Reveal: a Game Design Story
From prototype to publication

Are you a budding designer? Do you have an idea of a game but not sure how what to do about it?
James Smith, the designer of Reveal talks us through the process which charts the development of Reveal from initial idea, to homemade prototype, to the 2017 UKGE, to the Shelves of Smyths Toys.
REVEAL DEVELOPMENT HISTORY TIMELINE
Game designers Bio
My name is James Smith and I am 47 Years old, I am married to Anna and have 3 children Ryan (20), Holly (18) and Millie (9). I live in a small village called Moulton which is in South Lincolnshire. I have worked in the civil Engineering industry my whole career alongside 10 years spent as a retain firefighter and am currently a Commercial Director for a civil engineering company specialising in the construction of large reinforced concrete structures. My experience in relation to board games has always been as a consumer and we, as a family, have always enjoyed the experience of getting around a table with a few nibbles/drinks to play a variety of board games.
Inspiration to create my board game
I seem to remember that the idea originally came to me one Christmas, several years ago, after either watching an old clip or just reminiscing about the old TV show ‘Name That Tune’, where contestants had to name a song just by listening to the initial note or notes. My idea for Reveal was a visual-word version that involved having to guess titles of songs, movies, TV shows and Quotes where the titles/quotes were partially hidden.
Early Development (Dec 2010 to Jan 2015)
I produced two rudimentary prototypes versions the first called Revelations (Dec. 2010) and the second Called Revealations (Dec. 2011) both were entirely handmade using stencils, glue, card, paper and pieces of wood. The second version had a new board layout and scoring system and is almost the same gameplay and scoring system as the final retail version available today.
Prototype 1
Prototype 2
The third prototype was basically an upgraded version of my second prototype but this time with a professionally made box, board, meeples and tokens, the cards were handmade along with a cardboard ‘revealing’ device.
All three of these early prototypes were play tested by just family and friends.
Prototype 3
Later Development (Dec 2016 - June 2017)
Following my Dec 2016 Christmas break I decided that 2017 was going to be the year that I would seriously try and get Reveal(ations) published one way or another.
The next prototype that I produced was designed by me using a freeware graphics design package and manufactured by Board Games Maker in January 2017. This was my first attempt at producing a version that at least started to look like a game that a publisher would be able to take seriously. This version was used for play testing at Airecon 2017, booked through PlaytestUK, and for a play testing event that I organised at my local independent book shop in April 2017. In addition to this I sent a copy to an experienced toy/game playtester and blogger, The Brick Castle, who also offered me some feedback and advice on the game.
Prototype 4
UK Games Expo 2017
Following Airecon 2017 and the playtesting event held in April 2017 I took on board all the feedback and with the help of a professional graphics designer I produced my fifth prototype version which I intended to showcase on my 6m2 starter stand at the 2017 UKGE. My 3 days at the UKGE were absolutely fantastic, from the friendliness and helpfulness of the UKGE staff on the Thursday night setup evening, to the press preview on the Friday morning (Emma Kennedy, Tatler Magazines Fun Editor, complimented me on Revealations), to the numerous show visitors who gave the game such a warm reception and finally to all the industry contacts I made who gave me such great advice and support. Reveal(ations) actually had some interest from both HASBRO and John Adams Toys who both thought the basic concept was great.
Prototype 5
However a number of other contacts who I met at the show suggested that Paul lamond Games would be a good fit for Revealations. Immediately after the show, and whilst waiting to hear back from HASBRO and John Adams Toys I contacted Paul Lamond Games, sharing with them my board game idea and the great feedback I had received from the visitors at the Expo.
Reveal(ations) publishing deal with Paul Lamond June 2017
Richard Wells, Paul Lamond Games MD quickly got back in contact with me and asked for a meeting which I jumped at straight away. I visited Richard and we discussed the game which he felt would fit ideally within their range and within 2 weeks of the UK Games Expo I signed a publishing deal with Paul Lamond Games.
