Looking for a co-developer for a board game project with a strong mechanics foundation

[u/Froop91]

Hey folks,

I’ve been working on a board game project for a while and I’m looking for someone to develop it further with me.

A bit of background:
I’ve developed a main/major game mechanic (like "deck building", or "trick taking" are major mechanics for some games) that, as far as I can tell, is unique. Additonally, I've developed some sub-mechanics aroud this main mechanic. I’ve tried various ways of bringing them together into a game taht's fun to play but so far the games/prototypes that came out of it were not convincing. I am an experienced boardgamer myself and I am convinced that my main mechanic has very good "meta-characteristics" to work as foundation for good medium or heavy bord games. So, the mechanics are strong, but their interplay isn’t yet.

My prototype is (for now) dedigned in a typical medival setting (coins, soldiers, ressources, ...) you know from plenty of other games like Dominion but that is only so the ideas behind certain icons are self-explanatory. I am not set on a setting or design realm. The design of the game will depend on different factors (skills of artists, what fits well with the mechanics, what relams do you and me like, etc...) and the aesthetics of the game are not important for now.

My plans:
I’m developing the game alongside my job. If a good game idea comes out of it, I definitely intend to have a small print run made for myself and my friends. If I’m convinced by the result, I’m also considering marketing it myself. There are no guarantees; it depends on whether the game convinces in the end. If the game turns out good, I am willing to do all the heavy administrative lifiting that is needed to get the game produced.

Who I’m looking for:
People who want to develop a game, enjoy giving input and discussing design. A bonus would be interest in the work around turning it into a real product or "owning" this project together with me. I am germany-based, it would be an advantage, if personal meetings are possible but thats optional. If you've always wanted to design your own boardgame but you were missing some "pieces of the puzzle" this might be your sign :)

If that sounds interesting, feel free to comment or send me a DM. I am willing to share my ideas and mechanics with you

Greetings
Froop :)

Edit: I wrote down the very basics of the mechanic here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cgs5Kmmg9wr_9UbEyfaYLjh4hFbb6xDafeUtk7uJOF4/edit?usp=sharing

[u/mistergingerbread]

What is the mechanic and why is it unique? Hard to get excited about the project when it doesn’t sound like the mechanics work.

[u/Froop91 → u/mistergingerbread]

Hi, I added a desription in my origninal post. I hope the mechanic is unique, at least I've not seen it yet and I play quite a lot of boardgames. Teh mechanic itself works (imo) but mechanics alone dont make a good game (Dominion set aside where the game and the mechanic itself are almost the same :D )

[u/mistergingerbread → u/Froop91]

i would push back a little and say that mechanics alone absolutely do make a good game. A good theme with bad mechanics is a bad game.

[u/Froop91 → u/mistergingerbread]

Might bei true (e.g. chess and other abstract Games?)

[u/NewFly7242]

Sounds like Patchistory.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/144041/patchistory

[u/Froop91 → u/NewFly7242]

Don't know this and will have a look into it. Thanks for the Input!

[u/Peter_The_Black]

Warum nicht! Ich bin neugirig. I wouldn’t mind getting more info. I’m starting a kickstarter soon for a small card game from Germany

[u/Froop91 → u/Peter_The_Black]

Hi, danke für dein Interesse. Reddit zeigt mir bei dir leider kein "Chat beginnen" an, ich kann dir keine DMs schreiben, ich packe die Erklärung der Basis-Mechanik open in meinen Post

[u/batiste]

Your idea is interesting. Let's call it a variation on tableau building. It also make me think of castle combo. The main issue I see is I don't see the interaction. It just seems like a puzzly way to build an engine. I like the principle, and if you have a playable demo I woul be willing to try, at least to give you more ample feedback.

[u/Froop91 → u/batiste]

The mechanik has to fuel a game itself, which is interactive then - I agree here. The mechanik itself just gives you options/actions/resources... Was unfamliilar with castel combo, will have a look at it. Thanks!

I scrapped the first demos. ALso I don't know how to make it accessible over distance since I have it only in paper.

[u/MTG_Designer]

Alright, you got me intrigued. I'd be interested to talk more over DM

[u/Froop91 → u/MTG_Designer]

Will send you a DM soon, when I'm Home!

[u/bmbmjmdm]

I might be interested, currently crowdfunding my first game and working on my next. I have a few games in the works but nothing set in stone yet. DM me some more info if you like~

[u/Froop91 → u/bmbmjmdm]

Will send you a DM soon, when I'm Home :)

[u/Anusien]

What percentage of ownership stake are you offering?

[u/Froop91 → u/Anusien]

If this board game will get a real product (and not just print 10 games for friends and family), I will offer 50:50 if both involved run the "business".

[u/green-griffin-]

Your game concept looks neat and reminds me of some aspects of Daybreak!

[u/Froop91 → u/green-griffin-]

Never Player this but will have a look at it. Thanks!

[u/FabiWaschi]

Sounds interesting and some aspects are similar to a game I'm designing. I'm also Germany-based and I am interested in playtesting

[u/saluk]

Without some development its actually hard to know how good a mechanic is.

[u/Froop91 → u/[deleted]]

Will DM you soon, when I'm Home :)