Well it’s been a bit of a whirlwind week! Let’s see what we got up to, shall we?
1. Source manufacturer quotes
This is one of the more painful parts for me as I’m extremely unfamiliar with it all. I’ve gotten some quotes and will be getting some samples done.
There are some potential timing windows to hit, which all depends on if I can get the final files ready in time.
2. Update rules
Based on recent playtests, there are some changes to art and the rules. Art changes are mostly to help with readiablity and brightness, but there are also some additional art that needs to be done now.
Meanwhile, rule updates relate to Advanced Mode as there are still some tweaks to be made. It’s a balancing act between adding in ‘correct’ thematic concepts while ensuring the game remains fun and has depth but doesn’t creep up in complexity.
What’s Advanced Mode? In the game I have two modes: Basic and Advanced. Basic is a super easy way to get into the game which is perfect for new and younger players. Advanced Mode features several more strategic choices and ways to score, which more experienced board gamers would enjoy and appreciate.
As there is a budgeted number of pages to be manufactured, this also creates some considerations around how much content should be in the rulebook overall.
3. Outreach: Personal network, organise weekly playtests
In order to refine Advanced Mode further, I’m ramping up direct and blind playtests by reaching out to my personal network.
I’m happy to say there’s been lots of positive interest! I have playtests scheduled locally in Perth and several online from Brunei, Malaysia, and even all the way in Texas!
If you’re interested to playtest Usolli, check out this page.
4. Watch marketing videos and develop a marketing plan
The key to a succesful launch is a successful pre-launch. – Successful crowdfunding gurus.
That’s the mantra I keep reading again and again, so I’m watching videos and learning about what sort of marketing approach I’ll be doing, my budget, and my targets to reach.
There are several recommended companies you can lean on to do it for you – at a cost of course. But a tight budget and a preference to learn means I’ll be mostly doing this DIY.
Fortunately there’s a ton of freely available (and quality) content out there! I also recommend the Board Game Design Lab Community Facebook group as a fantastic and super friendly resource to ask questions about these sorts of things.
5. Setup socials: FB group, Cardboard Quokka page, BGG page
Naturally, marketing yourself means making yourself visible at all the potential platforms your customers might be in. So far, I’ve done the following:
- A Facebook group for Usolli: A lighter way to communicate instead of emails, and to make it easier to create and engage with the community.
- A Facebook page for Cardboard Quokka: A more formal and corporate-facing front, distinguishing itself from the above group.
- A BGG listing for Usolli: BoardGameGeek (or BGG) is the biggest forum and database for all things board game (primarily towards the hobby side). As a third party platform, this is a great central place to consolidate information about the game outside of my own website.
What’s next?
I’ll be honest, the list is almost endless because despite putting in Ori’s original list last week, I’ve been adding so much to it that I haven’t really done as much from the original list. Granted a lot of it can be considered as sub-tasks, but the variety and quantity of tasks to be done is still enormous!
I’m happy to note setting up the Notion project has been tremendously helpful as it filters visibility so I don’t have to think too far ahead.
That’s it for this week’s update. Thanks for reading and see you next Tuesday!