My thing is board games. I’ll be honest—I’m not even that good at them! However, I find practically every component of a board or tabletop game fascinating. I experiment with them, learn, create, and gawk at them on the shelves. That last one takes a lot of my time. There are occasions when it’s not for the best. I occasionally want to know what’s in the box.
I’ve bought games based only on the packaging and regretted it. On the other hand, I’ve ignored a game due to the packaging to discover later that it’s fantastic. All of this motivated me to write this sort of letter to game developers, particularly independent ones pushing the boundaries of gaming. Of course, you’ll eventually need to create your Custom Game Boxes.
Play it, please. I wish to invest some cash in it. But if it has these fundamental components, I might be aware of it.
1. Rules Are King!
Not all of your complex game’s rules and regulations—although you could certainly put them all in a rigid, two-piece setup box—but at least some fundamental gaming mechanics are required. I want the Powerpoint version, please. A few bullet points indicate whether the game is a card-passing game, a bluffing game, etc. Or perhaps you have a fun, innovative, or patented gameplay element. Be proud of it! There is plenty of room for the specifics in your game box. Utilize that area!
2. Show Me the Meeples, please!
My favorite game components are figurines, cars, or other elaborately crafted items. The strong chipboard in a high-quality custom game box makes it ideal for offset printing and press sheet lamination. In either case, the visual quality will be flawless. Show me those specific items. Show me the actual sizes of those parts. It will serve as a reference for me, and I will be required to hold it.
3. Board to Death
Use your personalized game box to show me the board while you’re at it. But first, let me look at your game. I’m sure it has a fantastic board with excellent turned-edge printing that you’re pleased with. This helps since it helps me visualize the actual game and see actual-sized game pieces. Or how it will fit in my game room.
4. Works of Art
Let’s look at some of the imagery I anticipate seeing in the game since we’re going high-definition with your unique game box. Use the two-piece setup box as your canvas because every great tabletop game has incredible character and backdrop design.
5. One and a Half Times
Never let anyone convince you otherwise: narrative matters. Any competent game designer will advise you against developing a concept first, then adding a game mechanic. Therefore, there’s a reasonable probability that you’ve already developed an engaging plot for your game. The first chapter might be the cover of your Custom Game Boxes. Every movie and book has a captivating back blurb. One that is not solely professional. A compelling story can convince me to play a game even if I’m dubious of the mechanics.
6. Cancel the dinner reservations
Playtime on average. It’s a significant issue. My choice could be made or lost depending on how much time I have to devote to playing your game. Is it risky to include it in your personalized game box? Actually, no. There are many more players wanting a long game than a short one, for every player is looking for the opposite. Therefore, the length of the game must be precise.
7. Party of What?
The last game I bought didn’t state on the packaging that a minimum of four players was required. Before I noticed that we were short a player, I had everything almost set up on the table in front of the two other people I lived with, preparing for a fantastic game night. Is that my fault? Possibly a little. But what if this component is absent from your unique game box? The business has lost the game. Your buyer will become irate if it’s unclear how many players the game is intended for. That four-player game is still on my to-play list, and it’s not simply for want of gaming companions. On the other hand, promote your game using the player count. Games with a 1-player option are increasingly common and should be highlighted in your box.
8. Logo-A-Go-Go
A director is just as crucial to a movie’s success as a game developer is to a game’s sales. You may be a seasoned game designer with a portfolio of completed projects. Tell your customers that. My assumption that you are established comes from your professional brand.
