If your game is complete and you want to reach the board game community, then yes, you should submit your game to BoardGameGeek.
Thinking about getting your creation out there? The question, “should I submit my game to BoardGameGeek,” often pops up for aspiring designers. It’s a significant step, moving from personal playtesting to a public platform.
This decision can feel daunting, but it’s an important part of sharing your work. BoardGameGeek is a hub for enthusiasts, a place where your game can find its audience. Weigh the pros and cons, but consider this a key point for gaining feedback and visibility.
Should I Submit My Game to BoardGameGeek?
So, you’ve poured your heart and soul into creating a board game. You’ve playtested it, tweaked it, and maybe even designed a beautiful box. Now, you’re wondering, “Should I submit my game to BoardGameGeek?” It’s a big question, and the answer isn’t always a simple “yes” or “no.” Let’s dig deep into what submitting to BGG means, the benefits it brings, and the things you should consider before hitting that submit button. This is your go-to guide, a deep dive into the world of BoardGameGeek and how it impacts your journey as a game designer.
What is BoardGameGeek (BGG)?
First things first, what exactly is BoardGameGeek? Think of it as the ultimate online hub for all things board games. It’s a massive database where people log games they play, write reviews, discuss strategy, and connect with other enthusiasts. It’s more than just a website; it’s a community. BGG has been around for a long time and has become the primary reference point for board game information. BGG is used by hobby gamers, publishers, designers, and even retailers. If you’re serious about getting your game out there, understanding BGG is crucial.
The Importance of BGG
Why is BGG so vital? It’s where many gamers go to research new games. They’ll look at ratings, reviews, forum discussions, and even photos of components. Think of BGG as the “Yelp” for board games. A good BGG entry can generate interest and sales, while a poor one might bury your game. This isn’t just about getting your game listed; it’s about making it discoverable and building buzz. BGG’s search functionality allows users to find games based on a whole range of filters, including mechanics, player count, playing time, and theme. This means having a detailed and correctly categorized listing is super important for discoverability.
Benefits of Submitting Your Game to BGG
Submitting your game to BGG has many potential advantages. Let’s break down some key ones:
- Increased Visibility: BGG is the go-to place for board game enthusiasts. Having a page on BGG makes your game easier to find by your target audience.
- Feedback and Playtesting: The BGG community is great at sharing opinions. You can get valuable feedback on your rules, components, and overall game play. Some BGG users are very experienced with board games and can give insights that you might not have thought of. This early feedback can be crucial to improve your game.
- Community Building: BGG provides you a spot to connect with your fans. You can start discussions, answer questions, and build a following around your creation. Interaction with players shows engagement, which helps the game gain traction.
- Tracking Your Game’s Popularity: BGG’s rating system gives you an idea of how people feel about your game. The hotness list can quickly put your game in front of many eyes. Also, the numbers show you how your game is doing overall, and also compared to other games in the market.
- Marketing Advantage: A good BGG page helps you promote your game. Linking to your BGG page in marketing materials can help players find out more about the game.
- Legitimacy and Credibility: Having a presence on BGG can make your game look more official. For new designers, a BGG page can help you gain trust with gamers. This can help create interest in your game from the community.
- Sales Growth: More visibility and a strong presence on BGG often mean more sales. If people see good ratings and lots of discussion, they’re more likely to give your game a try.
When Might Submitting to BGG Not Be the Best Idea?
While the benefits of submitting to BGG are clear, there are certain times when you might want to hold back. Here are some situations where waiting might be the smarter move:
Game is Still in Early Development
If your game is still a rough draft with lots of rules changes happening regularly, it might be wise to postpone submitting to BGG. Early impressions are lasting impressions. Posting a half-baked game can result in negative feedback that is hard to shake off later. Wait until your game is more polished before exposing it to the public eye.
Insufficient Playtesting
Playtesting is essential to creating a good game. If your game hasn’t been tested enough, you might get lots of complaints about balance, unclear rules, or other problems. Make sure your game is playable with minimal hiccups. Use the playtesting stage to catch these things and fix them before showing the game to the larger BGG community.
Lack of Marketing Materials
A BGG page is more effective if you have supporting materials. A clear game description, good photos, maybe even a rulebook PDF can make a huge difference. Think of it as setting up a store display – you want everything to look its best. If you don’t have good visuals, players might not be interested.
