Kickstarter Made Easy (New Tabletop Family Board Games)

Kickstarter Campaign The Easy Way

How To Successfully kick off your Kickstarter 

How daunting is it to build a successful Kickstarter campaign?

The essentials are not rocket science at all. You'll need a long list of potential buyers and a great product to offer those buyers.

That's it in a nutshell. It's getting those potential buyers all lined up and primed to back, or buy before you launch. That's the tricky part.

Easy Pre-Launch Strategy

Not everyone is familiar with crowdfunding, let alone Kickstarter. So, first things, first. You'll need a primed audience on Kickstarter who understands the platform and is used to backing and funding campaigns. 

So how do you get that primed Kickstarter audience all lined up to buy your product? Easy, just get Kickstarter to feature your product and that will improve your chances of attracting a strong audience of potential buyers. 

No promises, but it's a headstart to kickstart your next crowdfunding campaign.

Read all about it on the Kickstarter Blog for in-depth information.

3 Essential Design Elements (Board Game Packaging Box)

New Remnants Box

Hungry For The New Board Game Box?

Here are the 3 essential ingredients.

Hooks, Hooks, and more Hooks.

If you're a subscriber to this blog, you probably already know about the importance of hooks. And it's worth repeating because, without the proper hooks, your audience will dismiss your game and look for another image or a catchy phrase in another game that piques their interest and excites them.

In other words, your packaging must instantly push all the right buttons for the genre. It's just that simple and that important.

Let's break it down

First things first. Your main image must grab their eye and mind all at once. For Remnants, Andrea's face, her expression, says it all. She's not startled or surprised by what she sees, but something has caught her attention.

Next, you'll notice the big-ass Glock in her bionic hand. After all, she is an Android, with a backstory, mind you. And that says a lot about her already. She knows how to protect herself. So far, so good. And who doesn't carry a weapon these days? Many people do and whether they carry one lawfully or not is another matter. But in the near future, personal protection is a must. And all the doomsday preppers said, AMEN.

Aside from all that, she's dressed to survive. Not to mention her one blue eye. That detail is mentioned in the first book, Edge of The Apocalypse (featured on the bottom right side of the box).

Other Hooks

As far as the background goes, there are subtle messages that inform the audience. In this case, the New York City skyline is rushing by and there's a massive planet looming on the horizon. (Another Earth?) Plus, you'll notice the flash of sunlight on the left. That's not part of the original image but I included it to evoke a sense of hope or normalcy. Yes, the world is a blur, but the sun still shines. That's the metaphor, in a nutshell, folks.

Okay, so much for the imagery. What about the all-important copy? Well, that's another beast altogether but let's get into it.

Tagline Closeup

Taglines

We all know about hierarchy when it comes to copywriting for advertising or packaging of any kind and as you can see, the 2 lines read:

1. Welcome to the edge of the apocalypse and beyond.
2. "Take her to the edge."

I hadn't come up with this until now because that's just the way things go sometimes but I think this is good enough to stick with for the next printing.

As a side note, these two lines are at the top of the box (first lines) but they're not what the viewer sees first because the name or title of the game is front and center in a much larger size, as it should be. Nevertheless, the hierarchy still works as-is and potential buyers most likely will read those first two lines after viewing the name, Remnants right in the middle of the box, and the all-important subtitle, Supreme Survivor.

The word Remnants has a built-in curiosity and that's an advantage right there. Then there's the sub-title, which has a good ring to it because it evokes the object of the game in a catchy way. Yes, I could have used lone survivor or last survivor, but the word supreme is fresh and on point for the genre.

What's effective about that first line is that it mentions the title of the first book and evokes the title of the last book. That's clever enough and a great choice of first words.

The second line is of course a double entendre. No explanation is needed but suffice to say, it's a good and effective line for those two reasons. It ties in with the first line and evokes not just a sexual innuendo, but two books in the process.

Copywriters are fond of double, or multiple meanings and I'm no different because you get your money's worth when good copy does the heavy lifting. So remember that when you write your copy next time.

Here's a good example of multiple meanings in the media today:

"Pizza lovers get it."

Dogs get it too!

Short and sweet as Marco's Pizza declares in their new ad. But that didn't stop Papa John's from using the same, exact tagline. Who's line is it, anyway? (See what I did there. Right. Let's move along.)

The last line, or bottom line, as it were, evokes the subgenre and the author's name, which right now is not as important because no one has ever heard of A. R. Arias. (Hopefully, that will change next year.)

A Cyberpunk Strategy Game by A. R. Arias

So this line mentions the genre, the game mechanics, and its author. All very important elements that help sell the game in short order.

So there you have it, folks. We've dissected the front of the box and made sense of it all for aspiring copywriters and we've added strong sales copy that should help towards the long and winding road or sales funnel that hones in on prospects of the genre and beyond.

It's a win-win-win for all.

In my next post, I'll cover all the juicy details on the back of the box (so many). Now that's a can of delicious and tempting lines that should make your mouth water for more.

