Rephrase for accuracy: some things are not actual real dreams, but byproducts of insane delusions one gets overly attached to. Why would anyone dream of being a boardgame publisher? The boardgame business consists of tossing all of one's ego on a bonfire of consumer whims to keep the lights on.
Shame about the clickbate title! However I did enjoy the talk. As a long time game designer (for the mainstream market) I am now in 2018 going to produce my own games. And alot of the problems raised in this video regarding self production is a good heads up for any newbies coming into indie game design.
I think that the chances of you seeing this are low but I found this video looking for tips on how to make a sizzle reel for a game to show to publishers, I am thinking of targeting the mainstream market. I would really appreciate some tips and pointers... someone should make a video... I would if I had the knowledge
@@StephenWalrondChance I am not an expert but I think if the game is truly amazing then the key is getting the branding right. I've been told many times not to tell publishers "oh you can change the theme, I don't care" - as publishers they know they can change the theme but your passion will shine through. I would make a simple runthrough of the rules just using any camera or phone, just enough to demo the general rules in 5 minutes or less, showing what makes it unique and different. Then post that video on reddit /r/tabletopgame design and various facebook groups for game design and people there will help you figure out your branding and how to present it. don't hire someone to help make the promo video until this is all worked out. good luck!
Omg the background music is the same music as the pocket ants app- I have to listen to this music for hours on end while my kids play pocket ants on their iPads!!
You know that feeling when you try to find a song, but you can’t remember the lyrics, the song’s name, artist name, etc.? That was me trying to rediscover this channel. I’m so glad I found it. Anyway, people complain about the “clickbait” title, but it’s clearly tongue-in-cheek, in the same way many Quackalope videos are formatted. I just wish there were more in-depth videos like this about publishing. We have enough design videos in the world; what about publishing? In fact, I could listen to an entire podcast series of you guys just sharing your stories about publishing.
sadly, we had to pause these; pandemic supply chain problems hit us both hard; costs are out of control and we’re both busy fixing things. It would be fun to do a video discussing all the issues actually.
I’m grateful to not be alone in the process. Not quite sure what the next steps are and making mistakes but with so many years invested, I’m not stopping now.
having worked in a chinese-owned factory, i can 100% believe they had a fire. it was the only time in my life that it'd seen a literal dumpster fire, but other fires happened, too. that was a week before the flooding of our department, which i'd say was about six months before the guy got crushed to death. bear in mind i'm in south dayton, OH, not some province over yonder, and i'd say that for awhile we averaged one emergency response call i'd say every two weeks, where fire trucks would or EMTs would show up. it was crazy there.
This video seems to focus on manufacturing issues. I was hoping to hear about launching the game to the public - marketing, PR, events, and online content.
It’s a dark time for the industry (covid), but definitely debuting at a convention is fun. Paid advertising works if the game is fun and has professional graphics. But definitely find a mentor in the industry first. Game stores will often know some. Or find them online.
I just created a deck builder card game. Just cards, so I don't expect too many problems (Well a few I am sure will pop up, but it doesn't have a lot of pieces, just cards), what do you recommend I do? I am playtesting still and will be adjusting it over the next few weeks and months but then I will be ready to find a publisher.. or publish myself which is terrifying!
Join TabletopGameDesign on Reddit and search for playtesting groups on Facebook and Meetup.com - you need to get the game good enough that you aren’t wasting your time. Then you can go to a convention like BGG con or Gen Con where they have pitch rooms to meet with publishers. Or worst case scenario you can just email them in advance and meet them at their booths and give them a prototype. then followup and if ten publishers say no then there’s another 300+ to reach out to!
I am personally of the theory that if a game can be accurately described by a label people know, then it us likely to late to the market. Is it a deckbuilding game or is it a game that utilizes a deckbuilding mechanic that has other things going for it? Greatest issue is people wanting to buy it after playing it. In my case, I have a bunch of games that utilize deckbuilding I am happy to play. Unless a game plays well solo, I have no use for it. If it does awesomeness and utilizes deckbuilding, and can solo, I am interested.
