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3D printing and rapid boardgame prototyping

oldtimerzaoldtimerza
in General
So I wasn't able to find a discussion on this and thought I would start one.

What do other peeps think about using 3D printers for rapid board game design?
Namely to create custom 3d pieces for use on a board.

For those not in the know , there are quite a few really cheap and effective 3d printers coming out in the near future.
My favourite of which is the peachy printer(which begins shipping this month :P):
http://www.peachyprinter.com/

If you can't wait , I see Rebeltech has started stocking the makerbot range of 3d printers(albeit a bit pricey for hobbyists):
http://www.rebeltech.co.za/304-3d-printers

I'm personally excited for Peachy printer and a first glimpse at a working Carbon3d printer:
http://carbon3d.com/

Anyone have any thoughts/information related to this ?

Comments

  • TuismTuism
    To be perfectly honest, unless you have a hugely novel mechanic (like... Jenga or that Pigs dice game) that hinges on physical objects that must be exactly replicated in physicality, there's not really any need to go into 3D printing when you're "rapid board game design" prototyping. 99% of things in boardgames boil down to cardboard, paper, dice, and bits that can be reproduced without that much effort. The game design is really in the rules rather than the physical bits. The bits are the finishing touches that brings the game to commercial sale, not the originating point of game design.

    That said, I've always wanted a 3D printer myself, but despite it getting cheaper and cheaper, it hasn't quite hit the levels I'd be able to "just mess around with" just yet.

    Waiting for that time to come around :)
    Thanked by 2NickCuthbert francoisvn
  • oldtimerzaoldtimerza
    Valid point and I do agree . I phrased my initial post incorrectly.
    What I meant was use for public display prototyping, after the initial rough ,quick slap together.
    When at the stage to have people at AMAZE or some such event play your game , then having some kind of "rough but presentable" version of the final product to drive interest in the game might be where 3D printers come in.
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