How To Create Your Own Card Game | Kickstarter or Gamefound?

Summary

In this video, the host explores the decision-making process for launching a board game, focusing on the pros and cons of Kickstarter versus other platforms like Gamefound. They discuss the challenges faced by indie game designers competing with big publishers and highlight strategies for success, including starting small and keeping costs low. The host also interviews Ben Danson, who shares insights from his successful Kickstarter campaigns for his game Micro Dojo, emphasizing the importance of low production costs and effective marketing.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The video discusses the decision-making process for launching a game, specifically weighing the pros and cons of using Kickstarter as a platform.
• 🎲 Kickstarter is a popular platform for game designers to launch their products without the need for upfront costs, but it's not always the best fit for everyone.
• 📈 The speaker received valuable feedback from various individuals on a Facebook forum, highlighting the importance of community input in decision-making.
• 🤔 The video raises the question of whether Kickstarter is the right choice for an indie game developer, considering the competition from large publishers with bigger budgets.
• 🆕 An alternative platform, Gamefound, is mentioned as a newer option specifically designed for game designers, which may be more suitable for certain projects.
• 💡 Ben Danson, a successful game designer and publisher, shares his insights on Kickstarter campaigns, emphasizing the strategy of starting with a small, low-cost game.
• 💰 Ben Danson's approach to keeping costs low by setting a £5 price point for his game, making it an easy decision for potential backers.
• 📦 The importance of considering shipping costs and production simplicity is highlighted, as these factors can significantly affect the feasibility of a Kickstarter campaign.
• 🔑 Ben Danson details the process of his successful Kickstarter campaigns, including the challenges of doing much of the work himself without external partners.
• 📈 The video discusses the exponential effect of each backer on a Kickstarter campaign, as they can lead to more backers through social proof and platform algorithms.
• 🛍️ The option of using Gamefound or other methods like Game Crafter is presented, each with their own advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, production, and marketing.
• 🔍 The video concludes by encouraging viewers to consider both short-term and long-term strategies, as well as the value of directing internet traffic to their own website versus a platform like Kickstarter.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video script?

The main topic discussed in the video script is the decision-making process for launching a game, specifically whether or not to use Kickstarter as a platform for crowdfunding.

What are some of the benefits of using Kickstarter for launching a game?

Some benefits of using Kickstarter for launching a game include the ability to realize a product without upfront costs, the platform's large user base, and the opportunity to gain support from backers for the project.

What challenges might a small game developer face when using Kickstarter?

Small game developers might face challenges such as competition from large publishers with bigger budgets, difficulties in gaining exposure and reach without substantial marketing funds, and the risk of not meeting funding goals despite having a great game.

What is Gamefound and how does it differ from Kickstarter?

Gamefound is another crowdfunding platform designed specifically for game designers. Unlike Kickstarter, which has expanded to include a wide variety of projects, Gamefound focuses solely on games, potentially offering a more targeted audience.

Who is Ben Danson and what is his experience with Kickstarter?

Ben Danson is a game designer and publisher from Prometheus Game Labs. He has successfully run two Kickstarter campaigns for his game Micro Dojo and its expansion, selling tens of thousands of copies and licensing his game to other distributors.

What advice did Ben Danson receive from a fellow game designer about starting with a small game?

Ben Danson was advised to start with a small game to minimize the financial risk and to learn the entire process of creating and launching a game. This advice came from his friend Dan, the creator of the game Lander.

What was Ben Danson's strategy for pricing his initial game on Kickstarter?

Ben Danson priced his initial game at a round number of five pounds, aiming to make it a no-brainer purchase for people, comparing it to the price of a cup of coffee and ensuring it was affordable even if the game turned out to be less successful than expected.

How did Ben Danson approach the manufacturing and budgeting of his game?

Ben Danson approached manufacturing by keeping costs low, opting for a punch board and a rule book, and printing locally. He also planned to print more copies if the campaign was successful, which would reduce the cost per unit.

What was Ben Danson's experience with marketing and advertising during his Kickstarter campaigns?

Ben Danson found that organic traffic from Kickstarter was effective in bringing in backers, and while he did run ads, they did not significantly impact the number of backers. He also utilized the strategy of sending review copies to multiple reviewers for free, which generated buzz and chatter about his game.

What are some considerations for using Kickstarter or other platforms for a game launch?

Considerations include the platform fees, the cost of production and postage, the potential for a large print run to reduce unit costs, the quality of the final product, and the long-term versus short-term goals of the campaign.

What is the potential impact of directing traffic to Kickstarter versus directing it to one's own website?

Directing traffic to Kickstarter can support the platform's search engine optimization and authority, potentially ranking it higher in search results. However, directing traffic to one's own website can build the site's authority and may be beneficial for long-term brand building.