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Most trusted reviewers?

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Wed, 04/27/2016 - 13:53
chris_mancini
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I'm moving towards a Kickstarter campaign, and as we all know, having some reviews on the page really helps to sell the game to backers who may be on the fence. With that, who are your favorite/most trusted reviewers?

Tom Vasel no longer does KS previews I believe, though there is the hope of getting on the crowd-funding section of his BGB show. This requires the campaign to be running, so it doesn't really count as active preparation for a campaign.

I was considering Bower's Game Corner, Nick Meenachan's Board Game Brawl and maybe Bearded Meeple?

My game is super-simple and easily communicates, and I'm confident that the gameplay and fun it holds can be clear in the video...but if a review or three is a requirement as it certainly seems they are, who do you all trust to give you an objective opinion of a game?

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Wed, 04/27/2016 - 14:02
#1
Gabe
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You could also try Undead

You could also try Undead Viking and Edo from the League of Gamemakers.

Edo actually did a really good instructional video for this a few days ago. Check it out here:

http://www.leagueofgamemakers.com/kickstarter-basics-getting-a-review/

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Wed, 04/27/2016 - 14:33
#2
questccg
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Not about trust ... it's about REACH!

Check out James Mathe website at:

http://www.jamesmathe.com/o-reviewer-reviewer-wherefore-art-thou/

There is a comprehensive list of a ton of reviewers. You can SCROLL the TABLE to the RIGHT and see the number of followers, the country and if they do Kickstarters (Free or Paid).

In my case, I built up a list of 10 reviewers all around the world. And I focused on the reviewers with the largest followers. Ergo, those that have the largest REACH.

But you can focus on the USA and talk with reviewers from all around the USA not only one particular region.

It's costly making prototypes and then mailing them, etc. So do as many as you see fit, and hope that they in turn respond with an article. I have sent to some reviewers and never got any feedback once they had a look at my game. So plan for more and hope for a few...

Best of luck with your game!

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Wed, 04/27/2016 - 14:49
#3
chris_mancini
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Love that video from Edo!

Love that video from Edo! Definitely sending him a copy for review, with his suggestions top of mind...thanks for posting!

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Wed, 04/27/2016 - 15:08
#4
chris_mancini
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What a list! Everything I

What a list! Everything I needed to know...so cool!!! Agree, reach is hugely important.

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Wed, 04/27/2016 - 16:56
#5
radioactivemouse
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Respectfully...

chris_mancini wrote:
I'm moving towards a Kickstarter campaign, and as we all know, having some reviews on the page really helps to sell the game to backers who may be on the fence. With that, who are your favorite/most trusted reviewers?

Tom Vasel no longer does KS previews I believe, though there is the hope of getting on the crowd-funding section of his BGB show. This requires the campaign to be running, so it doesn't really count as active preparation for a campaign.

I was considering Bower's Game Corner, Nick Meenachan's Board Game Brawl and maybe Bearded Meeple?

My game is super-simple and easily communicates, and I'm confident that the gameplay and fun it holds can be clear in the video...but if a review or three is a requirement as it certainly seems they are, who do you all trust to give you an objective opinion of a game?

I'll be honest, I don't trust video reviews for Kickstarters because they're usually paid for. I'm not a fan of that.

Many reviewers won't review prototype copies only because many things can change before release.

I'd rather watch a well put together video of a guy passionately talk about their product than to hear a video reviewer to hawk a product cause they were paid to do it.

I'm just saying I'm not of the crowd that thinks, "having some reviews on the page really helps to sell the game to backers who may be on the fence.". It turns me off, actually.

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Wed, 04/27/2016 - 18:01
#6
I Will Never Gr...
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radioactivemouse

radioactivemouse wrote:
chris_mancini wrote:
I'm moving towards a Kickstarter campaign, and as we all know, having some reviews on the page really helps to sell the game to backers who may be on the fence. With that, who are your favorite/most trusted reviewers?

Tom Vasel no longer does KS previews I believe, though there is the hope of getting on the crowd-funding section of his BGB show. This requires the campaign to be running, so it doesn't really count as active preparation for a campaign.

I was considering Bower's Game Corner, Nick Meenachan's Board Game Brawl and maybe Bearded Meeple?

My game is super-simple and easily communicates, and I'm confident that the gameplay and fun it holds can be clear in the video...but if a review or three is a requirement as it certainly seems they are, who do you all trust to give you an objective opinion of a game?

I'll be honest, I don't trust video reviews for Kickstarters because they're usually paid for. I'm not a fan of that..

Of the 20 reviewers i contacted only 4 wanted payment and one asked for a patreon pledge (another form of oayment sure but as little as a dollar).

So really, 25% are paid.. If you are willing to pay ( i am not)

Even then they will not do one if they dont actually like the game.

Ymmv

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Wed, 04/27/2016 - 18:32
#7
chris_mancini
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I agree RM; almost every

I agree RM; almost every review on a KS campaign page are positive, even for games that are eventually realized after honest reviews are done to be lacking...sometimes severely.

That's why I'd prefer honest reviews, not Kickstarter previews. For a preview, these reviewers assume you're looking for a positive video, and I think most want to be of help and not give any negatives...especially if you're giving them money. Bower's Game Corner at least gives a bit of balance, pointing out some down-sides in usually a pleasant way. I appreciate that...

This isn't some deeply thematic game where I'd need to set the stage in a sweeping, cinematic way; it's a simple family party game of categories, so my video will more than likely be "just me" giving the what's and why's of the campaign, with plenty of player reaction in the gameplay demo. More steak than sizzle.

Just a designer from the toy industry wanting to take a shot on his own and share a quality game with the world!

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Wed, 04/27/2016 - 23:08
#8
Stormyknight1976
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Here are a few :

Here are a few I know that you can look into for a review who are on my fb.

1: Just Got Played: They do video reviews on youtube.

2: Smashing Raptor Games

3: Green Couch Games

4: Egra Games? Maybe

5: Soul Jar Games? Maybe

6: 64 oz. Games

7: Happy Mitten Games

8: Renegade Games

These are all small game publishing game companies here in the U.S.

I don't know if they cost anything for a review but you never know.

My friend Chenier La Sielle / famed for his game New York 1901 has had many reviews from U.S., Germany, Japan, and has been awarded third in the awards next to Lanterns. Check out reviews for this game to and see where it leads you.

Hope these help.

Stormy

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Thu, 04/28/2016 - 12:34
#9
chris_mancini
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Thanks Stormy, all very

Thanks Stormy, all very helpful!

NY-1901 is a fantastic game...quite the game to have in one's portfolio! Definitely worthy of all its accolades and award nominations.

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Thu, 04/28/2016 - 15:35
#10
Stormyknight1976
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Your welcome

No problem Chris. I hope the list I have provided also helps every one out here.

Happy hunting,
Stormy

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Thu, 04/28/2016 - 18:53
#11
ruy343
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Board Game Resource

Although it's still a new site, I really like www.boardgameresource.com . Zach writes some really great reviews of games, and they're well thought out, hitting on all of the points that a potential player would want to know. I've also written one review there myself (for 8-Minute Empire: Legends). I don't think that he charges for reviews yet, so you might consider sending one to him.

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