Story and Boardgames

I really like that back story. You're a great writer.

But:
"Of course with the bay doors open to outer space no man would be able to get in without a space suite"
It should be 'suit', not 'suite'.

Anywho, I'm not sure about how effective a backstory could be in a non-RP game, but it definitely won't work if all you do is include it in a booklet with the game. I've been sitting here reading it for a long time; players would be too busy wanting to play and wouldn't bother. A few ideas off the top of my head:
- Have it playing as an audiobook during the game. That could create a really cool atmosphere. Even an audiobook would be more approachable than a big wall of text.
- If you could somehow put it on cards or something. Each turn, a new card is drawn with a few more lines to add to the story.
- Even just a line of text at the bottom of all the cards to give a sense of setting. But that's been done a lot before.
- If it was written around the outside of a gameboard. Each player takes a turn reading a line. That would be much more approachable than one person sitting there for fifteen minutes reading out of a booklet while everyone else falls asleep.

As great as your dialogue is, and it really is great, it is still far too intimidating for 99% of players as it is. There needs to be some reason for players to read it. I'm sure you can figure something out! In any case, it was a fantastic read, and got really exciting at the end. I think I'd like this game...

Based on my personal experiences, included back-stories that are not woven in to the game will be ignored much like computer game cut-scenes or intro movies.

I would go for as little back-story as possible. If a game works in a historic setting, or historic setting with some minor twist (can be explained in a short paragraph) that is probably ok. Standard cliched fantasy/sf worlds that players instantly recognize is likely to work as well. If there is a long story, better work it into the game, or make it into a separate game that players can become familiar with first and then you can make a sequel set in the same world. I would not expect players to bother with reading the back-story "just to play a game" (if I may say so) since I know I wouldn't.

I haven't read your story yet Sil, but I wanted to say that I am also including a novel chapters with the game I and my team have been working on. The story will tie into the game, but the players also have the option to read the chapters provided with to also familiarize themselves the characters that are included with the game. So I say add your story to your game system. Its the experience you want for the players to understand where everyone and everything is for game and storyline.

I like the viral marketing idea. Sell the game, Include the story with the rules or on the back of the box, and keep the story available online, along with follow up stories for expansions, and anything else creative you want to do in your universe.

I mean, why not?

That was very cool. I would definitely play this game. For the read and to see the outcome. But what ever happens, I would suggest to add expansions and new chapters.

If your story is SHORT and is sufficiently condensed that it fits into ONE PAGE in a game booklet, then I would make that 1st page of my game booklet that short story.

Some people will skip it and get to the rules, BUT some will read it before moving on to the rules of your game. My guess this is the BEST bet for your story...

Alternatively there is another location where your story might fare well. That is on the BACK on a game's packaging (box). BUT the rules for the story are more restrictive, you need for your story to be at most 3/4 a page (a little shorter). If the story is GOOD, it might encourage players to buy the game. But it has to be brief, shorter than a page in your game booklet... Like 1 to 2 paragraphs (probably more in the 1 paragraph).

Then you have to sell the game on the rest of the space (talk about the game itself)... And have things like play duration, number of players, etc.

NOTE: I have clicked on the link of the story - and I must say it is too long. When I saw the length, I did not want to read if because it is so long... BUT your story is sort of interesting (I have read bits and pieces here and there). However you would need to really condense it for like the 1st page of your booklet and maybe just say something like: "The game is about the battle between the Mayflower and the Andromeda..."

So something like: "Take on the role of Captain Ford, captain of the Mayflower. Prepare to defend your ship from the mysterious Andromeda..."

NOTE 2: IF your story is sufficiently interesting (condensed version), you could maybe get away with 2 pages (both sides of one paper) at the beginning of your game booklet. Then you could have the Table of content on page 3...

NOTE 3: Also there might be MORE spelling errors. But I caught one: "and he had no body to celebrate it with." Should be *nobody* (without the space)... Another: "He remembers his commendation, awards, metals,..." Should be *medals*.

NOTE 4: I did read the ENTIRE prologue... My ideas of how to condense it would be to leave out the section dedicated to the Andromeda and it's crew. If you cut that out and *leave it a mystery* (it would seem about 1/2 the story) what is going on with the Andromeda (more suspense, more theories - Alien invasion, etc.) Just my thoughts on how to condense the story. Having 2 main characters (Ford and Beverly) makes it harder to assimilate the story. Your story could work with just the first part and the last part (and cut quite a bit by removing everything about Beverly and the Andromeda).