I have an all-dice game ready to make the move to Kickstarter, but one very important decision has yet to be made...what type of package will the game come in???
Being an all-dice game, I like the idea of a sturdy tube package with a plastic lid. Something very similar to the Zombie Dice package, where the tube doubles as a dice cup. I like the idea of the package being functional with the game. I've had it quoted by Panda in this design, and the cost is reasonable.
Admittedly, no one ever used the prototype tube as a dice cup when playtesting the game, so that intended function is pretty much moot.
The tube also requires an outer package once the game hits retail; basically paying for 2 packages, but one is kept as the game container while the other is purely for retail placement, being able to be hung on a peg, prevent the dice from being stolen out of the tube, etc. From Panda GM, this blister package adds about $0.95 to the cost of goods, so not an insignificant amount that would be passed on to the consumer in the retail price.
The other consideration is shipping; a tube is slightly more problematic than a rectangular box. It would fit in a flat-rate bubble envelope, but not a flat-rate small box...which is ideal.
The alternative is to go with a basic small box, about 4" x 6" x 1.5"
Is a tube cool enough, or is it more trouble than it's worth? In a broader sense, for those designers wanting a unique package for their game, is it better to go with the traditional over the unique? I recall seeing the "BANG!" special edition tin bullet package and loving the way it looked, but shelving it would've been impossible given its size and shape. UNique, but not practical at all.
Tom Vasel has also stated his distaste for tube packages because they're hard to place on a shelf...do you share the same opinion?
In writing this, I may have answered my own question...KISS principle!
Never thought about packing out dice in a tuck box...but it would certainly work! I've asked Panda to adjust my quote for a 5"x 5"x 1.25" box, which will fit in the USPS flat-rate shipper.
I do like the dice bag you include with your Pocket Sports line, which a tuck box may require as the box seems like it would wear faster than a thicker standard box, and having a nice way to store the game is of course very important. I assume since all your games come with this bag, you get amazing pricing at the volumes you must be ordering across all your SKUs.
Lastly, my game will likely be priced at $20, and I worry that seeing such a package like a tuck box may feel less valuable to buyers; that is, the assumption based on the size is that the game should be closer to $10. I don't want it to be ridiculously big for the compomnents (*cough* Machi Koro *cough*), but I want the perceived value to be there at that price point.
You certainly have a system that works with Pocket Sports...I can only hope to one day build a line of games like you've created!