So, today I got to have another play test! And it was epic!
I have altered the rules and now the game is capable of playing within 2 hours (obviously it will be longer for more players, shorter for fewer players). The game was ultimately win-able, though we did not win (random card draw part of the game ended it for us!). But still, the game worked exactly as it needed to.
My parameters for this test: Play in under 2 hours, have the outcome be close (either a near win or near loss), and have little negative feedback that would require rules edits.
I am pleased to report that the game played in almost exactly 2 hours, that we lost, but would have won if we had literally 3/4 of one player turn left, and the only issue we had was that one players ability encouraged camping, but that was because of a typo. Everyone enjoyed themselves, and even asked if they could bring a friend to the next play test!
With artwork under way, I am confident that my game will be seen on Kickstarter very very soon!
Comments
Don't rush it man. If you
Don't rush it man. If you have a date in your mind for a KS, add another 6 months to it. Having a game is maybe 15% of a KS campaign.
You've mentioned sharing the rules earlier. Any chance to take a look? I`m curious to see them.
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With artwork under way, I am confident that my game will be seen on Kickstarter very very soon!
How much play testing have you done, solo? With friends/family? With strangers?
Have you done blind play testing?
Do you have a crowd already? Mailing list? Facebook page/group? Webpage? BGG entry? Have you talked up the game elsewhere?
Get all that out of the way before you even think about getting into Kickstarter.
Kickstarter is a near full-time job all on it's own!
I should have rules uploaded
I should have rules uploaded soon. Tonight they are getting the once over, so I'm going through editing one more time for clarity more than anything. I will get a link up on the blog here, hopefully middle of next week. There is a general summary in the blog already.
Solo play testing has
Solo play testing has concluded -- I discovered that the random elements in the game make it a challenge even for me playing by myself.
Friends and family have been my core play testers recently and have given dozens of hours over the past 3 months to the cause.
Strangers is coming up starting tonight, and then blind testing to commenced once the first printed copy is published, probably mid to late September.
As far as a crowd/mailing list goes there is a mailing list in its infancy, and the "crowd" numbers only about 12 people. As play testing expands the audience, thus number will increase. I have yet to have a tester tell me that the game ducks, and everyone who has played it says something to the effect of "I know a guy (s) who would love this game! Can I being him/her to a play test?"
Facebook group will be coming up very soon (I had hoped to launch it today actually, in advance of the first stranger play tests). The BGG entry is slated to go up as soon as the first printed copy is done, so there can be pictures of the game there too. In addition to that, once that first print copy comes and it looks good the game will be sent out for 3-5 reviews before the KS campaign goes.
So in reality when I say Kickstart will launch soon, what I don't mean is weeks away, but realistically it will be months, since I'm looking at 6 to 8 weeks before the first print copy is in hand.