Sell your own board game!
- Ron Knight
- Nov 25, 2024
- 2 min read
Do you have an idea for your own board game that you want developed and sold? Here's some information to help you bring that dream to reality!
First, consider the costs. After we blow your mind, we'll tell you how to get the money. (Take a deep breath before reading this!)
This is your new business and it will take money to start your business. If it works, board games can make millions of dollars!
Let's say you hire a company that helps indie game makers like Rose Water Games to develop your board game. Here's what you'll need:
You'll need a digital prototype of all the cards, game board and instructions. That will take their team about a month of work and cost you an estimated $2,500-$3,000, depending on several factors such as if you're supplying the artwork or is Rose Water Games creating the artwork.
Also how much detail is in your game that needs to be developed? All of this and more will have to be considered to make sure you have a board game that you can be proud of selling.
You'll need a prototype. This will be about $300-$500.
You'll need to trademark your game. This costs about $350 by yourself or about $750 to use a lawyer.
You'll need to order at least 100 games to get started so you can sell in stores. That's a low run of games and will cost more compared to ordering 5,000 games at once. Let's say for 100 games it's $42 a game to make and you're selling for $85. That will cost you about $4,200.
In total, you'll need an investment of about $8,500. You won't need it all at once, but eventually you'll need this money to make your dream come true, so start thinking about that now.
Don't be discouraged!
If you really want this, you'll find a way. Here's some tips if you have no money, no credit, no collateral and just a great idea for a board game.
Create your own business and bring on a partner that has a great credit score. (720 is a great credit score.) Give them 49% of your business and go get a line of credit or a business credit card for $10,000.
License your board game to a company like Rose Water Games. They put up all the costs, develop the game and you just receive a royalty check every month. If your game is good enough, it's a great deal for you and for them!
Borrow the money. This is a pride swallowing thing to do, but many have done it to achieve their dreams. Make a prototype of the game, even if it's on poster board, and play the game with the potential person you want to borrow from. Let them see what a great idea you have. Then tell them the money is for development with a professional board game company.
Where will you sell your game?
You can send a "sales sheet" to stores and ask if they will purchase your game, or ask advice from the game developer like Rose Water Games on how you can sell your game.
Heck, they may just sell the game for you!
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