Publishing a Board Game

Board game publishing means getting your finished game to players and getting paid for it. Every creator chooses one of three routes, or a mix of them.

Choosing How to Publish

Self-publish. You pay for the print run and sell through your own website, Amazon and shops. It suits simpler games and creators with some starting money who want to build a lasting business. You keep the profit and the control, and you do the marketing.

Work with a board game publisher or distributor. A publisher licenses or buys your game and sells it through its network; a distributor buys your stock and sells it to shops. It suits truly exceptional games, and the deal decides who owns the game. Read how to publish a board game to compare the routes, our guide to board game distributors for the three deal models, and the guide to board game sell sheets to pitch them.

Which route fits depends on what kind of creator you are: a passion-driven creator sharing one great idea, an aspiring publisher building a business, or an established publisher looking for better margins and growth.

Crowdfunding and Online Channels

Crowdfund. Backers pay for the print run before the game is made. It suits more complex games for a dedicated hobby audience. Our guide to board game crowdfunding sites compares the seven main sites, and Kickstarter vs Gamefound compares the two biggest in depth.

Sell online. Your own website and Amazon let you sell all year round. Read how to sell your board game on Amazon before you list it.

Pricing and Selling More

Whatever the route, the price decides whether the game pays. Board game pricing explains the X5 rule, prices by game type and the margin each sales channel leaves. When your first print run sells out, the board game reprint guide shows when to reprint and what it costs.

Next Step: Marketing Board Games

A published game still needs players to find it. Continue with marketing your board game, step 10 of the ten.