With the release of Tableau Core and the initial three Storysets 📖, I wrote up a Dev Blog Post on "The Changing Face of Tableau:  how changes to format also change game design" to discuss the evolution of the format of Tableau Games, from its initial design in Gate Watch 2019, to the most recentTableau Core release in its ‘Print'N'Fold’ booklet format.

The new Tableau Booklet 📖 format was developed as the previous ‘Print-N-Cut’ format for cards didn't work easily for double-sided printing at home, and cutting out cards proved tedious for most of the playtesters. The latency from when I updated a set of cards at DriveThruCards, had them printed and delivered to me, and then sending them along to the playtesters, was also far too long. This new format uses an origami-inspired design that supports an easier ‘Print-N-Fold’ experience when printing from home, and this format offers some new opportunities despite some flexibility limitations. My hope is that this new format will make Tableau’s storygames more accessible and make playtesting new games and ideas easier.

I also felt that having available a format with more immediate gratification and making available small, inexpensive Storysets 📖 might help with marketing the system, in particular on itch.io.

I have some longer-term thoughts about the game design opportunities for this format. For instance, booklets make it easier to choose one from three related Story Elements 📖 or to use three different Elements 📖 in sequence, much easier than with individual poker-sized cards. There are also opportunities to choose from checkboxes and write notes on the pages which are not easy with poker cards.  As an ‘Advanced Playtester’ you'll see some examples of these ideas in the near future.

What is your experience with the  Tableau Booklet 📖 format so far? 

-- Christopher Allen