Goldrausch (Blinder Goldrausch, Langer Goldrausch, Goldrun), Kanzler (Demokratie, Kabinett, Parlament, Vox Populi), Kartenjagd (Augenjagd, Fuchsjagd, Kartenjagd mit Passen, Offene Kartenjagd, Treibjagd), Katego (Multego), Mr. President (published by Pro Ligno as Catena), Schreibtisch-Jogging (Hindernis-Jogging, Stafetten-Jogging, Vielseitigkeits-Jogging), Sechshundert, Sechsunddreißig (Siebzehn), Sellout, Sono (published by Pro Ligno as Prisma), (Doppel-Quasono, Kooperatives Sono, Offenes Sono, Offenes Unisono, Quasono, Strategisches Sono, Unisono), Swap (published by Pro Ligno as Um Speis und Trank), (Sway Swap), Tor, Turmbau zu Babel, Vier mal Vier, Zehnkampf (Zehnkampf mit Energie, Zweikampf).
  • New Games in Old Rome (1996)
    Includes games from 7 Time Periods:

    Founding of Rome:

    Wheel of History (2-5 players) and Seven Hills of Rome (2)

    Republic of Rome:

    Consul (2-4) and Senator (2-3)

    Ascent of Rome:

    Hannibal versus Rome (2) and Proconsul (3-5)

    Roman Revolution:

    Caesar (2-5) and Spartacus (3-5)

    Rhetoric and Law:

    Tribunal (4-7) and Catiline Conspiracy (3-5)

    Roman Emperors:

    Imperium (2-5) and The Praetorians (2-4)

    Bread and Circuses:

    Mercator (3-7) and Circus Maximus (2-5)

• Kramer, Wolfgang,
  • Der Palast der Rätsel. Ein Buch zum Nachdenken, Rätseln und Staunen (2000) "Puzzle Palace. A Book of Thinking, Puzzles and Amazement" by the popular board games inventor is a completely different kind of mystery book. The reader enters a fairytale palace to find himself imprisoned by a mysterious king, who encourages him to think and sends him on an apparently endless journey through the labyrinth-like fortress. In each room awaits a mystery, whose solution leads to the next room. There is only a single exit. But where? This exciting adventure playfully improves intellectual capacity, concentration and creativity.
  • Die Rätsel der Pyramide. Wer löst die Geheimnisse des unterirdischen Labyrinths? (2000) "The Riddle of the Pyramids. Who can solve the secrets of the underground labyrinths?" has the reader investigating a mysterious labyrinth under an Egyptian pyramid into which three expedition teams have disappeared. Sensational discoveries and puzzling deaths make the search an exciting adventure, the solving of tricky mysteries leads to the solution.
  • Chronos. Buch und Spiel (1999) "Chronos", part of Ravensburger's "Think" series, is a favorite of strategy game fans. Time management is important on the four fundamental areas of life boards (work, health, sense, human interaction) since game decisions are measured by sand timer. The most important key to success is not to garner the most points, but to cover all areas of life sufficiently. On the way there are obstacles in the form of Chronos (event) cards. Variants are also provided for succeeding plays, including a solitaire version. Recommended ages are 16-99.
• Parlett, David,
  • Card Games (1994) The inventor of the classic game Hare and Tortoise (Hase und Igel) presents a variety of original card games as part of the Teach Yourself series. [amazon UK]
  • Card Games for One (1994)
• Sackson, Sid (prolific boardgames inventor),
  • Beyond Competition: Six Dynamic New Games for Two or More Players to Win Together
  • Beyond Solitaire: Challenging New Games for One to Play With Colored Pens or Pencils
  • Beyond Tic Tac Toe: Challenging and Exciting New Games to Be Played With Colored Pens or Pencils
  • Beyond Words
  • Calculate!: Use Your Calculator, and Your Wits, in 6 Challenging Games for 2 or More Players
  • Card Games Around the World (1994)
  • A Gamut of Games (1992, 2011)
• Schmittberger, R. Wayne, New Rules for Classic Games (1992)
  This work by the former editor of Games magazine features dozens of new games to play on common game boards, such as those for cards, dice games, outdoor games, Charades, Checkers, Chess, Clue, Dominoes, Monopoly, Parcheesi, Risk, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit and more.
• Solomon, Eric W., Games With Pencil and Paper (1994) By the inventor of popular board games such as Alaska, Billabong, Conspiracy and many others. Includes Middleman, an economic game of commodity speculation which can take an unlimited number of players.
• Stein, Lincoln David, Family Games (1979)
• Thompson, Patricia A. and Betty Maloney (Illustrator) The Game of Mah Jong Illustrated (1999)
• Sylvester, Peer, Jam Dudel und 29 Andere Spiele (2005)
  Published in German by Bambusspiele, thirty different games playable with ordinary cards and other materials are presented. The inventors are Reiner Knizia (Ascot), Sid Sackson (Haggle), Michael Schacht (Die Fliegenden Händler von Karthago), Uwe Rosenberg (Ein Satz), James Ernest (Wer Hat Dr. Greens Pueblo Gestohlen?), Tom Jolly, Heinrich Glumpler, Oxford Games, Michael Laver, Jean Marc Pautry, Stanley E. Anderson, Sharon Cichelli, Jonathan Leistiko, Benjamin J. Gibbs and Peer Sylvester.
• Sylvester, Peer, So Spielt die Welt (2007)
  Published in German by Bambusspiele, this takes up where this site's interviews with game players around the world leaves off, visiting the game scenes and game histories of Japan, Poland, Finland, Madagascar, Israel, Singapore, Northern Ireland, Thailand, Australia, Brazil, the USA, Alaska and Hawaii, all told. In addition, rules for a number of games of various stripes are presented.