Reveal Launched at the 2018 UK Toy Fair in London
Following the signing of the publishing deal, Paul Lamond took Revealations through a development process, changing the name to Reveal and making some significant changes to the artwork, the gameplay however remained pretty much as the version shown at the UKGE.
Following the 2018 UK Toy Fair Smyths Toys decided to stock Reveal which went on sale to the general public mid August 2018 after an 8 year journey.
OTHER LINKS
Archive
Feb-2019
Jan-2019
Nov-2018
Oct-2018
Sep-2018
Aug-2018
Jul-2018
Jun-2018
May-2018
X-Wing Second Edition to get first play at UK Games Expo
Quality Beast brings board games & D&D to UKGE
Spidermind Games comes to UKGE for the first time.
Get a sneak peek at Ticket to Ride: New York and more at UK Games Expo!
Tritex Games returns for their 12th year at UKGE
Warcradle Studios at UK Games Expo 2018!
Destroy Settlers and Crush Evil Villains with Greater Than Games!
HABA – Great games for all ages
Take to the skies with Medusa Games
Escape the Dark Castle: The Legend Grows…
wizama presents a brand new board game console at UKGE
Apr-2018
Asmodee UK to debut major new titles at UK Games Expo
Casual Gaming with a cunning undertone
Syrinscape 10th Anniversary News
Bring and Buy is Open for registration
Bring and Buy is Open for registration
Vikings and Orcs at the Lakeside
UK GAMES EXPO 2018 DICE BAGS AND TRAYS
Save your place at the UK National Championship of Ice Cool!
Mar-2018
Blood on the Clocktower – Make New Friends. Accuse Them of Murder
UK Games Expo 2018 Hall Plans released
The Magic of Irish Faerie Folk brought to life in a boardgame
The 2018 UKGE Show App is released
THE WASTELAND IS CALLING - ARE YOU READY TO RIDE?
Feb-2018
Cthulhu Masters - Presented by Chaosium Inc.
Ian Livingstone our guest at UKGE
Puzzle Card to launch new card at UKGE
Jan-2018
Dec-2017
Nov-2017
UK Games Expo announce Print Partner
Beasts of War return as UKGE Media Partner
Oct-2017
Gangs of Britannia has launched on Kickstarter
UK Games Expo to host Grand Kotei
Sep-2017
Aug-2017
Jun-2017
May-2017
Jump into the world of Tantos with Lightseekers at UKGE 2017
LUDORATI CAFÉ TO LAUNCH NATIONAL UK FRANCHISE
Cosplay props and Security checks
Immerse yourself in the world of Wild West Exodus
Hawk Wargames at UK Games Expo 2017
IDEAL games for the whole family
Dized: the ultimate companion app for learning board games.
Indie game publisher, Quality Beast, to demo dual deck-builder, Seize the Bean
Exclusive Tabletop Gaming offers
The UKGE Periodic Table of Games
Century: Spice Road from Plan B to debut at UK Games Expo
2018 Child Ticket design winner announced
PAIZO ANNOUNCES UK GAMES EXPO LINEUP
Escape the Dark Castle Kickstarter date announced
Take to the skies with Medusa Games
Dance of the Fireflies premiere exclusively at UKGE
Fighting Fantasy is getting a new video game adaptation!
Upper Deck to launch UK National at UK Games expo
Play test ThunderVaults debut game Defection.
3D board game "The Knight, the dragon and the Chess Kingdom”
Apr-2017
OMINOES 2nd Edition hits the shops.
News about debut game: Everdark
Mantic Games Terrain Crate kickstarter
Tinkerbot Games Announce Ghostel Reprint
Chaos Cards open physical shop
RPG PLUS ALL-STAR GAMING EVENT
An Easter Art challenge for children
We can support your convention
Mar-2017
The City of Kings now live on Kickstarter!
Colour Chess + Lure – Live on Kickstarter
Flip the Script - unleash your creative streak
Raid - a new tabletop RPG where the story never ends
Blood, Roses and Alien Shamans
Bring and Buy submissions are now open
Feb-2017
Games Workshop are coming to Expo
UKGE 2017 T-shirts on pre-order
AireCon 4 - less than 3 weeks to go
ORE-SOME launched on kickstarter
CORKS … it’s a corker of a game!
