Math for Board Game Design?

October 21, 2016 11:01 AM

I'm making board games as a hobby and I'd like to have a better understanding of statistics and similar math topics in order to start the design stronger outta the gate - having better balance instead of just guessing.

What sorts of resources are out there and what are the best branches of math to look into? I'm really not great at math so introductory type things are desired, maybe a site with simple formulas from stats? What other math is important in design besides statistics/probabilities, etc. Explanations of differences between dice vs cards probabilities, all that sort of thing.

Appreciate any sites/books/videos you may have links for (or comments with some basics, even :)) Thanks!

posted by symbioid to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (4 answers total)

I can't speak specifically to game design, but Gonick & Smith's Cartoon Guide to Statistics is a great intro and would probably be useful. The chapter on probability has lots about dice, the history of gambling, etc.
posted by miles per flower at 12:25 PM on October 21, 2016 [2 favorites]

Probability: AnyDice for trialing different dice combos. Lots of great resources on Board Game Geek, e.g. Probability in Games.

Game theory: A good article from Tom Jolly on Using game theory to design games

Also worth reading, Integrating math into board game design.
posted by Paragon at 12:58 PM on October 21, 2016 [1 favorite]

My husband is a board game designer. I'll ask him.

He says:

"I think this is the best summary out there for game design:

http://www.gamesprecipice.com/table-of-contents/

it goes into lots of detail, starts with the basics, definitions, types of randomness, mechanics certain games use, everything..."
posted by euphoria066 at 2:34 PM on October 21, 2016 [7 favorites]

This site isn't at the introductory mathematics level, but it is perhaps something to aspire to. The math behind Hangman, Risk, Yahtzee, Chutes and Ladders, etc.
posted by oceano at 12:29 AM on October 22, 2016