Life & fun · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Theory of Fun for Game Design
Thoughts on the most important element of any game's design
Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Theory of Fun for Game Design launched in 2015; newer entries below may have overtaken it.
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Who are we designing games for and how do we do it best?
2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →
- 2

The basic handbook of transactional analysis
2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →
- 3

Ryan Hoover's fave book on The Twenty Minute VC
2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →
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A look at how games make us feel
2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →
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A game theorist's guide to success in business and life
2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →
- 8

Interviews and play testing with designers and publishers
2016 · happymittengames.com · its alternatives →
- 9

Going from first time designer to published and full time
2016 · happymittengames.com · its alternatives →
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The most comprehensive treatment of virtual world design
2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →
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A great source of design inspiration
2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →
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Interviews with influential designers
2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →
- 17

Learn to explain your design decisions so people agree!
2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →
- 18

Why Games Make Us Better & How They Can Change the World
2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →
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Useful framework for designing delight into user experiences
2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →
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Improving communication and collaboration through critique
2016 · oreilly.com · its alternatives →
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Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →