User:Thijshijsijsjss/Web-to-Print and Play

I was listening to this episode of the Board Game Designlab Podcast, concerning print and play games. This could be nicely combined with / be a result of web-to-print. In fact, this would allow a player even more fine-grained control over their experience, as this would easily allow even for pre-print customizations (e.g. cosmetic or gameplay tweaks).

Web-to-print

Printing using the web.

• For references see this dedicated wiki page.
• ...

Print and Play

Genre of boardgames that are available for download, so that you can print it yourself.

Some exciting things

• Great playground for experimental games
  • Can use otherwise inaccessible features such as folding, cutting, glueing, aggressive stickering
  • Form factor; can be as small (or big) as you'd want it to be
• Potential for combining with technology
  • Mixed media; options for experience enhancements like links to music
  • Other methods of interaction between players; long distance board games; strangers; chat bots online
  • Witholding information from player witout them (1) opening the box anyway, or (2) feeling scammed (e.g. url location as answer to riddle)
  • Potential for providing different file formats; 3d printed games
• Distribution aspects
  • More low-key contact with players; online platforms for direct communication
  • Easily distribute updates
  • Personal control over distribution
  • Low barrier between creation and distribution / creator and player
• As a player
  • Low barrier for trying out a new game

Resources

• Dedicated subreddit
• Website discussed in podcast episode
• Shut Up & Sit Down video (Vegan content warning for first 20 seconds)
• boardgamegeek.com's page on PnP with links and resources
• ...

References

• Utopia Engine mimics pop-up menu's from video games by sliding sheets of paper over each other