JT and Jeff take on not only a listener request, but some topics being discussed on The Game Crafter Facebook discussion group: Crowd Sales! In this episode, JT and Jeff discuss some of the most recent new Crowd Sale features, but also ways to market your Crowd Sale within The Game Crafter, and outside of The Game Crafter. Other episodes to check o…

This week's listener request has Andrew Voigt joining JT and Jeff to discuss Component Studio. Andrew Voigt is producing content on The Game Crafter YouTube channel focusing on helping people learn more about Component Studio. We discuss the Component Studio Show, features that have been added to Component Studio, and some potential future improvem…

This week's listener request has JT and Jeff discussing the previously run Escape Room Challenge. They discuss why they think it had a smaller amount of entries, what technology exists at The Game Crafter to help with this style of game, brainstorm some examples that don't necessarily rely on technology, and answer the question if The Game Crafter …

Multiple people requested to hear her story. So JT and Jeff comply and sit down with Victoria Morrow to hear how she grew a community and has made close to 2000 sales for her game Equestrians Against Normalcy. EAN Website: http://equestriansagainstnormalcy.com/ EAN FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/EquestriansAgainstNormalcy/ Jeff can be found at: …

You've got a game, right? The foundation is solid, but there are a few things that might still need tweaking and balancing. Should you put your game out and worry about making those tweaks and balances on the fly as you get more time to playtest them? That is the listener request that JT and Jeff are discussing in this episode. Jeff can be found at…

In this episode, JT and Jeff discuss digital interaction with tabletop games. Whatis the right level of interaction with a digital component? How many different ways can they think of for digital interaction? So join JT and Jeff for another great listener request! Jeff can be found at: Website: http://www.allusgeeks.com AUG Twitter: https://twitter…

JT and Jeff discuss another great topic from a sweet, sweet, listener request! What can it take to dust off a game that you previously shelved and how do you start the process of looking at the game again when you know the roadblocks that previously made you shelve it In this episode, JT's game Magnate was specifically mentioned as a known example.…

So you've made a game or are starting to make a game, and you get stuck because you can't think of a good name for the game. You're not alone. Naming your games is a hard part of the process. JT and Jeff walk through some of the things they've done while trying to name games and also offer a few guidelines along the way. Jeff can be found at: Websi…

What's better than a listener request? A listener request that allows us to bring on a guest! In this episode JT & Jeff talk with Bryan Winter, from I'm Board Games & Family Fun, about making your games retail-friendly and what makes a retailer interested in backing your Kickstarter? Crafter Con 2017 - Bryan Winter: How games are sold at FLGS https…

In this listener's request, JT and Jeff tackle the electrifying topic of potentially adding acrylic lightning bolts as a regular part! But also what goes into the decision making factor for adding most parts that The Game Crafter now makes in-house! Parts Ordering And Inventory - Episode 10: http://thegamecrafter.libsyn.com/parts-ordering-and-inven…

JT & Jeff bring the newest member of The Game Crafter media team to discuss Rocky Reviews, the latest show you can check out! A huge welcome to Rocky Heckman! Rocky shares his experiences as a reviewer, what he is looking for from components, and publishing games; including Rare Roses, a game currently on Kickstarter. Cravon Studios: https://cravon…

JT & Jeff get to combine the mechanism series, a listener request, and a contest! The Game Crafter staff is judging the current Roll and Write contest. So in this episode, JT and Jeff take a quick look at what a Roll and Write is, what a Flip and Write is, and details about the current contest. TGC Roll and Write contest page: https://www.thegamecr…

Congratulations to the Mint Tin contest for breaking the old record of 144 entries with an amazing 184 entries! JT and Jeff take this episode and cover a few of the entries they noticed for the Mint Tin contest. What made these particular games stand out for JT and Jeff? Check out the episode to find out! Mint Tin contest: https://www.thegamecrafte…

JT and Jeff take on a topic that all game designers face eventually: How to find and keep appropriate playtesters? JT and Jeff list various ways you can find playtesters. Some you might not have thought of trying previously. They also discuss making sure your game is ready to be playtested. And share some past episodes that might be helpful as well…

JT and Jeff discuss being a freelancer and what it takes to make money from being a freelancer. They discuss how to set rates, marketing yourself, and share anecdotes from their own freelance experience. All of this because of another sweet, sweet listener request! Jeff can be found at: Website: http://www.allusgeeks.com AUG Twitter: https://twitte…

So we all know they are out there. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Twitch, etc... But how should we be setting up our accounts or even just using them? JT and Jeff discuss this very listener request in this episode! Shared resource: https://knowem.com/ Jeff can be found at: Website: http://www.allusgeeks.com AUG Twitter: https://twitter.com/allusgeeks …

Another listener request that gives JT and Jeff a mechanism to cover! JT and Jeff discuss the game mechanisms of Real-Time and Simultaneous Action Selection. They provide a few games that use each. And include some potential pros and cons of each mechanism. Jeff can be found at: Website: http://www.allusgeeks.com AUG Twitter: https://twitter.com/al…

