29-07-2003 02:46									#1
	Question about marketing a game idea Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

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?

	29-07-2003 02:48									#2
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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.

	29-07-2003 03:05									#3
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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.

	29-07-2003 03:27									#4
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization III: Complete

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

	29-07-2003 03:35									#5
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yes, have a working demo thats been through a ton of playtesting / balancing. good luck

	29-07-2003 03:41									#6
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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.

	29-07-2003 03:43									#7
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no game will flop if you just add a little sex appeal

	29-07-2003 03:49									#8
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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!

	29-07-2003 04:12									#9
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

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...

	29-07-2003 07:28									#10
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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.

	29-07-2003 07:30									#11
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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".

	29-07-2003 14:02									#12
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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.

	29-07-2003 19:39									#13
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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?

	30-07-2003 13:51									#14
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Games that only diehards play. Complex rules, high degree of realism (where appropiate) and lots of serious thinking.

	30-07-2003 15:28									#15
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations

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

my favorite 3 board games...

	30-07-2003 15:43									#16
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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.

	30-07-2003 15:46									#17
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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. "

	30-07-2003 16:46									#18
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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).

	30-07-2003 19:13									#19
	Inflate your Upload Space

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.

	02-08-2003 23:11									#20
	Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

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.