Are there production companies anywhere else in the world? I know China is the leading country in factory work, but it sounds like there are some serious troubles with going through them. From quality, to holidays, to simple incompetence. Is China just cheaper or something?
way cheaper. so far, worth the headaches. The quality can be great if you just demand it. I've heard there are other places to manufacture as well but I don't have experience/
publishing is easy; you just pay a bunch of money to any manufacturing company and they email back and forth and you send them the files and they ship you the games. Usually they have a minimum order of 1500 units or 2000 units, so it is better to finish the game, playtest it, pay for art, and then raise awareness and money using crowdfunding.
Yes. You had problems but, how did you solve them? Sounds like you should avoid.China and go with India or have different countries do different components and assemble and package the game here in the USA.
I have yet to locate an American manufacturer who can produce miniatures at anywhere close to the price as manufacturers in China. That is one obstacle. Most problems with manufacturing can be solved with clear communication.
no doubt they went to a printing factory, probably in china, but check out some u.s. companies just to compare cost and convenience. lots of printers in america still.
"Don't follow your dreams, they are hard." -this video
Rephrase for accuracy: some things are not actual real dreams, but byproducts of insane delusions one gets overly attached to. Why would anyone dream of being a boardgame publisher?
The boardgame business consists of tossing all of one's ego on a bonfire of consumer whims to keep the lights on.
we can design in the dark! Go go gadget ego!
Shame about the clickbate title! However I did enjoy the talk. As a long time game designer (for the mainstream market) I am now in 2018 going to produce my own games. And alot of the problems raised in this video regarding self production is a good heads up for any newbies coming into indie game design.
I think that the chances of you seeing this are low but I found this video looking for tips on how to make a sizzle reel for a game to show to publishers, I am thinking of targeting the mainstream market. I would really appreciate some tips and pointers... someone should make a video... I would if I had the knowledge
@@StephenWalrondChance I am not an expert but I think if the game is truly amazing then the key is getting the branding right. I've been told many times not to tell publishers "oh you can change the theme, I don't care" - as publishers they know they can change the theme but your passion will shine through. I would make a simple runthrough of the rules just using any camera or phone, just enough to demo the general rules in 5 minutes or less, showing what makes it unique and different. Then post that video on reddit /r/tabletopgame design and various facebook groups for game design and people there will help you figure out your branding and how to present it. don't hire someone to help make the promo video until this is all worked out. good luck!
Omg the background music is the same music as the pocket ants app- I have to listen to this music for hours on end while my kids play pocket ants on their iPads!!
You know that feeling when you try to find a song, but you can’t remember the lyrics, the song’s name, artist name, etc.? That was me trying to rediscover this channel. I’m so glad I found it. Anyway, people complain about the “clickbait” title, but it’s clearly tongue-in-cheek, in the same way many Quackalope videos are formatted. I just wish there were more in-depth videos like this about publishing. We have enough design videos in the world; what about publishing? In fact, I could listen to an entire podcast series of you guys just sharing your stories about publishing.
sadly, we had to pause these; pandemic supply chain problems hit us both hard; costs are out of control and we’re both busy fixing things. It would be fun to do a video discussing all the issues actually.
I’m grateful to not be alone in the process. Not quite sure what the next steps are and making mistakes but with so many years invested, I’m not stopping now.
having worked in a chinese-owned factory, i can 100% believe they had a fire. it was the only time in my life that it'd seen a literal dumpster fire, but other fires happened, too. that was a week before the flooding of our department, which i'd say was about six months before the guy got crushed to death. bear in mind i'm in south dayton, OH, not some province over yonder, and i'd say that for awhile we averaged one emergency response call i'd say every two weeks, where fire trucks would or EMTs would show up. it was crazy there.
Glad so many of these problems have been solved over the years.
This video seems to focus on manufacturing issues. I was hoping to hear about launching the game to the public - marketing, PR, events, and online content.
