Five Star Gift Ideas

For your friend who loves board game designing and prototyping, there are a few gift ideas that can cater to their creative and strategic interests in this field. Here are a couple of meaningful and personal gift suggestions:

1. Board Game Design Book: Consider gifting your friend a book that delves into the art and science of board game design. "The Board Game Designer's Guide" by Joe Slack or "Game Design Workshop" by Tracy Fullerton are highly recommended options. These books provide helpful insights, methodologies, and case studies, assisting your friend in refining their craft and expanding their knowledge.

2. Game Design Toolkit: A game design toolkit can be an excellent gift for someone who loves to prototype their board game ideas. Look for a kit that includes blank cards, dice, game tokens, and a game board. These components are essential for your friend to physically bring their ideas to life and test out different mechanics. It will also give them a hands-on experience of the game design process.

3. Professional Designing Software: If your budget permits, getting your friend access to professional board game designing software, such as Tabletop Simulator or Board Game Designer Toolkit, can be an extraordinary gift. These software programs allow for 3D modeling and virtual prototyping of board games, providing an immersive experience for your friend to refine their designs.

4. Custom Game Components: You can consider gifting your friend custom-made or personalized game components. These could include custom-made meeples, wooden tokens, or engraved dice featuring their name or the name of one of their game prototypes. These unique and thoughtful additions can enhance the visual appeal and personal touch of their games.

5. Board Game Conference or Workshop Tickets: If your friend is passionate about board game design, they would likely enjoy attending conferences or workshops dedicated to game design and prototyping. Consider purchasing tickets for them to attend events like the Protospiel board game conference or workshops conducted by renowned game designers. Networking with like-minded individuals and learning from industry professionals can be invaluable for their growth as a game designer.

6. Subscription to a Board Game Design Magazine: A subscription to a board game design magazine, such as "Casual Game Insider" or "Tabletop Gaming Magazine," can provide your friend with regular insights, industry trends, and interviews with game designers. These magazines serve as a source of inspiration and keep your friend updated about the latest happenings in the world of board game design and prototyping.

Remember that the most meaningful gift is one that aligns with your friend's interests and passions. These suggestions cater specifically to their love for board game designing and prototyping and are sure to be appreciated and cherished.

Or you can get her/him a star map with an important date you share.