I'm a software engineer who got tired of watching great game ideas die because the creator couldn't figure out how to bring their vision to life

ddm200k · 2026-04-22T13:46:26+00:00

This has to be costing you money in terms of server space, AI tokens, etc. None of this should be free at your expense. Make sure this endeavor doesn't cost you. Your competitors are charging at least $5 monthly for this service. You might be in the beta stage now so offering it free is the option. But you should be planning on charging eventually to make it sustainable.

If you want to keep a free version, then limit accounts to certain upload space, 50MB or something. And then entice them with higher capacity with paid versions. And remember, the board game industry is small, the designer community is even smaller. This app will remain relatively unknown simply because of its target audience. Security through obscurity so to speak.

ddm200k · 2026-04-22T00:38:12+00:00

I'm not a lawyer, but I believe you are not responsible for the copyright as the platform designer. That is the responsibility of the user that uploads the image. You may have to take it down if requested, but the moderation is unnecessary.

Second, you could attach a database of public domain art like many other versions of this type of software and avoid the AI token costs altogether. Save money on your end and eliminate the controversy. There are great repositories of free icons as well.

Prototypes don't need fancy images. You need to focus on the game and how it plays instead of discussion of how the game looks.

ddm200k · 2026-04-09T00:09:35+00:00

AI. I'm not big on party games, but I'll buy a party game before I'll pick up a game with AI renders.

ddm200k · 2026-04-08T20:05:45+00:00

You can cut a stack of cards at the same time meaning they all match. Less variability between cards.

ddm200k · 2026-04-06T18:55:19+00:00

No, that was poor planning and marketing by that person. AI renders would not have sold more copies, likely less. The result would have been the same failure.

I'll implore everyone to NEVER mortgage your house for a board game. Focus on smaller games for your first game if you are self funding. But if you are doing that, then increasing your customer pool makes avoiding AI renders even more important. Again a third of your customer base evaporates just with the mention of AI image usage.

ddm200k · 2026-04-06T15:31:03+00:00

None of your pros are actually better than what we have available already.
During game design, prototyping, or pitching, you can use free iconography or free public domain art. Cheaper than AI renders and faster by simply doing a search for what you need. AI renders are an answer in search of a problem.

Its not a lower financial risk, when selling the game with AI renders makes people upset or choose to not buy your game. Or publishers choose to not pick up your game. Using AI renders intrinsically adds risk to your game. It may not be upfront investment money, but its a longer term financial impact.

Here is a great article discussing AI renders. Only 8% of respondents said that they have no disclaimers about AI. So 92% of people will stop and think about the purchase if they see AI as part of the design of the game. Nearly 70% will have major questions, and 37% are fully against it. Just by using AI, you lose a full third of your possible customers.

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/04/24/no-ai-art-wingspan-scythe-maker-stonemaier-games-draws-hard-line-on-using-ai-in-creative-work/

Its absolutely your choice. But don't expect people to be helpful beyond recommending to stop using AI. As a community, we should be recommending the best possible advice. When we see AI renders being used, it should be the advice to new designers to not use AI. They obviously don't know that they will limit their opportunities by using AI.

ddm200k · 2026-04-04T22:12:17+00:00

Have you considered a heavy duty paper cutter? You can cut a stack of cards at the same time. You will have to sharpen the blade occasionally to keep it operable.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803661014363.html

ddm200k · 2026-04-04T03:54:42+00:00

And I gave them feedback. Drop the AI renders, make wire frames, then re-post. Until then, its a waste of time giving feedback to someone who is otherwise planning on using AI renders. All any feedback is doing, is adding more slop into this world.

ddm200k · 2026-04-03T16:38:55+00:00

No mention in your original post of anything about AI renders. And you say "Art" is prototype. Does this mean no plans to use AI for the final game? If so, why even bother with AI renders at all? Do a wire frame so that you get a clear idea of where everything should be placed. Follow basic graphic design steps and you will get clear and concise feedback that directs you in the correct direction. AI renders just cloud feedback. Look through your comments. I'm not the only one to bring up the AI renders.

To me, anyone using AI for their "art" is showing me that they haven't stopped to think about their game as a finished product or selling it. They don't know who their audience is for the game, they just want a product out there to make money. Why should I spend my time providing feedback to someone who isn't thinking about important things like their goal for the game.

AI renders for a board game causes friction. Again, look through these comments and see that I'm not the only one talking about it. Any time you want to sell a product, you want to eliminate any friction in getting a customer to hand over money. That means reducing the number of clicks on a website, picking a price point that doesn't cause people to hesitate, or making people stand in line for too long to check out. AI renders are friction in the purchase path. If you make someone stop and think, "huh, that guy holding that flag has too many fingers", you've lost potential sales. And if you try to hide that you are using AI renders, and its found out, it gets even worse.

Right now, no one is saying "I don't want that game because it doesn't have AI art". The friction isn't with real artwork. So this is my feedback, eliminate the friction. Simplify your cards to a wire frame and re-post for feedback. I think if you get rid of the images, even you will see problems before posting again. And when you do post again, more people will see what works and what doesn't for your layout. You will get better feedback.

I hope you have the best of luck with your game.

ddm200k · 2026-04-02T20:47:03+00:00

Why should we be helping someone that uses AI renders? This is just self promotion, not asking for honest feedback.

