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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.

  1. 1

    Who are we designing games for and how do we do it best?

    2015 · its alternatives →

  2. 2

    The basic handbook of transactional analysis

    2016 · its alternatives →

  3. 3

    Ryan Hoover's fave book on The Twenty Minute VC

    2015 · its alternatives →

  4. 4

    A look at how games make us feel

    2016 · its alternatives →

  5. 5

    Narrative Skills for Videogames

    2016 · its alternatives →

  6. 6

    The psychology of video games

    2015 · its alternatives →

  7. 7

    Interviews and play testing with designers and publishers

    2016 · its alternatives →

  8. 8

    Going from first time designer to published and full time

    2016 · its alternatives →

  9. 9

    Why do some games remain fun for years?

    2015 · its alternatives →

  10. 10

    The most comprehensive treatment of virtual world design

    2015 · its alternatives →

  11. 11

    Game designer's experience on getting a game published

    2016 · its alternatives →

  12. 12

    A great source of design inspiration

    2016 · its alternatives →

  13. 13
    Flow▲87

    The psychology of optimal experience

    2015 · its alternatives →

  14. 14

    Solid advice and awesome analogies

    2015 · its alternatives →

  15. 15

    Interviews with influential designers

    2015 · its alternatives →

  16. 16

    Learn to explain your design decisions so people agree!

    2015 · its alternatives →

  17. 17

    57 persuasive design patterns

    2015 · its alternatives →

  18. 18

    An inner journey to optimal performance

    2015 · its alternatives →

  19. 19

    Improving communication and collaboration through critique

    2016 · its alternatives →

  20. 20

    It is time to rethink gamification!

    2016 · its alternatives →

  21. 21

    An experience design framework

    2016 · its alternatives →

  22. 22
    Shape▲81

    A letter shaping game

    2015 · its alternatives →

  23. 23

    A book about designing animations for iOS

    2014 · its alternatives →

  24. 24

    Picking Jamey's brain about Kickstarting board games

    2016 · 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 →