The Power of Reviews

One thing I am working at improving for any future game launches, and for Legends of Novus relaunch, is having as many reviewers/previewers as I can find/afford.

The benefits to these far outweighs the costs, in my opinion anyhow.  I will list some of the pros and cons:

CONS

• Cost of creating prototypes
• Cost of shipping to reviewers
• Cost for Paid Reviews (vs unpaid) - often paid reviewers have a much higher audience
• Time spent to communicate with, and post, for reviewers

PROS

• External viewpoints on your game
• Additional playtests from experienced gamers
• Exponential increase in exposure (some reviewers have in excess of 2000 to 5000 regular views on their videos)
• Being able to stamp their "Brand" name on your KS shows a certain level of personal investment and professionalism to your game
• Better quality video then most game designers can create on their own

With the relaunch of Novus I will have a chance to see the full impact of more reviewers, and higher profile reviewers (ie Tantrum House playthrough and Dice Tower Preview).  This does not guarantee backers, but it does guarantee exposure for the games visuals and mechanics.

I hope to follow this post up with a success story by July, but nothing is certain of course.

Until then...

Always Busy!

It has been over three weeks since I posted an entry here, and trust me it is not due to having nothing worthwhile to share...
As I continue to prepare Legends of Novus for its relaunch in June, it seems there is never enough time to do everything I would like to do for it.
Some of the things I've been working on include:

• Review/update of Rulebook with newest icons/etc, done.
• Boardgame reviews to demonstrate my involvement in the hobby and my thoughts on non-fantasy games, 4 youtube videos so far.
• Entry into a boardgame design contest using Spellbook'd.
• Developing a companion app for Novus (free to game backers).
• Developing 5E content from Novus world, including creature sheets and an adventure module.
• New component video and solo playthrough video using new prototype.
• Daily involvement on boardgame sites/chats.
• Listening to game development podcasts.

That's just some of it... even managed to create a digital version of a deckbuilder I would like to make after Novus, calling it PlaYer Character right now.

For any aspiring game designers out there, my words of advice for this entry are...

Force time into your day, EVERY day, to create something on your game design journey.  I have used pen/paper, my laptop, my cellphone, sent emails to myself, taken photos with markups, anything to make sure I am finding ways to design daily to stay on track and develop skills.

Here is a screenshot of PlaYer Character: