Hey Designers,
I'm starting a web series showcasing games that are still in the playtesting phase of development. It's a chance for designers to give one playtester a copy and have hundreds of people take a look and comment on your games. Lots of feedback and little resources needed. So leave links to your games or send me a copy and we'll showcase them and give you some publicity before the game even comes out!
We want to play your games!
Thu, 05/30/2013 - 00:30
Thu, 05/30/2013 - 00:52
#1
Great idea for a web
Great idea for a web series.
What kinds of games are you looking for
Thu, 05/30/2013 - 02:35
#2
I have two games I'd love for
I have two games I'd love for you to look at! Both are deck-builders. Lemme know if you're interested.
Thu, 05/30/2013 - 06:10
#3
How to send the games ?
Hi, there !
I think that's a great idea - playtesting and prepublicity together. Please let me know how t o send you the games (physical copies) ? I have one in development, where I would do great with some honest feedback and also, prepublicity.
Could you please mail me address and phone/email on my email : parvezabedin@gmail.com or even put it up here for everyone's benefit?
Best
Thu, 05/30/2013 - 11:32
#5
Always interested
@PaulG - I posted my address above, send me whatever you've got ready.
@RGaffney - I'm looking for any and all games ready to be playtested. No bias or preference. We want to help playtest and promote games.
Thu, 05/30/2013 - 12:53
#6
Do you have a video example?
Can you link to any work you have done to see what your skill level is?
I appreciate free publicity but bad video does nothing because viewership will be non-existent.
Thu, 05/30/2013 - 19:02
#7
Sounds like a great iniative,
Sounds like a great iniative, what is your target demographic
Fri, 05/31/2013 - 11:55
#8
Concerns
@Willi B. I appreciate your healthy skepticism and I do want to reiterate that we are just getting started. So if you want to wait to see a couple of episodes then I would totally understand. We will have a website up and running very soon (next week or so) and we'll have a few episodes up for you then. I hope you like what is to come and decide to let us playtest your game.
Sat, 06/01/2013 - 17:10
#9
Look forward to it.
I know that you are offering a crapload of effort and I don't want to dismiss what you are offering. I see several opportunities opening up with the growth of the board game hobby... and if you pull this off you could really turn it into a business. I mean Tom Vasel is already making money doing "previews" for KS projects. If you separate yourself as a talent quickly, I think you could be the "go to" in the industry.
I am saying it is a smart move on your part and I wish you luck. I look forward to the videos and I will hopefully be sending you something when you get running.
Sat, 06/01/2013 - 17:59
#10
Thank you
@Willi B
Thank you for your support. We are trying to get started as fast as possible to be the first in this niche.
Sun, 06/02/2013 - 05:54
#11
Intrigued
Hi Jarek
I have a game designed and tested, but not yet released called Magic Maelstrom.
BGG entry: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/128991/magic-maelstrom
Blog / game details: http://magic-maelstrom.blogspot.co.uk/
I only have two physical copies (made to a high standard) and there are a lot of components/cards, so I can't send you a copy to try out at the moment, but there's stuff you can view/download.
I'm interested in seeing how you get on with your new venture - good luck.
Fri, 06/07/2013 - 01:02
#12
What sort of level of
What sort of level of completion will you consider?
I've got a prototype that I literally printed for the first time about a week ago. I've played a few games and I'd like to play more (with more people).
It's still pretty broken and I'm not sure if it can be beaten yet. But - the only way I'm going to know is if people play it.
Fri, 06/07/2013 - 03:10
#13
Sounds Great
Send it to me and I'll take a look. I'm more than willing to read the rules and have some friends play it. If it really needs a lot of cleaning up then we'll send you back a critique and we'll expect a revised game to put on the show. Our goal is to get you noticed. So if you aren't comfortable with the early exposure, then we'll try to be patient.
Sat, 06/08/2013 - 09:42
#14
Looks like an interesting
Looks like an interesting idea. It could be a way to generate hype before the game gets released. Still, I suggest you take working, playable and nearly finished prototype. If you take games too early, you might end up with too much non-functional games and have nothing much to say about it.
Sat, 06/08/2013 - 14:09
#15
Finished Prototype.
