Board Games: The Backer’s Guide to Game Funding

By Lorraine W. McMath Last updated Aug 16, 2023

In recent years, the world of board games has experienced a resurgence in popularity, with an ever-increasing number of unique and innovative titles hitting the market. However, bringing these games to life requires substantial financial support, often beyond what individual creators can provide. This is where game funding comes into play – a process by which individuals or companies contribute money towards the development and production of new board games. Understanding the intricacies of game funding is crucial for both aspiring game designers seeking financial backing and potential backers looking to invest their resources wisely.

To illustrate the significance and impact of game funding, let us consider the case of “Quest of Legends,” a highly anticipated cooperative adventure board game set in a fantastical realm. The visionary designer behind this ambitious project had meticulously crafted an immersive gameplay experience that promised players unparalleled excitement and immersion. Yet, without sufficient funds to bring this vision to fruition, “Quest of Legends” might have remained nothing more than an unrealized dream. By harnessing the power of game funding platforms such as Kickstarter or Indiegogo, however, thousands of passionate supporters rallied together to pledge their monetary contributions towards making “Quest of Legends” a reality. Through their collective investment, they not only ensured the successful completion of the project but also gained access to exclusive rewards and bonuses, such as limited edition game components, signed copies of the game, or even the opportunity to have their names included in the rulebook as official backers.

Game funding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo provide a centralized hub where creators can showcase their projects and potential backers can browse through various campaigns. These platforms offer a range of pledge levels, allowing backers to choose how much they want to contribute and what rewards they will receive in return.

For aspiring game designers, running a successful game funding campaign requires careful planning and execution. It is essential to create an engaging campaign page that highlights the unique aspects of the game, showcases compelling artwork and gameplay videos, and clearly communicates the project’s goals and timeline. Additionally, offering attractive rewards at different pledge levels can incentivize backers to contribute more to the campaign.

Potential backers interested in supporting board games through crowdfunding should carefully evaluate each project before making a pledge. Reading through the campaign page thoroughly, examining any available prototypes or playtesting feedback, and researching the credibility of the creator are all important steps in assessing whether a project is worth backing.

It is also crucial for backers to consider their own budget and expectations when deciding on a pledge amount. While higher pledges often come with better rewards, it is essential not to overextend one’s resources. Backers should only contribute what they are comfortable with losing if the project does not reach its funding goal or encounters unexpected delays.

In conclusion, game funding plays a vital role in bringing innovative board games like “Quest of Legends” from concept to reality. Both aspiring game designers seeking financial support and potential backers looking for exciting new gaming experiences can benefit from understanding the intricacies of game funding platforms and making informed decisions throughout the process.

Understanding Crowdfunding

Imagine this scenario: a group of friends has come up with an innovative board game concept that they believe will revolutionize the gaming industry. Excited about their idea, they start brainstorming ways to bring it to life. However, they quickly realize that funding is a major obstacle standing in their way. This is where crowdfunding comes into play.

Crowdfunding has emerged as a popular alternative for creators seeking financial support from a large number of individuals who contribute small amounts of money. It offers an opportunity for entrepreneurs, artists, and inventors to turn their ideas into reality by tapping into the power of the crowd. By leveraging online platforms dedicated to crowdfunding campaigns, such as Kickstarter or Indiegogo, these innovators can reach potential backers worldwide.

To better understand the dynamics of crowdfunding, let’s explore some key aspects:

The Power of Community: One significant advantage of crowdfunding lies in its ability to create a sense of community around a project. Backers not only provide financial support but also become emotionally invested in the success of the venture. This emotional connection often leads to increased engagement and word-of-mouth promotion among like-minded individuals.
Risks and Rewards: Crowdfunding carries inherent risks for both creators and backers alike. Creators must carefully plan their campaign strategy and articulate their vision effectively to attract supporters. On the other hand, backers face uncertainties regarding project completion or fulfillment issues once funding goals are met. Understanding these risks is crucial for all parties involved before embarking on a crowdfunding journey.
Transparency and Accountability: Successful crowdfunding campaigns rely heavily on transparency and accountability throughout the process. Creators should provide regular updates on the progress of their projects and address any concerns or setbacks promptly. Establishing trust with backers ensures continued support even if unexpected challenges arise.
Rewards-based Model: Unlike traditional investment methods like venture capital or angel investors, most crowdfunding platforms operate under a rewards-based model. Backers receive various incentives, such as early access to the product or exclusive merchandise, in exchange for their financial contributions. This model allows creators to engage with potential customers directly and build a loyal fan base even before launching their products.

Pros	Cons
Access to funding	High competition
Market validation	Fulfillment challenges
Community engagement	Time-consuming process
Pre-launch marketing	Potential copycat ideas

Understanding the dynamics of crowdfunding is essential when considering it as a viable option for board game funding. With its ability to create a sense of community, manage risks, foster transparency, and offer unique rewards, crowdfunding has become an attractive avenue for both creators and backers alike.

Choosing the Right Platform

With a solid grasp of crowdfunding and its potential benefits, let us now explore the various platforms available for board game creators to bring their projects to life.

To illustrate the diverse range of options at your disposal, consider the case of GameX, a fictional tabletop game seeking funding through Kickstarter. By analyzing this hypothetical project’s journey across different platforms, we can gain insights into which platform might be most suitable for your own venture.

Crowdfunding Platform Comparison:
When deciding on a platform to launch your board game campaign, it is essential to evaluate several factors. Here are key considerations that can guide your decision-making process:

Reach and Exposure: Different platforms have varying user bases and levels of visibility within specific communities. It is crucial to assess if the platform aligns with your target audience.
Fees and Costs: Each crowdfunding site has its own fee structure and payment processing costs. Consider these charges when determining how much funding you require.
Backer Engagement Options: Some platforms offer additional features like backer updates, stretch goals, or add-ons that enhance engagement opportunities with supporters.
Success Rate: Researching success rates on different platforms provides valuable information about their track records in terms of successfully funded campaigns.

To provide further clarity regarding these considerations, here is a comparison table showcasing some popular crowdfunding platforms along with relevant metrics such as fees and success rates:

Platform	Fees (%)	Average Success Rate
Kickstarter	5%	38%
Indiegogo	4% (+3%)	34%
Patreon	Varies	N/A*
GoFundMe	0	N/A*

*N/A indicates that data on average success rates was not available

Crafting an Effective Campaign:
By understanding the nuances of different crowdfunding platforms and considering the various factors outlined above, you can make an informed decision about which platform best suits your board game project. In the subsequent section, we will delve into the process of crafting a compelling campaign that captures the attention and support of potential backers.

Now let us explore the crucial steps involved in crafting an effective crowdfunding campaign for your board game venture.

Crafting an Effective Campaign

Now, let’s delve deeper into this topic and explore some key considerations to keep in mind when selecting a platform.

One example that highlights the significance of making an informed choice is the success story of X Game Company. They opted to launch their highly anticipated board game on Kickstarter instead of other platforms such as Indiegogo or GoFundMe. This decision proved fruitful as they were able to tap into Kickstarter’s large community of passionate backers who specifically look for innovative board games to support.

When evaluating different platforms, here are some factors you should consider:

Reach and audience: Assess the size and demographics of each platform’s user base. Look for one that aligns with your target market to maximize exposure.
Fees and costs: Understand the fees associated with using a particular platform, including any transaction charges or additional expenses involved.
Features and tools: Evaluate what features and tools each platform offers, such as built-in marketing campaigns, social sharing capabilities, or project management dashboards.
Reputation and track record: Research the reputation and past performance of various platforms by examining successful projects hosted there previously. This can give you insights into how well they support creators throughout their campaigns.

To further illustrate these points, take a look at the following table comparing three popular crowdfunding platforms based on these criteria:

Platforms	Reach	Fees	Features
Kickstarter	Large	5% fee + others	Extensive
Indiegogo	Moderate	Variable	Comprehensive
GoFundMe	Varies	Transaction fee+others	Limited

As you can see from this comparison, Kickstarter offers a larger reach compared to Indiegogo and GoFundMe. However, each platform has its own unique features and fee structures, so it’s important to carefully evaluate which one aligns best with your game project.

By choosing the right platform for your board game crowdfunding campaign, you can significantly increase your chances of reaching a larger audience, receiving more support, and ultimately achieving greater success in funding your game.

Transitioning into the subsequent section about “Setting Realistic Funding Goals,” let’s now explore how to effectively craft a compelling campaign that engages potential backers while setting realistic expectations.

Setting Realistic Funding Goals

Crafting an effective crowdfunding campaign is crucial for board game creators seeking funding. By presenting a compelling case to potential backers, they can generate interest and maximize their chances of success. For instance, let’s consider the hypothetical example of a new strategy-based board game called “Conquest of Empires.” The creators behind this game must carefully craft their campaign to attract attention and convince backers to support their project.

To create an impactful campaign, there are several key elements that should be incorporated:

Engaging Storytelling: Building a narrative around the game helps captivate potential backers. Through descriptive language and captivating imagery, the creators can transport prospective supporters into the world of “Conquest of Empires” and make them feel invested in its success.
Clear Gameplay Overview: Providing a concise yet comprehensive explanation of how the game works is essential. Backers need to understand what sets “Conquest of Empires” apart from other similar games and why it would be worth supporting.
High-Quality Visuals: Including visually appealing images or videos showcasing the components and gameplay experience enhances credibility and attracts attention. Backers often rely on these visuals to assess whether a project seems professional and well-developed.
Reward Tiers with Value: Offering enticing rewards at different pledge levels encourages backers to contribute more generously. These rewards may include exclusive content, limited edition items, or access to stretch goals that enhance gameplay further.

By incorporating these elements into their campaign, the creators of “Conquest of Empires” have a better chance of attracting enthusiastic support from potential backers.

Table: Elements of an Effective Crowdfunding Campaign

Element	Description
Engaging Storytelling	Craft a captivating narrative that immerses potential backers into the world of the game.
Clear Gameplay Overview	Provide a concise and comprehensive explanation of how the game works, highlighting its unique features.
High-Quality Visuals	Include visually appealing images or videos that showcase the components and gameplay experience to enhance credibility.
Reward Tiers with Value	Offer enticing rewards at different pledge levels, such as exclusive content, limited edition items, or access to stretch goals. These rewards should provide value to backers and incentivize them to contribute more generously.

In conclusion, crafting an effective crowdfunding campaign involves key elements like engaging storytelling, clear gameplay overviews, high-quality visuals, and rewarding backer tiers. By incorporating these components into their campaigns, board game creators can capture attention and inspire potential backers to support their projects. Building a strong backer community is the next step in creating a successful crowdfunding campaign.

Building a Strong Backer Community

Imagine a scenario where a board game project has successfully set realistic funding goals and now needs to focus on building a strong backer community. This section will delve into the importance of cultivating an engaged backer community for successful game funding campaigns.

To illustrate, let’s consider the case of “GameX,” a tabletop game seeking crowdfunding support. By actively engaging with their backers throughout the campaign, GameX managed to foster a thriving community that not only provided financial backing but also contributed valuable insights and feedback. Such engagement helped create a sense of ownership among backers, making them more likely to spread the word about the project and attract additional supporters.

Cultivating an engaged backer community involves several key strategies:

Communication: Regularly updating backers through emails, social media posts, or even live video updates creates transparency and keeps backers informed about project developments.
Exclusive Rewards: Offering exclusive rewards or early access opportunities can incentivize backers to become more invested in the campaign and increase their level of participation.
Feedback Incorporation: Actively seeking input from backers allows them to feel heard and valued. Implementing suggestions or addressing concerns demonstrates responsiveness and fosters trust within the community.
Backer Recognition: Recognizing individual contributions publicly (with permission) can inspire others to engage more actively while deepening connections between creators and supporters.

Key Strategies for Cultivating an Engaged Backer Community
– Regular communication
– Offer exclusive rewards
– Incorporate feedback
– Publicly recognize contributors

By implementing these strategies effectively, creators can cultivate an engaged backer community that goes beyond mere financial support. Establishing meaningful relationships with backers helps build momentum during the campaign and lays the foundation for long-term success beyond it.

Transitioning smoothly into managing post-campaign fulfillment, careful planning is crucial to ensure a seamless experience for both creators and backers.

Managing Post-Campaign Fulfillment

Building a Strong Backer Community

In the previous section, we explored strategies for building a strong backer community during the crowdfunding campaign phase. Now, let’s delve into the crucial aspect of managing post-campaign fulfillment to ensure that your backers receive their rewards in a timely and satisfactory manner.

To illustrate this process, let’s consider a hypothetical scenario where you successfully funded your board game project through Kickstarter. You managed to attract 500 enthusiastic backers who are eagerly awaiting their copies of the game and other associated rewards.

Managing post-campaign fulfillment requires careful planning and organization. Here are some key steps to follow:

Inventory Management: Take stock of all the components required for each reward tier and ensure that you have enough supplies to meet demand. Keep track of the quantities ordered by individual backers to prevent any shortages or discrepancies.
Order Fulfillment: Prepare an efficient system for packaging and shipping out rewards. Consider outsourcing this task if necessary or enlist the help of volunteers from your backer community. Provide regular updates on shipment progress to keep your backers informed.
Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with your backers throughout the fulfillment process. Respond promptly to inquiries, address concerns, and provide realistic timelines for delivery. Transparency is essential in maintaining trust within your community.

Now let’s take a moment to explore how these aspects come together using the following table:

Step	Description	Example
1	Inventory Management	Ensure sufficient supply levels
2	Order Fulfillment	Efficient packaging and shipping
3	Communication	Timely responses and updates

By implementing these strategies effectively, you can foster a positive experience for your backers, strengthen brand loyalty, and encourage future support for upcoming projects.

Remember, managing post-campaign fulfillment is not only about delivering physical products but also about maintaining a strong connection with your backers. This process plays a vital role in ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of your board game project.

With the fulfillment phase successfully managed, you can now turn your attention to building lasting relationships within your backer community and exploring ways to engage them further. The next section will delve into effective strategies for achieving these goals.