Writing the rules for your game

A good rulebook should be structured along these lines:

· Number of players, age

· Aim of the game / short description of its spirit

· Preparation

· Course of the game, i.e. actual rules

· End of the game / victory conditions

· Strategy tips (if needed)

· Game examples (if needed)

· Special rules for other numbers of players (if needed)

· Game variants (warning: do not exceed)

 

Each section must have a title. Use only short and clear statements. Don’t try to use a complex or intricate style. An image is worth more than a thousand words: using an illustration could save you a lot of words. When writing to a game publisher, anything that is not directly connected to the game (e.g. a list of all the accessories needed, technical suggestions on how to realize the game) should be clearly kept separated from the rulebook, and sent enclosed. The best choice is to list all the components needed to play right before the actual rules.

Writing rules deals with resolving a didactical problem. Your goal is to make people who don’t know the game understand its content and how to play after reading once through the rulebook. If necessary, readers should be able to explain correctly the rules to other players. Last but not least, they have to be able to identify clearly which rule or section of the manual to refer to in case any doubt arises.

 

First, write a rough draft for the rules of your game. Be sure to include all of the sections listed above in the first part of the text. Use illustrations where possible. We have been doing grammar practice as warm up activities, so use what you have learned to write concise, grammatically correct sentences.