Understanding the Limits

Self-playtesting is an essential design tool, but it isn’t a perfect substitute for real players. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:

1. Build a Functional MVP (Minimum Viable Prototype)

Before you begin, make sure you have at least a basic version of your game — rules, components, and setup. It doesn’t need to be pretty or polished; it just needs to work.
As Playtesting Best Practices explains, “Creating your Minimum Viable Game means crafting the simplest playable version of your concept then self-playtesting that version to see what truly matters.”

Why Self-Playtesting Deserves a Place Early in Your Process

Self-playtesting is the process where the designer plays the game alone (often taking the role of all players) before or alongside testing it with others.
It’s essentially “playing as everyone,” to understand from the inside how the mechanics, flow, choices, and strategies interact.

In our previous article, we explored how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help board game creators with fresh ideas, balance testing, and clearer rulebooks. But that was just the beginning. AI can also support deeper aspects of the design process — from thematic integration to accessibility.

Designing a board game is more than creating clever mechanics or engaging themes. At the heart of every successful game lies one crucial element: a clear and well-written rulebook.

Board game design is a complex journey — from sparking original ideas to refining rules and balancing gameplay. While traditional playtesting remains the cornerstone of development, new tools like Artificial Intelligence (AI) can provide an extra layer of insight, creativity, and efficiency.