Where to go?
So, I've designed this game. I'm not done, but I've done enough that I want to start looking at the next step. So what do I do? how do I monetize this, or more important get it into players' hands?
Once a game is designed the designers have a few options to get it to see the light of day.
Find a publisher.
I can sell my game to a publisher. This is the most common attempt to get a game out there. Publishers have a large enough platform to get the game out there so players can purchase it. There is also a sense of accomplishment here as being published means someone who generally knows what they're talking about has approved of your design or your idea.
There are some downsides to selling to a publisher as well. Finding a publisher that wants to print your game is not easy. Most publishers are not even looking at unproven game designers as they are not willing to risk their money on someone who cannot prove to draw customers themselves. Most publishers also have their own niche within the board game genera.
For me there is a much bigger reason I don't want to sell to a publisher. The idea of releasing all rights to my game and giving any creative control to another person is a step I do not want to take. I'm not done building my game; I'm just getting started.
Print it myself.
The obvious answer if I don't want to find a publisher to print my game is to print it myself. This can be a costly endeavor itself. If I only want one copy of my game, which is a possibility, I could find a self printing site to print a single copy for me. Doing this will likely cost me a little more than buying a board game from the store.
However, if I want to sell my game to the masses, I need to find a way to print a large quantity of games. To do this takes a lot of money. The "easy way" is probably by using a crowd sourcing site, like kickstarter. This is a great way to get started and it helps with initial distribution.
Become a publisher.
They say if you don't like how something is being done, do it yourself. Maybe I'll just open my own publishing company...
Once a game is designed the designers have a few options to get it to see the light of day.
Find a publisher.
I can sell my game to a publisher. This is the most common attempt to get a game out there. Publishers have a large enough platform to get the game out there so players can purchase it. There is also a sense of accomplishment here as being published means someone who generally knows what they're talking about has approved of your design or your idea.
There are some downsides to selling to a publisher as well. Finding a publisher that wants to print your game is not easy. Most publishers are not even looking at unproven game designers as they are not willing to risk their money on someone who cannot prove to draw customers themselves. Most publishers also have their own niche within the board game genera.
For me there is a much bigger reason I don't want to sell to a publisher. The idea of releasing all rights to my game and giving any creative control to another person is a step I do not want to take. I'm not done building my game; I'm just getting started.
Print it myself.
The obvious answer if I don't want to find a publisher to print my game is to print it myself. This can be a costly endeavor itself. If I only want one copy of my game, which is a possibility, I could find a self printing site to print a single copy for me. Doing this will likely cost me a little more than buying a board game from the store.
However, if I want to sell my game to the masses, I need to find a way to print a large quantity of games. To do this takes a lot of money. The "easy way" is probably by using a crowd sourcing site, like kickstarter. This is a great way to get started and it helps with initial distribution.
Become a publisher.
They say if you don't like how something is being done, do it yourself. Maybe I'll just open my own publishing company...
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