Rulebook

Writing rules is a challenging task. It is often recommended to have them written by professionals, or at least by external people not involved in the design process. Certain rules may seem obvious to you because you have been working on your game for a long time. However, this is not always the case for people discovering your game for the first time, especially if it is their first time playing a game of this complexity.

Here are some elements that are always well appreciated:

A clear setup diagram showing all the components in place

A quick reference aid, either as separate cards or on the back cover of the rulebook

A step-by-step “discovery scenario” that introduces the rules gradually. This is especially useful in campaign games, but not limited to them.

Digital supports (audio, video, websites, documents) that can provide alternative explanations or translations.

Illustrations with examples, which are often more effective than text alone for explaining concepts. This also avoids language and reading barriers, and is particularly helpful for players with dyslexia.

Multiple rule variants, when possible. While variants are often used to add replayability or adjust difficulty based on age, they can also be designed to show that there are different ways to play according to players’ mental or physical abilities.