Board Game Arena

Hey, everyone! Fairly new BGA developer here. I looked into contributing several months ago, life happened, and now I'm ready to jump back in. I've got degrees in software development, cybersecurity, and IT management — so naturally the best use of all that education is volunteering for a board game website, right?

I'm looking for a project to move beyond the tutorials. The licensed games I know well enough to develop are already being worked on, and the ones that aren't claimed yet would need me to secure licensing first. So I'd love to cut my teeth on something simpler before tackling that.

The Royal Game of Ur seems like a perfect fit. It's a fantastic, simple game that's in the public domain (I'd assume so, being 4,000+ years old!). I saw a forum post a few months back from someone developing it, but I can't find an active project. Is anyone still working on it? And is it considered bad form to start a new project for a game like this, especially one that maybe someone still has on the back burner somewhere? I don't want to step on any toes; my main goal is to learn how to contribute to the community and eventually get proficient enough to pursue licensing for more complex games.

Thanks!

Rick

Unfortunately that game has already been developed and is currently in Alpha.

If you hang around long enough I'm sure you'll find a suitable project, but it's good to start with something simple. Public domain means no pressure. I did exactly the same thing. Good luck.

Thanks for the info.

Where do I see what games are in alpha? I looked on the projects that are in development and on the pages with the licenses, but I didn't see it listed in either place. I don't want to keep thinking of ideas and then finding out they are already developed.

Check out https://boardgamearena.com/reviewer or for instance, you could've also seen it by searching the project list: https://studio.boardgamearena.com/proje ... algameofur

nalka wrote: ↑25 February 2026, 03:31 Check out https://boardgamearena.com/reviewer or for instance, you could've also seen it by searching the project list: https://studio.boardgamearena.com/proje ... algameofur

I didn't see the projects link at the top of the page. I guess it was in too obvious of a place.

Thanks! I did sign up to be a reviewer, also. At least I until I figure out a good start project, I can at least contribute there.