Brian interviews Eduardo Baraf about his company Pencil First Games and all the analog and digital games he has designed and published. He recently released Gem Packed Cards with both a card game version and a mobile version of it at roughly the same time. We talk about how that went and so much more in this interview.
Podcast/Audio Version: http://traffic.libsyn.com/theforbiddenlimb/eduardo_interview.mp3
What’s the best way to get noticed by a publisher at a convention? What annoys them? What excites them? We talk about our experience and lessons learned as we cover these topics:
– Making Appointments
– Sell Sheets
– Elevator Pitch
– Finding a Publisher that Fits Your Game
– Publisher Speed Dating
– Ludography
– Demos
– Follow-ups After a Pitch
Audio/Podcast version: http://traffic.libsyn.com/theforbiddenlimb/FLP027.mp3
Richard, Jeremy, and Brian talk about writing rules. Here are some of the topics we cover:
Podcast/Audio: http://traffic.libsyn.com/theforbiddenlimb/FLP026.mp3
Resources:
– The Game Crafter Sanity Tests
We give our top 5 tips for convention preparation from the designer and publisher perspective. We also cover these topics:
– Smaller conventions vs. bigger conventions
– Should we go to non-gaming conventions?
– Matching conventions to your theme
– Reusing signage and supplies
– How many copies to bring?
– Packing for a con
Audio/Podcast Version: http://traffic.libsyn.com/theforbiddenlimb/FLP025.mp3
Here we talk about the convention tips we’ve learned over the years, such as:
– tools for running a booth
– good deals on signage for a booth or table
– traffic patterns
– booth tables, chairs, table runners
– options for taking credit cards
– vendor licenses
– booth cover
– health essentials
Podcast/Audio Version: http://traffic.libsyn.com/theforbiddenlimb/FLP024.mp3
Today the topic is getting ready for a convention from the perspective of someone playing games, publishing games, and designing games. How do you get your design in front of publishers? How do you get buzz going for a booth? What are the booth-goer “use cases”? How do you make the most of your convention? We discuss some of these options for getting people into your booth:
– signage
– promo cards
– advertising in convention guides
– coupon books
– contests
– t-shirts
– tournaments
Audio/Podcast Version: http://traffic.libsyn.com/theforbiddenlimb/FLP023.mp3
Get some more insights from the organizer of the San Jose Protospiel, Jeremy Commandeur, on what went well and what he will improve at the next Protospiel he ran, such as:
– the game design contest
– pitching your game
– food for the Protospiel
– ideas for improvement
– how to start your own Protospiel
– networking opportunities
Resources:
– Main Protospiel Website
– Protospield San Jose
Audio/Podcast: http://traffic.libsyn.com/theforbiddenlimb/FLP021.mp3
Resources
Protospiel website: http://www.protospiel.org/
Unpub website: http://unpub.net/
Jeremy Commandeur ran the San Jose Protospiel event and we discuss the behind-the-scenes of what when well and what could be improved. Here are some of the topics we cover in this episode:
– Game Design Contest
– Practicing pitching
– Budgetting for food
– Starting your own Protospiel
– Leveling up your game
Resources:
In this episode, we ask a REAL LAWYER, Zachary Strebeck, about the questions you’ve always wanted to ask about the game industry. Zach has been a contributor for The Dice Tower for a long time as he specializes in board and video game cases and clients. Here are some topics we cover:
Podcast/Audio: http://traffic.libsyn.com/theforbiddenlimb/FLP019.mp3
Resources
http://www.strebecklaw.com/ – Zach’s website.
http://legalmovespodcast.com/ – Zach’s podcast.
We cover lessons learned in talking to tabletop game manufacturers so you can better prepare for the next time you need to work with one.
Audio/Podcast: http://traffic.libsyn.com/theforbiddenlimb/FLP022.mp3
Board Game Business 