
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Summary and Review of &#8220;Designing Modern Strategy Games&#8221; by George Phillies and Tom Vasel</h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Overview of the Book</h2>



<p><strong>Title:</strong> Designing Modern Strategy Games (Studies in Game Design Book 1)<br><strong>Authors:</strong> George Phillies &; Tom Vasel<br><strong>Publication Date:</strong> June 24, 2017 (2nd edition)<br><strong>Format:</strong> Kindle Edition<br><strong>Pages:</strong> 576<br><strong>Genre:</strong> Humor &; Entertainment, Board Games, Game Design</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What the Book is About</h3>



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<li>The book serves as a comprehensive guide and textbook on the design of modern strategy games.</li>



<li>It includes more than 100 game design projects, making it practical for instructors and students.</li>



<li>The content opens with an essay by Greg Costikyan, a respected figure in game design.</li>



<li>It provides a detailed synoptic analysis of game design elements.</li>



<li>The book features recommendations from great game designers.</li>



<li>It contains detailed analyses of the rules of over a hundred strategy games.</li>



<li>An appendix is included with course plans for a university course on the design of tabletop board wargames taught by Phillies.</li>



<li>The book is aimed at both game design students and enthusiasts interested in understanding modern strategy games in depth.</li>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Features</h2>



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<li>In-depth theoretical and practical approach to strategy game design.</li>



<li>Breakdown of various design elements like theme, mechanics, and rules.</li>



<li>Extensive examples from real games to illustrate design principles.</li>



<li>Course plans for educators teaching game design.</li>



<li>Insights from interviews with prominent game designers.</li>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Customer Reviews and Feedback</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Overall Rating: 3.7 out of 5 stars (Based on 28 ratings)</h3>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Positive Aspects</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Useful Resource:</strong> Many readers found it a valuable tool for building knowledge about game design. It is helpful for those attempting to design games.</li>



<li><strong>Comprehensive Survey:</strong> The book offers a good overview of fast-playing strategy games and encourages readers to think about creating their own.</li>



<li><strong>Inspiring Advice:</strong> Contains inspiring advice and recommendations from experienced game designers.</li>



<li><strong>Educational Use:</strong> Suitable as a textbook with structured course plans for teaching game design.</li>



<li><strong>Detailed Game Rule Summaries:</strong> Includes summaries of many popular games’ rules, useful for reference.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Criticisms and Limitations</h3>



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<li><strong>Too General for Some:</strong> Some readers expected more detailed, practical guidance on designing specific game mechanics such as balancing stats or designing maps but found the book lacking in this area.</li>



<li><strong>Classroom Focused:</strong> A few reviewers noted the book is written more for academic or classroom use rather than casual reading or direct application by hobbyists.</li>



<li><strong>Repetitive Content:</strong> Some felt parts of the book were similar to free online content (e.g., interviews available elsewhere).</li>



<li><strong>Not a How-To Manual:</strong> It is not a step-by-step manual for new designers looking for concrete instructions on rule creation or game balancing.</li>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Summary Table of Reviews</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Aspect</th><th>Positive Feedback</th><th>Negative Feedback</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Content Coverage</td><td>Extensive analysis of strategy games and rules</td><td>Lacks deep practical guidance on mechanics</td></tr><tr><td>Usability</td><td>Good as a textbook or reference</td><td>Less useful for casual or beginner designers</td></tr><tr><td>Inspiration &; Advice</td><td>Offers motivating insights from top designers</td><td>Some content overlaps with freely available resources</td></tr><tr><td>Educational Value</td><td>Structured course plans included</td><td>May feel too academic or dense for casual readers</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2>



<p>&#8220;Designing Modern Strategy Games&#8221; by George Phillies and Tom Vasel is a detailed, well-researched resource primarily aimed at students, educators, and serious hobbyists interested in the theory and analysis of modern strategy board games. While it excels as a textbook and reference guide with broad coverage and expert insights, it may fall short for those seeking hands-on, practical tutorials on game mechanics design or simple step-by-step instructions. Readers looking for inspiration, historical context, and comprehensive rule analysis will find much value here.</p>



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<p>If you want a book that blends theory with extensive examples and supports academic study, this is recommended. However, if you are looking for quick how-to advice on creating balanced games or designing components, you might want to complement this with other more focused design manuals.</p>



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Designing Modern Strategy Games (Studies in Game Design Book 1)