Bon appetite!

All comments or questions are welcome so please post them below.

See you soon. Be safe and play on!

10 Best Upcoming Kickstarter Board Games For 2022

 Let's dive right into this amazing list of the 10 best games that will hit Kickstarter next year in 2022.

Etherfields Board Game by Awaken Realms

Bedeville Carnival

Bloodstone

Bluxelles

Cyberpunk 2077

Monster Apocalypse

Silver Coin

Enchanters

Interstellar

Omega Virus

Remnants Supreme Survivor

Let me know in the comments if you're getting any of these board games or plan to back them on Kickstarter in 2022.

I want to add a few more games so I'll post another list here very soon. Stay tuned for more exciting new board games coming in 2022!

Check them all out here:

CYBERPUNK Board Game Box Packaging - It's All About Hooks

 

Remnants Box Bottom

Okay folks, here's the back of the new box, as promised. Lots to unpack here so let's get into it.

The most important thing is the copy on the left column. Similar to the back of a book, this is all about sales copy that takes you right to the sales page on the manufacturer's website, for example.

That actual link has yet to be determined because the game is unfinished and not for sale yet, but, you get the idea. I tried my best in this limited space to cover all the important points that make this game unique and sales-worthy.

Let's face it, I'd need to write an entire book about this to be thorough but I'll have to keep it short here. As you can see, I've packed the back of this box with lots of good stuff. All that good stuff translates into many different hooks that should lead prospects to the buy button. That's the short of it and that's the result you're after, obviously. 

HOOKS

I've also stuffed 2 promos for the books on the bottom right. These are important because upselling, so to speak is part of the deal. I've included a promo for the first book in the series plus a peek at the collectible hardcover. 

What makes the hardcover collectible? Its unique design plus the fact that it includes all three stories in one book and also includes awesome photos. In a perfect world, the title should be blind-embossed or have some sort of metallic embellishing, etc. But for now, this jacket is good enough as is.

The characters up top are also hooks because they are what make the story meaningful and exciting. An example for an odd video link follows (another hook).

That's followed by a short summary of the game in the gray box. This is a crucial hook and the equivalent of a strong headline and sub-headline.

HOOKS

That's followed by another hook stating the theme of the game that provides a visual tone and what players can expect with this extraordinary game. Take a read and see if it works for you.

On the right column, you see the game board and below it, many of the components and card decks included in the game. These are all additional hooks that intrigue players.

The bottom line is simple. The back of your box must entice, inspire, and motivate prospects, your audience to find out more about the game and eventually buy it. The goal is for curious gamers to get into the theme and imagine themselves playing the game and having a great time.

AND MORE HOOKS

You want to create a burning desire in your audience that leads to a sale, hopefully, now rather than later. That's why you need more than one hook. You need as many hooks as you can configure and fit into a small space without over-crowding the box. Not an easy task, but it's always possible with a bit of planning.

Let me know what you think in the comments. I've also finished a short promo video that I'll post here soon. It's just a teaser so it doesn't include gameplay instructions. But instead, it's designed to intrigue gamers so they can find out more details about the game on the blog. Your blog should be the equivalent of a long and never-ending advertisement, but without looking or sounding like one. 

Welcome to the world of marketing, my friends.

Cyberpunk Board Games, Video Games, and its Pop Culture Roots

 

What exactly is Cyberpunk? 

Here's a short video that attempts to answer that question. And what about its purpose as far as my board game, Remnants, where does Cyberpunk fit into Edge of the Apocalypse?

From my point of view, Edge explores the beginning or even a prelude to these genres and leads into a more established viewpoint about Cyberpunk culture.

That's a lot to unpack right now so I'll leave that for another post as I unveil behind-the-scenes snippets about the origins of my game and the 3 books it has spawned.

Meanwhile, take a look at this interesting video and you might want to check out Altered Carbon on Netflix for another take on the Cyberpunk genre.

Remnants of The Apocalypse - The All New Cyberpunk Board Game

New Box Bottom

Here's the bottom, or back of the new box. As you can see, I've divided it into halves, or two columns because it's easier to read that way. And it's packed to the gills with a lot of good stuff.

The goal of this copy is to intrigue players with the theme and highlight several unique features of the game. In this case, I've included the words Cyberpunk and epic, and I've mentioned the video links, which are exclusive to this game. That shows potential buyers that this game is unique and unlike many new games, they can look forward to something truly new and different.

Walking A Fine Line

There's a fine line one has to straddle when it comes to originality. Sure, you want your game to have new and unique features but you must also include familiar features and game mechanisms so players won't feel so isolated and lost from the start.

In Remnant's case, I've chosen to start the game with character placement. That way the game opens with a familiar mechanism that most players of worker placement games already know. From there, more options allow players to choose their best strategy and paths they might take to win the game.

