Board Game Business Podcast

Richard Bliss hosts the Kickstarter Panel at the San Jose Protospiel. All Kickstarter topics are discussed from the following panelists: Jeremy Commandeur  Brian Henk Teale Fristoe Aldo Ghiozzi Richard Bliss

This panel was from the 2015 San Jose Protospiel and covered design and publishing of tabletop games. It was hosted by Grant Rodiek and also had Teale Fristoe, Chris Castagnetto, Jeremy Commandeur, and Brian Henk.

The Forbidden Limb debuts on The Dice Tower Network with tips on finding art for your prototype.

Jeremy tells us the top 9 items he believes designers should consider adding to a publishing contract before they sign it.

Learn about the important clauses in a contract between a tabletop game designer and publisher. What does a contract look like and what do you want to make sure is included, both from the publisher and designer perspective? Video/YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/j6P4OYNmZng

See a behind the scenes perspective of a Kickstarter campaign from Brian. The Bombers and Traitors expansion of Good Cop Bad Cop campaign ended just a couple of weeks ago and we go through all the data. Jeremy adds his backing preferences and Richard asks some clarifying questions.   YouTube/Video Version: http://youtu.be/zINmgD0Clf8

Jeremy has returned from Unpub 5, the unpublished games convention, and he tells us all about it. We discuss the benefits of going to this kind of convention, what types of games you'll find, and tips for publishers, designers, and gamers on maximizing your experience while you're there.   Video/YouTube Version: http://youtu.be/wWS3w6eY_7o

Brian discusses his experience with marketing after a game release, Jeremy tells tales of fellow designers at conventions, and Richard reminisces about the buyer experience.

Brian lays out the methods of getting some free press by working with other designers and publishers. Jeremy drops some economics for those willing to drop some dough. Really, they each do both. Richard listens and gets a visitor from way off in 2015!

Richard asks Jeremy and Brian to enlighten him on who to get interested in a prototype, where and when to find those people, how to get them interested, and why. Really, all the questions but "what." You do have a prototype, right?

Jeremy explains the structure of a Kickstarter campaign, leaving options for POD and manufacturing open. Brian gives his three criteria for choosing a manufacturer. Richard puzzles over the benefits of different manufacturer locations. Video/YouTube Version: http://youtu.be/a4WMj_Ky7dk  

Brian gives several examples of errors that can occur with either POD or manufacturing and Richard discovers the guys' tips for minimizing mistakes. Jeremy talks about getting games played by publishers. Video/YouTube Version: http://youtu.be/UNhqE9CgWgs

It's a Jeremy-heavy episode as we start a discussion on which Print-on-Demand (POD) services are available. Brian jumps in with first choices for larger manufacturers. Richard is fascinated.

Jeremy geeks out on his love of all things box, while Richard explores the dynamics of sleeved vs. unsleeved tabletop game box design and Brian explains his trials and tribulations designing boxes for display and functionality. Topics: Box Quality Box Design Box Sizes Custom Game Trays Video/YouTube: http://youtu.be/kcgWl9zmInE

Brian and Jeremy discuss the current trends in what publishers are looking for, Richard reminisces about the goals and hardships of playtesting a TCG, and the guys determine if a game can ever truly be finished anyway.   Topics: Component Complexity Playtesting a Trading Card Game Late Game Modifications Second Editions Dealing with Erratum Video/Vidcast: http://youtu.be/czkWZypCKsk

Jeremy and Brian explain to Richard where he can find a feedback form, the difference between Euro- and Ameritrash games, how to evaluate data (or get someone else to do it), what conventions are held for developing games, and how to make and present a sell sheet. Topics: Using sell sheets Participating in Unpub/Protospiel events Written feedback for playtesting Playtesting different types of games Automated playtesting   Video/YouTube Version: http://youtu.be/98l7apeB_KY

Richard asks Jeremy and Brian to explain how to get players to playtest a game, how to host a playtest, how to blind playtest, remote blind playtest, and track feedback.

Brian and Jeremy talk to Richard about their differing views on earlybird offers on Kickstarter. It's how nerds fight. Video version: http://youtu.be/wQ4pzzueOu4

This is our first episode where we talk about pricing a game and where the profits go when selling it in these different ways: Direct from the publisher's website Direct through Kickstarter Publisher to Retailer Publisher to Distributor Publisher to Distribution Services Company Video version: http://youtu.be/2izkoY0Csv8

Learn more about The Forbidden Limb podcast. We introduce ourselves, give a bit of background about us, but more importantly, we tell you what you will get out of listening to this podcast. Video version: http://youtu.be/8GEJZTY71fM