Not sure that I agree with submitting only finished prototypes. I dont plan on marketing my game so why should I invest money and time in the look of my game? If someone is willing to test play it they will get a game that is as playable as possible and looks half decent but certainly isnt ready for a store shelf.
Tue, 06/11/2013 - 19:15
#16
Great concept!
Hi Jarek,
This sounds like a great idea and I'm sending you an email with the link to the PNP files for my Giant Monster themed tactical miniatures combat game STOMP! I'd love to have you guys take a crack at it and see what sort of feedback I get. This game has been through numerous rounds of playtesting but I'm sure that there are still a few bugs and exploits that just haven't been found yet.
I was wondering if you would be doing replay shows after the first round of playtesting so that viewers could see how feedback alters and improves game design?
Thanks again!
Joel Morris
Green Tentacle Games
Tue, 06/11/2013 - 19:27
#17
Great Ideas
@Joel - Excellent thank you. We would be more than happy to play test it and showcase it on our show. As for your idea I was thinking about making an end-of-season episode to give an update on all the games we playtest and show what stage everyone's game has developed to whether it be published or on kickstarter, etc. Would that be satisfactory to your request?
@Larienna and OdysseyDyse - You both bring up great points. My team and I have had many discussions about this and as for now, while we are still in the growing phase, we will simply take the games as they come. Eventually we will have to start being a little more picky and we'll probably showcase more completed work (we're already getting more games than we can handle). But we do want to be a service where anyone's games can be playtested but maybe not showcased until they feel comfortable getting the publicity.
Tue, 06/11/2013 - 21:51
#18
Jarek,
An end of season show
Jarek,
An end of season show sounds like a great idea and would address the issue wonderfully. Great concept again and I'm looking forward to seeing the show!
Tue, 06/11/2013 - 21:54
#19
Ultimate Football
I have a Football Board Game called "Ultimate Football". It won the Game Design Contest at Kubla Con in 2011, and has since been vastly improved. I am beginning to put together a Kickstart campaign, and I would love to begin the process of getting the word out there. You mention no bias. This is a great game, (so I have been told) and I would like to send you a copy if you would play it and talk it up (if you like it).
Are you interested?
Rob50ert
Wed, 06/12/2013 - 00:20
#20
Yes of course
@Rob50ert - Yes of course we would like to playtest it. Please send it to me before the friday. We do all of the playtesting on saturday and filming throughout the week. Please let us know when the kickstarter goes up and we'll try to get in an episode towards the beginning of your 30 days.
Wed, 06/12/2013 - 00:32
#21
Dear Everyone
I was graciously reminded that I have failed to get the website up within the "week or so" that I had mentioned in a previous post. It has been exactly 2 weeks since that post and I want to make a public apology for not getting it up when I had said I would. My main web designer actually had an emergency funeral out of state and I have not received word when he'll be back. However, I will have 1 sample video for everyone to watch by saturday. I didn't want to release any videos until we had about 5 but under the circumstances our timetable has been drastically set back. Again, I'm sorry everyone if I've made you anxious and impatient for our reviews.
Thu, 06/13/2013 - 23:25
#22
Finally
So here is the first episode. We're still working on the audio, we're putting in for new microphones so I apologize in advance for that. Hope you enjoy it.
Leave comments here if you have suggestions for the show.
Fri, 06/14/2013 - 12:51
#23
This is a cool idea. Is
This is a cool idea. Is there a specific kind of game you are looking to showcase?
Fri, 06/14/2013 - 14:35
#24
We take everything
@2LTGamer - We will playtest anything that comes our way, but do know that this is publicity for you and you probably should send us a copy that is closer to finishing for two reasons. 1) So it's appealing to the audience and 2) So they don't forget about your game by the time it comes out. Pre-Kickstarter games is about the phase that things will most optimal for you. But let me reiterate that we take any game and we'll showcase it as is.
Fri, 06/14/2013 - 15:25
#25
Intro
Can you speed up the intro part where the hand is drawing things? My 3 second attention span was overwhelmed.
(Okay, it just felt a bit long - it may not hurt to speed up that part)
The audio is okay - it's youtube, after all.
The camera isn't in focus on the "close ups" (where you are just showing one card) For instance - on that first Hex card, I can't read any of the text.
