January 27, 2025: What's In A Game?

Have you ever thought about how many different talents go into making your favorite games? The skillset that can devise and develop different gameplay options is subtly different from the skills that go into writing or editing them. Playtesters (and those who wrangle those comments) check that the games make sense and are fun. Graphic designers work with artists to help the games look awesome. Print buyers make sure the games are both high quality and as affordable as possible. Marketing folks promote games so that they find the right audience. Digital gurus work hard so that all the games have the right information online, including options to buy them. Various admin and support-office people get bills paid so that the lights stay on and progress can continue for the next games. I'm certain I'm forgetting about folks.

A lot of this effort can be invisible. It's rare for someone to go, "Wow! I can tell someone edited the heck out of this book!" . . . After all, editing is only something that people notice when it's not done. Similarly, I've never sung the praises of a print buyer at my gaming table, even though great components can help a game come to life.

So, the next time you crack open a new night's enjoyment, take a moment to look at those credits and see who worked to bring it to your table. You may not have noticed them before, but they're all doing their part to make sure you have fun.

-- Steven Marsh