Resources

The definitive reference. 113 lenses to analyze and design any game from every angle.

Explores why games are fun and what 'fun' truly means from the perspective of the human brain.

An in-depth analysis of 'game feel': why controlling a character feels satisfying, and how to design it intentionally.

The UX design classic. Explains how objects (and interfaces) can guide or confuse their users, essential reading for any designer.

A reflection on the skills, posture and mindset that define a good game designer, beyond tools and mechanics.

Collaborative whiteboard, useful for user flows, mind maps and design workshops.

The reference YouTube channel for analyzing mechanics, level design and UX in modern games.

A catalog of classified game design patterns: reusable archetypes for building robust game systems.

A comprehensive Notion wiki on the game design profession: definitions, processes, tools and resources compiled for professional practice.

Game Developers Conference talk archives. Thousands of hours of professional content.

Podcast and resources around board game and video game theory. Excellent academic approach.

A live document compiling a massive collection of resources, links and references for game development. Actively maintained by Steven Yau.