The Dark Imp Blog
The importance of playtesting
Whenever anyone asks me for my top tips for budding game designers, I always say the same… playtest, playtest, PLAYTEST! Playtesting is putting your unpublished game in front of other people for them to play it - whether it’s written in sharpie on the back of a cereal...
Update: Reviews, streams and a call for playtesters
Call for Playtesters I'm looking for some playtesters to try out our newest offering. Right now, the project is still under wraps, but here's what I can tell you. There are six games and you can test as many or as few as you like. Games will be sent to you...
How to play Nomination Whist
Quick Links Introduction: Trick-taking and bidding Terminology How to Play Nomination Whist Thoughts about the game 'How to play' Video Get your free game Other great Family Games Introduction: Trick-taking and bidding Nomination Whist is a fabulous trick-taking card...
Adele Pember’s Eight Games
In Eight Games different board gamers share the eight games they’d select in eight different situations. The links are given to Board Game Geek listings for you to find out more. This month Adele Pember shares her Eight Games. Adele is a dog loving entrepreneur with...
Update: Good Toy Guide accreditation & eating lunch
Accreditation from the Good Toy Guide Both the games we submitted to the Good Toy Guide were approved and accredited... which is fabulous! We can now proudly display the badge of approval on the Cracker Games and Coaster Games. Here's what the experts said about the...
Family board game arguments: 8 common triggers
Some games are dangerous because of the mechanisms they employ: deception, debate, co-dependency without communication, runaway leaders, alliances and backstabbing. But sadly, these are not the only things that cause board-gaming arguments. As you play games, try to...
Why are board games educational?
Games designed to be educational games Board games are a terrific learning tool. And I’m not just talking about board games that have been specifically designed to be educational. In fact, while there are some good ‘educational board games’, others fall sadly below...
Women’s stuff and Kickstarter success
WOW Winner! Last month I won the #WOW award. WOW stands for 'Women on Wednesdays' and it's an award conceived by Ann Summers founder, Jacqueline Gold. Each week Jacqueline showcases a different woman in business who she thinks is doing great things. I'm thrilled to...
How to play Next Door or Over Two
Quick Links Introduction: A great solo game How to Play Next Door or Over Two Thoughts about the game 'How to play' Video Get your free game Other great Family Games Introduction: A great solo game Next Door or Over Two is a great one-player card game to teach to...
My Top Ten Roll & Write Games
I know that as soon as I've published this list I'll play another Roll & Write game that should have made my Top Ten list. But... at this moment in time, I'm committing. These are my Top Ten Roll & Write games. Full Disclosure: I create a lot of Roll &...
Adam Richards’ Eight Games
In Eight Games different board gamers share the eight games they’d select in eight different situations. The links are given to Board Game Geek listings for you to find out more. This month Adam Richards shares his Eight Games. Adam is a forty-something year old...
How to play Black Mariah
Quick Links Introduction How to Play Black Mariah Thoughts about the game Other great Family Games 'How to play' Video Introduction: A classic trick-taking game Black Mariah is a classic trick-taking game. It is closely related to the card game - Hearts - which is...