How To Publish A Board Game

To publish a board game, you’ll need to develop a great game, test it thoroughly, create professional components, and then choose a publishing path, whether that’s self-publishing or working with a publisher.

So, you’ve poured your heart and soul into crafting an incredible board game. The mechanics are tight, the theme is engaging, and you know it’s something special. Now the big question looms: how to publish a board game? It can feel like a daunting task, but it’s achievable with the right approach.

This journey involves more than just having a good idea. It requires careful planning, consistent effort, and a real understanding of the market. Figuring out the best strategy for your game is vital to its success.

How to Publish a Board Game

So, you’ve poured your heart and soul into creating a fantastic board game. You’ve playtested it countless times, tweaked the rules, and now you’re ready to share it with the world. But how do you actually get your game from your kitchen table to store shelves and homes everywhere? It might seem like a huge puzzle, but don’t worry! We’re here to guide you through the exciting journey of board game publishing.

Perfecting Your Game: The First Step

Before you even think about publishing, you need to be absolutely certain that your game is the best it can be. This means more than just enjoying playing it yourself. It’s about ensuring it’s fun, fair, and engaging for everyone who tries it.

Extensive Playtesting

This is crucial. Playtest with people who aren’t your friends or family. Get fresh perspectives. They might find problems you never noticed. Keep track of what they say and what happens during playtests. Does the game get boring? Are the rules confusing? Use that information to make your game better. Think of playtesting as a chance to find and fix any issues before others do.

Test with different group sizes.
Test with people of various ages and board game experience.
Pay attention to the parts that are liked, and the parts that are not.

Rulebook Refinement

Your rulebook is your game’s instruction manual. It needs to be clear, concise, and easy to understand. Imagine someone picking up your game for the first time; can they figure out how to play just by reading your rules? Here are a few pointers:

Use simple language. Avoid complicated jargon.
Include lots of examples. Show, don’t just tell.
Organize the rules logically. Use headings and subheadings.
Consider adding pictures or diagrams to make it easier.

Component Quality

The bits and pieces of your game matter. A great game with cheap components can feel less enjoyable. Make sure your game pieces, cards, board, and everything else are good quality and fit your game’s theme.

Use thick cardboard for the board and tiles.
Make sure your cards are durable.
Choose tokens and meeples that are easy to handle and match your game.

Choosing Your Publishing Path: Self-Publishing vs. Traditional

Now that your game is polished, it’s time to decide how you want to bring it to market. You have two primary options: self-publishing or going the traditional route with an established publisher. Each path has its own challenges and benefits.

Self-Publishing

Self-publishing means you’re in control of everything. You’ll handle development, production, marketing, sales, and all other aspects of getting your game out there. This option gives you total freedom, but it also means you take on a lot of work and risk.

Pros of Self-Publishing

Complete creative control.
Higher profit potential.
You get to learn every step of the process.

Cons of Self-Publishing

Requires significant upfront investment.
Demands a lot of time and effort.
You must handle all aspects of the business yourself.

Traditional Publishing

With traditional publishing, you pitch your game to an existing board game company. If they like it, they’ll take over the production, marketing, and sales of your game. You usually receive royalties or a lump sum payment.

Pros of Traditional Publishing

Less financial risk for you.
Access to established distribution networks.
Benefit from the publisher’s experience and resources.

Cons of Traditional Publishing

Less creative control over your game.
Lower profit share or royalties.
It can be hard to get a publisher to agree to publish your game.

Choosing between these two routes depends on your goals, resources, and how much involvement you want in the process. If you are comfortable with a lot of work, self-publishing might be for you. If you’d rather focus on game design, traditional publishing might be a better fit.

Preparing for Production: The Nitty-Gritty

Whether you self-publish or go with a traditional publisher, you need to prepare your game for production. This means finalizing all aspects of its design and making sure all files are ready for the printer.

Graphic Design and Layout

A beautiful game is more appealing to players. Invest in good graphic design. If you’re not a designer yourself, hire someone. They can create the artwork, layout the cards and board, and make your game visually appealing.

Choose a style that matches the game’s theme.
Make sure the components and text are easy to read.
Get your files ready for print following printer guidelines.

Working with Manufacturers

If self-publishing, you need to work directly with a board game manufacturer. This process has a learning curve. You should get quotes from several manufacturers, and learn about the different materials and options that they offer.

Get multiple quotes to compare price and quality.
Ask for samples of their work.
Understand their lead times.

Funding Your Project: Making it Happen

Publishing a board game can be expensive, especially if you self-publish. You’ll need money for production, art, marketing, and more. Here are the typical ways to get the funding that you need.

Personal Savings

Many game designers start by using their own savings. It lets you have complete control over how the money is used, but it’s the riskiest way to fund a project.

Kickstarter or Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding has become very popular in the board game world. You present your game on a platform like Kickstarter, and if enough people like it, they will give their money to pre-order the game. If you get enough funds to meet your goal, you make the game and send it to your backers.

Things to keep in mind for Crowdfunding

Create a compelling video explaining your game.
Set a reasonable funding goal.
Offer interesting reward tiers for backers.
Engage with your potential backers, answer their questions.

Loans or Investors

Seeking a loan from a bank or finding an investor willing to invest in your game are other options, but they often have requirements for repayment or ownership of the company.

Marketing and Sales: Getting the Word Out

Your game is made and ready to go, now it needs to be sold. A great game that nobody knows about will not sell very well. Marketing and sales are super important for your game’s success.

Building an Online Presence

Create a website or social media pages for your game. Share updates, pictures, and videos to keep people interested.

Share game updates and behind the scenes content.
Use relevant hashtags to find more people.
Engage with followers and answer questions.

Reaching Out to Reviewers

Send your game to reviewers who create content about board games. Good reviews help people learn about your game.

Research reviewers who focus on board games.
Send them a copy of your game for review.
Be patient and professional when you reach out.

Retail and Distribution

If self-publishing, you’ll need to decide how you’ll sell your game. You could sell it online through your website or marketplaces, or you could try to get your game into local game stores or work with a distribution company.

Research local game stores in your area.
Explore distribution options.
Consider selling at conventions.

Legal Considerations: Protecting Your Game

It is important to protect your game idea. This is crucial as it means the effort you put into your game is for you and not someone else who has stolen the idea and made money from it.

Copyright and Trademarks

Copyright protects the specific expression of your game’s rules and artwork. Trademarks can protect your game’s name and logo.

Contracts and Agreements

If working with a publisher, artist, or manufacturer, always have contracts to protect your rights. A contract will make sure that you both know your rights and responsibilities.

Always have contracts in writing.
Have a lawyer look over contracts.
Make sure you know the terms before you sign.

The Journey Continues: Post-Publishing

Publishing your game is not the end of the journey. It is the start of a new one. Once your game is out in the world, you need to keep improving it and keep promoting it.

Gathering Feedback

Ask players what they think of your game. Use that feedback to fix any problems and keep improving the game.

Building a Community

Connect with your players and make them feel part of your game’s journey. This can help to get repeat business and develop a fanbase. If you do well enough, you could even make expansions or new games!

Publishing a board game is a complex and involved process, but with the right preparation, planning, and execution, you can bring your game to life. Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the journey and learn from each step. With passion, persistence, and a good dose of hard work, you can make your board game dreams a reality!

From Idea to Shelves: Get Your Board Game Published with Insider Tips from a Published Designer

Final Thoughts

In summary, publishing a board game involves diligent playtesting, finding your target market, and creating a polished product. Securing funding, often through crowdfunding, is important. Then, choosing between self-publishing and working with a publisher impacts distribution. Therefore, knowing how to publish a board game is key to success.