JT takes us down memory lane thanks to a listener request. He covers the history, business dealings, and other various timelines associated with The Captain is Dead; from the beginning of him getting involved with the game, to recent events. Jeff can be found at: Website: http://www.allusgeeks.com AUG Twitter: https://twitter.com/allusgeeks AUG Fac…

JT and Jeff discuss a listener request that is a follow-up to a previous listener request! This time they are sharing their thoughts on deluxe add-ons for games. Are these worth having? Does it dilute your marketing, like different versions of your game can? Are there pros and cons to having add-ons? Light Versions of Games at The Game Crafter - Ep…

You know we love our Sweet, Sweet, Listener Requests! Do you know what else we love? Talking about playtest events like Protospiel and Unpub! JT and Jeff take on a listener request about starting a playtest event and what to look at when starting this type of event. They spend some time on making sure you are covering your costs so you can continue…

Have you missed JT and Jeff talking about game mechanisms? Well, at least one listener did! JT and Jeff discuss the game mechanisms of Rondel and Action Programming. Do they have a favorite and/or least favorite for these two mechanisms? Have they ever attempted to make a game that features a Rondel or Action Programming? Come give a listen and fin…

JT and Jeff take on another great listener request! In this episode, they discuss considerations for pricing your game. JT brings the data points for different sized games that sell well at The Game Crafter. JT and Jeff also discuss casual gamers vs hardcore gamers spending habits. And if you should/are competing against regular retail outlets for …

JT and Jeff are joined by Cecilia and Eric Hyland, aka Tank & DPS. Cecilia and Eric share their experiences with working as a design team, attending conventions, pitching to publishers, and how they started their own podcast. Tank & DPS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TankAndDPS/ Tank & DPS Twitter: https://twitter.com/tank_dps Jeff can be found…

Prototypes, like onions, have layers. They can also make you cry as you peel back those layers, but that's a story for another time. JT & Jeff take on another listener request! This time they discuss the different types of prototypes you might go through while creating a game. They also discuss which type you might want to have in a few different s…

JT and Jeff discuss another listener request. This week, they discuss their thoughts on making light versions of your games. Spoilers: JT and Jeff are both against MULTIPLE versions of a game. And they offer reasons why they believe that to be the case. Jeff can be found at: Website: http://www.allusgeeks.com AUG Twitter: https://twitter.com/allusg…

Did we just get lucky? Or was it completely random that we got a listener request? JT and Jeff discuss a listener request that ask; does everyone really hate randomness in games? JT and Jeff also cover a few ways to mitigate the randomness of dice and cards. Jeff can be found at: Website: http://www.allusgeeks.com AUG Twitter: https://twitter.com/a…

For this episode, JT and Jeff cover a listener request that also serves as a great refresher for some past episodes as well! So join JT and Jeff as they discuss marketing your game and reaching out to reviewers! Past Episodes to check out: How to Promote Your Games at The Game Crafter - Episode 20 When and How to Interact with Game Reviewers with T…

On this episode, JT invites some friends along to discuss their partnership that might sound a little looney, and it is! Join JT and Jeff as Kristin Looney and Laurie Menke from Looney Labs discuss their partnership with The Game Crafter to make Custom Loonacy decks available to everyone! What is Custom Loonacy? Give this episode a listen to find o…

What's better than a listener request? Not much. But if you make that listener request about Protospiel; well that's just the sprinkles on top of an already awesome dessert! JT and Jeff discuss some things to expect and avoid at your first Protospiel event. PROTOSPIEL!!! Jeff can be found at: Website: http://www.allusgeeks.com AUG Twitter: https://…

JT and Jeff really need your help this week! JT is requesting feedback in any way you wish to deliver it. For this episode, JT and Jeff start trying to understand what a playtest service through The Game Crafter would look like. They brainstorm a bit and offer up some suggestions, but in the end they want to hear from you, the listener and communit…

JT steps up in this episode to discuss and clear up any confusion that might be surrounding 2 new services launched by The Game Crafter: Concierge and Laboratory! Jeff takes on the role of the confused game designer. We know, such a stretch! Can JT get this lost soul to understand the differences between and how to use the Concierge and Laboratory …

Another contest has entered the voting stage. So JT and Jeff decided to discuss some of the entries from the Simple Elegance contest that caught their attention. How many games will cross over to both lists? What attracted JT or Jeff to certain games? Will that street band ever stop playing on the nights JT and Jeff record? Ok, they don't cover tha…

Do you like it when games include some form of the rules on the components? Do you prefer written out or icons? In this listener request, these are some of the things JT and Jeff discuss. Along with a few "best practices" ideas for including them in your own games. Jeff can be found at: Website: http://www.allusgeeks.com AUG Twitter: https://twitte…

Do you know what this show needs? More cowbell?!? No. Well, I mean yes! But it also needs some more chatting about crowd sales! And in order to do that, JT and Jeff bring not one, but two returning guests on to talk about crowd sales! Cassie Elle joins us to not only talk about crowd sales but her new show for The Game Crafter; Crowd Chat! Jason Gl…

