So, you have a nice game, interesting and ready to be introduced to friends, and the only thing you are missing are some instructions to make them understand how to play it. Teaching a whole new game to people is not easy and it is important to remember that no one knows any aspect of how this game works - if you try to teach things before you understand the basics, it will be very difficult for them to understand you!
Steps
Step 1. List and explain all the objects in the game, one by one and in detail
It is imperative that players understand what the cards, pieces, units or whatever they are represent before teaching them how they interact. Start with the simplest object you have and then build interactions with the other objects. This is a fundamental point of the game.
Step 2. Explain the concept or goal of the game
How do you win? When is it lost? Make sure you don't introduce any new game elements here, you should already have done this in the previous step.
Step 3. Give some examples
If the game has a turn-based structure, it shows how a turn would work. This example should be able to explain most of the possible scenarios and interactions between the elements of the game, if possible. It may be necessary to exemplify more than one shift to explain all the interactions well!
Step 4. List all kinds of possible special scenarios that might confuse players
This step can be very quick and easy, or even the most important part of your explanation, depending on how the game works. It is a fundamental step: if you suspect that a certain aspect of the game may be unclear, take some time to explain this aspect well now.
Step 5. Now talk about the additional elements
If the game can be played in alternative ways, please list them now. If the game includes aspects that aren't specifically used in the main game, explain them now. Anything you haven't explained before will need to be presented now, in the final part of the instructions.
Advice
- If you find it difficult to explain the game on paper, then it will be difficult to learn it. If you have this problem, you better simplify the game itself.
- Start with the simplest to understand aspect of the game and try to connect all subsequent elements from there.
