University students collaborating on game design using board games and holographic interfaces.

Level Up Your Learning: How Board Games Are Revolutionizing Video Game Design Education

Samir D’Costa in Culture & Society December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Beyond Pixels and Play: Discover how tabletop games are giving university students a winning edge in the digital world of video game creation."

In a world dominated by digital screens and virtual realities, it might seem counterintuitive to look to board games—the physical, often analog, pastimes of our childhoods—for insights into the future of video game design. Yet, universities are increasingly doing just that. They're turning to the tangible, tactile world of tabletop games to teach the intricacies of creating digital experiences.

This unexpected shift is fueled by a growing recognition that the principles of good game design transcend the medium. Whether it's a card game, a sport, or a sprawling open-world adventure on your console, the core mechanics, dynamics, and narrative elements that make a game engaging remain the same. Board games, with their clear rulesets and immediate feedback, offer a unique and accessible platform for students to grasp these concepts.

This article explores the innovative use of board games in video game design education, drawing on research and real-world examples. We'll uncover why this approach is gaining traction, how it's enhancing student understanding, and what it means for the future of the gaming industry. Prepare to be amazed by how the humble board game is leveling up the next generation of game creators.

The Unexpected Power-Up: Why Board Games Are Perfect for Game Design Training

University students collaborating on game design using board games and holographic interfaces.

The traditional approach to teaching video game design often involves lectures, digital examples, and hands-on projects using the very technology students are learning to master. While essential, this method can sometimes obscure the underlying principles of game design, leaving students focused on the technical aspects rather than the core elements that make a game fun and engaging. Board games, in contrast, offer a simplified, focused environment where these elements are readily apparent.

Board games strip away the complexities of coding, 3D modeling, and other technical hurdles, allowing students to concentrate on the fundamental aspects of game design. They can quickly prototype, test, and iterate on game mechanics without getting bogged down in the technical details. This hands-on, iterative process fosters a deeper understanding of how game mechanics, dynamics, and narrative elements interact to create a cohesive and compelling experience.

Simplified Mechanics: Board games have clear, concise rules.
Immediate Feedback: Players immediately see the results of their decisions.
Tangible Interactions: Physical components create a more intuitive understanding.
Focus on Core Principles: Emphasize gameplay over technical complexities.

Furthermore, board games often encourage a more collaborative and communicative approach to design. Students must work together to understand the rules, strategize, and create engaging gameplay experiences. This fosters essential skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and communication, which are crucial for success in the video game industry.

The Future is Analog: Embracing Board Games in Game Design Education

The integration of board games into video game design education represents a refreshing and effective approach to teaching the core principles of game design. By embracing the tangible, collaborative, and accessible nature of tabletop games, educators are equipping students with a deeper understanding of what makes games engaging and fun. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, this innovative approach will undoubtedly shape the next generation of video game creators, fostering a more innovative, creative, and player-focused future.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4067/s0718-07052018000100415, Alternate LINK

Title: Uso De Juegos De Mesa En El Diseño De Videojuegos: Una Experiencia Universitaria

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Estudios pedagógicos (Valdivia)

Publisher: SciELO Agencia Nacional de Investigacion y Desarrollo (ANID)

Authors: Antonio José Planells De La Maza

Published: 2018-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why are universities increasingly using board games in video game design education?

Universities are integrating board games into video game design education because the core principles of good game design—mechanics, dynamics, and narrative elements—apply across both physical and digital games. Board games offer a simplified and accessible platform to grasp these concepts without the complexities of coding and 3D modeling. This allows students to focus on fundamental design principles.

How do board games help students learn game design principles more effectively than traditional methods?

Board games strip away the technical complexities of video game development, such as coding and 3D modeling, allowing students to focus on core game design elements. The simplified mechanics, immediate feedback, and tangible interactions in board games facilitate a deeper understanding of how game mechanics, dynamics, and narrative elements interact. This hands-on, iterative process fosters a more intuitive grasp of game design principles.

What are the key benefits of using board games to teach video game design?

Using board games provides several benefits, including simplified mechanics that offer clear rules, immediate feedback that allows players to see the results of their decisions instantly, tangible interactions with physical components that create a more intuitive understanding, and a focus on core principles that emphasizes gameplay over technical complexities. Additionally, board games encourage collaboration, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills, all crucial for success in the video game industry.

In what ways does the collaborative nature of board games enhance the learning experience for aspiring video game designers?

Board games inherently promote collaboration because students must work together to understand rules, strategize, and create engaging gameplay experiences. This collaborative environment cultivates essential skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. These skills are vital in the video game industry, where designers often work in teams to develop complex and multifaceted games. The collaborative aspect of board games prepares students for the collaborative demands of professional game development.

How does embracing board games in game design education shape the future of the gaming industry?

Integrating board games into video game design education equips students with a deeper understanding of engaging gameplay. By focusing on tangible, collaborative, and accessible tabletop games, educators foster more innovative, creative, and player-focused designers. This approach ensures that the next generation of video game creators prioritizes core game design principles, potentially leading to more engaging and innovative video games in the future. Focusing on mechanics, dynamics and narrative elements can lead to greater player satisfaction.