Boda Games Manufacturing

July 23, 2020 In Boda Games, Design

History of 3 Boda Games Meeples – Part III

The final member to be introduced in our history of the 3 Boda Games meeples is Shenlong the dragon meeple. Unlike the other 2 meeples we’ve discussed, Shenlong is not in our newest version of the sample box. But he was in the previous one, so a lot of you have already seen him! Shenlong was a favorite around the office when we first made him, and has some really cool details. The inspiration came from traditional Chinese paintings, where dragons are often depicted. Then we started brainstorming, how can we do something cool and different with the design of this meeple? In the first part of the history of the 3 Boda Games meeples, we introduced you to our artist meeple. There, we also explained the wood cutting process of meeples. A long piece of wood is cut into a shape, and then the meeples are “sliced” off from the wooden stick. This is a common method for manufacturing wooden meeples and it gives great results, particularly for smaller and more traditional shaped meeples. But, actually there is another way to make wooden meeples. This time, each individual piece of wood is cut out from a flat plank of wood, one at...

July 16, 2020 In Boda Games, Design

History of 3 Boda Games Meeples – Part II

We started our ancient China illustration themes with the large walled city illustration that you have seen at a convention, on our website on the home page or on Instagram. One of the many things that made it so much fun to work on was that we did our very best to hide small details and easter eggs in there wherever possible. We particularly liked the small yet cute meeple dog we hid in there, that we have since named Xiaogou. After getting great feedback from our own staff as well as our customers, we decided to turn Xiaogou into one of the meeples for our latest sample box. A silk screen meeple to be precise. For this meeple, we decided to make it using a silk-screening process. With silk-screening, you can print multiple colors and shapes on top of the meeple, allowing for a very detailed design. In the case of Xiaogou, we wanted to capture the playful nature of the dog with the tongue hanging out and the happy eyes as well as show off the different colors of fur he has. The first thing you need to do is create the overall shape of the wooden piece that will...

June 29, 2020 In Conventions, Kickstarter

Kickstarter Do’s and Don’ts #2

Last month we kicked off the Kickstarter Do's and don'ts series with the KICKSTARTER DO’S AND DON’TS #1. This time we are picking up where we left off and sharing some more of our experiences. As we are a board game manufacturing company, we tend to see things from the other side of the table. As board game enthusiasts ourselves we have of course also experienced a Kickstarter as a backer. Some of our staff has even ran a Kickstarter themselves for one of their private projects. But overall, the vast majority of our experience comes from the manufacturing side. So without further ado, Boda Games will show you some of the do's and don'ts that we've observed over the years. DO: Discuss your components with your account manager! Last time we discussed getting an itemized quotation. With an itemized quotation, you can tweak your project and make configurations with different components. Maybe you find that the price of the game is a bit higher than you were aiming for, or you find out that all those special finishes on different paper components do add up quite a bit. And you had a certain manufacturing cost in mind. A price that lets you...

June 23, 2020 In Boda Games, Pre Production

History of 3 Boda Games Meeples – Part I

Meeples: as part of our artwork guidelines, this time we will explain the process behind making wooden meeples. Without a doubt the most iconic piece for board games, meeples are a staple of the board game industry. So how to best explain making wooden meeples? This time we are changing it up a bit. Instead of just describing every step in a boring way, we will show it! For our latest version of the sample box, we also had a number of meeples made just for us. So we will take 3 of the meeples that we created for our sample box, and explain the entire process we went through when designing these meeples. The things to pay attention to design wise, the different ways we can produce meeples and how it changes the way they look when finished: we’ll tell you everything. The Painter meeple - a laser engraved meeple. The first meeple we will introduce is our Painter meeple. Keeping with our ancient China theme, we planned for this meeple to look like a traditional Chinese Painter. We took the classic meeple shape that everyone knows and loves, and started to modify it to make it look more traditional Chinese...

June 1, 2020 In Boda Games, Kickstarter

Interview with Mothership designer Peter Sanderson

Peter Sanderson, the designer of the hit game Mothership that combines miniatures, strategy and dice games into one, took some time out of his busy schedule to talk with us. Well into the final stretch of the campaign for the 2nd edition of Mothership 2nd Edition Kickstarter, Peter shared with us some of his experiences, learning moments and other things to pay attention to when running a Kickstarter. - This is the 3rd Kickstarter campaign you’re running for Mothership, first of all congratulations! What would be the biggest lesson you’ve learned over the course of these campaigns? Peter: Thank you! I've learnt so many lessons over the course of these 3 campaigns (plus one failed!). But to narrow it down, these come to mind: 1. Have a good, well playtested game 2. Present the Kickstarter well 3. Love your backers That last one is really important. Kickstarter is a community, not a store. The backers on kickstarter are giving you their hard earned money because they believe in your game. You need to show them love and appreciation back. - A lot of publishers that run Kickstarter campaigns name the backers as one of the most fulfilling albeit it challenging parts of the process. Any fun...