Game Overview and Cyberpunk Themes

You'll also notice that above the main text I've added a short summary of the game (gray box) including the features that make it unique. That helps players imagine how the game plays and its overall tone. In essence, this short paragraph must hook the player at first read. Keywords are important so I've included the word Cyberpunk to reflect the theme and tone of the game. Plus, the character images above also serve as a hook. One of the main characters is Pucho, a notorious hacker of his time.

Story Hooks - How Many do you Need?

In fact, that short paragraph in the gray box includes no less than five hooks. Count them and see why this is so important in attracting and intriguing players right away. Let's face it, there's not a lot of room on the box for long-winded text. You must highlight your game's unique features and what it has to offer from the top in very short order.

As you read the remaining copy (about 6 short paragraphs) you'll need to include even more hooks throughout so make sure to highlight all the exciting and engaging stuff your game is made of. Remember, you only get one brief chance to make a great impression so make it count.

When writing copy, always keep in mind the main theme of your game and its unique features, and work all that into your writing. In this case, I've mentioned Cyberpunk and also worked in the CTA or call to action with two lines:

The Moment is Here, The Time is Now.

About Themes

As far as themes go it's worth mentioning the difference between the main theme and minor themes in your story. In Remnant's case, the main theme is survival during the apocalypse but the overall tone and backdrop are Cyberpunk. That means, digital events, including but not limited to hacking, digital tech, screen displays, advertising references, holograms, and more. Something along the lines of Blade Runner 2049, which has been an inspiration for this game and its three books.

To Buy or Not to Buy

Asking potential buyers to buy your game can be stated in many ways. I tend to never use the word "buy" because it has a connotation of loss built into it, as in spending. Although, if you use the word buy it's okay, I suppose as long as buyers feel that they're getting their money's worth.

Otherwise, I do prefer to include a soft CTA, as I've done in the text for this new box.

Sidebar:

I've also included a promo for the first book in the series, Edge of The Apocalypse on the lower right. The paperback is available on Amazon but players can download a free PDF copy on The Game Crafter Downloads website.

For my next post, I'll feature the new collectible hardcover novel that will be out next year to accompany the new game. It has a new cover! By the way, the difference between the hardcover novel and the three paperback books is subtle but somewhat obvious. For example, the novel features the three short stories integrated as one continuous story as opposed to the three books, which each have their own ending. Also, the full-length novel includes several chapters, e.g., The Notorious P.I.G., aka, Pucho Is Great, not featured in the short books. More about this in an upcoming post.

Please leave your comments and questions below and I'll be back with much more about Remnants and its progress along the way.

Until then, play on, folks!

Board Games - How to Properly Name Yours

New Prototype Box -Remnants

Well, here I've thrown a monkey wrench deep into the development of the new game. Nothing disrupts the flow of work like changing the main title or name of a game. Obviously, I'll have to change everything.

Hmm, what to do? Let's unpack this thing. 

Okay, let's face it, I've never been crazy about the name Millennium because it's such a common and overused word. But, that's the name that came to me out of the blue so I embraced it for lack of having a better choice at the time (a working title). Although, I'll admit it sounds futuristic and all-encompassing. Yes, good traits but too general in scope.

Now, enter a video game by the name, Descenders, and suddenly a light bulb moment. Why am I using Millennium, which only describes a length of time as opposed to what the game is about or what its characters do? Millennium is just a period of a thousand years. In this case the new millennium, the year 2000 and beyond. And yes, that simple detail is built into the story but it doesn't say anything specific about the game, its protagonist, or its characters.

The name Descenders, describes what the game is about because it's an extreme downhill mountain bike race. That works nicely but more importantly, it creates a hook within the title. 

The name Millennium offers no details about the new millennium. Other than the tagline, Glory Beyond The Ages. That's a good hook but it's not specific enough. 

The new name, Remnants is more specific because it describes how the characters are defined and what they are known as. That's a stronger hook all by itself with just one word. 

And so it's easy to see why I'll have to change the name from Millennium to Remnants. The word remnants has a built-in curiosity that provokes questions and that's priceless. I also considered using Defenders, but again, that's a very overused word in gaming. 

An alternate word for defenders is Defensores, in Latin. I like how Defensores sounds and how it looks but even in Latin, it seems a bit trite. Luckily these are just prototypes and changes of any kind go.

So there you have it. A quick lesson on how to best name your game for greater impact. Try to choose a word that describes the main concept or theme for a catchy hook that resonates in more ways than one.

Are you having trouble with the name of your game? Does it lack that catchy hook? Let me know in the comments and I'll post it here to see if the gaming community at large can find a better solution. 

Come on, be brave. It's all in good fun and a great way to tease out the best name for your board game or card game and it won't cost you a dime.

Play on gamers!

For my next post, I'll feature the back of the box with the revised copy for the new Remnants name. It's still in flux but I think it's much better already than what I originally had. This is almost as important as the cover, if not more because in effect it is sales copy in the guise of game information.

Check it out soon. You can sign up for private email updates in, upper right column.