Question about marketing a game idea

The diplomat · July 28, 2003, 17:46

I came up with two excellent ideas for a board game. The ideas are pretty well thought through on paper. I have worked out the rules and such.

I am just curious. Hypothetically, if I wanted to market the ideas into board games, what would I have to do? I guess that I'd have to copyright the ideas, and then try to sale them to a company that makes board games. Am I close?

Cruddy · July 28, 2003, 17:48

a) Write the best description you can.

b) Include pictures/design idea for the board and pieces.

c) Playtest with friends.

d) Rewrite the description and designs to account for the playtesting.

Once you've gone through the cycle a few times, and have a witnessed, dated description, you can think about approaching a company with the idea.

The diplomat · July 28, 2003, 18:05

Quote:

Originally posted by Cruddy
a) Write the best description you can.

b) Include pictures/design idea for the board and pieces.

c) Playtest with friends.

d) Rewrite the description and designs to account for the playtesting.

Once you've gone through the cycle a few times, and have a witnessed, dated description, you can think about approaching a company with the idea.

thanks.

Japher · July 28, 2003, 18:27

You can find a lot of examples of "design documents" on the web for just such a thing, diplomat...

Inverse Icarus · July 28, 2003, 18:35

yes, have a working demo thats been through a ton of playtesting / balancing. good luck

Zopperoni · July 28, 2003, 18:41

I suppose the first step would be researching whether or not there will be (reasonable) demand for these games of yours.

You might think it's great and cool, but if no-one else does, then it's still going to flop.

Japher · July 28, 2003, 18:43

no game will flop if you just add a little sex appeal

Inverse Icarus · July 28, 2003, 18:49

Quote:

Originally posted by Japher
no game will flop if you just add a little sex appeal

or make it a drinking game. ever play civ3 where every 5 turns, the lowest scoring person takes a shot?

fun fun fun!

Japher · July 28, 2003, 19:12

I play Civ 3 where every turn I have to chugg a beer. Never make it to far, so I try and start if far enough a long so that the turns are pretty long...

The diplomat · July 28, 2003, 22:28

Quote:

Originally posted by Zopperoni
I suppose the first step would be researching whether or not there will be (reasonable) demand for these games of yours.

You might think it's great and cool, but if no-one else does, then it's still going to flop.

I know. The problem with most board games is that they often require 5 or more people to play. Since it is not always easy to get that many people to sit down and play, many board games don't have a lot of demand.

That is why I plan to have a variation where only 1 or 2 people are needed. This will mean that people will be more likely to be able to play it. This should increase interest and demand.

The diplomat · July 28, 2003, 22:30

Quote:

Originally posted by Japher
no game will flop if you just add a little sex appeal

I am not sure sex appeal would fit very well in the theme of the games.

Of course, I could maybe decorate the side of the board with pictures of girls in bikinis, that might work.
I could call it the "special college edition".

Urban Ranger · July 29, 2003, 05:02

The appeal of board games lie with the social elements, that's why you see so many simple, beer and pretzel type games. Gorgnard (sp?) games aren't really very popular.

The diplomat · July 29, 2003, 10:39

Quote:

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
Gorgnard (sp?) games aren't really very popular.

What do you mean by "gorgnard games"? Could you explain? Do you mean games that require a lot of serious thinking?

Urban Ranger · July 30, 2003, 04:51

Games that only diehards play. Complex rules, high degree of realism (where appropiate) and lots of serious thinking.

DeathByTheSword · July 30, 2003, 06:28

like north & south, Colonist from Catan and Civilization Board game

my favorite 3 board games...

Zkribbler · July 30, 2003, 06:43

What is more believable than a witness: write your rules down and, in a really well sealed envelope, mail them to yourself. Do not open them once you get them.

Skanky Burns · July 30, 2003, 06:46

Quote:

Originally posted by The diplomat
What do you mean by "gorgnard games"?

Games where between turns more resembles Mornington Cresent.
"Your attack on my left flank would have been really devastating. Had you supplied your troops with ammunition, of course.

"

DAVOUT · July 30, 2003, 07:46

Quote:

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
The appeal of board games lie with the social elements, that's why you see so many simple, beer and pretzel type games. Gorgnard (sp?) games aren't really very popular.

I suggest Grognard. This name was given to the old soldiers of Napoleon Imperial Guard who were always grumbling (to grumble= grogner).

The diplomat · July 30, 2003, 10:13

Quote:

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
Games that only diehards play. Complex rules, high degree of realism (where appropiate) and lots of serious thinking.

Well then I guess I am safe. Neither of my two board games would be like that all. There would some thinking, but mostly the fun kind. The rules would be very simple, and the focus would not be on super realism, but on fun. The games would be very appropriate from casual players.

Koyaanisqatsi · August 2, 2003, 14:11

On a (somewhat related) topic: How do you go about getting developers interested in a video game? This has been a topic of discussion in some classes here that deal with video game theory.