  Previously unpublished:

  Aloi mak by Peer Sylvester (part of his Thailand trilogy)
  Change by Michael Schacht
  Revolte by Michael Schacht
  

  Previously only web-published:

  Insel der Anwälte (Deduce or Die)
  So oder so by Ingo Althöfer
  

  Previously published:

  Go-Nin-Kan by Nobuaki Takerube
  Sudoku Moyo by Günter Cornett
  Attraktion by Jaroslaw Cichocki
  Zigg-Zag by Joli Kansil
  Simpel, aber genial by Rudi Hoffman
  

  Traditional:

  Ristokontra
  Katro
  Yaniv
  Chor Dai Di (Big Two)
  Makrrok Thai
  500
  Pif-Paf
  Konane
  

  • Thompson, Patricia and Betty Maloney, The Mah Jong Player's Companion
  • Whitney, Eleanor Noss, Mah Jong Handbook: How to Play, Score, and Win the Modern Game (1965)
  • Official Scrabble Player's Dictionary

• Bellin, Andy, Poker Nation: A High-Stakes, Low-Life Adventure into the Heart of a Gambling Country (2002)
• Fatsis, Stefan, Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble (2001) By the frequent contributor to Wall Street News and National Public Radio's "All Things Considered".
• Glenn, Jim, The Treasury of Family Games (2003) Includes over 200 games for ages 10 and up. Categories include board, card, party, play anywhere, indoor and outdoor games. Features color-coded sections. Background and history are provided for many of the games. Both familiars, e.g. Monopoly and Go Fish, and less familiars like Shogi and Botticelli. are presented.
• Knizia, Reiner,
  • The Board Room: The Complete Lord of the Rings with Reiner Knizia (2001)
  • The Board Room: The Complete Tigris and Euphrates with Reiner Knizia (2001) The prolific inventor explains two of his most popular games on VHS videotape.
• Hofer, Margaret K. , The Games We Played (2003).

  Wonderful coffee table book with very large illustrations of games made in the early days of American publishing. The book is just beautiful and also it ties together the game topics with the changing American scene, showing how games always reflected their age. The game of the MacLoughlin house (later acquired by Milton Bradley) are especially featured. Chapters include:

  Parlor Amusements
  "The World's Educator"
  Morals to Materialism
  War Games
  Parlor Athletics
  The Urban Experience
  'Round the World

