Wow, thanks for the information.

Like I said, this was from sessions on this topic at a board game convention.

So you recommend selling the game and not producing it myself?

That's what they recommended, but they are in the business of selling games so from their perspective it will be better to go through them. I'm not even close with my own idea so I haven't really evaluated the end of the route at this point. You would have to evaluate your own situation.

A lot of people have successfully gone through Kickstarter. I've even bought one (that should be arriving soon), a deluxe edition of a previously produced game by a professional game company. Another I've bought through KS is a neat idea for a game. Two others that were on Kickstarter are from one of the local game companies I mentioned so I'll pick them up at the local game night (because he has extras) so that I don't have to pay shipping.

Weigh your options.

I have been sitting on this game way too long so I have considered hiring professional testers to get some neutral/professional feed back.

This may be an educational game; something I'm not familiar with except playing Krypto. However, someone over at Board Game Geek will know more about that than I.

Your location is "Planet Earth" so I don't know what major cities are near you. You should be able to find a local game club. Check Board Game Geek for players near you (called guilds). Even a small group will be very helpful in play testing. At least a group in larger city will have a large group.

All of Utah has a population of 3.1 million people, most from Ogden (where I'm near) to Provo (less than 100 miles south of me). Board Game Geek lists 18 in Utah. Find one in your state, or found one in your state. Game stores will often sponsor game nights or at least know how to contact local groups.

I can't emphasize enough how important it is to play test. I don't even know how to contact professional play testers. And Board Game Geek has forums too. The people over there would be even more helpful than I have been. Nevertheless, I'm still willing to discuss anything else you would like to discuss here.

Regardless, please let us know how it comes out.

My husband has designed a board game that hits Kickstarter in two weeks. The game is Gartenbau and listed on www.boardgamegeek.com & Facebook www.facebook.com/gartenbaugame/?epa=SEARCH_BOX
You can shoot him a pm on either site. His name is Alex - tell him North Star on Atlas Quest sent you ;)

Yep, I’d try Kickstarter.

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

Maybe contact one of those guys for advice.

Please let us know when it launches.

March 26!

Back story: A year ago, my husband was working on a game idea (worker placement/delivery) & plateaued. Frustrated, he decided to take a break from that game & work on a different game idea. He teamed up with local gamer & designer David from Fisher Heaton Games (Intelle) and Gartenbau began to take shape. It's an abstract strategy, tile laying tableau builder. Our son - age 10 - plays it, though I believe Gartenbau will be marketed ages 12 & up.

It's not an engine-builder like Century Spice Road or Splendor but that 'weight of game play' Check it out on FB &/or Kickerstater on 3.26.19 and thank you for your interest!

Hoooooly small world, Batman. David and I were pretty close friends years ago, when we both lived in NJ. In fact, earlier in this thread, I replied to CSK telling her that if she couldn't find any good advice on AQ that I would ask a friend for her. The friend I was referring to was David. :O !!!

Will you please tell him "Kitty from Qball" says hi? I could message him, but that would take the fun out of it ;) Congrats and good luck with the game!

A good friend of mine did this. I will private message you her information. She could probably answer your questions. Tell her "Rosemary" recommended her (not "Rosmarinus"-) she doesn't know about letterboxing!

LOVE THIS! Pm'ing you shortly.

There is a new podcast for board game design. It is called Cardboard Addiction.