Proper game presentation, looking for advice

As far as why your BGG post didn't get attention, I'd start with working on your initial pitch. The first sentence needs to be an attention grabber. The rest of the paragraph fans that initial spark of interest. No matter what else, it is difficult to generate interest without a good hook.

Yes, the title could be much better. To me, the MOBA comparison is an instant turn-off. It's like saying, "It is a tabletop game inspired by an RTS sub-genre that was inspired by tabletop gaming."

Welcome to the Forum!

I've read through the material at BGG and there some things I would suggest that you consider...

First, it's a wall of text. Most people want to read and capture the essence of something rather quickly. Long before anyone watches a two hour movie, they've witnessed the two-minute (or less) trailer and they make a decision as to whether they'll see the movie based on that trailer.
Use the same logic moving forward.

Second, have a copy of the rules for people to download...do not try to attempt to explain every nuance of the game in a series of paragraphs. As you're a first time designer, slowly build that community of interested individuals. Take the time to provide a bit of information and start a conversation. Don't expect that a conversation will simply appear out of thin air.

Finally, if you have more than a proof of concept, start a page on BGG for your game. You need not have a finished game, as evidenced by the hundreds added every year on Kickstarter. At least you'll have the ability to highlight some things about the game (keep it short) and start a Forum thread, where others can communicate. Unfortunately, your current thread is on the Board Game Design Forum where there's a bunch of others doing the same thing.

Anyway, I'm currently serving as a Developer on three separate projects at the moment, so reach out to me if you want a bit more specific assistance.

Cheers,
Joe

Take a look at some of the successful Kickstarters and take notes on what they did. There are different approaches. You'll want to find what plays to your strengths.

The best advertising is just plain word of mouth, by that I mean YOUR mouth. While posting on forums, showing people your rules online, and making videos sound like a good idea, if you really want to convince people, you'll have to do it face to face.

At least that's my philosophy.

No one can better explain your game than you can, so why not go TO people and convince them personally?

I'm not a fan of the phrase, "If you build it, they will come". By just putting it out there, you can't force people to take the time out to care. You can't even know who sees it, who plays your game, or even who reads your rules...unless they tell you.

When I made my game, I was resolved to go to as many conventions, game stores, and events as I humanly could to show people my game. Many times I've sat for hours hoping someone would walk by, sometimes I've demoed my game with a nonstop string of people that want to play. But I've realized that the only way to know for sure if people will see my game is if I put myself in situations where I get people to see it.

My game got to #7 on BGG Con 2015 Geek Hotlist and had some time on the BGG Hotness list. It didn't happen because I posted something on boardgamegeek, I didn't post rules hoping people would see it, I bought a ticket, went to BGG Con, demoed my game at my booth every hour the exhibit hall was open, and I fought for every vote.

It's the harder route, but it's the most guaranteed one.

As far as finding play testers, you gotta use your resources. Find game nights, friends, family, anyone. Then go to places where complete strangers will play your game (I went to several video game conferences and showed my game to people in line). I am privileged to work at a college; I just had my students playtest my game during their game club (that I started). Again, word of mouth.

Telling someone about your game from your own mouth is way better advertising than any post, video, or rules doc you could post.

I don't care about poor english, nor do others. As long as you get the message across. I watched your video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmrPJK03k3s&feature=youtu.be
and have some things that "irritate" me or are needed in your explanation.
But in overall, you did a decent job already. So don't get down by my post, okay?

1 - You sssss and fffff a bit to much.
2 - You sound monotone. Do you like your game yourself? Go and like your own game. Play it, while explaining what you do. And be happy or sad when something happens. People play games for getting emotions.
3 - Don't tell viewers that it is fun. Never ever do that! Instead: Show them that it is fun.
4 - Sometimes you go too fast, and sometimes too slow. It might sound right to you, but others have not yet grasped what you are telling.
5 - Add subtitles, so that people watching the video can read and/or even pause when a rule is explained. Make sure the subtitle is not in your way.
6 - First explain what you could do at a certain moment. Then how to do it. What the consequences could be. And finally doing it while bearing the consequences.
7 - Just practise a lot first in explaining the game. And know for sure that players can play the game too, after watching your video.
8 - You are pointing with your mouse. But that is sometimes insufficient. You could add in animated arrows and/or circles that highlight the area for attention?

***

PS. I am interested in a PnP. Because it does look good. Where to get it?

And as a fellow hexagon board user. I always wonder if you did your art yourself, or that you borrowed it from others?