• Knopf, Michael, Spielen. Kleine Philosophie der Passionen (1999).
  Avid game players will rapidly identify with Games. Small Study of a Passion, which discusses in polished, yet unforced humor what constitutes a typical player, winning and losing, the burden of being a rules explainer, playing with non-gamers, trouble with one's lover after a game of Caesar and Cleopatra, trading on Catan, the difference between board and chess players, etc. etc. etc. The only complaint is that this 123-page booklet isn't any longer. A cute addition is that at the bottom of each page is pictured the face of a die, apparently chosen at random. Or is this not random, but itself a game to be puzzled out? Translated chapter titles are 1. Life is a Box, 2. Six is the Beginning of All Things, The Unveiling, Schnapps is Served, We'll Discuss It Later!, Cheaters and Other Non-Gamers, Checkmate, Waiting for Catan, Everybody's a Politician, Expedition to the Dungeons, The Beautiful Aesthetic, The Hippopotamus in the Bath Tub. Some American games publisher ought to translate and publish this one as I'm sure a lot of gamers would love to read and own it, if for no other reason than to explain themselves to their loved ones.
• Lowder, James (editor) Hobby Games: The 100 Best (2007)
  One hundred different writers were asked to select a single hobby game and make a case for its place on the list. The only restrictions were that the writers could not select a title they designed, or a game in which they have a financial stake. Participants included Gary Gygax, Ian Livingstone, Steve Jackson, Richard Garfield, Larry Harris, authors R. A. Salvatore, Tracy Hickman, Douglas Niles, and Ed Greenwood; computer industry notables Warren Spector (Deus Ex), Bruce Shelley (Age of Empires), Jack Emmert (City of Heroes), and Bruce Nesmith (Oblivion); as well as Richard Berg, Monte Cook, Zeb Cook, Greg Costikyan, Bruno Faidutti, Jeff Grubb, the other Steve Jackson, Tom Jolly, Marc W. Miller, Alan R. Moon, Christian T. Petersen, Sandy Petersen, Mike Pondsmith, Ted Raicer, Greg Stafford, S. Craig Taylor, Martin Wallace, James M. Ward, Jordan Weisman, Stewart Wieck, and Teeuwynn Woodruff. Also features a foreword by Reiner Knizia and an afterword by James F. Dunnigan. Only a churl would point out that game designers rarely make good reviewers. ;)
• Millhauser, Steven, The Barnum Museum (1997)
  The title of the first short story is "A Game of Clue" in which, among other things, Miss Scarlett attempts to seduce Colonel Mustard. [amazon UK]

• Anspach, Ralph, The Billion Dollar Monopoly Swindle (1998)
  De-bunks the myths surrounding the invention and first publication of the popular game Monopoly.
• Bell, R.C., Discovering Old Board Games (2008)
  Descriptions of sixty historical board games ranging in age from 3000 BC through to the turn of the nineteenth century, including First House, Landlord's Son, Lapp King, Tenant Farmer, Lapp Warriors, Dablot Prejjesne, Lapp Prince. Book is organized by game type in Race, War, Position, Mancala, Calculation and Dice Games. Includes instructions for making games and pieces, and a bibliography.
• Bell, Robbie, Board Games Round the World: A Resource Book for Mathematical Investigations (1989)
• Glonnegger, Erwin, Das Spiele-Buch (1999)
  The Game Book contains an interesting selection of games from all over the world. Brief descriptions of the most important games, including diversions such as Pachisi and Backgammon, but also newer games as recent as Tikal (1999) and the re-released Adel Verpflichtet (2000), with over 600 illustrations.
• Orbanes, Philip E. The Game Makers: The Story of Parker Brothers, from Tiddledy Winks to Trivial Pursuit (2003) The author enjoyed access to unprecedented sources and has done a remarkably thorough job of research. More than just giving company history, this book does a great job of also succinctly describing what was going on in the rest of the world at the same time and how that affected this 120-year old company. Although the uglier aspects of the history of Monopoly are somewhat glossed over, reading this one was pure pleasure! By the inventor of Cartel, Confrontation, Confrontation Expansion Kit, Infinity, Monopoly: The Card Game, Priceless, Realm, Rummy 21, The 6 Pack of Paper & Pencil Games and Trumpet.
• Parlett, David (inventor of the classic game Hare and Tortoise - Hase und Igel)
  • Oxford History of Board Games [UK edition]
• Whitehill, Bruce
  • Games: American Boxed Games and Their Makers, 1822-1992
  • Americanopoly: America as Seen Through its Games

    Highlights games that have gained popularity worldwide, and explains the effect the US industry has had on the games of Europe, especially Germany. Also examines the games of England, Germany, India, and Africa that have had an influence on American games, showcasing thirteen themes, e.g. politics, films and television, social issues, ethnic diversity, advertising, finance, sports & leisure, pop culture, and other aspects of American lilfe.

