{"id":36075,"date":"2025-11-29T09:00:55","date_gmt":"2025-11-29T09:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/herotime1.com\/academy\/?p=36075"},"modified":"2025-12-15T05:59:42","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T05:59:42","slug":"nonconventional-game-boards-tips-whats-possible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/herotime1.com\/academy\/design\/nonconventional-game-boards-tips-whats-possible\/","title":{"rendered":"Nonconventional Game Boards: Tips & What’s Possible"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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We often get emails from game creators asking about the possibility of making a game with a board that\u2019s outside the typical rectangular, cardboard norm. This is often possible, but it can depend on a variety of factors related to your board\u2019s design and your choice of materials.<\/span><\/p>

Nonconventional game boards can increase your game\u2019s thematic impact, give your players a pleasant surprise the first time they set up and begin playing, and elevate your game\u2019s identity both creatively and from a marketing perspective.<\/span><\/p>

The tradeoff is some extra complexity in design, prototyping, and manufacturing, but with the right approach, it\u2019s often worth it.<\/span><\/p>

In this guide, we\u2019ll talk about what \u201cnonconventional\u201d means in practice for a game board, what kinds of designs are possible, and give you some concrete tips for working with them, plus risks to watch out for.<\/span><\/p>

What Does \u201cNonconventional\u201d Mean in Board Design?<\/span><\/h2>

By \u201cnonconventional,\u201d we mean game boards that deviate from the typical rectangular, folded, flat layout. Some examples include modular\/tile-based boards, 3D or layered boards, irregular shapes (e.g. a circle-shaped game board), flexible or rollable boards, or boards with their own moving parts and mechanical integration.<\/span><\/p>

For example, <\/span>Carcassonne: The Castle<\/span><\/i><\/a>, <\/span>Notre Dame<\/span><\/i><\/a> and lots of other games all have boards that fall outside the typical rectangular, folded layout that most games conform to.<\/span><\/p>

These designs let the board itself become part of the gameplay, not just the backdrop for the game. Done right, this kind of nonconventional design can make your game more engrossing, as well as giving it a unique look and theme that players will remember.<\/span><\/p>

What\u2019s Possible: Examples & Variations of Nonconventional Boards<\/span><\/h2>

If you\u2019re designing your game and want to use a nonconventional board design, here are some directions you can explore.<\/span><\/p>

Modular\/Tile-Based Boards<\/span><\/h3>

Modular\/tile-based boards are dynamic and can change as needed. Instead of one fixed board, the board is made up of tiles or segments that can be rearranged or added over time. This gives replayability, dynamic layouts, or variable geography each time the game is played.<\/span><\/p>

Many war or exploration games use modular map tiles. You can also combine one central board for the \u201ccore\u201d of your game with modular border tiles.<\/span><\/p>

Non-Rectangular Shapes<\/span><\/h3>

Boards shaped as circles, hexagons, or even organic shapes (e.g. a river, star, island silhouette) help your game stand out if it has a unique theme that\u2019s related to the shape. A circular board is great for encouraging symmetrical play, while irregular edges can mimic terrain.<\/span><\/p>

Although some non-rectangular board shapes are still easy to manufacture, the more complex a board\u2019s shape gets, the more difficult it usually becomes to cut effectively and fit inside your box without issues.<\/span><\/p>

If you\u2019re interested in a non-rectangular shape (especially a complicated shape), feel free to <\/span>talk to our team<\/span><\/a>. We can help you go from idea to finished design ready for manufacturing and give our advice to help your unconventional board design work in practice.<\/span><\/p>

3D\/Layered or Vertical Boards<\/span><\/h3>

A 3D or layered design brings depth to your board. This might mean layered platforms, vertical ramps, or multiple \u201clevels\u201d of your game board stacked above each other to give your players a feeling like standing on cliffs or ascending a tower.<\/span><\/p>

For example, a dungeon game could have floors, staircases, or collapsible levels, while moving parts or rotating discs can change paths during gameplay.<\/span><\/p>

Flexible or Rollable Boards<\/span><\/h3>

Flexible boards use cloth, fabric, vinyl, or flexible plastic so the board rolls and folds without rigid board material. These are useful for travel games, games that use large play areas, or getting a whimsical effect during your game.<\/span><\/p>

We can use a variety of materials to help you make a non-standard game board. If you\u2019d like to use cloth, vinyl or another material for your game, please contact us so we can help you pick a material that matches your vision and works with your game components.<\/span><\/p>

Interactive\/Mechanical Boards<\/span><\/h3>

These are boards where elements move, flip, rotate or shift midgame. For example, the game might feature hidden compartments, rotating wheels, or sliding panels that move during each game to change the dynamics and action.<\/span><\/p>

Interactive game boards can get quite complicated, but there are always trade-offs made with manufacturing complexity and durability as the game board gets more complex.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Different Game Board Materials<\/span><\/h3>

Most games use standard cardboard for their foldable boards. In addition to unique shapes or mechanics, you might want to consider <\/span>using a material<\/span><\/a> like wood, acrylic, metal or something else to give your game a unique feel.<\/span><\/p>

Design Tips for Nonconventional Game Boards<\/span><\/h2>

It\u2019s fun to get creative and imagine a game board that\u2019s totally different from anything else on store shelves. While creativity and uniqueness are great, it\u2019s also important to have a realistic attitude and keep design and manufacturing constraints in mind.<\/span><\/p>

Here are practical tips to help you use a nonstandard board effectively:<\/span><\/p>