I might have a game that could be submitted to hippodice and I am actually rush testing the game to make sure I can submit the rules before November 1st.
Now I want to know if there is something Important I should know for submitting to hippodice?
In other words, does any of you have some experience with this contest and has some good tips to give.
How you write your rules is vitally important, especially if you are submitting them in English (second language for those deciding if you reach the next round).
Have others who are not familiar with your game read your rules and see if they can understand the game without ever having seen it. You'd be surprised how many things are not as clear as you think they are.
If you make the next round, have a nice prototyp that will get their attention and get them into the theme, if there is one. Try to make the components "explain" the rules as well, using obvious symbols and even minimal text on the cards, boards, matts, etc. Try to use game pieces that look like the things they are representing (or paste graphics to them).
Last year was my first time entering the competition, but I'll hopefully have something in it again this year (although time is fleeting)
Jeff -
I sent my application by email, but have received no notice that it even got there. Anybody have any experience how long it takes to hear back?
As to what your game should look like - this is my first experience with HIPPODICE, so please take everything with a grain of salt. I'm winging it.
I'm thinking you would want the prototype to look as if you could lay it out on a table at a game convention and people would walk by, stop and ask if they could play. Realize that whatever you use to put into your prototype for bits, any publisher that picks the game up is probably going to start from scratch. You only need to make the game look good with what you can find.
Example - in GODS ALONG THE NILE, I needed four items to represent Canopic Jars. I found these really cool beads at the local Michael's and used them. I took the game with me to a couple of local Cons and everybody who played totally loved them! In fact, I had a number of people ask if the final version would include the beads. :)
BGDF is a great place to ask for suggestions on what to use for bits - you'll get lots of suggestions. It helps if you upload a picture of your 'work-in-progress' prototype.... that seems to get the suggestive juices flowing.
Specifically - you asked about cards. Absolutely do them in color. Cheapest way is to print them on cardstock, them insert them in sleeves. For my money, the best way to do them [for spiffed-out prototypes] is to laminate the cards in ID BADGE size pouches. The cards become virtually indestructable, can be shuffled and they handle just like regular cards.
As for artwork for your cards, try using the symbols found on the webdings, wingdings or dingbats fonts. These symbols can be enlarged hugely, still look crisp, and all you have to do to make them look cool is to experiment with coloring the letter and combining that with a background color - works great!
For last year's finalists, see:
http://www.hippodice.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44&...
You can see a variety of quality in the materials, so there is proof that they can spot a good game from the rules. One can also take it too far and the graphic design might actually hinder the gameplay.
In my playtesting sessions, we often critique the graphic design from a "playability" standpoint rather than a "marketing" one, since that is what the Publisher will eventually do.
Do we have a 'Tips For Hippodice' thread here somewhere? Couldn't hurt...
Yes, I've actually not done it yet, but probably will from now on (also when I send prototypes to publishers).
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Which mean that I should make rules with picture to illustrate the rules and I should place icon where there is text. Does the prototype needs to be of good quality? For ex: Is cardboard mounting important? Does the cards need to be sleeved? Does it needs to be in color?
I have a theme for my game, but I don't think I'll have the time to find or do enough artwork to actually represent the theme correctly.
I was wondering, does the 2nd pass will use the rules I sent in the 1st pass. Or I can submit in the second pass a more detailed visual rulebook if I lack of time.
Do I only send the prototype it is pass the first pass? Are they going to mail or e-mail me to tell me that I did the first pass?
For the dead line: Does the rules need to arrive in germany before number 1st or do they use the posting stamp as a proof it was sent before november 1st. By thinking about it, I might send my rules in registred mail unless it is very expensive for germany.