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Hello! I'm new, but I created & developed a BG.

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Bigins
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Joined: 11/11/2008

So I just was searching google for places that produce boards for board games and I found this site/forums.

It's true, my board game is the real deal and I did all the design work involved besides hiring a graphic designer to transform my board idea for my game into reality.

I don't know which way to go with this because what I'm looking for is a company near me that produce boards for games. I have the prints(and it's a really big game board) that they'll need to make the boards with. The last time I did them, they were still using chipboard(composite?) but the cost went through the roof for that material now.

So I'm looking for a place in or near Minnesota that does this. Are there people here that are into marketing board games? My game is red hot and it will only sell more and more as the years go on. Who should I talk to? I could use some legal advice if it's available as well. But not in a public forum setting.

Thanks in advance!

dnjkirk
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Joined: 07/22/2008
Recommended Read

I highly recommend you find and read The Game Inventor's Guidebook by Tinsman. It's out of print, so you will have to find it at a library or shell out big bucks for it. I think my copy cost 80 bucks. Worth every penny.

doho123
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Bigins wrote: So I'm looking

Bigins wrote:

So I'm looking for a place in or near Minnesota that does this. Are there people here that are into marketing board games? My game is red hot and it will only sell more and more as the years go on. Who should I talk to? I could use some legal advice if it's available as well. But not in a public forum setting.

Good for you that you have a hot game on your hands. Also, somewhat lucky for you, there's a place in Wisconsin that you might want to contact:

http://www.frvgroup.com/Website/home.htm

I look forward to seeing your game at the local Target or Walmart soon!

Dralius
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Joined: 07/26/2008
Look before you leap

Here is the big question that anyone who is thinking of self publishing should answer.

Have you ever run a business, done sales, marketing, warehousing etc…or worked in the game industry?

If you have not done all those things then before you risk your lives saving spend the next 6 months to a year researching how to start a business including writing a business plan and looking into the game industry and how it works. The economy is shaky and starting a business now is an even higher risk than usual not to mention that making a profit from board games takes allot of work, skill and even luck at the best of times.

Bigins
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Joined: 11/11/2008
Thanks for your help. This

Thanks for your help. This book, while I'm sure I'd learn some things, my game has been through production so I just wonder what I'd get from it now. I have everything involved with the game copyrighted. The player sheet(think of Yatzee, but not the interworkings, just the sheet/chart you use to actually play the game), the board design, the instructions on how to play the game. Then the game money, cards in the game, scorecard ect.

Those along with the game pieces and cool rolling dice make a complete set. My game also has a deluxe version where you get double the amount of money, 4 other colored game pieces for a total of 8. And a 2nd pair of different colored rolling dice(than what the regular version comes with). The regular version game is for 2-4 players. With the deluxe pack you can have 2-8 players playing in 2 seperate groups. And yes, the board is plenty big for all the action.

The dice are 16mm(5/8") with rounded corners and cool. The game itself just has the look of fun, and it really is. I'm not bragging, it's what I've been told(lots and lots of trial and error before the final version).

That would be great if my game ever sold at Target and Walmart, but it has sold at game stores like Games By James and Air Traffic(a kite and game store). with success. The big problem was that I spent so much money on design, graphic designer, run of prints(the printing plates kill you the first time you have a company produce the prints for the boards). Along with all the little costs, I didn't have a proper game shelf friendly full color packaging for the game.

My legal question is, I have everything that makes the game work copywrited. I don't see the need for a patent(and last time I checked they're not cheap). Am I covered from someone trying to steal my game, or game concept. I say "game concept" lossely because I created the game(it took me 4-5 years from begining to production), and if someone did try to steal the games concept, it would be blatently obvious. So those are my legal questions.

I'll have to contact this company in Wisconsin.

Thanks again!

Katherine
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Joined: 07/24/2008
Hi Bigins, My apologies ... I

Hi Bigins,

My apologies ... I assumed your first post was a "leg pull". Zzzzz has posted "copyrights and patents to help designers with their legal questions.

Out of curiosity, what is the name of your game?

Bigins
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Joined: 11/11/2008
Yes deralius, I made some

Yes deralius, I made some mistakes. It's all good Shazz, but I never joke around with my game.

Now before I show the game or give a description of it, let me add what my game has over others(in this economy), some would've said under regular board games(in the past) is, it's designed after a real game that's played that is one of the fastest growing sports in the World. Almost became an Summer Olympic sport before they starting cutting back on the # of competition's.

My point is that while it could sell on the shelf of a regular store that sell board games, which it has. My game will sell even more at stores that carry products associated with this sport(but all the better, publicity is key). AND, it's the only board game they'd sell. There're alot of these type of stores, new stores opening every year. And they also distribute to smaller merchants along with individuals.

It's pretty exciting, especially now with this sport as HUGE as it is. I've been selling them and will be sending one out that someone paid well over $50(regular version) for + $9.95 S&H. I can prove this.

I'd like to talk with this Zzzzz person.

