UP SHIP! Rulebook Writing Skill

Overview

This skill provides expert guidance for writing and maintaining the UP SHIP! rulebook, applying proven Euro-style board game rulebook best practices. It covers section ordering, writing style, terminology consistency, formatting conventions, and techniques for serving multiple reader audiences.

Core Philosophy

The Three Rules of Rulebook Writing

1. Clarity Over Brevity: A longer, clearer explanation beats a shorter, confusing one
2. Sequential Disclosure: Introduce concepts in the order players encounter them
3. Consistent Terminology: Use the same term for the same concept every time

Three Audiences to Serve

Every rulebook section must work for three types of readers: