Board Games Kickstarter – How Does This Work?

So, you’ve probably seen a ton of Kickstarter notes on games you’ve been buying and playing. There’s a good reason for that: Kickstarter is, in a nutshell, a crowdfunding organization where folks with board game ideas seek funding. So, it’s a great place to help support game creators who may not have board game companies backing them with funds already. You can also find new projects from existing companies there, too – after all, the economy is tough, and companies don’t want to risk investing their resources on unknown entities. Many board games on Kickstarter come with multiple variants, allowing backers to choose from different options.

And that is exactly where you come in – the board gaming loving consumer.

Who Benefits from Board Games Kickstarter?

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There are primarily two groups of people who benefit from Board Games Kickstarter. The first group is made up of the creators of games that require funding. The second group is those of us who love the ideas for these games and want to see them come into being.

So, despite as the investor in Board Games Kickstarter projects, you receive benefits. Creators often offer unique incentives like early play-test games, special merchandise based on the games, active sessions with the creators, expansions, deluxe issues, exclusive editions, and a variety of other behind-the-scenes fun goodies. But you’ll also receive a copy of the game once it’s been developed. The game comes as a “thanks” for your gift, assuming you give enough to earn that benefit tier.

Benefits of Kickstarter for Board Game Creators

Kickstarter has revolutionized the way board game creators bring their ideas to life. One of the standout benefits is the ability to gauge interest and generate buzz before a game even hits the market. By launching a campaign, creators can showcase their game to a vast audience, gather invaluable feedback, and refine their project to better appeal to potential backers.

Another significant advantage is the financial aspect. Unlike traditional funding methods, Kickstarter allows creators to raise the necessary funds without giving up equity or control over their project. By setting a funding goal and offering enticing rewards, creators can maintain full ownership and creative direction while securing the resources needed to bring their game to fruition.

Moreover, Kickstarter fosters a sense of community. Engaging with backers through updates and interactions helps build a loyal following and generates excitement around the game. This community support can be crucial for a successful launch and can lay a strong foundation for future sales and projects.

How Much Do I Have to Invest in Board Games Kickstarter to Get a Copy of the Games?

The specific amount of money each person must invest in a given game will vary. Every game has different benefit tiers and requirements, so you’ll have to look closely at the options. There is always a chance to receive unique rewards and benefits depending on the investment tier. Presumably you do want a copy of the game you’re choosing to back, too, so be doubly sure that the level at which you give provides that copy as a return.

Most include at least a retail release copy of the game to every investor. But as you climb the investment ladder, you’ll find more options like Deluxe editions, custom bonuses, behind-the-scenes content, and board game extras.

How Many Games Has Kickstarter Produced?

Over 47,000 board games have found life thanks to Board Games Kickstarter. A seemingly endless flow of options is always available, too, with at least 6,000 more projects underway right now.

A handful of the most beloved games that have already been produced include:

• Cards Against Humanity

• Everdell

• Exploding Kittens

• Gloomhaven

• Hero Realms

• Oceans

• Scythe

• Secret Hitler

• Spirit Island

• Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

• Unstable Unicorns

• Zombicide

What Happens if a Game Doesn’t Reach Full Funding?

No matter the project being crowdfunded on Kickstarter, if the project doesn’t receive full funding (the minimum goal), the money is never sent to the group organizing the funds. This is often why you see just a handful of people investing large amounts of money (often several thousand dollars) to fund a project. These folks are doing their best to guarantee a specific board game meets its goals and becomes a reality.

If the funding is not secured by the deadline, the creators have a few options, including minor extensions and changing aspects of the project, but for the most part, a lack of funding means the investors never actually pay any money out.

What’s the Average Cost of Base-Level Investments?

Board games Kickstarter has a wide range of investment figures at the base level. Most of the common numbers we see start as low as $30 (roughly the cost of a retail copy of a simpler game) to $100, depending on the required components, equipment, skilled labor, etc. required to get the game off its feet.

When Do You Pay Your Investment?

When the pledging phase for funding has completed – and the project’s deadline hits – folks are charged through their Kickstarter account. No one ever pays any money towards projects that don’t reach their funding goals.

Why Should I Back a Game Instead of Buy It When It’s Released to the Public?

There’s actually a fair bit of debate on this in the public forums like Reddit and BoardGameGeek. However, the ultimate question comes down to this: Is there a game you see on Board Games Kickstarter that you really want to see come to life? If the funding goals aren’t met, the game won’t ever be released. And, honestly, that’s the biggest reason to invest in the games.

Backers play a crucial role in completing the action of funding the game, ensuring it reaches its goals.

On a more philosophical level, though, when you support creators on Kickstarter, you’re supporting creative enterprise and helping to keep leisure activities and art alive. Most games require artists, digital creatives, game inventors, printers, and other creative types and therefore this helps those creative folks earn a living. Once the games are released, some of those involved continue earning income, as well, thanks to on-going sales. So, if you support the arts and board game creators, backing a Kickstarter game may well be a top priority for you.

Finally, backing creators on Kickstarter also helps to bring more games into the world that demonstrate a wider diversity of topics, perspectives, and creativity. Instead of just folks working with major companies, you’re backing small-time companies and individuals who’re looking to explore the world and express different viewpoints from a larger range of backgrounds than we’ve had in the board game industry when only large companies had a say previously.

What Kinds of Games Can You Find on Board Games Kickstarter?

You can find just about any game genre, type, theme, or mechanical style on Kickstarter. You’ll find old familiar games getting a revamp as a new game, a game update, or a reprint for an out-of-print choice that’s from a defunct or struggling company. You’ll also find card, dice, tile-laying, and other board game styles, as well as tabletop RPGs, and just about anything else you could imagein. Many games are also being converted into digital games, so you may even find an old favorite being upgraded as a digital board game.

How Do I Decide What Games to Back?

Kickstarter Screenshot: https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/categories/games/tabletop%20games 

Since there are literally thousands of Board Games Kickstarter choices at any given moment, you’ll want to consider a few specific things before you start backing any projects.

First, we’d recommend considering what types of games you most enjoy. If you love dungeon crawlers, for example, why not back one of those? There are tons available. If you prefer card games or dice games, there are loads of these, too, each with their own unique themes.

But don’t just consider themes – do some actual research and look into the ones that pop as you scroll through Kickstarter. Use specific search terms like “dungeon crawler board game” and see what comes up.

Once you have several options, start narrowing down the list. Watch any videos the creators provide – read the information on each game in its entirety. Don’t just look at what the supporter levels offer; look at what the whole of the plan for each game is. You may discover some game creators are a bit more put together – i.e., have an actual plan – and therefore you may have more confidence in supporting their project as it’s more likely to reach its goals and see completion.

Read comments, notes, and reviews on the games. Despite not yet hitting the world, there are threads on Reddit that discuss these – and you may find some YouTube videos talking about them. Remember that you’re investing not just your time but your support for creative game makers.

Just beware that backing any game means you’ll have to wait 1 to 2 years before seeing a return on your investment. Some folks invest in several games for this very reason – ensuring they have a new game reasonably frequently once their first waiting period ends.

Finally, you’ll also want to consider the reputation of the game creator. Those who are well-established tend to be considered trustworthy by most and often receive the most backing. However, there are many brand new creators campaigning to create their games. Check out their reputation, as best you can, via the completion of any previous projects mentioned (or do some searching online) and read the comments. The level of communication from a creator is also a strong indicator of commitment to seeing their project through. If there seem to be no updates during the campaign, you may want to wait and see how things go before choosing to pledge your support.

How Do I Find Games I’m Interested in Backing?

Thankfully, finding games that meet specific mechanic types or themes are pretty easy to find on Kickstarter. You literally just have to type in your keyword (think: cats) and “board game”. Anything that fits these parameters will pop up instantly. At the top of the results page, you’ll also see how many games fit the search parameters, so you’ll know what you’re up against as you research.

Additionally, you can check out YouTube channels that focus on talking up current board games Kickstarter projects in the works. On YouTube, Check out Board Game Co., Board Game Hangover, Man Vs. Meeple, Tantrum House, and Tim Chuon to see some of the most exciting projects in the works.

Is Shipping Included in My Support?

After the game has been created, your portal on Kickstarter will add an option to your order for shipping. This occurs sometime after the game has been created, but before it’s released to the general public.

Are There Exclusive Versions or Multiple Variants of Games Via Kickstarter?

In many cases, creators only make specific deluxe or special versions of the game available through Kickstarter. And once the campaign is over – the funding is completed – those game lots vanish. You’ll never be able to buy these versions from a standard store as only a select number are created.

It should also be noted that many games never go to retail. Some are expected to only ever hit Kickstarter supporters – and some that should go to retail never make it because of the volatile market. If you back a game that doesn’t go to retail, you’ll still get a copy if it completes at any stage.

The Kickstarter Process for Board Games

Pre-Launch Preparation

Before hitting the “launch” button on Kickstarter, thorough preparation is key. Creators should start by developing a solid game concept, creating a prototype, and rigorously testing it with potential players. This process helps identify any issues and refine the game to ensure it’s as engaging and polished as possible.

Marketing is another critical component. A well-thought-out strategy that includes social media promotion, email marketing, and outreach to influencers and reviewers can generate buzz and attract backers. Building a community around the game before the campaign launches can significantly boost its chances of success.

Additionally, creators should prepare a detailed budget and fulfillment plan, covering everything from production costs to shipping logistics. This foresight ensures that the game can be delivered to backers on time and within budget, maintaining trust and satisfaction.

Launch and Fulfillment

Once the campaign is live, the focus shifts to promotion and engagement. Creators should actively share updates, respond to comments and questions, and provide regular progress reports to keep backers informed and excited.

After successfully funding the campaign, the next step is fulfilling the rewards and delivering the game. This involves managing production, shipping, and customer service. Creators should be ready to address any issues that arise, such as delays or defects, to ensure a smooth fulfillment process.

By following these steps, creators can navigate the Kickstarter process effectively, bringing their board game to life and building a dedicated community of fans and supporters.

By maintaining the same tone and style, and ensuring the new sections provide valuable information, we can seamlessly integrate them into the existing article. This approach will help readers understand the benefits and process of using Kickstarter for board games, enhancing their overall experience.

What Now? Verify You Are Human

You should have a pretty good idea now on what you can and should expect from Board Games Kickstarter and how it all works. You’ll get the most comprehensive view by looking on the site using a specific narrowed search for Games – Tabletop Games and get started there. The huge number (over 50,000!) is a bit overwhelming, so just scroll through a little to get a vibe for the site, then do a more specific search, looking for your preferred genres, mechanics, or other qualities.

Take your time in choosing which games to back and have fun as you go. We’re talking board games, after all, not stock investing! Go for games that excite you and skip the rest. Good luck!

FAQ on Board Games Kickstarter