So you want to pitch a game to a publisher. Do you know the Big 3 Questions you should already be answering with your pitch? Well in this episode, JT and Jeff discuss those questions (Who am I? What am I doing? How do I win?) and provide some examples to get you started! Jeff can be found at: Website: http://www.allusgeeks.com AUG Twitter: https://…

Someone hand us a towel because tonight JT and Jeff get SPIT upon! And with that comes a listener request about cooperative board games. JT and Jeff explore how to make cooperative board games challenging and how to keep them fresh. They also share design experiences from making their own cooperative board games. Jeff can be found at: Website: http…

JT walks Jeff (and our listeners) through the most recent price changes at The Game Crafter. This includes standardized pricing for laser cutting and new discount pricing for orders of 500 and 1000. JT also shares how these changes affect some future things that The Game Crafter is working towards. Pricing Change News: https://news.thegamecrafter.c…

Some time ago JT and Jeff discussed some unique uses on unprinted components. That inspired a listener request for JT and Jeff to discuss tonight's topic of unique uses of printed components! So let's see what we can come up with and feel free to chime in with some examples of your own! Jeff can be found at: Website: http://www.allusgeeks.com AUG T…

JT and Jeff are joined by someone that embodies The Game Crafter community that they always talk about. Aaron Gresham, aka Tomrel, aka T-bone, joins JT and Jeff to discuss The Chat system on The Game Crafter and what it means to the community. Tomrel on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrtomrel Table Golf on TGC: https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/ta…

Space! The final frontier? Or a problem that The Game Crafter is trying to currently solve? In this episode, JT and Jeff discuss a listener request about the possibility of TGC being a one-stop shop solution for printing and storing games to sell. Is this a possibility? Does TGC have the warehouse space to offer this service? Jeff can be found at: …

Wrap yourself in a warm blanket and cozy up to the fire. It's Sweet, Sweet Listener Request time! For this episode, JT and Jeff discuss if there are games that are inappropriate for Protospiel events and if paying extra for sponsorships is worth it. This topic is covered as Protospiel Milwaukee is coming up fast! http://protospiel-milwaukee.org/ Je…

Is everyone telling you, maybe even us in a previous podcast, that your game is too long or costs too much? Should you just scrap everything? Is it impossible to get sales for a game like that? Well, we've also told you in the past to make your game and not worry about what other games are out there. And this week, we talk with someone that has don…

JT and Jeff talk to Arthur Franz about his success on The Game Crafter. Arthur has had to overcome many obstacles with his current board game, Breakaway Football, as an indie game designer: The game costs over $50, it's not being sold by a "big name" publisher, and it's a sports genre game. Despite all the obstacles, Breakaway Football is being wel…

JT and Jeff take on a listener request around playtest questionnaires. What should you ask? What should you never ask? And are their tools and services available for playtesting? Facebook Groups: Tabletop Game Playtesters: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BoardGamePlaytestersGuild/ Playtest HQ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/149622061899059/ Board …

JT and Jeff are back to talk about game mechanics/mechanisms again in their 101 style discussion to help get you familiar with different mechanics used in board game design. In this episode, JT and Jeff will discuss Bidding and Take That style games. Jeff can be found at: Website: http://www.allusgeeks.com AUG Twitter: https://twitter.com/allusgeek…

JT Smith, crusher of dreams, shares how he went through all the ideas in The Game Crafter's ideas system and reduced the overall number. In some cases that meant closing out ideas. Join us as JT explains his thought process to Jeff. JT also discusses changes he made to the ideas system and asks for feedback on other ideas that have not been impleme…

JT has boxes on the brain and Jeff tries to help with a little box therapy. JT talks about the new Large Stout box and the upcoming Medium Stout Box. We also say goodbye to the Medium Game Box and the Large Pro Box. JT also shares some other news about potential boxes in the future. Jeff can be found at: Website: http://www.allusgeeks.com AUG Twitt…

JT and Jeff are joined by Cassie Elle to discuss reviewing indie games, her involvement with The Indie Game Report, and the Holiday Game Design Contest! Cassie Elle links Website: https://www.cassieelle.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FriedmanCassie The Indie Game Report: https://www.theindiegamereport.com/ Jeff can be found at: Website: http://w…

Hey. So have you heard anything about that podcast The Game Crafter use to put out? Let's talk about that for a moment. Join JT and Jeff as they discuss the podcast hiatus and updates on what has been going on in The Game Crafter community and at The Game Crafter itself. Spoiler: WE'RE BACK! Jeff can be found at: Website: http://www.allusgeeks.com …

JT wants to talk about a new project underway at The Game Crafter. But in order to do that he needs to bring on a special guest: Ben Moy! Join JT, Jeff, and Ben as they discuss the new YouTube project: The Board Game Blueprint. The Board Game Blueprint Contact Ben about suggestions, submissions, and requests at: benjaminwmoy@gmail.com Check out Ben…