You Have No Plan to Fulfill Demand
If your BGG page is successful, it will bring in lots of eyes. If you’re not ready to sell or distribute the game, you might get people frustrated. Make sure you have a way to fulfill orders. Being transparent with your game’s availability is also important to build trust with potential customers.
You Are Not Ready for Criticism
BGG users can be very direct. You need to have thick skin for feedback, even if it’s not all positive. If you’re very sensitive to feedback, BGG might not be the friendliest place. Instead, try getting feedback from private groups of playtesters first, before going to BGG.
The BGG Submission Process
Okay, so you’ve decided to submit your game. How do you actually do it? The process is fairly straightforward, but it’s important to be thorough and accurate. Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved:
Create an Account
First, you will need a BGG account. Go to the BoardGameGeek website and sign up. It’s free and only takes a minute. After you have an account, you will be able to post on the forums and add game information to the database.
Navigate to the Game Submission Form
Once logged in, you can find the “Add Game” button, which will take you to the submission form. Be careful and patient, and be sure that you have all of the info readily available. You might also want to search BGG to see if your game has already been submitted.
Complete the Submission Form
The submission form will ask you for a lot of details about your game, here’s some crucial data that is needed:
- Game Title: This might seem obvious, but be sure to use the full and correct title of your game. Double-check for typos.
- Designer(s) and Artist(s): Be sure to credit everyone who contributed to the game. This is only fair, and makes it easier to find the work of the people in the industry.
- Publisher: If the game is published through a company, include their information. If self-published, you will input your own name or company name.
- Year of Publication: When was the game initially released?
- Game Categories and Mechanics: This is a key area. Be sure to select all applicable categories (e.g., Card Game, Strategy Game) and mechanics (e.g., Set Collection, Worker Placement). The more accurate your descriptions, the better.
- Playing Time and Player Count: State the recommended number of players and the time it takes to play a full game.
- Age Range: What is the recommended age of players?
- Game Description: Write a good summary of your game. What is it about? How do you play? This is very important, since most people will read the description before clicking deeper to look at the game. Make it engaging and clear.
- Images: A great game needs great images. Use good quality photos of your game, the box, and the components. Pictures really grab the eye and encourage people to explore your game.
Be precise and detailed, because the more information you provide, the easier it is for users to find your game. In the submission process, try your best to be comprehensive and descriptive.
Upload Images
High-quality images make a huge difference on BGG. Use photos of the game setup, individual components, and people playing the game. A nice cover image can also grab attention. Don’t just use any picture, choose pictures that represent the game nicely, from all angles possible.
Review and Submit
Before submitting, double check everything. Make sure the spelling is correct, and that you haven’t missed any categories. After reviewing, click submit. Your submission will go to the BGG database, and it will be available to the community soon.
Post to the Game Page Forum
Once your game is added, go to its page, and post a hello message to the community! Start a discussion, and let people know that you’re excited about your creation. You can answer questions and start conversations with potential players. Engaging the community makes your game more visible, and also build a fan base.
Optimizing Your BGG Game Page for Maximum Impact
Submitting your game is only the beginning; you also need to optimize your page for the best results. Here are some things you can do:
Use High-Quality Images
As mentioned before, great photos can make or break a BGG page. Invest time in taking attractive and clear images. Show the game in action, and highlight its best features. Avoid using blurry or dimly lit pictures. Try different angles and lighting settings to get the best possible photos for your game.
Write a Detailed and Engaging Description
Your game description is your sales pitch. Write a clear summary of how the game is played, its theme, and what makes it unique. Use keywords to help with searchability. Be detailed about any special elements of gameplay, and who the game would be best for. Be clear and exciting to encourage players to try it out.
Engage with the Community
Be active in the game’s forum. Respond to questions, encourage discussions, and welcome feedback. The more active you are, the more interested people will be. Let people know you care about your game and that you value the community’s opinions. This builds loyalty and trust with your potential players.
Encourage Reviews
Reviews are essential. Ask people who have played your game to leave a review. Reviews play a big role in a game’s BGG rating. More positive reviews mean more interest from the community. Reviews also help future gamers understand the pros and cons of your game.
Update Regularly
If there are any updates to the game, such as rule changes, updated components, or new expansions, keep the BGG page up-to-date. This is important, so that people know that you are actively supporting the game. Keep all info current so that players get the best information available.
Promote Your BGG Page
Include a link to your BGG page in all promotional materials, such as social media posts and website copy. Make it easy for interested people to find more details about your game. Having a link in these places increases visibility, and gives people more options to find and research your game.
