Journey of a Board Game Creator

Aug 18, 2024

Board Game Binge Podcast Episode Summary

Host & Guest Introduction

  • Host: James Staley
  • Guest: Jesse Conger, owner of Good Days Games
  • Discussing: Upcoming Kickstarter for Escape Death Race 2182

Jesse Conger's Journey into Board Games

  • Started from a love of video games, particularly Battlefield 1942 and its mods.
  • Inspired to create a board game based on Interstate 1982, a racing game mod.
  • Initially involved in the community running a game server (is82.com).
  • Conceptualized a board game while playing the mod at his girlfriend's kitchen.
  • Began prototyping and researching board game development, influenced by resources like Dice Tower.
  • Early games purchased: Stone Age, Forbidden Island, and Forbidden Desert.

Transitioning into the Board Game Industry

  • Background: Grew up playing classic board games like Monopoly, Clue, and Axis & Allies but didn't engage much until later.
  • Currently balancing a day job as an Area Sales Manager while pursuing board game development as a passion project.
  • Emphasized the importance of community and relationships in the industry.

Game Design Insights

  • Jesse’s micro game is designed to be fast-paced and engaging.
  • Plans to expand into a full-size version with added mechanics, such as:
    • A currency system for character upgrades.
    • Modular board system to increase replayability.
  • The Kickstarter campaign aims to fund the full-size version and a comic book series.
  • The comic book will introduce characters and storylines related to the game.

Game Mechanics & Features

  • Micro Game: Players race with cubes representing cars.
  • Full-Size Game: Will feature:
    • Pre-painted miniatures for characters and cars.
    • Customizable character abilities.
    • Event triggers that can be activated during gameplay.
    • Variability in game length based on number of boards played.

Marketing & Promotion

  • First Kickstarter: Feedback included the importance of networking and finding reliable help (freelancers).
  • Future Campaigns: Learnings from the first campaign will guide the second, focusing on collaboration and promotion.
  • Encouraged to seek advice and support from industry peers for better outcomes.

Community Engagement

  • Involved in conventions and demoing games to gather feedback and build relationships.
  • Personal anecdotes about meeting industry figures and the excitement of seeing people enjoy his game.
  • Importance of community and shared passion for board games.

Future Plans

  • Continuing to develop the Escape Death Race IP, including additional comic book issues.
  • Exploring potential for a mini-universe within the game’s theme.

Conclusion

  • Jesse Conger expresses gratitude for the community and encouragement to keep pursuing passions in the board game industry.
  • Website: Good Days Games for updates and subscriptions.
  • Kickstarter: Pre-launch page for the upcoming campaign.