It is brilliant if you need play testers.

You could even make it so that you can keep track somewhere how your boxes travel through the country. How many are you planning on?

***

I'll await your PM before downloading the PNP.

Further, I am not interested in your art ;)
Instead, I am interested in your choices for your art. Why you have chosen the art as it is?

I have some pointers on your PnP game.

The art is great. I love it.
The turn order of actions is also displayed in a refreshing way. Kids can follow this.

***

Print 1

The board is debatable in a minor aspect.

I have noticed that all the special locations have a picture placed on the board already. However, you see them sideways, while the rest of the board is top view.

If you want players to place a side view piece of the special location on the board. Either replace the symbols on the board. Or make them much smaller in such that they disappear when the standing piece is placed.

Of course you are using simple 2D pictures to stand up. Perhaps in the future, you can upgrade this to using one of the 2:
http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/42800/42812/frust-hex17_42812_md.gif
I am studying these myself for one of my games. Not sure yet if I can make them strong.

I noticed the art not really following the terrain. But I guess it is not really needed this time.

***

Print 2

I can tell you use a program like word, before turning the files into PDF. The mistakes are in your tables where you placed the pictures of the items.
The most obvious one is the portal.
But several health icon's are shifted too.

Either correct this.
Or
Turn the table in an entire bleeding zone.

Why?
Cutting round corners is a NOGO for most people any way.
I too discarded this and kept the unfinished square cuts for now. Having round corners takes about twice as long as cutting up the entire table into squares to start with.

There is one picture that needs modification itself.
The "round forbidden" icon is not centred in the square.
It hurts my eye's. :)

***

print 3

I had trouble cutting the cards. The white side is less to almost not visible when cutting. Perhaps you could give it a colour instead? Or going from dark grey to light grey?

PS. I did print everything in colour.

I can hardly tell it is the body that you are aiming at with that card. Perhaps letting it look more like a blouse?
The brains too, give a bit more curve inside it. After all, you have given the head an eye.

***

print 4

Again the light side of the cards cause me trouble. I honestly don't know what to suggest. This time I have to admit, it looks good as it is. And darkening everything would damage the looks.

Battle roar is missing some text. :)
How about
"ROAAAARRR!!!"
???

:)

Flame spear looks like a lighting spear. Either change the name to lighting spear. Or give the colour orange to yellow instead of purple.

I think the middle finger has to go. How about a creature shouting !@#$ of some sort?

The portal is missing the little dude talking?

***

print 5

Again the white side. O well.

***

I have yet to play the game. But by watching the pieces. I think I can guess certain aspects :) That is a good sign. I hope that I am correct, because that would be very good.

I also like the targeting system. If this is the unique system you talked about. I have to disappoint you, I have seen this before.

And 1 more thing. If possible. Also make a total PDF with all the pages.

No problem.

I didn't think that way. It makes sense now why they are so big.

No, sorry. It is on my agenda. However, it has absolute no priority. And it is still in the earliest stages of experimenting. For example, I don't know yet how to keep it intact while only using paper.

Right, having a dark background for the paper with cards, or having a different background with cropmarks, would do too. That would be your solution to all those prints with a white side for the cards.

To bad.
Only do it if there is a way around all the trouble. Its no big loss.

If you want to go public with the game. Some companies might be... wanting to remove the middle finger. However, I personally have no trouble with it.
Didn't know yet that the protal is for all hero's. In that case, remove the circle if possible.

Well, I know of 2 RTS video games. And my own board game.
1 - Wyrmsun.
It allows you to attack an opponent from the front, sides or back. Even diagonal has effect.
Although, it is not well implemented with the game style it holds. You cannot go tactical by attacking the flanks when units are dead within a few hits any way.
2 - C&C3/Kanes Wrath. Where Wyrmsun had the idea from. Has a much better implementation.
3 - My board game: Instead of attacking a part of 1 enemy. You attack a part of a squad. Some have better defences. Others have better attack strength. But in overall, the defence is tight at first. But with certain cards, you can attack the back or flank. In other words, attacking the head. In order to attack the legs, you need to have sufficient stuff in the way. A different tactic, but worthwhile learning. After all, a trapped unit is doomed.

Once again, no problem.
Instead of a wall of tekst, you also have good pictures. And a good set of pieces.

The only one thing that remains is, me reading your rulebook. Than comment on the game mechanics. But that is, not possible this week. Social/work life and it is christmass time ;)