• Phase 1 Tabletop Game Production Service - Design and Initial Prototyping - Guildmaster Games
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Guildmaster Games

Phase 1 Tabletop Game Production Service - Design and Initial Prototyping

$5,000.00 AUD
$5,000.00 AUD
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This phase includes all of the steps of designing, costing, playtesting, sampling, prototyping, and so on that goes into the creation of a boardgame. It can take from 1-3 months, depending on your timeline and availability. My personal preference is to do weekly embedded days with payment split fortnightly.
Note: larger and more complex games may take longer. 
Stage 1 (of 5): Development
  • Initial Design and Prototyping 
  • Research of Topic and Materials 
  • Conducting Stakeholder Interviews (we did a bit of this today, but would be with more advanced demos and prototypes)
  • Identifying Mechanics
  • Defining a Budget Document
  • Choosing Mechanics
  • Basic Prototyping
  • Rapid Iteration
  • Commissioning and Managing Artwork/Written Copy (bonus here because you guys do internal!) 
  • Closing the Gameplay Loop
  • Gathering Feedback from Players (Playtesting)
  • Gathering Feedback from Stakeholders (Business Testing) 
  • Analysis and Integration of Feedback 
Any Phase of the service can be bought and used separately. A rough timeline for a full project would be: 

Month 1 - Initial playable rough draft complete and ready for Internal testing

Month 2 - Finalisation of prototype ready for Alpha testing, ePrint sample commissioned, manufacturing cost and crowdfunding cost (fulfilment, regions, tiers, etc) completed, and final scale/scope/complexity agreed. Discord server introduction, chatting, and playtest sessions through Tabletopia (ongoing throughout entire process. Focus: recruit and inspire evangelists by involving enthusiastic fans in design process, and rapidly showing reaction to their feedback) 
 
Month 3 - Advanced Prototype completed, ready for Beta testing. Crowdfunding Rough Page Build Begins. Option: Attend PAX Convention for email signups and feedback, and retailer/distributor awareness raising. Duration: 3 Days. Audience: 100,000+ Target: 1000 signups.

Month 4 - General custom artwork creation begins. Kickstarter draft page submitted for review and approval for launch: launch still months away, but onboarding of community for Notify on Launch begins 

Month 5 - General custom artwork creation ends, review copies go out: Christmas delivery if possible. Break weeks for holidays (I would keep working, but independently, if the rest of the team is on break) 

Month 6 - China Manufacturer sample arrives for comparison with ePrint one. Reviews collated for Kickstarter page. Video completed (if needed). Page build complete. 

Month 7 - Prelaunch Onboarding Target: 1000 signups. Crowdfunding Campaign Launch at end of month, or early March, hopefully on a relevant annual celebration day (International Steampunk Day or something akin!)
Month 8 - Manufacturing, Shipment and Fulfilment of the Game
Month 9 - Arrival of game in regional shipping centres
Month 10+ - ongoing sales to retailers and customers, plus Expansion development if desired, and planning for second editions/reprints