"If the new game inventor does not learn the elements constituting a "good game" their efforts will result in frustration and a pile of inventory sitting in a warehouse".
Pam Canfield, former owner of "That Game Store". Pam's store specialized in not-so-ordinary puzzles and games.Utilizing her 10 plus years in the business, Pam currently serves as consultant to inventors.

What Makes A Good Game?

The elements that make a good game are:

1). A name that forms a mental image
2). Game graphics that enhance that mental image
3). Clear and concise game rules.

The marketing from the game inventor to the retailer to the end user (customer) must have these elements to be successful.

As a former retailer, I have game inventors and retail game buyers who do not understand that a game does not sell to "anyone who plays games". The point is to sell games. We want people who will play the game and like the game enough to tell their friends, family and acquaintances. Word of mouth is still the best advertising medium for any product, but especially a new product with no brand awareness.

There are trends in games as in fashion. Because of the void of innovative new games from the "big boys" we are now seeing "retro" games like Password, Mille Borne, Pit and Encore. These are all good classic games. But how many ways can we play Scrabble, Uno or Yahtzee? How many variations do we want to play? Can't we just play the original game?

From Trivial Pursuit and Pictionary in the 1980's to Tribond and Mindtrap in the 1990's, innnovation has come from the independent game inventor who has a dream and can not be stopped. But if the new game inventor does not learn the elements constituting a "good game" their efforts will result in frustration and a pile of inventory sitting in a warehouse.

Although there is money to be made in the board game business, there is money to be lost!

Pam can reached for consultation via our website.

Email - pamcanfield@hotmail.com