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Print n Play on Kickstarter

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Fri, 08/05/2022 - 21:24
gamesomuch
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I've recently backed a couple of KS print and play games: Aquamarine and Shu's Tactics. Aquamarine received 32,000 USD in backing and the end product is a digital copy of the game which the buyer prints out. KS takes about 8% of that 32,000 but still there's 92% for the publisher, plus none of the manufacturing and distribution headaches, nor any of the cashflow problems of traditional publishing: buying 100s or even 1000s of copies and waiting for them to sell.

Seems like this is a good option for those looking to make a tidy profit with minimal labour and capital inputs. Though it is quite restrictive in what kind of game can be designed this way and what audience it suits, though evidently there is a market there.

I also wonder if 3D printing and laser cutting and engraving will become (even) more accessible and commonplace for production of PnP games like Aquamarine. At this stage it's probably too great a learning curve for most people, even if they have access to these machines, but it still could enable a local business to manufacture in the same way that the Game Crafter manufactures single runs. Ideally this process would need minimal labour inputs and common materials - just load the file, push a button and the machine does the rest - just as it is with these paper PnP games.

This would open up more possibilities for both game complexity and also aesthetics, for example having miniatures and plywood boards, even laser cut and engraved cards. But still avoiding those 3 big headaches: cashflow, manufacturing and distribution (not to mention the time delays that come with them).

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Sun, 08/07/2022 - 15:43
#1
let-off studios
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PnP Dilemma

In general, I think if someone comes up with a captivating campaign, then any game/product can go well on Kickstarter. Some have more success baked-in (for example, games with lots of detailed miniatures), and when it comes to PnP I think developing the campaign and mailing list would be a priority. There's little that's flashy about them that grabs attention immediately, and they typically have a "low-budget" feel about them at the start.

That said, a successful campaign I supported in the past was an anthology of PnP games. They were 10 games, bound in a book, with extra score sheets and so on. I also was an acquaintance of one of the designers so that was a selling point for me personally. But the package of several games, additionally published in a book format, was something that a lot of people seemed to go for.

One last personal anecdote: I considered this briefly for a PnP project of my own (written about here on BGDF as Coal n' Write), though in the end I decided not to go for a KS campaign. It requires time and energy I don't have to spare at the moment. However, were I to see an opportunity for releasing as part of an anthology - like I mention in my previous example - I would likely jump at it. I think the game is strong and in the right hands there's a lot in it that would attract attention from the PnP crowd.

Regarding 3d printing: I think releasing 3d model data files with PnP packages is novel and attractive. The technology continues to lower the bar for entry, and generally speaking, more hobby gamers are itching to try it out and come up with their own game components. Having the data files available - as maybe an add-on or upper tier - may be a solid selling point for backers who want a little something extra.

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Sun, 08/07/2022 - 21:44
#2
questccg
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Well aquamarine is a "special" PNP for sure

I took a look at the "Aquamarine" playthrough video... Stopped watching until about 1/3 into the video. It is well designed but too "basic" in terms of the game play. That's not to say that it's TOO SIMPLE, I just don't like SOLO games and Aquamarine is just that (a SOLO game). I prefer the social aspect of games even if it is ONLY two (2) players.

Granted in TW we do have two (2) solitary scenarios... And The Derelict scenario is fun to play. But the game is nothing like Aquamarine. In Aquamarine there is little to no tension. In The Derelict scenario... You are always duking it out with the Alien Starship each and every turn... Every roll of the dice seems to be a failure ... And you're always on the brink of disaster (and losing the game)!

All of that is TRUE. But it's not a PNP the game still requires about 75 cards to be able to play. So it would not work very well as a PNP TBH.

In another aspect this reminds me of those "Lottery" scratch-ies Games. When I saw the page for the first time, I said to myself: "It looks like a fancy lottery ticket."

Again in no way dissing the concept, I just don't see the attraction to this kind of game. TBH, if they would have TRANSFORMED the game into a scratchy with the cells blocked by silver scratch-able ... It would make the game much better. But then there goes the PNP aspect of the game. Oh well, you can't win all the time! (ROFLMAO)

Cheers!

Note #1: Making it closer to a "scratchy" would definitely ADD to the MYSTERY and WONDER of the game you play it... It would be COOL to charge $5.00 CAD for each "scratchy" and you've got your choice of 1 to 4 different "scratchy" meaning that the pledge level is $5.00 CAD to $20.00 CAD.

That would be really GOOD TBH. That would definitely ADD some mystery to the game ... And as you play it, the game reveals itself ONE-SCRATCH-AT-A-TIME!

I would maybe buy five (5) Tickets!!! Even if you don't WIN the LOTTERY or any money... You just get a chance to PLAY some kind of "secret" level!

But... If you think about it. The cost to send out 4 Lottery Tickets in an envelope with minimal postage. That could BE GREAT TBH!

