Create Your Own Board Game

Isn't it every kid's dream to invent a board game? Don't you want to be the next Milton Bradley? My younger brother took his Go Fish cards and invented his own game called "Dead Meat." We have been playing this game for years, but are yet to make money off his idea.

Why? Because he has not tried. That can be worked on.

How to Make Money From Your Board Game Idea:

1. You could create the game and charge people to play it. Kind of like renting it out.
2. Make the game and sell it - you could sell it to your friends, on Craigslist, eBay, at a craft show or flea market. This is a great way to test your idea.
3. Pitch your idea to a publisher or board game company. First, you'll need to send them a letter describing your game. If you made lots of sales on steps 1 & 2 above, highlight that in your letter.

Here is a sample submission page from a board game publisher...

YES! We'd love to see your game idea

The kinds of games we're looking for are:

• Stand alone, non-collectible card or board games (expandable is fine)
• Simple components (e.g. chips, dice, pawns)--nothing electronic, no custom molding
• Not dependent upon licensing (e.g. specific book or TV character)

Right now we're focused on "Euro" games, but would certainly consider simple war games that could be marketed to a mainstream audience.

The best games take several revisions or even overhauls, but come out of it stronger. Depending on the development and polishing needed (and how serious/elaborate the game is), new games could be published as soon as 2014. As we ramp up our production, we expect the turnaround time to go down.

Please read this Game Submission Letter and then send an email toideas@cambridgegames.com.

I hope this gets the creative money ideas flowing!