Climb on board for National and Galactic level tournaments at UKGE
Jan-2017
Gloom of Kilforth coming to UKGE
Tabletop Gaming Magazine UKGE Print Media Partner
Dec-2016
Nov-2016
A game of faeries, trolls and cheese
Paizo join as UKGE Associate Sponsors
Fantasy Flight European Championships Come to UKGE
Oct-2016
Announcing the Sponsors for 2017
Top Hats and Treachery Kickstarter Launches
Sep-2016
Aug-2016
Jul-2016
Jun-2016
May-2016
Innovative Flicking Game ICE COOL to Be Launched at UKGE
Come and conquer the Nine Worlds
Madbeard Games announces its debut game Wasteland Justice
WinGo Games: The Game Manufacturing Expert in China Since 1992
Hip Hops Cards: THE Beer Card Game
Ivory Cards launch board game maker service
Everdark game at UK Games Expo
New Earth Game on Pre-release at UKGE
First chance to get your hands on two new Modiphius games at UK Games Expo
Midlands start-up to put tabletop in the spotlight and unleash Ancient Rome in brand new game!
Second Thunder Demo Open Combat
TALISMAN: THE HORUS HERESY MARCHES ON TO THE APP STORE
Apr-2016
Two budding game designers succeed with the help of the UK Games Expo
OMINOES Deluxe Edition will be available at UK Games Expo.
Experience “The Blight” Pathfinder setting
Ian Livingstone board game news
Roleplaying Games for Children
Mar-2016
Cthulhu Masters goes live this weekend
Seminar Schedule coming Together
Decade of Retail Success reaches Epidemic Proportions
Netrunner Uruboros Cup is live
Call for Games for Wyvern's Lair
Feb-2016
D&D Adventurers League ‘Epic' at UKGE
Get your sonic screwdriver here
Jan-2016
Dec-2015
Nov-2015
Oct-2015
Sep-2015
Jun-2015
May-2015
Joyride Games Kickstarter launches Expo Weekend
New games from Czech Games Edition!
The UKGE Cosplay Parade 2.30 PM Sunday, Main Foyer
Tinker Tailor - on release at UKGE
Death Spiral Games Launch Sleeper
Pedion launch Kickstarter Expo Week
How to Design a Scenario for Star Wars™: X-Wing™
North & South games announce new Terrain expansion
First Chance to Play: Mysterium
Board Game Redesign Competition
You awake to find yourself in a dark room!
Coiledspring Games Pre-show Sneakpeak
How can boardgames change your life?
Stuff your face with Halfling Feast!
New game from TAG: King of Thieves
STRANGE PLACES, STRANGE STORIES
Apr-2015
UK Games Expo Supporting Charity
The Timely Temple of Annihilation
The Big Pathfinder Multi-table Special
PATHFINDER SOCIETY AND SYRINSCAPE JOIN FORCES FOR EPIC GAMING EVENTS AT UK GAMES EXPO
Mar-2015
Thirsty Meeples announced as Official Board Game Library Provider.
Star Trek Attack Wing National
A-MUSE-MENT announces 2nd Ed release of The Front Nine card game
Feb-2015
Jan-2015
Nov-2014
Oct-2014
Aug-2014
May-2014
Apr-2014
2nd Edition of Great Fire of London 1666
First appearance of Esteren Miniatures
UKGE Family Zone 2014 - with Imagination Gaming
Mar-2014
Konami announce plans for UKGE
Win the Settlers of Catan Tournament and see the world
Cosplay Awards ready for submission
The Dragons are Ready: are you?
International Flavour to Exhibitors
Feb-2014
Esdevium announce Regional Tournaments
UKGE 2014 Plans are in the open
When you play a game of thrones you win or you die.
Warmachines and Hordes 2 day events
Netrunner Open and National Tournaments
Chance to win a Ticket to Ride to Paris
Full speed ahead: Dystophian Naval Wars
Jackson and Livingstone return to Expo