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Mon, 08/08/2022 - 16:53
#3
gamesomuch
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it is profitable and fun for a group of kids

I hear where you're coming from, this kind of game is unlikely to appeal to most gamers, but still the backing on KS indicates there is sufficient appeal/demand (perhaps parents buying for their kids) to make it profitable, and that profit is far easier because of the digital distribution. I feel that for a new designer, even one that has a much bigger idea, it's a good way to enter the industry, to develop a name/brand and to get experience running a low/no risk KS campaign.

I like the idea for the scratchy style card though! I wonder if you can buy that stuff (the stuff that scratches away) in a spray can?

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Mon, 08/08/2022 - 17:10
#4
questccg
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I hear you!

The scratchy stuff can be printed at most "real" printers (from what I understood). I don't know if you can SPRAY that stuff TBH... But here is a YouTube video that shows you how you can make it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0xDwDYC4Hw

This one shows you better mixing proportions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpZ4w1nlbvc

And this one shows you stickers that you can buy and stick:

https://youtu.be/lCm8N9MNx4g?t=285

Using a UV Coating on the cards (like from The Game Crafter) would eliminate the need for tape and such. Using a TEMPLATE on the scratch area would also make for a more PROFESSIONAL look TBH.

Anyways I hope this answers your question?!

But yeah, scratchies has much more VALUE that just PNP. I know it's still a bit more costly if you send if via MAIL (in a letter envelope) ... But still less costly than a box or anything of that size.

Take a look at the video... Pretty NEAT stuff TBH!

Note #1: If you use a Birthday Card Envelope size and include 3 to 5 scratchies, you can get cheap stamps to do the trick... All you need to say is that: "I am mailing a birthday card." And voila cheap @ss 1 stamp and available for worldwide distribution.

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Mon, 08/08/2022 - 17:35
#5
gamesomuch
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so clever

Wow, that's so clever! Thanks for showing me that.

The scratchy would have more value to the end user, but still involves physical distribution and the costs of money and time that go with that, but at least it's much simpler than a typical box+board+cards+pieces production. Certainly potential for a little money spinner with the right design.

It is pretty novel though - outside of the gambling industry - and kids would love it (I know I certainly loved scratchies as a kid). The parents may not like it if it's too closely associated with gambling, just by association. Many games have gambling-like mechanics but just that it's on a scratchy ticket may bias their view. Depends on the nature of the game.

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Mon, 08/08/2022 - 18:17
#6
questccg
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Well it is what it is...

I've got a "concept" that could work with this type of "scratchies"... To make a LONG story "short", the Player's would choose how many LIVES they would have and use the "map" for their adventure... If they FAIL to WIN, then can use the "research" and "knowledge" from the previous "map" to avoid the same traps and find an alternate route to the "treasure". So you could decide on HOW MANY of the EXACT SAME scratchy cards you would WANT to try to BEAT the game!

I have a concept that would so work PERFECTLY with this TYPE of game. Nevermind different "maps"... SAME ONE with different outcomes and experience in learning where the traps are and where not to go... In addition, to searching the areas that you didn't get to in the first place (or second, or third, etc.)

So it's like multiple PLAYTHRUS of the same "adventure" (think "map") and you TRY to beat the game with the knowledge and insight you get from the previous tries.

That's like printing money! Hahaha!!!

Note #1: Alternatively an ESCAPE ROOM... That too could be another concept that might work well. Just sharing some of my thoughts on the matter at hand. Cheers!

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Mon, 08/08/2022 - 18:25
#7
gamesomuch
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Stephen, thanks for your insights

Stephen, thanks for your insights, I wonder how long they spent during the early development building up a mailing list and generating interest before the KS campaign. I'm sure that part of the process is much harder with a less flashy PnP game and certainly crucial to its success - a cost (of time) that I had overlooked.

The anthology of games seems like a good marketing strategy. I think if the game allows for it, it's good marketing to have a core product and then create content/missions for it over time. Each mission might be a tiny sum like $1 but the sum total of the complete anthology might be $10. A consumer may not pay $10 for a PnP which they may or may not really enjoy or get into, so they can test it out for $1 and if they enjoy it then they'll keep buying new missions to keep it fresh. It's also lower risk for the developer because they can design more missions only if there's demand (based on sales figures from the last mission).

Coal n' Write looks fun and the thematic language helps it appeal to what I imagine would be the target audience: drinking buddies wanting to play, drink and laugh. I can really picture it. Unlike the PnPs that I mentioned, it seems like a very social game (even though there is a solo variant). I wonder if you could release the version that you currently have and gauge the interest, then decide on whether to do an anthology with different mines and towns?

That's a good idea for having 3d print files as an add-on to a PnP. Again it would allow the buyer to test the game with cheap and easy paper prints and then decide if they'd like to invest more in it. I saw a cool Instructable that uses foldback clips with a paper cut-out of a game character to create a D&D miniature of sorts. Simple but allows for that entry level tier in a way that still brings out the theme of the game.

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