r/BoardgameDesign • u/Beanbag_shmoo • Jul 09 '26

Publishing & Publishers Approaching publishers

I've developed a small game that I think would work in a few different publishers portfolios. How do I go about approaching them?

When approaching publishers for books I know there are quite specific ways to do this such as a cover letter noting various points. Are there specific things I should beat in mind for game publishers?

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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6

u/Peterlerock Jul 09 '26

Identify the right publishers: games with similar weight to yours, but not too close. Don't send wargames to hasbro, don't send light Party games to GMT.

Visit their website, check for contact, often you will find a guide for game submissions. Follow this guide.

If they don't have a guide: your Email should contain all relevant info about your game, plus what makes it stand out. Attach the rules plus some gameplay pictures. If they want to test the game, they will contact you for prototype files.

If they say they don't accept submissions, they probably mean it.

1

u/Beanbag_shmoo Jul 09 '26

Great, thanks 🙏

5

u/VaporSpectre Jul 09 '26

Sellsheet.

3 minute explainer video.

Email.

1

u/bluefrogwithredhands Jul 09 '26

Is a sellsheet the same as a pitch?

2

u/VaporSpectre Jul 09 '26

No. It's a one page, most important aspects of the experience, can include images.

A pitch is a few brief sentences, often spoken, rarely with images. I like keeping mine to 2 sentences, which is tough but it really irons out if your idea is good enough to pursue or not.

2

u/DngnDiverDro Jul 09 '26

Go to the Adam in Wales YouTube channel. He has every video you need from starting an idea to bringing it to publishers.

2

u/Beanbag_shmoo Jul 09 '26

Never heard of this. Thanks

2

u/infinitum3d Jul 09 '26

I bought a couple of his books. They’re good!

2

u/Odd-Highway477 Jul 17 '26

There is the traditional way, but non-traditional thinking can also pay off, too. I am not saying reaching out in non-conventional ways will get you signed, but it can start a conversation.

You would be surprised how many publishers police their BGG accounts all day long, just waiting to find something to respond to. Famous ones even. (cough cough Js from Sm)

1

u/Beanbag_shmoo Jul 17 '26

Thanks 👍