You buy a game. You bring it home. You crack the shrink wrap, You punch the counters. You shuffle the cards and admire the dice and the board. You’re itching to call your friends right now to come over and play except for that one small thing…. the rules!

Now no one wants to sit through you reading the rules out loud at the table to everyone. So there’s going to be a pause before we are able to get to the fun. Because somebody has to learn the rules well enough to teach everyone at the table how to play.

At one time, not so long ago, that was the only option available.

Today, you may have more options than a date with the rulebook.

Some game publishers are moving away from traditional rulebooks to video tutorials or even third party teachers. You may be able to watch a playthrough or follow along with a step by step digital guide through your first play.

The goal of this panel is to ask the question whither the rulebook? 

What responsibilities does a publisher have regarding the rules and teaching players how to play? What form should a 21st century rulebook take?

The panel:

Paul Grogan (Gaming Rules)

Ignacy Trzewiczek (Portal Games)

Ted Alspach (Bezier Games)

Jouni Jussila (Dized)

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.