Oh never mind - on that group shot (6:46) the audio is bad :)
mic each of those guys individually or go into a deader room - I'm sure that brick wall isn't helping your acoustics.
Actually, as far as that particular segment plays out, it almost feels like it would be better to show the portions of the game that you are talking about. When talking about the need for world tiles, for instance, it would be better to actually show the problems. PLUS, the viewer gets to see more of the game. No offense, but I think viewers would rather see the game than you guys. :) It would also help the audio issues before you get more mics or something.
When you go into battle mechanics - since you never talked about them before, it feels a bit jarring. An explanation of how combat works first and then delving into the pros and cons would be better. Plus, that dude (on the left in the red - my apologies for not remember his name) didn't say anything really until then. Again, another point for breaking up that panel discussion or doing something a bit different.
Heck, if you had the panel discussion around the game itself whilst you folks were sitting at the table - that might be better.
That's all I got for now. Good show! (I watched the whole thing)
Sat, 06/15/2013 - 03:37
#26
Thank you
@MikeyNG
1) I've heard that on multiple occasions. You're right. It will be changed.
2) We'll probably change to a lapel mic. Less echo more constant audio.
3) You're right. DSLR's are hard to keep in focus when you're moving. I learned that lesson while editing, but I couldn't fix it at that point.
4) I like where you're going. I filmed us playing a turn each but it would've made the video extra long (I'm trying to keep it to 15 minutes). But after reading your post I think I'm going back to that idea. I like the panel discussion with the game there. And if I do the talkback again, I'll definitely film that first and then film the game explanation so I don't miss important parts like battling. I'm surprised no one else has caught that...
5) The guy in the red shirt is out. The guy in the white shirt may get a second chance...we'll see. I was planning to rotate through my gamer buddies anyway, but they might not be rotated back in.
Thanks for your feedback. I really think you might be on to something. I'll give it a try and I hope you keep watching the show!
Sat, 06/15/2013 - 03:38
#27
Big question
What does everyone think about longer reviews? Is 15 minutes too long? Too short? Would it matter if it went up to 30 minutes? What is the range that you viewers are willing to watch?
Sat, 06/15/2013 - 10:57
#28
saw your first episode
saw your first episode, love the effort put in, probably will send the PnP files of my own card game for your guys to appraise if it's worth reviewing, when im done with it
some things i realise about the video, or some overlaid "effects" that I feel would have helped, sorry im not profecient in video editing tools so i dunno what the proper terms are let alone how to do them, but ill do my best to explain what im thinking
when you were explaining the card variables, it would have been nice to have an arrow pointing to where you were refering to, even though you did mention left or right
around the end, i thought it would be good to have some bullet point text that came up as you mentioned possible improvements and the perks of the game, or a title card before a long explaination, something to draw attention to your point header basically
i think using the wording "Has it Got Game" during the judging would fit better than "Does it Got Game"
as for the lenght, i think the episode was fine between 15 to 20 mins, but thats in relation to the game "Domain" you guys were reviewing. i think the show lenght is dependent on the game itself aswell. if a game has many intricacies and complexities, it would probably require a little more time to review and explain them
Sun, 06/16/2013 - 08:56
#29
I think you should stick
I think you should stick between the 10-15 minute review. That's approximately what they do with Dice Tower reviews. People having less time and a shorter attention span would not like to see a 30 min review.
Not sure that I agree with submitting only finished prototypes. I dont plan on marketing my game so why should I invest money and time in the look of my game?
By finished prototype I don't mean beautiful prototypes, I mean finished games: Solid and working.
Thu, 07/11/2013 - 08:08
#30
So the show is coming along
So the show is coming along nicely, can you shed a light about what projects you are expecting to showcase next
Everyone if you want to send physical copies my address is:
Jarek Smith
484 Maple Dr
Rexburg, ID 83440
for digital copies send to: jarekrobertsmith@yahoo.com
Please send me a notice on how you think your game would best be played. For example, tell me that you want us to play a 4-player game and a certain mission or quest.
Also if you have a kickstarter going we would be happy to announce it, or if you're going to be promoting your game at a convention we can mention that too.
I'm glad you're all excited and I'm glad to help! I noticed the need for playtesters when everyone is too busy designing and thought that we could try something new.