Getting Started
The First Move Is a Welcome: Making a Game Easy to Enter
Make an unfamiliar game easier to join with a visible opening move, a brief demonstration, and a clear invitation that…
From the compass
All articles
Explore United Sports Compass articles on getting started, game formats, rules, shared play and the small design choices that shape a game.
Game Formats
Short Rounds or One Long Run? Choosing a Shape for Group Play
Choose short rounds or one continuous game to manage attention, create useful pauses, and keep group play moving…
Rules
Why a Boundary Needs a Shared Meaning
A shared boundary meaning keeps casual games moving: agree what counts as in or out, handle close calls fairly, and…
Shared Play
The Myth of the Perfectly Even Team
Perfectly even teams are not required for shared play. Rotate roles to spread responsibility, invite different…
Game Design
A Rainy-Day Game Night, Planned Around the Table
Plan a rainy-day game night with adaptable indoor games, fair team formats, and clear ways to include different ages…