GAMX x TTGDA Panel (with Jeff Engelstein, Rob Daviau, Tony Tran)
This panel discussion brought together celebrated international designers—Jeff Engelstein, Rob Daviau, and Tony Tran—to share insights with the Indian tabletop game design community.
Jeff Engelstein – Designer, educator at NYU, author of game design books, and co-founder of the Tabletop Game Designers Association.
Rob Daviau – Co-owner of Restoration Games, known as the “king of legacy games,” designer of Betrayal Legacy, Unmatched, and many more.
Tony Tran – Community builder and designer from Tennessee, active in organizing design groups and conventions.
Advice for New Designers
Your first designs won’t be perfect—refinement takes time.
All games are “bad until they’re good.” Persevere, test, and improve.
Define design goals early to avoid scope creep.
Don’t overcomplicate; most first-time designers add too much.
Playtesting
Physical playtests are more valuable than digital, because body language, frustration, and engagement are observable.
Stack the deck when pitching—show the exciting parts early.
Early playtests can be “workshops” rather than full sessions.
Feedback is valuable, but don’t chase every single suggestion.
Pitching & Publishing
Don’t pitch until you believe your game is “ready.”
Publishers care about marketability (audience, price point, expansions, theme, etc.).
Giving up control is part of publishing—sometimes a publisher improves your game, sometimes not.
Self-publishing gives control but comes with major logistical and financial burdens.
Indian Context & Opportunities
India has huge potential as the birthplace of historic games (chess, snakes & ladders).
The key challenge is visibility—Indian designers struggle to reach global publishers.
Suggested solutions:
Build local conventions (like Tokyo Game Fair helped Japanese designers).
Create platforms for publishers to scout games in India.
Push for government support (e.g., India Pavilion at global cons).
Persistence: get as many eyeballs as possible via online channels, local publication, or international showcases.
Cultural Themes
Games don’t have to be Indian-themed, but local culture naturally influences design voice and can make games unique.
A breakout Indian hit could define an “Indian style” of games for global audiences.
AI in Game Design
Panelists use AI lightly—for brainstorming names, filler content, or math checks.
They do not rely on it for design, because AI tends to produce generic ideas.
Future potential: simulation for balance testing, but not yet practical.
Challenges in the Industry
Tariffs, inflation, and supply chain issues are destabilizing the market.
Small box games may be rising in popularity due to affordability and ease.
Even established publishers are facing uncertainty, with sales down significantly.
Young Designers & Education
No need for formal degrees in game design—making games and learning by doing is the best path.
Books and courses can help you progress faster but aren’t mandatory.
Focus on keeping designs simple and approachable.
Indian designers should design passionately, refine patiently, and push games into the world by any channel possible.
Building local strength (indie publishers, conventions) while inviting global interest is the dual strategy needed.
The community is still young, but global experts see immense promise in India’s designers and games.