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The Journey to design and manufacture "Plank!" has been an experience full of learning. We finalized all design elements, and all that remains now is to promote the game.
Why did I create "Plank!"?
As a kid, I was captivated by the pictures of toys and games on boxes. Photos give our imaginations a place to launch from. I had a few pirate-themed board games as a child, and none included a vast sea full of tropical islands and desolate sand bars. I have a simple process for choosing what board games to buy. I flip the box around and look at the pictures on the back. Each time I do this, I hope the photo will transport me into a vibrant world through my imagination. Often, I am disappointed with dry, uninspired, tedious images. I created "Plank!" because it is the vast sea full of adventure I have searched for on the back of board game boxes for over 20 years.
The earliest version of "Plank!" was conceptualized using copy paper for the cards and cardboard pieces cut into squares with islands and sandbars drawn with markers. During this stage of development, the game underwent many significant revisions to create a viable game. My greatest challenge in
creating a well-designed game was balancing how the map layout interacts with each player's crew. No two players playing "Plank!" will have the same crew or opportunities, but they all have an equal chance to win.
What is next for "Plank!"?
Earlier this year, we ran a test Kickstarter for "Plank!". Because of this, we learned a bit more about how Kickstarter works and got invited to participate in several board game conventions! My next step is to get copies of "Plank!" manufactured. Manufacturing factories for board games often require a Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ). In the case of "Plank!" our MOQ is 500 units. The MOQ creates a high startup cost to manufacture the game, so the easiest way for me to self-publish a board game is through a crowdfunding campaign. Using a crowdfunding platform like Kickstarter, we can collect funds for pre-orders, allowing us to manufacture the game with guaranteed orders. A crowdfunding campaign also allows us to reach a wider audience interested in indie board game startups.
How will I create a successful Kickstarter?
How do I plan to sell 500 copies of a board game? I have asked myself this question many times over the past several months. I created "Plank!" to inspire imagination and be enjoyed by as many people as possible. I have a fun game that at least 500 people worldwide would love to play; all I need to do is reach them. It is simple but not easy to accomplish. The first step is to make people aware of the existence of my board game. If no one knows you exist, no one will listen to your story. If no one listens to your story, you cannot convince them of your worth. Fortunately, there are many tools available for me to use to make people aware of "Plank!" these include utilizing social media and digital platforms as well as relying on my network to share media and boost my reach. Events like playtesting nights at coffee shops and conventions will also help us reach the 500 people we need to launch "Plank!".
The idea of possibility drives me. Possibility keeps me up at night tossing as my imagination runs wild. No one will ever play my game if I do not create one. But I did. Now, there is no limit to what is possible. I do not know if "Plank!" will be a success, but I do know it would never have the opportunity to be successful if I had not put in hundreds of hours over the past year to bring it to life.
If you want to help make "Plank!: a success, you can share this blog post on Facebook or head over to the Kickstarter preview and sign up to be notified when the game launches!
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