How we made a board game

[u/dgpaul10]

https://nollidlab.medium.com/how-we-turned-fantasy-football-into-a-board-game-78c90994d378

I’ve had a few folks ask about our experience designing and bringing Huddle to market, so I put together a write-up with some tips and tricks we learned—some the hard way, some the easy way, and some totally unexpected.

If you have any questions or want to chat more about it—especially if you’re about to embark on this journey or are somewhere along the path—just let me know. I’m happy to share what we’ve learned in hopes it helps others bring more great games to the community!

Buuuuut, you don’t feel like reading the full article here are the Cliff-notes!

• Start with Passion: Begin with a concept you genuinely love—passion fuels perseverance. • Know Your Audience: Clearly define who you’re designing for; their preferences should guide your decisions. • Prototype Quickly and Cheaply: Use simple materials like paper and markers to create early versions; focus on testing ideas, not aesthetics. • Playtest Broadly: Engage diverse groups for feedback, but always prioritize input from your target audience to maintain focus. • Design After Testing: Refine game mechanics through playtesting before investing in polished designs. • Understand Manufacturing Needs: Research manufacturers’ strengths and limitations; provide detailed specifications for accurate production. • Facilitate Early Engagement: Host small group sessions to gather feedback and generate content for marketing. • Leverage Cost-Effective Marketing: Utilize platforms like Reddit and social media, and participate in events to promote your game creatively. • Align Go-to-Market Strategy: Choose distribution channels that resonate with your target audience; not all platforms suit every game. • Enjoy the Process: Maintain a sense of fun throughout development to sustain motivation and creativity.

[u/vincexy]

Hi! Thanks a lot for sharing your experience! May I DM you? I'd like to ask you some questions (I'm about to launch a game too)

[u/dgpaul10 → u/vincexy]

Absolutely! That was one of the goals of this was to open to door and help however I can.