Publisher - Designer FAQ's

Are you a game designer that has a new game design in your head or even in physical form?

Thinking about attending UKGE but not sure how to proceed?

Are you trying to find out more about how to get your game published?

Read all about it!

Here are some articles to read to get you started

In the 2019 Programme Guide we published an article "I have this idea for a game" which is an overview of how to get your game made.

Read all about how James Smith, designer of Reveal used Playtest UK and UK Games Expo to help get his game from an early design to being published by Paul Lamond.

The Trade Hall at UKGE can seem rather intimidating. There are 400+ exhibitors with stands from 4 sqm up to 300 sqm. There are a great many amazing games out there. In order to make the most of UKGE you have to stand out and attract in the gamers to try your games.

1. Make the game as good as it can possibly look. Even in the case of a prototype a bit of extra effort can pay dividends. So pay a local printer to print the game board in high resolution. Consider higher quality components etc. many publishers will have special demo versions such as giant versions etc.
2. The whole stand is part of your display. Consider pull up banners, coming in costume etc. At the very least get some branded T Shirts to promote the games company.
3. Help the visitor find out more. Make sure you have flyers about the game, business cards to give out. Consider placing an advert in the UKGE programme.
4. Take along playtest feedback forms for people who play the game to fill in and give you feedback.
5. Don't forget the Show Preview
6. Don't miss out on the Publisher Designer Track of events and activities.
7. Tell us your news and we will tell our customers
8. For more impact think about a paid for advert in the programme or an online marketing campaign. See exhibitor pack for details.

Read more

We have an archive of our old programmes which contain many articles by designers and publishers.

A sell sheet is a one-page document that acts as a summary of the concept, core gameplay, theme, and other important elements of your game.  Please submit as a pdf.

Often they are presented to publishers as part of a pitch with the hope being the game will go onto publication. They can be used by a publisher as a reminder of a designer meeting, or can be provided in lieu of a meeting to generate interest in a design.

You can also use them at trade shows and conventions to convey to potential distributors and retailers the essence of the game too.

We use them to assess your game idea for suitability for our Publisher-Designer Track events.

You can find many examples of sell sheets on the internet.

This is an excellent Pinterest board full of examples:

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/johnbrieger/boardgame-sell-sheets/

Make sure to add your name and email so the publishers can contact you if they wish.

When you meet someone, why give them a business card - can't they remember your name from talking with you? Sell sheets are a way to trigger the memory of a play or meeting, and provide a reminder of things like player counts, play time and potential components that might not have been fully explored during an introductory play during a meeting or demo. 

Publishers are busy people and may be attempting to assess dozens of games rapidly. They don't have time to play each of those games fully. A sell sheet provides basic information on demand.

Likewise when we at UKGE look at your game for inclusion in our events we have to review 50 to 100 entries. A well written sell sheet is your best chance of being included in those events and making an impression on the publishers.

The software is up to you but we require that the sell sheet is a single A4 document saved in the .pdf file format.

For US submissions, PDF typically automatically scale to the standard 8.5" x 11" standard used in the US. Make sure your text and images are large enough to be scaled down if required!

PDF is the easiest way to share documents widely when different readers may have widely varied equipment including computers, tablets and phones.

A flashy design and cool font is less important that a clear well laid out sheet that contains these key features:

• Your game name
• A paragraph that sumarises the key game features
  • Theme and concept
  • Type of game
  • Number of players
  • Age range
  • Duration
• Images of key game elements  
• Reasons why this game would sell well. 
• Contact info 

When you have the sheet ready click file...save as and select the pdf format.

Your game should be well developed and well playtested. Written rules should be available with the prototype, or provided electronically shortly after a presentation. Many publishers prefer a print-and-play version of the game if the game does not require any special components (such as unique game-required components, or specifically-shaped components).

A publisher should be looking at a game that is ready to publish and not just an early idea. Sometimes, you will have the opportunity at the end of a pitch meeting to talk about working designs, but presenting am incomplete, untested design to a publisher has the potential to reflect poorly on you, your design process and your future designs!

In addition to a Sell Sheet we ask you to submit a Rules Sheet for your game.

The Publishers can use the Rules Sheet to get a better idea of the Game Play.

The rules sheet can be an abbreviated summary of game components, turn order, basic concepts of game play and winning conditions.

A simple pdf laying out the rules clearly is all that is needed.

At a basic level there is no need to add images or to worry about the design of the rules. However a well presented sheet with some images and headings can improve the clarity.

The Rules sheet should be no more than 2 sides of A4. If Publishers want more detailed rules they can ask for that after the Speed Dating.

Make sure to add your name and email so the publishers can contact you if they wish.