Board Game Business Podcast

How-to-play videos are used more and more by designers to show potential publishers or playtesters their game and by publishers after a game has been released to teach customers how to play them. In honor of April Fool's Day, we give tips on how NOT to make a how-to-play video. I know, we're not supposed to tell you, but we really don't want people actually taking our advice. Here's the gist of the tips we cover, but backwards: Prepare so you can keep it concise. Keep it short. You don't need to say every corner case, but make sure to cover any confusing ones. Use consistent terminology. Use at least two camera angles so it's not just a talking head. Layer in photos to help make your point and show examples. Lighting is important! Light up your face with multiple lights at different angles so there are no shadows. (3-point lighting) Light up your components to show them too, but with not glare. Don't use sleeves if they add glare. Use a microphone close to you for clear and consistent audio. Clean the audio