The Importance of BGG Ratings and Rankings
BGG uses a rating system that influences the visibility of games on their website. A good rating can help boost your game’s visibility, while a lower rating might bury it. Here’s how the BGG ratings system works and why it’s important:
How BGG Ratings Work
Users rate games on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest. BGG uses these ratings to calculate an average for each game. It’s important to note, that the rating system is based on the user’s own opinion of a game, and it might not reflect if your game is truly good, bad, or anything in between.
The “BGG Rank”
Based on the user ratings, BGG also gives each game a rank based on its average score. The games with higher scores get a higher rank. This ranking can help people see how your game compares to others. The rankings are very useful, but they are not the only way to see if a game is good, they should be a tool and not taken as a final opinion.
Impact of Ratings and Ranks
- Visibility: Games with higher ratings tend to show up higher in BGG searches and hotness lists. This increased visibility can lead to more interest and ultimately more sales.
- Credibility: A game with high ratings tends to be seen as more credible and reputable. This can be valuable, especially for new designers and small publishers.
- Purchase Decisions: Many gamers check ratings before deciding to buy or try a game. High ratings often mean players are more likely to give your game a chance.
- Community Perception: Games with good ratings often get more attention from the BGG community, leading to more forum discussions and other engagement.
How to Improve Your Game’s Rating
Improving your game’s BGG rating takes time and effort. Here are some tips:
- Create a Quality Game: The most important thing is to have a well-designed and enjoyable game. If your game is well-made, it will naturally get higher ratings.
- Encourage Reviews: Ask satisfied players to write a review. The more reviews you have, the more accurate your rating will be.
- Address Negative Feedback: If people give you feedback about your game, listen to what they say. Use this feedback to improve the game and make changes as needed.
- Engage with the Community: Be active in your game’s forum and answer questions. The better you engage with players, the more they will appreciate your game and possibly rate it higher.
Dealing With Negative Feedback
No matter how great your game is, you will get some negative feedback on BGG. This is a natural part of the process, so it’s important to be prepared for this. It’s important to see negative feedback not as an attack, but as a chance to grow and make your game even better. Here’s how to approach criticism on BGG:
Don’t Take it Personally
Remember, people are not attacking you, they are giving an opinion about your game. Try not to let the words get to you. Keep a clear head when you read them, and understand that it’s just part of the design process. Don’t be too defensive; try to understand why someone had a negative experience with your game.
Listen to the Feedback
Some feedback can be very valuable. If several people are mentioning the same thing, you can use that as a chance to improve your game. Pay attention to the issues people point out and think about how you could improve.
Be Respectful and Professional
Even if you don’t agree with the criticism, be nice. Avoid getting into arguments or saying things you might regret. Your attitude shows your engagement and builds your credibility as a game creator. Be polite, open to suggestions, and thank people for their opinions.
Don’t Respond to Every Single Comment
It’s not necessary to reply to every single negative comment. Choose the comments that are useful and need to be discussed. Sometimes a simple acknowledgement is fine, and other times no reply at all is the best way to deal with it.
Turn Criticism into Improvements
Use the negative comments to make changes to your game. You can adapt the rules or change parts to fix any issues. Show the community that you are working on the game based on the feedback that you get. The community will appreciate that you are listening, and are open to making changes.
Focus on the Positive
Don’t let negative comments discourage you. Focus on the positive comments and reviews. Keep the positive energy going, and know that even great games can have negative feedback. Use the criticisms to improve your game, but let the positive feedback fuel your creativity.
Ultimately, deciding whether to submit your game to BGG is a personal choice. There’s no universal right or wrong answer. If you think that it’s the right thing to do, then BGG can be a great place to show off your work to a big community. However, if you need to wait until the game is more polished, it’s best to postpone and do it when you’re ready. Regardless of what you decide to do, make sure that you’re confident about your game, and that you are ready to show it to the world.
Top 10 Hottest Board Games: January 2025 – The Best of BGG
Final Thoughts
If you seek feedback and community visibility, you must consider submitting your game. BoardGameGeek’s audience offers valuable insights, and the platform can increase exposure. Ignoring this resource might limit your game’s potential reach.
The site provides a structured way for players to find, rate, and discuss games. It’s a crucial step for developers. Ultimately, ‘should i submit my game to boardgamegeek’ depends on your goals, but its benefits are significant.
