Article on up and coming game designers...

Some of you may have seen Rick Thornquist's announcement on BGG. Any potential article would reside there, so I would think an aspiring game designer would have an opportunity at some pretty good exposure, perhaps?

But seriously, for all of you new game designers out there, the extent of interest in garnering some press for your creations so far is just one person?

Wow.

I can certainly look into protospiel, but I have to admit I am cooling on the whole idea at this point.

I had earlier talked about logistics as an issue. It was precisely addressing the concern you stated... which is making sure there is validity where the designers are self-nominated. The logistics part comes in truly finding a way to flesh out designs, so we know if a project or designer is really "up and coming." I know some game company heads that are located down here in Florida... they probably would be willing to help me if I asked.

BTW, I like the idea of "designers trying to make it" as a human interest story. I tend to focus on personalities in my game writing as opposed to the games themselves. In this case, however, I want to help new & aspiring game designers in obtaining tangible recognition that they may not otherwise get.

Dralius has some good ideas in my opinion and he has set me thinking. So we'll see. I'm glad to see a few people are now recognizing this as an opportunity. As for the speed of response, I think Dralius put it best, so that is my response too. Right now, I very general in what I am looking for because it is too early to be pigeon-holed at this point. Again this is an exercise in determining initial interest. If it looks good, I can make something happen. I'm pretty confident about that.

Someone also asked me (I think it was Matt) if any publishers would find "profiles of the up-n-comers" articles to be worthwhile from their viewpoint?

I think "helpful" is the better term. To further answer that question, I'm sure publishers show up here from time to time to see what you all are doing. Boardgame journalists take a peek here too. Publishers are gamers and fans of games at heart... they read game news, blogs and opinions about games they want to buy... the same as all of you do.... the same as what I do. Anything that will help a publisher perk their interest in something game -related can't be bad, right?

Potential game designers should always assume someone might take a look at their work at any time and be ready, willing and open-minded... if and when an opportunity arises. But that's just my informal opinion of how I would operate if I was a game designer. I'm an aspiring game publisher myself... but that plan is far, far down the road to be essentially inconsequential to these discussions.

My formal opinion, having contact with many publishers in business now, is that I would say that anything that helps them in grabbing their attention is going to be helpful for them in sorting through the wheat from the chaff.

Personally, I have seen some good potential in designs being floated around here... one game in particular looked very good. So much so, it actually inspired me to think about helping the community here out. I thought why should all the Alan Moon's, Reiner Knizia's and Bruno Faidutti's have all of the fun? (LOL)

At the same time, just understand that these guys are the best in the business and deserve ALL of their news and plaudits... so if I were to undertake something like an "up and coming designers" article... the product needs to be polished and worthy of mention. That would be my main requirement.

Ryan B.

PS. I tend to do my edits for spelling etc. AFTER I post on forums like this... so I apologize in advance if the wording changes slightly.

Mark wrote me on PM to say:

"My definition of a finished product is something that is completely done... being playtested and the designer deems it ready for submission or publication (whether they do that or not)."

Folks, that is as good of a definition as any. The art doesn't have to be great or even finished; just playable. But the design has to be finished, however.

Seo,

Thanks for the important input. I would just say that even if I undertook the article, that it would, of course, not be written immediately. Perhaps in three to six months, perhaps. The idea would be to give interested designers a chance to "polish" their creations so they would be enabled to submit.

If I did such a thing, I would have a panel to assist... my own opinion alone is hardly an effective criteria to judge by. I merely would write the article and lay out the base criteria beforehand. In fact I have put out feelers for a panel and I already have an affirmative response. Speaking of ideas: perhaps we publish just ahead of one of the major conventions so those so-noted individuals have press to leverage in conversations with publishers.

As to my earlier comments, I apologize if it all sounds too vague but it is an idea in progress... am still trying to guage potential general interest. Hopefully this helps clarify things just a little bit.

Definitely an interesting post.