• Crowe, Ellie and Robert N. Yonover, Hardcore Inventing: Invent, Protect, Promote, and Profit From Your Inventions Details not just games, but all kinds of invention.
• Filis, Frederick, Design and Sell Toys, Games & Crafts (1977) Also provides the history of the development of several famous games.
• Gobet, Fernand, The Psychology of Board Games (2004) Summarizing all psychological research into board games in a single volume, covers topics such as perception, memory, problem solving, decision making, development, intelligence, emotions, motivation, education, neuroscience and artificial intelligence.
• Koster, Raph, Theory of Fun for Game Design (2004) Primarily computer game oriented, but with carryover to board games as well. Some of the useful questions treated include: why some games are fun and others are boring; why making a game too hard, or too easy, is a mistak ; why games muse balance deprivation and overload, order and chaos, silence and noise; the difference between designing content and creating an experience; why both adults and children like to play games; how playing a game and learning are connected; the ethics of entertainment.
• Levy, Richard and Ronald Weingartner, The Toy and Game Inventor's Handbook (2003)
  Unfortunately the emphasis here is on the toys rather than the games, and especially on toys intended for the huge American companies like Mattel and Hasbro. A book on this topic which never even mentions the name Knizia has to be rather suspect in 2003.
• Meyers, Keith, Paid to Play: The Business of Game Design (2008)
  In ten chapters and eighty-nine pages, discusses game design and marketing, citing one of his own developed games in the process.
• Ollman, Bertell, Class Struggle Is the Name of the Game: True Confessions of a Marxist Businessman
  The designer of the game Class Struggle describes bringing it to market (using some unusual marketing strategies) in the 1970's, first on his own, then selling it to Avalon Hill.
• Fullerton, Tracy, Christopher Swain, Steven Hoffman Game Design Workshop: Designing, Prototyping, and Playtesting Games (2004) An examination of the fundamental elements of game design that puts you to work prototyping, playtesting, and re-designing your own games with exercises that teach essential skills. The authors are primarily known for their work in computer games.

  A second edition on Kindle has now appeared.

• Salen, Katie & Eric Zimmerman
  • The Game Design Reader: A Rules of Play Anthology (2005) This companion to Rules of Play (below) includes thirty-two essays from game inventors, critics, fans and many others discussing the interaction between games and the greater culture, how inventors can create narratives for games, bringing games to market, and, at 954 pages, much, much more.
  • Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals (2004) In 650 pages the authors attempt nothing less than the first course book for a scientific study of game design, both the computer and tabletop varieties. This is not the usual light read, but an analytical book truly of use to the would-be game inventor, more like a text book in fact. Among the guest designers quoted are Reiner Knizia and Richard Garfield.
• Schell, Jesse, The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses (2008) By a professor of game design at Carnegie Mellon University, is an in-depth discussion of the relationship between designer, player and game. A unique feature are the 100 special tips, called lenses, which are summarized on a set of cards for easy reference. Topics addessed are psychology, storytelling, engineering, business, and management. Particularly interesting essays discuss the aesthetics of the Rubik's cube and the learning curve of a jigsaw puzzle.
• Tinsman, Brian, The Game Inventor's Guidebook (2003) (See an on-line preview here.) Contains interviews with industry luminaries such as Richard Garfield, Reiner Knizia, Alan Moon and Mike Gray (Hasbro Europe) interspersed with useful design tips for role-playing games, collectible card game, miniatures and board games. The author is head of acquisitions at Wizards of the Coast – makers of Magic: the Gathering – who has also authored The Complete Encyclopedia of Magic: The Gathering and Magic: The Gathering – Official Encyclopedia, Volume 6: The Complete Card Guide.
• Werneck, Tom, Leitfaden für Spielerfinder One of the founding members of the famous Spiel des Jahres award has penned this Handbook for Game Inventors. Published by Ravensburger, the German edition available for 5 Euro from Adam Spielt. Apparently versions in English and Italian have been published, but are now out of print. The fifth edition (2000) had 160 pages with index. The (translated) chapter titles are as follows:
  1. How Not To Do It
  2. Give Your Idea A Chance
  3. A Few Clarifications
  4. How Do You Invent a New Game Actually
  5. What's the Chance of Success?
  6. How the Idea Becomes Real
  7. Idea Onto Paper: Game Rules
  8. Idea Into the Crucible: Game Testing
  9. Do Not Fear Idea Thieves
  10. Securing Rights
  11. Self-Publish?
  12. Off to the Post! Submission for Evaluation - to Whom and How?
  13. All Finished? Checklist for Submitters
  14. Hurrah! An Offer to Publish!
  15. What Does a Publisher Do?
  16. Game Design Conventions and Associations
  17. The Nürnberg Fair
  18. Essen and Other Events
  19. Other Countries, Other Rules
  20. A Last Word
  21. Useful Addresses
  22. Sample Texts
  23. Index

• Scarpone, Desi, Board Games: With Price Guide
• Scarpone, Desi, More Board Games
• Whitehill, Bruce, Games: American Boxed Games and Their Makers, 1822-1992

Spotlight on Games > Bibliography