Mensa

It looks like a great competition to enter, as long as you have a completed game. They say that prototypes aren't accepted, but do you think if you have everything finalized, but no publisher, you could still do it?

As there are no "categories" per say and that probably the games that will be submitted appeal to "multiple" age groups... I would think (against my better judgement) that more "BROADER" games would be only considered. Given their short but previous list of winners (Scattergories, Trivial Pursuit and Taboo) my guess is that a children's game would not necessarily fit the "category" well.

These are all adult games that appeal to Teen and Adult players. Again I'm not trying to dissuade you (You can submit) ... but from what I see and read... The games need to be "mentally challenging" (Trivial Pursuit). You know that your product does NOT appeal to the adult crowd aside from being the Game Master and that's probably a Parent or older sibling.

And then there is the whole "intellectual" aspect. It's not just party games, it's games that encourage mental skill. Rolling a die or following a campaign from a pre-written rulebook, IMHO doesn't fit the category.

Again don't let me be in your way of submitting your game. My gut feeling is that it's going to take much more "meat on the bone" to WIN this award...

Note #1: My gut feeling is that the game winners of this award have to appeal to Teen and Adult players. That's really what I am saying. I don't want to come off sounding like a "jerk"... Like I said, I encourage you to submit your game. But I (personally) don't see it as being the right "fit". Sorry I hope I did not offend you.

Note #2: And since I am NOT the judge of this competition don't let my opinion dissuade you from submitting your game. My apologies, it's just my own thoughts on the matter... Again submit because maybe the judges may feel differently on what is appropriate. No doubt your game is "rewarding" for a younger audience. That may be sufficiently enough, if they consider such games.

Cheers!

Nevermind, I read the FORMAT of the game. 300+ Mensian members play the game and each judge the game based on how they feel for each game. 300+ members means that you REQUIRE a lot of copies ... because it's about 5 game plays per "submitted" game (assuming 4 players per game). This is just a broad estimate.

But it's still about 50 x 15 x $40 = ~$30,000 USD worth of games.

It's an expensive contest... But one with a worthwhile prize. Actually ANY contest you can get your game into is good. You can say "1 or 50 Entries" or "1 or 5 Finalists" if you get that far (aside from winning).

I know ... but if they had to BUY the games they judged... It would be a very costly affair. That's all I'm saying. I'm not saying you shouldn't try, I'm just saying the previous winners seem indicate broader appeal than just children.

Personally I get the impression that this is a Teen to Adult contest with older Adults involved too (30+ years).

Somehow I doubt that a "mensian" contest would not have a more representative set of players from different age groups. I don't know how young they go... But my guess(!?) would be Teens and up.