Once Upon a Game

My precarious career as a games inventor

How do you get an idea for a game? What’s involved in developing it and making an initial prototype? How important is play-testing, and whom do you involve in that process? What are the tips for writing rules? How do you go about trying to get your idea onto the marketplace? What are the important parts of a contract?
This book won’t provide all the answers, but it will give you an insight into the fascinating, and sometimes frustrating world of games inventing based on Michael’s 55 years of experience of the successes and failures; the laughter and tears, the delight and the boredom. Along the way he met his wonderful wife, Maggie, and had a child who loves games - what a surprise!  And worked with some great friends and colleagues. For about 30 years, Maggie and Michael and some of these people shared in the writing of books, mainly ones to do with groupwork, communication, teamwork and social care. You will also find out about a collaboration which saw a couple of books about cryptic crosswords launched.