It’s a dark time for the industry (covid), but definitely debuting at a convention is fun. Paid advertising works if the game is fun and has professional graphics. But definitely find a mentor in the industry first. Game stores will often know some. Or find them online.
unwatchable? This is gold. Ultra realistic.
Appreciate the knowledge sharing, but the nonstop background music is painful.
Thanks; I think I put that music because I was not sure anyone would tolerate my voice. I admit it is way too loud now that I have real speakers….
The only terrible part of this video is its shitty title.
I just created a deck builder card game. Just cards, so I don't expect too many problems (Well a few I am sure will pop up, but it doesn't have a lot of pieces, just cards), what do you recommend I do? I am playtesting still and will be adjusting it over the next few weeks and months but then I will be ready to find a publisher.. or publish myself which is terrifying!
Join TabletopGameDesign on Reddit and search for playtesting groups on Facebook and Meetup.com - you need to get the game good enough that you aren’t wasting your time. Then you can go to a convention like BGG con or Gen Con where they have pitch rooms to meet with publishers. Or worst case scenario you can just email them in advance and meet them at their booths and give them a prototype. then followup and if ten publishers say no then there’s another 300+ to reach out to!
I am personally of the theory that if a game can be accurately described by a label people know, then it us likely to late to the market. Is it a deckbuilding game or is it a game that utilizes a deckbuilding mechanic that has other things going for it?
Greatest issue is people wanting to buy it after playing it. In my case, I have a bunch of games that utilize deckbuilding I am happy to play. Unless a game plays well solo, I have no use for it. If it does awesomeness and utilizes deckbuilding, and can solo, I am interested.
This was a good listen. Any more of these type videos?
Things are tough right now; I’m busy making games at hugely inflated printing and shipping prices, but I’ll do more videos soon
@@joeyvigour9639 I hear ya. Wanna check out what your working on.
Are there production companies anywhere else in the world? I know China is the leading country in factory work, but it sounds like there are some serious troubles with going through them. From quality, to holidays, to simple incompetence. Is China just cheaper or something?
way cheaper. so far, worth the headaches. The quality can be great if you just demand it. I've heard there are other places to manufacture as well but I don't have experience/
@@vigourinc5297 Oh okay, that makes sense then. Thanks for the reply
Yeah, that sounds like a lot. So does giving away 96% of your profit in perpetuity.
how do i publish it myself? and how do i mass produce it shall i also do it myself? sorry noob here
publishing is easy; you just pay a bunch of money to any manufacturing company and they email back and forth and you send them the files and they ship you the games. Usually they have a minimum order of 1500 units or 2000 units, so it is better to finish the game, playtest it, pay for art, and then raise awareness and money using crowdfunding.
@@vigourinc5297 WinGo does manufacturing orders of 500
The game crafter is what I use
I just made a board game..how can i publish it?
Only do it if you really have to! Start on Reddit at r/tabletopgamedesign and facebook tabletop publishing groups
@@vigourinc5297 What do you mean by if you really have to? Isn't that the final step? I mean, I'm not making games just to have them sit on my shelf.
@@someoneontheinternet3090 If you want to raise money for it on Kickstarter or get attention to sell to a publisher.
Yes. You had problems but, how did you solve them? Sounds like you should avoid.China and go with India or have different countries do different components and assemble and package the game here in the USA.
I have yet to locate an American manufacturer who can produce miniatures at anywhere close to the price as manufacturers in China. That is one obstacle. Most problems with manufacturing can be solved with clear communication.
china is the world's factory for a reason. :)
Pip Pip Try a card game publishing video pros and cons please UwO
Not a bad idea. still waiting for lockdowns to lift here in L.A.
How do you print them? what machines do you use?🤓
no doubt they went to a printing factory, probably in china, but check out some u.s. companies just to compare cost and convenience. lots of printers in america still.
wow I was about to tell you guys about a football table board game that has men on the field, mathematically move on the field, with the football.
I wish with all my heart not to publish games.
I'll make it for myself brahs and run ads
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