Thanks!

InvisibleJon
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Joined: 07/27/2008
The answer depends on what you're asking...

Hello Bigins,

Bigins wrote:
My legal question is, ... [a]m I covered from someone trying to steal my game, or game concept.
Keep in mind that none of us are lawyers or otherwise act as legal counsel. That includes me, obviously. That said...

If you're asking if you're protected from someone else making a game based on the same sport your game is based on, the answer is that you're not protected. Assuming that the sport you're simulating is a "public domain" sport, like baseball or soccer, other people have as much right to make a game based on it as you did when you made your game.

If you're asking if you're protected from someone making an exact copy of your game (art, rules, layout, etc.), the answer is that you're probably protected. Obviously, you can't stop someone from actually making the game, but you'll be able to pursue them in court for using your work without your permission or compensating you. Of course, entering the American legal system entails a whole new world of financial and emotional turmoil.

If you're asking if you're protected from someone making a game that plays almost exactly like yours, but with different art, different layout, and possibly a different theme, the answer is that you're probably not protected. This is something that I think has come up several times before on this forum, and I bet other people can answer this better than me. My understanding is that if your game is not patented, anyone can use some, part, or all of the mechanics in a different game and they're pretty safe (legally speaking). My understanding is also that a game must have unique, patentable features in order to be patentable. My personal experience is that patenting is not very fun to have to pursue.

If you're asking if one of us on the forum will steal your idea and attempt to beat you to the mass market, the answer is that this is a public forum, so anyone on the internet could read what is written here. That said, I know that I don't steal stuff from other people (although I've been inspired by the conversations here many times with great results), and my experiences with the regular posters here have been uniformly positive and constructive.

All that said, you're really quite safe.

Consider this: It takes a bunch of work (time, money, labor) to bring a game to market. You know this. You've been working on your game for 5 years. In and of itself, the work it takes to bring a game to market creates a very strong disincentive for anyone to steal your work (or the work of anyone else on this forum). Knowing the time and money it'd take to steal a board game idea and actually make money off of it, any sane person would be far better off putting that time and money toward other efforts. How many people that would be willing to steal a thing are also people who would put up $10,000+ to have a chance of making money off that thing? It's a self-selecting crowd that automatically dwindles down to almost zero. My understanding is that it's rare for ideas to be stolen in the board game industry.

Feel free to share as much or as little as you wish. I, and I'm sure several others here, have a genuine desire to help you out and to see you succeed. On that note, I have a few thoughts:

1) We know that you believe in your game. If you didn't you wouldn't have come this far with it and you wouldn't have posted here in the first place. Every game designer truly and sincerely believes that their game has what it takes to be a hit. Consequently, you don't have to sell us on it. We already believe that you believe in your game.

2) Take a moment and write up a short, simply worded list of what makes your game fun and (more importantly) certain to sell. You'll want this when you're pitching your game to publisher/distributors. Telling a publisher that everyone who's played it thinks its fun isn't specific enough – it's not objective. Figure out what it is that makes your game engaging, exciting, humorous, or otherwise fun, then write that down. Ideally, your sales pitch will be short and to the point.

3) You may want to look into hiring a game agent or contacting a distribution/fulfillment house (such as what Guild of Blades provides).

Best of luck,

Jonathan L.

dannorder
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Joined: 10/20/2008
Game concept

Bigins wrote:
My legal question is, I have everything that makes the game work copywrited. I don't see the need for a patent(and last time I checked they're not cheap). Am I covered from someone trying to steal my game, or game concept.

Concepts are not covered by copyrights, patents or trademarks. You can protect your game instructions (word for word, someone else could write similar rules) and game images with copyright. You can protect your game name and logo with trademarks. In theory if there were some procedure used in the game that is unique you could patent it. Otherwise there are no laws that would apply. Ideas cannot be not owned by anyone.

Bigins
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Joined: 11/11/2008
Concepts are not covered by

Concepts are not covered by copyrights, patents or trademarks. You can protect your game instructions (word for word, someone else could write similar rules) and game images with copyright. You can protect your game name and logo with trademarks. In theory if there were some procedure used in the game that is unique you could patent it. Otherwise there are no laws that would apply. Ideas cannot be not owned by anyone.[/quote]
Interesting. Someone would have to be in the know of the interworkings of the real game to even begin to create this. The game has ALOT of strategy to it that one could never see without playing several times. The only thing that could be patented is the player sheet. Does Yatzee have their player sheet patented would be my next question. This game's way cooler than Yatzee BTW. lol

InvisibleJon wrote:
Hello Bigins,
Bigins wrote:
My legal question is, ... [a]m I covered from someone trying to steal my game, or game concept.
Keep in mind that none of us are lawyers or otherwise act as legal counsel. That includes me, obviously. That said...

If you're asking if you're protected from someone else making a game based on the same sport your game is based on, the answer is that you're not protected. Assuming that the sport you're simulating is a "public domain" sport, like baseball or soccer, other people have as much right to make a game based on it as you did when you made your game.