May 25, 2020 In Boda Games, Kickstarter

Kickstarter Do’s and Don’ts #1

So you’re running a Kickstarter campaign for your next board game! Those are some exciting times. You’ve probably been scouring the internet. Trying to get any and all advice you can get on how to run a successful campaign. The good news is, Kickstarter is huge. HUGE. So there is plenty of advice to go around. A lot of veterans are sharing their experiences online. The downside? Most of it is from the same perspective. At Boda Games, we’ve been through our fair share of Kickstarters. We remember when our very first customer told us “I’m trying this thing called Kickstarter.” However, we are not game designers. Nor are we publishers. We are a board game manufacturing company. We make board games. And together with all of you, and with a little bit of help from Kickstarter, that is what we are here to do. So allow us to tap into some of our experiences and share a few do’s and don’ts with all of you. Here are some do’s and don’ts for Kickstarters that we have gathered over the past few year. But from a manufacturing point of view. DO: When you run a Kickstarter, you will set up stretch goals. Heck,...

April 26, 2020 In Boda Games

Boda Games hosts online seminar Tuesday 28th 19:00 EST

Boda Games hosts an online seminar this Tuesday the 28th, starting at 19:00 EST. At boda games we are always excited to partake in events related to the board game industry. Usually these events will be at conventions. Panels, presentations, contests and other events. So when we were asked if we wanted to talk about board game manufacturing, we said yes without second thought. Because we love talking about board game manufacturing! It’s our bread and butter, it’s what we do every day from early morning until late at night. Unless we are at a convention, talking to publishers about it. Unfortunately right now, it is difficult for anyone to attend conventions. The whole world is restraining themselves from going outside and gathering in groups. So we have to get creative and find different ways to connect with each other. And one way to do that, is by organizing an online version of a convention! When the people from EESPEAKS explained the concept, we were intrigued. Although it is our first time, we are excited to be part of an online presentation. What will the seminar cover? Our director and one of the most knowledgeable people about board game manufacturing, Jeff Zhou, will do...

April 21, 2020 In Uncategorized

Box Markings and Labels for Board Games

A board game or a card game needs to have the right markings on the outside of the box. Some of these markings are mandated by law, such as health related matters. Other markings are for stores and retailers their benefit. And some of these markings are for potential buyers of your game! What's important to remember is, all markings serve a purpose. Not all of them, however, are compulsory. Then, which markings are necessary for your box? This depends on a few things. Kickstarter or retail? First of all, Kickstarter has disrupted the traditional way to publish a game. Not all published board games will be sold in retail stores. A game that isn't sold it in retail requires fewer markings than one that is meant to be sold in retail. Be sure to check the specific regulations and rules of the country / region that you are planning to sell your game in. For example, once at Essen Spiel publishers were taken by surprise when convention staff visited their booths. And informed them that all games sold at the convention must have an address printed on the box for contact purposes. What markings are often on game boxes? All games need a...

Boda Games Manufacturing Chinese New Year 2020

January 23, 2020 In Boda Games

Boda Games Chinese New Year break 2020

Boda Games Chinese New Year break 2020. Even meeples need a break every now and then! So last week all our factory meeples took a well deserved break. They put the figurative and literal dice down, halted the production machine. And travelled home to spend some time with their family and loved ones. Far away from the hustle and bustle of games manufacturing. Until next month, when everyone comes back recharged and ready to go! And at the end of this week, our office meeples are also finally getting the rest they need! Except for a few of us, who are flying out to Nuremberg early next week for the Spielwarenmesse 2020. So when you see us in Nuremberg, come say hi and we will gladly wish you and everyone else a happy Chinese New Year! Xīn Nián Kuài Lè! To summarize: • Our factory will halt production from January 15 until February 10. • Our sales office will be out of office from January 24 until January 30. But of course we will always be available for urgent matters! But please give us a bit more time than usual to get back to you. ...

Boda Games Nuremberg 2020 Spielwarenmesse Convention

January 20, 2020 In Conventions

Boda Games at the Spielwarenmesse 2020

Boda Games will be at the Nuremberg Spielwarenmesse 2020! Time to kick off a new year in the board game industry. Our first event on the list takes us to Germany. To the lovely city of Nuremberg to be exact, where once again the Nuremberg Spielwarenmesse 2020 will be held. Spanning over a number of different halls, this B2B convention is one not to miss! January 29 until February 2nd 2020 Boda Games will be at the Nuremberg Spielwarenmesse 2020. If you're joining us in Nuremberg, let us know as we would love to catch up and discussing your latest projects. Not familiar with the Nuremberg Spielwarenmesse exhibition? Here is what their website says: "Experience the Spirit of Play at the key meeting point for the toy industry. As the largest and most important event of the year, the toy fair in Nuremberg brings together all international decision-makers. Well-known brands, trendy start-ups, buyers for major chains, independent retailers and large numbers of media representatives combine to make the Spielwarenmesse® a unique event for all players in the toys and games market." Can't make it to the Nuremberg Spielwarenmesse in Germany this year? No worries, Boda Games attends conventions all around the world. So if...