Comments on: Build Your Own Board Game

By: Publishing Your Own Game | Games Overboard

Publishing Your Own Game | Games Overboard — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:59:48 +0000

[...] publishing, you do have a few options there. You can use a service like The Game Crafter which we covered before to self-publish. This would require you to self-promote as well. Having recently completed my degree I know how [...]

By: Erik Mallinson

Erik Mallinson — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:01:49 +0000

hm. Now that I think about it a bit more I follow TGC on Twitter where nearly every tweet is (presumably) an automated post notifying everyone of a new game. At that stage I’m guessing one doesn’t have live–play shots yet, because the game has to be posted in order to be manufactured. Thus, my bad.

I would suggest though that TGC rethink the reasoning to post to Twitter though. When one visits the site 99% of the time via Twitter links it gives one the impression of a very amateur group of games and it is a disservice to the creators themselves and probably not effective in getting people to buy games.

@David – Actually yours was the one game I was referring to. Great looking game …when my board game budget recovers from the past month of purchases I’ll be checking out Solstice again.

By: David Bradbury

David Bradbury — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:22:43 +0000

Great write-up! Good to see more press about this site

@Erik Mallinson

- Several of the games (including mine) have their own websites with the full rules (PDF), actual shots of the game, as well as full support with any questions you may have. Sure, someone could create a game that doesn’t offer that, but that’s up to the individual. Some of the games on The Game Crafter have some excellent references, and I encourage you check out the shop!

By: designer4life

designer4life — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 06:12:15 +0000

Actually, I was browsing the games on thegamecrafter.com and they do have action shots at the bottom of most games. In addition there are many games that have PDFs with revised rules and etc.. Just thought I would clear that up.

I definitely saw a few games with amateurish art work but I was surprised that quite a few looked very professional. I don’t care about the cover art as much as I do the action shot photos. Those really give me a good idea of the quality of the product. (those are at the bottom of the game pages)

Hope this site and business continues to grow and offer more parts and options!

By: mercutiom

mercutiom — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:28:26 +0000

I can appreciate that, and totally agree with you. I think that all games should have their own site, with downloadable rules and alternate play options, etc.

I would say that that type of thing would have to be up to the individual game developers though, and not The Game Crafters, though it would be nice if they allowed (possibly at an additional cost??? though I wouldn’t recommend that if they want to increase sales) the option of having Publisher Pages that give more information on the games, the developers, game shots, rule book downloads, etc.

By: Erik Mallinson

Erik Mallinson — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:55:04 +0000

Ultimately I don’t think I would purchase a game there unless the creator had their own website for it that included instructions (I like having a PDF backup of my rules, as major game companies like Fantasy Flight and Rio Grande are providing these days), some photos of the actual game pieces, and any other info they offered up.

The majority (all but one) of the games I’ve checked out have provided little information and images about the game to make me interested. The only art is usually an amateurish logo at the top, with no images of what the game looks like in printed form. I think it’s more of a turn–off than it needs to be.

It’s new though and it’s an amazing idea and I hope the company does well. I would definitely consider using their services to create and buy games provided I felt confident in the purchase.