If you're asking if you're protected from someone making an exact copy of your game (art, rules, layout, etc.), the answer is that you're probably protected. Obviously, you can't stop someone from actually making the game, but you'll be able to pursue them in court for using your work without your permission or compensating you. Of course, entering the American legal system entails a whole new world of financial and emotional turmoil.

If you're asking if you're protected from someone making a game that plays almost exactly like yours, but with different art, different layout, and possibly a different theme, the answer is that you're probably not protected. This is something that I think has come up several times before on this forum, and I bet other people can answer this better than me. My understanding is that if your game is not patented, anyone can use some, part, or all of the mechanics in a different game and they're pretty safe (legally speaking). My understanding is also that a game must have unique, patentable features in order to be patentable. My personal experience is that patenting is not very fun to have to pursue.

If you're asking if one of us on the forum will steal your idea and attempt to beat you to the mass market, the answer is that this is a public forum, so anyone on the internet could read what is written here. That said, I know that I don't steal stuff from other people (although I've been inspired by the conversations here many times with great results), and my experiences with the regular posters here have been uniformly positive and constructive.

All that said, you're really quite safe.

Consider this: It takes a bunch of work (time, money, labor) to bring a game to market. You know this. You've been working on your game for 5 years. In and of itself, the work it takes to bring a game to market creates a very strong disincentive for anyone to steal your work (or the work of anyone else on this forum). Knowing the time and money it'd take to steal a board game idea and actually make money off of it, any sane person would be far better off putting that time and money toward other efforts. How many people that would be willing to steal a thing are also people who would put up $10,000+ to have a chance of making money off that thing? It's a self-selecting crowd that automatically dwindles down to almost zero. My understanding is that it's rare for ideas to be stolen in the board game industry.

Feel free to share as much or as little as you wish. I, and I'm sure several others here, have a genuine desire to help you out and to see you succeed. On that note, I have a few thoughts:

1) We know that you believe in your game. If you didn't you wouldn't have come this far with it and you wouldn't have posted here in the first place. Every game designer truly and sincerely believes that their game has what it takes to be a hit. Consequently, you don't have to sell us on it. We already believe that you believe in your game.

2) Take a moment and write up a short, simply worded list of what makes your game fun and (more importantly) certain to sell. You'll want this when you're pitching your game to publisher/distributors. Telling a publisher that everyone who's played it thinks its fun isn't specific enough – it's not objective. Figure out what it is that makes your game engaging, exciting, humorous, or otherwise fun, then write that down. Ideally, your sales pitch will be short and to the point.

3) You may want to look into hiring a game agent or contacting a distribution/fulfillment house (such as what Guild of Blades provides).

Best of luck,

Jonathan L.


It's taken alot of work and time to save all the money up to make the initial investments like you mentioned. And yes, I do believe in my game. I will do as you suggest and come up with a list. I trust that people here couldn't duplicate my game in any way. I just have trust issues. maybe I could trust someone and show them the game in an easy fashion

pelle
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Joined: 08/11/2008
There is probably another

There is probably another reason games are not stolen as well: We all think that our own design is better, involves more subtle strategy, more fun, have used so many hours developing, etc, than any other game (even if that other game has sold millions of copies), so why would we want to steal someone else's design? Of course if some mechanic is particularly clever, it may be used for inspiration by someone (just as you were inspired by other games). Remember Jim Dunnigans first rule of game design: plagiarize. We wouldn't have subgenres of boardgames if people didn't pick good ideas from other games.

Besides, if this idea you have is so great, than almost by definition of 'great' it must be only one of 100s of other almost-great ideas you have had, most of which have been scrapped for not being perfect. If it is your only idea than you can be certain it is not as good as you think. This means that before someone else has had the time to steal your first idea you should be halfway to publishing something even better. (This last paragraph is almost a short summary of one of the chapters in Chris Crawford On Games, that I happened to reread yesterday, although reading his book is more fun and makes the point much clearer than what I did, plus it uses analogies involving dinosaurs.)

Brykovian
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Joined: 07/21/2008
Howdy Biggins ... If you're

Howdy Biggins ...

If you're looking for a commercial agent, then you might want to check out Excel Development Group: http://www.exceld.com/

They are located in Minneapolis and I have seen positive comments about how they work with designers on the BGG forums, but I have not personally worked with them. They seem to be the traditional toy & game agent company that takes concepts and pitches them to mass-market producers (Hasbro, etc.) for a share in the royalties. There's also an up-front cost to have your concept reviewed by them.

Hope that's helpful,
-Bryk

p.s. I live in the western suburbs of Minneapolis, btw.

Bigins
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Joined: 11/11/2008
Thanks everyone for their

Thanks everyone for their input and advice. I really apprciate it. Please feel free to add more.

I think the FRV Group are the ones to contact. I sure would like to know more about their company. It's too bad they're 200+ miles away from here.

I'll see if they have an information pack they can send me along with the phone conversation(s).

Thanks again!

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