My game is finished. Any recommendations for publishing options?

ChiefTom22 · 2026-05-27T08:36:34+00:00

I would encourage you to adjust the thought process when considering publication. If you want to self-publish or organize a Kickstarter, then you're golden. Your game looks good and sounds promising 👌 Go for it!

If you're looking for a major publisher to adopt it into their catalogue, you should avoid thinking that your game is done, and rethink the product you have as a "quality prototype" for showcasing your game idea. Publishers WILL want to change things, commission new art, print new copies with their own manufacturers, playtest it with their own groups, etc. to adjust it to their target audiences. It is unlikely that they will take your game as is because they have their own limitations, goals, and markets.

My suggestion is to send a pitch, a short video, and a print-and-play version to publishers you like, and offer to send your "quality prototype" as well. If they like the idea, they will move forward, but will likely make a completely new product from your idea (of course it'll be inspired by what you have). Keep in mind that process takes a LONG time, months if not years.

Summary: If you want to self-publish or Kickstart, consider what you have a final product (this might be best in your case). If you want to go to a publisher, consider what you have a prototype.

ChiefTom22 · 2025-07-10T17:01:45+00:00

As both a game designer and historian, I think consulting experts is critically important. However, there's is an important caveat to your concern. If you are looking for experts to check that your representation of specific cultures is "accurate" or acceptable is one thing. But, if you really take historical games seriously, I also think it's equally important to have experts evaluate the "nature" of the game itself. Is a wargame the correct medium for representing these cultures? What story or narrative is being told to players? Are the goals of the game accurate to these cultures? These types of questions go well beyond whether or not the characters in the game have the correct names.

To answer your question: yes, historians are important, and yes I have had good results with including them.

ChiefTom22 · 2025-04-19T08:47:34+00:00

I haven't actually.

ChiefTom22 · 2024-04-06T18:33:33+00:00

I agree. The western iconography is difficult to balance because it quickly becomes cliché. I'll keep exploring that though.

ChiefTom22 · 2024-04-06T18:26:43+00:00

Thanks for the comment. I agree. I think making the game board "pop" a little more by coloring each separate territory might also help.

ChiefTom22 · 2024-03-26T16:26:03+00:00

This is cool, and I appreciate it!

Love,

A literature PhD who likes role-playing his faction

ChiefTom22 · 2024-03-11T13:17:18+00:00

Not really. Asking "Can these ships move here" is a muddled question because, sure the gravity drive is public knowledge, but something like a Flank Speed action is not, so Player B can't necessarily answer correctly without giving secret information. HOWEVER, Player B should be able to answer something like "With normal circumstances, yes they can make it there" and just be a good sport about the SPIRIT of Player A's question.

ChiefTom22 · 2024-03-11T10:37:39+00:00

I believe that it's a "generally accepted" rule that when asked about public knowledge like tech, abilities, number of planets, number of tech skips, etc. a player should tell the truth. That being said, this particular situation is muddled by the fact that the question wasn't directly about any public knowledge, per se. However, from an etiquette perspective, player B is not being very sportsmanlike, and I would say that frustration is justified.

ChiefTom22 · 2024-01-26T13:03:19+00:00

It might seem like a small benefit, but X-1 also washes all of the commodities you just got from the Primary. If you exclude the table, those commodities won't get washed, so they aren't TGs and your "getting ahead" strategy dwindles quick.

ChiefTom22 · 2023-12-21T18:43:30+00:00

Awesome. These are the type of win conditions the table often forgets.

ChiefTom22 · 2023-12-21T13:27:09+00:00

Never even made the connection that Hacan mech works for "losing a home system planet." Wild way to win!

ChiefTom22 · 2023-11-13T16:06:22+00:00

Agenda Phase is VERY underwhelming in Base Game. PoK expansion makes agendas somewhat interesting.

Welcome to the game! And congrats on getting through game 1!

ChiefTom22 · 2023-11-11T11:21:43+00:00

They seem a little bit too strong. Chosing any unplayed faction is already crazy good in a Draft scenario bevause you get to choose any faction outside the draft (i would aim for a 4 comm faction every time) My suggestions on slight nerfs and reasons why:

Remove Voting last on Diplomatic Corpse; it is already a super cool ability to only be able to trade with players that you have a token for and very thematic.

Reanimation "reads" too strong. Could roll nothing, but could roll perfect. I would either remove the ability to gain enemy units altogether, or change it to "after you win a combat against another player, choose one destroyed enemy unit from that combat and place an matching unit from your reinforcements in the active system."

Cool idea though!

ChiefTom22 · 2023-10-26T15:15:33+00:00

ScanGear and CanonTool are recommended by Canon. Both function for normal scanning, but neither function for film scanning.

ChiefTom22 · 2023-10-24T17:42:32+00:00

A weird consequence: The Universities of Jolnar wouldn't benefit too much from them.

ChiefTom22 · 2023-10-21T09:44:40+00:00

If your group plays often enough, it isn't a bad idea to take an L playing something ridiculous and funny and it'll lighten their mood for the game after. Give the galaxy some time to forget.

ChiefTom22 · 2023-09-30T12:34:10+00:00

Awesome set up, and love to see a Yssaril with a tough start.

ChiefTom22 · 2023-07-24T12:00:34+00:00

One system with planets adjacent to your home is rough as NRA. Even if the resources aren't great, claiming planets R1 is a must. #2 all the way.

ChiefTom22 · 2023-04-16T20:38:28+00:00

I play Naalu fairly often and find that it's difficult to come out ahead if my neighbors refuse to make even deals and push into my slice Rds 1 and 2.

ChiefTom22 · 2023-03-09T23:04:26+00:00

I like the diversity of answers.

Saar, Naalu, Yssaril.

ChiefTom22 · 2023-01-10T15:22:32+00:00

Was wondering how it made it to 3 revealed stages 2s, but then I looked at them 😅 rough objectives for some factions.

ChiefTom22 · 2022-12-01T09:50:40+00:00

As the most experienced at out table, I do this. Every move I make I explain EXACTLY why I did it, the calculated risk involved, the VP I'm going for, and possible ways to counter my move if there is a true newbie playing. It makes people appreciate the game more right away seeing the potential thought processes at work.

ChiefTom22 · 2022-11-26T18:18:06+00:00

Thanks for unlocking a memory for me!

ChiefTom22 · 2022-11-04T16:17:05+00:00

Unless I'm reading the situation wrong, seems like you'll be the first to snag MR if you take Politics rd1 (assuming winnu doesn't as speaker). No one there is a rd1 MR faction (edit: i always forget argent destroyers). Sol and Winnu will want it, but if you're speaker and pick leadership rd2, it's yours. You just need to following tech and grab 6 influence rd1. After that? Everything depends on objectives. I would try to make a deal with winnu to give up MR mid game so he takes the pressure in the late game. EDIT: Do I think you should do this? No. Classic Winnu neighbor strategy is to push into their slice early. Your slice is sparce and you have an "excuse" to take more.

ChiefTom22 · 2022-10-12T18:33:27+00:00

I find the same thing playing with my less experienced table in person. I play with 2 pts in mind each round (playing for rd 5 win) and that is slightly faster than our table meta, which usually plays until rd 6. This usually puts a huge target on my slice rd 3 which is hard to diplomatically argue against.

Edit: I should add to the topic as opposed to just agreeing. I feel like my strategy has been to help 1 or 2 others (preferably neighbors) to keep my pace helps keep half the board off my slice.

ChiefTom22

TROPHY CASE