Tackling a kickstarter game can be a completely overwhelming experience. It’s a ton of work, and it involves many different steps to do it right. Have you ever wondered how the pros keep track of everything? Fortunately, the League of Gamemakers has recently gained access to The Complete Kickstarter Checklist for Tabletop Games created by Kickstarter veteran, James Mathe.



Tom Jolly, Luke Laurie and James Mathe playtesting The Manhattan Project: Energy Empire – coming soon to Kickstarter

James Mathe

James Mathe is a multitalented and prolific entrepreneur. He is the president of Minion Development Corporation (Minion Games, Game Universe, RPG Shop), the creator of RPG Now(pdf download store for gaming) which pioneered the paper and pen RPG download industry. He is co-founder of OneBookShelf, Inc. (Drive Thru Cards, War Game Vault, Drive Thru Comics). His game publishing company, Minion Games, has published great games such as The Manhattan Project, Kingdom of Solomon, Battlemerchants, Hegemonic, and most recently: Dead Men Tell No Tales and Dragonflame. As a “smaller” publisher in the industry, he is no stranger to all that is Kickstarter.

Mathe has done significant work for the tabletop game design and publishing community by creating and maintaining Facebook forums and posting online resources in order to help people learn the business and to foster collaboration. These efforts include the Card & Board Game Designers’ Guild on Facebook, which is approaching 6000 members, and the Tabletop Game Publishers’ Guild, which has nearly 2000 members. He also posts excellent resources on his blog, which are often referenced by the League of Gamemakers.

The Complete Kickstarter Checklist

The list below includes all of the significant steps that are taken on each game Minion publishes using Kickstarter. This list is a living document, open to suggestions and discussion for what should be included. Keep in mind that each project is a little different, and steps will not necessarily occur in a rigid order.

IN-HOUSE DEVELOPMENT

Contracts Signed

Prototype Print & Play w/ Rules

Blind Test Groups

Artist Requirements Worksheet

Layout Requirements Worksheet

Finalized Rules

Edited Rules

Request For Quotes (options for upgraded bits)

PRE-MARKETING Final Artwork Print & Play

Order High Quality Prototypes

BGG Database Entry

Demos Copies to Reviewers

Collect E-Mails for Mailing List (from a Contest or PnP or just an open call)

KICKSTARTER

Pre-KS Marketing (Designer’s Blog?)

KS Planing w/ Stretch Goals & Shipping

KS Page w/ Rewards & Graphics

KS Intro Video

KS Game Play Video

Banners & Art for Ads

KS Launched (Mailing List, Social Media, BGG Posting)

Pre-Order Page on the E-Store

KS Last 48 Hours (update page to link to pre-order page)

KS Money Transferred

KS Survey Sent

MANUFACTURING

Update & Sign Final Manufacturer Contract. Paid Down Payment

Final Mechanical Files Uploaded

Final Models for 3D Items Sent

Digital Proofs Approved

White Box Approved

Mass Production Copy Approved

Paid Balance of Manufacturing Bill

KS Pack-Ins Completed (Exclusives, Fliers, Signed Copies, etc)

Paid Customs & Trucking

Product Received

SHIPPING

Change Pre-Order Page on the E-Store to just an Order Page

Shipped Kickstarter Backers

Shipped Pre-Orders

Shipped to Distributors (or start contacting retailers direct)

Send Reviewers their Final Copy

MARKETING

Listed on Amazon

Post Release Marketing Plan (Conventions, Ads, etc)

Visit James Mathe’s site to download an excel or open office version of this list.

Do you have any suggestions for this list? Did you find this post useful? Leave your comments below!