Daniel Solis, someone we’ve mentioned here before for his story-telling game, Happy Birthday Robot, can’t seem to get game design off his mind. In his own words:

I love designing all sorts of games, from storytelling games to abstract strategy board games to physical playground games. I do it because I like the process of getting inspired, experimenting, testing and revising. I like making things that make people smile and have fun.

Daniel has posted on his website a variety of game concepts—including abstract strategy board games, sport-like agility games, and war games using business cards—and following his Twitter stream is like membership in a game design salon.

I got into the habit of sharing my game ideas online because that’s where all the conversation was happening already. Selling my games commercially wasn’t a huge motivator for me, so that transparent process continues today. It’s not the right process for all people or even all projects, but it’s one that I find most productive most of the time.

His commitment, however, to game design doesn’t stop there. To inspire others, Daniel is launching The Thousand-Year Game Design Challenge, with a prize of $1,000!

Any type of game, be it board game, party game, or physical activity, is eligible. The goal of the contest, though, is to find a game that will be enjoyed for generations. Daniel and his wife will select the best entry based on elegance, accessibility, and fun.

Greg Stolze once said that Chess couldn’t be sold today because there isn’t enough commercial potential. The same could be said of Tag or many folk games. So, I want to offer some incentive to would-be inventors who like making elegant, long-lasting games.  My goal is to encourage game designers to think about how their games would be produced, played, learned and shared in the long-term. In doing so, my hope is that those games will also be relevant today, now, and more accessible across language, technological and cultural borders.

The deadline for submissions is July 31st and the $1,000 prize winner will be announced January 1, 2012. Previously published games are not eligible but Daniel is not asking for any rights to the games; designers retain everything. (See announcement for further details.)

Is your game one that will last a thousand years?