Assuming that you've self-published your game, and have it available for sale, how do you get the word out to gamers at large that the game is available and worth getting? One way is by getting it reviewed or discussed, and the way to do that is to send out free games to reviewers and well-known discussers. With that in mind, I wanted to start this thread in which we could list people who could put your game in the public eye if you sent them a free game for review, AND note the correct way to approach such people. I know some people, and I'm curious as to whether other folks on this board know of more.
Before we begin, please note:
Their appearing in this list is no guarantee that they'll be interested in seeing your game.
Sending them a game is no guarantee that they'll review/promote your game.
Having your game reviewed is no guarantee that they'll like the game.
These guys, by and large, only want finished games ready for sale, not prototypes.
I'd hate for any of these guys to be harrassed or anything because of this posting.
So anyway, in general order of importance:
1. Tom Vasel, The Dice Tower Podcast, Über-reviewer
Tom, who lives in Korea, reviews games on his podcast and posts thorough written reviews on many places on the net, including BGDF.
How to contact: PM him on BGDF offering him games for review, wait patiently for a response.
2. Aldie & Derk, BoardGameSpeak Podcast, boardgamegeek's head honchos
How to contact: PM them on BGG offering him games for review, wait patiently for a response.
3. John McCallion, GAMES Magazine reviewer.
I actually think that even though seeing your game in GAMES is a major ego boost, the actual result of it is less than a good response on the net. However, it does get you onto funagain and it may get you good quotes for your game.
He is accessible if he likes the look of your game, but he will not request every game that he sees.
How to contact: PM me and I'll send him the information. He may or may not choose to go further.
4. Mark Johnson, BoardGamestoGo Podcast.
How to contact: I've emailed him on his website, have not received a response.
5. Mike Petty, Fair Play Games
fairplaygames.com is a popular online games store. It’s worth sending samples to. They even did an interview of us a little while back.
How to contact: contact@fairplaygames.com
6. Matthew Gray, boardgamestuff.com
The reviews he did of my games seem not to have survived a site redesign, but he’s still doing some current reviews (last one dated 12/05).
How to contact: An email field is on boardgamestuff.com
6. The Tao of Gaming
http://gaming.powerblogs.com/reviews/
Brian Bankler has switched from a web site to a blog, so I’m not sure what his rules are anymore, but he has reviewed games of mine in the past. It seems he reviews on BGG and list to those reviews on his blog.
How to contact: http://gaming.powerblogs.com/contact/?to=gaming
7. Game Zombies
Small review site. Their last review was posted 9/2005. Good for quotes if they like your game, though I don’t know how wide their audience is.
How to contact: Read their policy at http://www.angelfire.com/games/zombiereviews/commissionpolicy.html
So that’s who I know, though I’m sure there are many more out there. Please add more if you know of more.
Joe, how would one get in touch with Greg and Shannon?
Also, I'd still send Tom Vasel a wargame, along with a note to pass it along to his podcast partner Joe Steadman, who's a wargame enthusiast.
Lastly, thanks for your input.