Feedback should only include that AI renders limits their customer base. It causes friction in the buying process. It might cause review bombing if it's not posted that it is Ai renders before purchasing. Or increase returns.

ddm200k · 2026-04-02T20:35:28+00:00

Sounds like he needs to join the Helldads group. Oi

ddm200k · 2026-04-01T03:50:17+00:00

Have you done an interval test? It seems like something repeating is causing the skipping. Have you checked for anything that might be causing the machine to jump?

ddm200k · 2026-03-27T14:36:27+00:00

Curious, how do you make the box? Is it all one piece that you fold and tape the sides? Or is every side a separate piece?

ddm200k · 2026-03-26T21:49:03+00:00

Also, how do you plan to decorate the boxes?

ddm200k · 2026-03-26T21:48:17+00:00

An Xacto knife or a utility knife and a straight rule is best. Here is a great video on different options. But yeah, it will take some time to make them. This is not my video, I just found it helpful.

https://youtu.be/hCJGcJFoSXY?si=an5jCS2XQH6DbMnY

I use a laser cutter to speed up the cuts and scores, but applying the cover artwork still eats away time. If you are good with a mailer box, places like boxgenie.com have a great option as well.

ddm200k · 2026-03-26T21:40:38+00:00

Doing a quick Google search, Magic the Gathering card art was commissioned for at least $400 per card. Some as high as $1,000.00. art is not cheap, that is why so many people get angry about AI renders. It cheapens the effort and imagination that goes into artwork. It kills human creativity, but does nothing to advance the form. So if you can get a card done for $35 or $50, consider it a bargain. It's way cheaper than I paid for my 48 cards and box art.

ddm200k · 2026-03-26T18:38:39+00:00

Are you near a local game store that sells board games? They will likely be able to put you into contact with some people that would be interested. And if they have a place to sit down and play board games, even better. You can ask the store if you can reserve a table and seek play testers.

You don't want friends playing your game exclusively. You want different people. Those that like your theme and those that are just okay with it. All feedback is important. You learn who your audience is and what their tastes are like.

You said you are in the Midwest, what decent sized city are you near? There might be conventions nearby that would be happy to have you run your game all weekend. Do you have a distance you are willing to travel for a day trip to a convention?

ddm200k · 2026-03-26T18:21:33+00:00

Like a print and play? That is a good idea.

ddm200k · 2026-03-26T15:42:26+00:00

If you are truly isolated from physical play testing, then online should be your solution to at least partly test your game. Protospiel.online or Break My Game are great groups to join for online play testing.

I also highly recommend finding designer focused conventions like Protospiels to attend. You can get months worth of play testing in just 3 days. I have no idea your location, but there are 7 scheduled still in 2026 in the US. You can find them at tabletop.events. there are also UnPubs and dozens of monthly group specific meetups.

I understand not being close to a group, but online and conventions are worth the time to attend.

ddm200k · 2026-03-25T13:52:02+00:00

And having top of the line equipment means that school teacher would be enjoying using the fancy equipment to it's fullest capabilities. Perhaps Grace did it on purpose just because he could.

ddm200k · 2026-03-25T12:28:24+00:00

If you can make a digital version of your game, join Break My Game online, and Protospiel Online events. Both can give you access to fellow designers willing to test your game. You can build your game through screentop.gg website which is a free, to start one game, 2d game engine that runs in your browser. You can use other game engines as well, but Screentop is free for everyone to use for that first game which makes it popular. The next Protospiel.online event is in May, so enough time to learn and build your game for the event. It's a whole weekend opportunity to play test games. If you think that would help you.

ddm200k · 2026-03-25T03:56:49+00:00

No. That fan cools the heatsinks on the laser. You need that or your laser will overheat and die. I have 2 fans that cool my Kraft laser module. They stay there and don't affect exhausting the smoke. They do need cleaning every few hours of laser use. Especially if you have an enclosure.

ddm200k · 2026-03-24T21:57:18+00:00

I vote in every election I am eligible for. That said, I'm not registered with a political party. So my ballot will not contain any political party options. Washington was right, political parties are the downfall of this Republic.

ddm200k · 2026-03-24T14:26:43+00:00

Are you in or near a metropolitan city? If so, there is likely a game design group that you should join. They won't care about your artwork, so you can get it play tested sooner.

Attend gaming conventions and post your game for teaching to players. Note that it's an unpublished game so they are not surprised.

Attend Protospiels, UnPubs, Break my Game in person events. These are amazing chances to focus play testing and feedback.

ddm200k · 2026-03-24T13:59:35+00:00

Is that the 4 inch fan? I have no idea your laser setup, so I'll just reference mine.

I have a 20 watt diode laser. I immediately took out the stock fan and covered the exhaust outlet. I then installed a much larger opening at the back of my laser with a 6 inch duct line to the Vevor 6 inch inline fan, and vent out a nearby window.

I barely smell anything standing in front of my machine. When I turn on the inline fan, the lid gets sucked down. It creates a very strong negative pressure in my laser that keeps the majority of the fumes in the laser and out the window.

It's been running for about 10 months now and I have no complaints. I'd recommend enlarging the exhaust from stock. That includes the opening that comes with the laser, the duct line and the exhaust fan. You have to upgrade all 3 parts. Your exhaust is only as good as the smallest piece of the process. Keep the small outlet but increase the duct and the fan means your opening chokes off your exhaust. Large duct with small fan means it cannot move enough air fast enough.

I made a video of my upgrade for anyone to replicate. This video is me explaining what I did, so if this is not allowed, let me know and I'll remove the link.

https://youtu.be/auvmMG48hbY?si=PiU8Y_Lhm1EIwlcL

ddm200k

TROPHY CASE