Prototyping Guidelines
This guide explains what prototypes are, their use, and their limitations.
- What it is
- An 11-page guide to prototypes: what they are, how we make them and what they cost.
- Who it's for
- Creators who need a few copies of their game for playtesting, reviewers or a crowdfunding campaign.
- What's inside
- How a prototype differs from a pre-production sample, how prototypes are made (inkjet printing, hand cutting and gluing), their limits on cost, color accuracy and resolution (DPI), the 3-set minimum, 5–20 day lead times, our prototype benefits (including a 50% refund on prototype cost if you place a mass-production order within 3 months) and pricing per sheet.
- How to use it
- Order prototypes for playtesting and marketing; approve a pre-production sample later, before mass production.
Read the text version of this document
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WJ HEROTIME
What are they?
How do we make them?
And how do they differ from the finished game?
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A Prototype While Pre-Production Samples are used 9 to contirm the final version of the game is NOT a
beTore going into mass production,
Pre-Production Prototypes are produced earlier on
Sample! in the process, mostly for creating marketing assets that need ‘real’ visuals
of the game, playtesting, and launching crowdtunding campaigns.
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1 prototype produced?
2 3
Minor adjustments can be made to art and components after prototyping, and we can accommodate for stretch goals and addons for crowdfunding campaigns.
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Final play-testing and teedback.
How do game creators use prototypes?
For creating marketing assets, ads, landing pages and other content.
They are sent to reviewers to feature in their videos!
They are used for crowd- §& funding where real images & and video of the game = enhance your campaign.
€} YW
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Production Unlike mass produced games that use large fully automated machines, prototypes are printed with inkjet printers and are cut and glued manually in a special workshop.
Their cost per unit is a lot higher than mass produced games (x10-x20 in price)
Minimum quantity to order is 3 prototypes
They are produced in low quantities of 3-10 sets (above 20 they become almost as expensive as 500 sets printed on mass-production machines)
Their lead time is shorter ranging between 5-20 days (depending on game complexity) instead of 30-60 days for mass production
Some gluing and/or cutting errors might be visible because they are handled completely manually
from mass production printing because inkjet printers have no accurate color control. DPI of inject machines only reach 270dpi (compared to 800DPI in , so some dots might be shown on solid color prints
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Hero Time Prototype Free
A refund of 50% on prototype cost upon mass production order (within 3 months of placing the prototype order)
A comprehensive list of reviewers to contact for game reviews
Once you produce prototypes with us, you will get
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The cost for printed components ranges from $7 USD to $15 USD per sheet depending on sheet size.
General Prototype
Small Sheet
Medium Sheet
Small Two-Piece Box
Medium Two-piece box
Token sheets
Map Tiles
Player Boards
Small Foldable Game Board
Paper Products (reference cards, tuckboxes, paper shapes...)
Double Layer Player Board
Small Rulebook
Paper and corrugated cardboard inserts
Rules sheet
The following cost information is a bit complex, please consult your project manager to get
Large Two-Piece Box Medium foldable Game Board Playing Cards Large and Extra-large Rulebook
$15 USD
Medium Rulebook
$10 USD
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Products procured from trusted third-party suppliers.
Depending on the requirements of the project, we’ll source the best quality components at the most competitive rate.
$ Product dependent
General Prototype
Wood meeples Custom wood pieces Acrylic standees Custom Dice 3D printed plastic pieces
Continued...
Plastic Insert Custom Bags with print
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Production The prototypes are being produced, and you will be receiving photo and video updates.
Prototype Once the prototypes are ready, they will be shipped directly to your doorstep using standard delivery. You can also request express delivery at an additional cost. The Project Manager will provide a quote based on your component list.
Payment
You will receive a personalised Sample Issue have regarding the prototypes you receive.
Artwork The Project Manager will send you all the component templates required to place your artwork. Meanwhile, a secure SharePoint Folder will be opened to upload artwork. A Production Specialist will be assigned to help
Once you showcase your game to reviewers and other people, you will get feedback. Often this will result in a few changes before you go into mass production. Prepare all your changes in an organized list and submit them at one time, so we can maintain the same level of detail in mass production.
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Additional Lead Time
Prototype Lead Time The lead time to make prototypes varies according to the type of game, types of components, if customisation is required, the readiness of
Additional time will be required if the prototype requires any of the following: Research & development
Paper / cardboard insert
Custom sourced product
6 Days
Deck of cards, few components, small size. Plastic insert (design + 3D printing / mold)
9 Days
14 Days
14 Days
Cards, boards, tokens, medium size.
Miniatures (design + 3D printing)
Multiple card decks, boards, punchboards tokens, map tiles, large size.
NOTE: Any size, but requiring components to be sourced from third-parties.
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manufacturing
ame Te, “in for all. V
herotimei1.com
More in Prototyping and Manufacturing
Quote to Order Process
This guide explains the entire process from receiving a quote to placing an order.
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The full component-level defect classification table our QC teams train against — every production step, every material type.
Download →Hero Time Growth Plan Offer
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Download →Best Time to Produce Your Game
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Download →Sample and Approval Process
The four phases from final artwork to an approved pre-production sample, with timings.
Download →Games We Made Brochure
A portfolio of games we've manufactured, grouped by type.
Download →Hero Time Certifications & Compliance
Our factory certificates and audit results in one PDF: ISO 9001, FSC, GRS, Disney FAMA and amfori BSCI.
Download →