The Dark Imp Blog

Real Time Game Design Challenge

Real Time Game Design Challenge

Each episode of The Game School (my show on Teacher Hug Radio), contains a game design challenge. Here's a recent challenge for you to tackle.  In these mini game design challenges, the idea is that we make decisions quickly - we want to have the outline of a game in...

Dopamine: The cheat

Dopamine: The cheat

I’m trying to give up eating sugary snacks. I’ve been a serial dieter/overeater for over 20 years and this new mission is part of a seemingly endless battle to get some control. To aid my attempts, someone recommended I read The Molecule of More by Daniel Z. Lieberman...

Game Design Inspiration: Mechanic Creation

Game Design Inspiration: Mechanic Creation

As game designers, we are always searching for inspiration. I love to start a new game with an idea of a mechanic. Sometimes the mechanic pops into your head, fully formed and other times, it needs some help. Here is an exercise I use to encourage new mechanic ideas...

The Blog is Back

The Blog is Back

Why the blog has been quiet The more beady-eyed Imp followers may have noticed that The Dark Imp blog hasn't been updated for some time. In early September, my lovely brother Anthony died, very unexpectedly when he had travelled to the US to speak at a conference. The...

Asymmetric Game Design Challenge

Asymmetric Game Design Challenge

Each episode of The Game School (my show on Teacher Hug Radio), contains a game design challenge. Here's a recent challenge for you to tackle.  In these mini game design challenges, the idea is that we make decisions quickly - we want to have the outline of a game in...

Update: RBS & Porch

Update: RBS & Porch

Porch I was asked to contribute to an article for Porch.com called Expert Advice for the Ultimate Game Room at Home.I answered the question: What are the factors people should consider when choosing board games for the whole family? Here's my reply:“Different games...

Game Box Design Challenge

Game Box Design Challenge

Each episode of The Game School (my show on Teacher Hug Radio), contains a game design challenge. Here's a recent challenge for you to tackle.  In these mini game design challenges, the idea is that we make decisions quickly - we want to have the outline of a game in...

How to play Flower Garden

How to play Flower Garden

In this game, playing cards represent flowers. Flowers start in one of six flowerbeds or within your bouquet. Pick all the flowers from the garden in the right order to win the game. Flower Garden is a solo patience game. You will need one standard 52-crd deck of...

Update: Be one of those infinity players

Update: Be one of those infinity players

Here's a round-up of the Dark Imp news since my last update...Eat Lunch and Board Game On his podcast, Eat Lunch and Board Game, Adam Collins reviewed my PnP roll & write game - Restaurantrepreneur. Here are some quotes from the show: "Everybody loves this game...

How to play Chomp

How to play Chomp

Chomp your way through a chocolate bar, but avoid taking the last square. Chomp is a game for exactly 2 players.   You will need paper and two pens.Preparation Each player takes a pen. Draw a rectangular grid on the paper to represent the chocolate bar. You could...

Murder!

Murder!

This is a clip from The Board Game Family by Ellie Dix.From party games like Wink-Murder and Murder in the Dark to board games such as Cluedo, crime and killing have always been popular themes. You may have tried a murder mystery evening with a group of friends or...

Update: Greetings Card Games

Update: Greetings Card Games

Greetings Card Games Launch on Kickstarter My 6 games on greetings cards have launched on Kickstarter this week. We hit the (modest) target very quickly and at the time of writing have 50 backers, which is marvellous. For each game, the game board is the front of the...