Paying for "Reviews"

They are called "PAID PREVIEWS" not reviews. And they are purposely asking a reviewer to take time out of his busy schedule to "preview" a game that will be crowdfunded some time soon.

Now the part about taking time out of his busy schedule is real. And what this means is many of those who do KS previews will ask a fee to write or do a video preview. The format is simple, they present the game, the basics about how to play, and usually a small commentary at the end. Some reviewers will go as so far to tell you "If they don't like the game – they will NOT do a preview". Undead Viking is one of those reviewers...

Yes it costs some money, but if a popular reviewer gives you a POSITIVE review ... well that's good to put on your KS page for everyone to see. You can do similar with written previews too. Some will add what they liked about a game, or perhaps an interesting mechanic, etc. It all varies and so does you mileage.

Is it worth it? Yes definitely a couple paid previews (maybe one video and one written article) can go a long way in spreading word about your game. Think about the large reaching previews ... which you'll probably need to pay for... but in the end that extra reach may be needed to help promote your game.

I'll be honest, I'm glad that Lance gave us a preview and that he personally endorsed our game which came in a little box at that time. We also got a playthrough preview from "Board To Death TV" in Montreal... That was also cool because it was LOCAL (for me). We paid $50 for a written preview by Club Fantasci (Maurice or David) which reached about 5000+ readers.

So don't think that there is any negative comments or fact that videos have locked comments... What you should be focusing on is MARKETING and getting the word out about YOUR game. Paid previews is one such angle and is very worthwhile if you can manage to get a couple strong reactions.

It's one of many avenues... But if you are starting from the ground up, well you'll definitely need some previews.

Cheers!

Just as a follow-up, for "TradeWorlds" we got about 8 previews/reviews. I had contacted over 12 of them because they each had wide audiences and local gaming crowds. I even sent copies down to "Mexico" for a review from them ... but the review never seemed to materialize.

That's also something I forgot to mention in my earlier comment.

Even if you make contact with a reviewer, they may not do the preview. And yes some of those were FREE too. So if you absolutely WANT people to know about your game, be ready to pay a bit for a couple previews...

But at the same time, reach out to other reviewers with smaller followings and see if they are interested in giving you a hand with "presenting" your game to their following.

If you DON'T do it... it's going to look odd. No previews, video or written?! Nowadays that's one of the components of a good KS page. If it's the money you are concerned with, I'm sure you'll spend a ton more for artwork or Facebook ads (to build a small community).

I'm sure you'll get other responses from other designers.

Have you thought that maybe some of the negatives are due to the fact that 1-the viewer sees what is being talked about and can't agree that something that looks bad actually looks good? 2-That they are all upbeat no matter what? 3-Etc...
I like core Dice Tower stuff because they tell it like it is. They get paid to do it and have no problem holding something up and stating that it looks bad or that a part of the game seems wonky. Others tend to not do that.
I feel the viewers can usually tell if someone is just being paid because of their name or if they are being paid because of their name and their upfrontness.

So why have a "preview"??? Well if you want to explain HOW a game is played this is something that a "preview" would allow to be explained. And if it is in Video form, all the more reason to pay for the time filming and editing of the Game's Preview Video.

And yes, in a "preview" some reviewers might add what they LIKED about the game and is it something other gamers might like to play too. You kind of want that "thumbs up" type of ending... But some "reviewers" won't do previews UNLESS they enjoyed playing the game.

We also know that Tom Vasel who a couple years back was doing a lot of paid previews, stopped doing it ... instead favoring reviewing games that are on the market instead. Lance Myxter will not do a video preview if he does not like the game or did not find the game mildly entertaining (to some degree).

Some written articles for "previews" are also paid because they need to take the time to "learn the rules from the rulebook", present how the game is to be played and edit all that content and provide a bit of feedback too! It also depends on the number of viewers/readers they have. Usually the wider the audience, the more that it will cost a modest fee for a preview.

But again "previews" are done in preparation for a Kickstarter, while reviews are done when a game comes to market and people want to know more about "What is this NEW game about?" and that's when the reviewers take a closer look...

bluesea,

I just read an article about Facade Games and they've had great success, and clearly without the need for reviews. However, they prove the exception, not the rule. I examine all Board Game-related KS at the beginning of each month and I can tell you that my analysis reveals a wide cemetery of failed KS, many of which came to their untimely demise due to a lack of illustrations/art, strong videos, and/or reviews by competent, well-known reviewers (Radho, Undead Viking, et al).

I'm not at all saying you can't run a KS without them, but you would be the exception and you do so at your own entrepreneurial peril.

Cheers,
Joe

(and by "stole", I mean they did it before me :) )

Anyway, as for their reviews, you don't really know what their marketing looked like. Maybe they started with a big mailing list, got a boost because Wil Wheaton played it, or who-knows-what...