Watch this BEFORE submitting your board game to the Cardboard Edison Award

[@PamWallsGameDesign]

Do you think you’ll submit your game for the Cardboard Edison Award?

[@doubleante]

Thanks for all the judging work, Pam! I'm excited for any feedback I get from the judges. The finalists getting unguided playtesting is an amazing perk that I hadn't considered completely. I can only cross my fingers.

[@PamWallsGameDesign]

Thank you! And best of luck 🤞

[@padmewan]

Thank you and all the judges foe your hard work! It sounds like tou each evaluated over THIRTY games each! That's crazy!!!

[@PamWallsGameDesign]

You’re welcome and thanks for the acknowledgment :)

[@williamangus7229]

great video! I think the #1 one suggestion for anyone submitting is to blind playtest it multiple times on your own. After all, if you submit and it makes it to round two, that's exactly whats going to happen anyway. Blind playtesting is a bullet proof way to learn exactly how good or bad your rules are. I always say that *creating* rules (mechanics, process) is one skill, but effectively *communicating* them to the player is entirely different. this is one reason I did not submit to CE last month. I knew my game could not stand up to a blind playtest. I also was debating major changes to it too. and yes I could've submitted anyway but what you said about how you don't want to read a 20 page unclear rulebook in round one any more than round two.

[@PamWallsGameDesign]

Yes if you can run unguided playtests before submitting, that is ideal! I agree you learn a lot about what is unclear in your rules/gameplay when you aren’t there to clarify things to playtesters.

[@agauger28]

Cool, I didn't really know much about this. I'll have to pay attention for next year!

[@rileymcphee9429]

I'm tempted to submit a second rulebook with all of the issues she pointed out in this video. Just as a "Hi Pam!" sort of thing ❤

[@PamWallsGameDesign]

Ultimate troll move 😆

[@VegasWayneW]

I'm looking forward to the follow-up or mention in the newsletter to see if your #1 game was selected as the winner or not. Regarding the microphone, I didn't think your previous videos had an audio problem. I did find it distracting to have the large mic in front of you though.

[@PamWallsGameDesign]

That’s a good idea! I’ll plan to do a follow up once the winner has been announced. And yes I agree it is distracting having the mic in front of me like that and I need to have it close so it picks up my voice. I got a wireless mic and will use that for my next video so let me know if that looks/sounds better!

[@christopherpeel1308]

Thanks for these videos, they are great! I have a game that is playtesting super well right now. It’s a co-op game where players take actions as quick as they like without having any “turns.” However the theme is players are stranded on a deserted island and need to escape it. I know this is not an original theme, and if 1/3 of score is based off originality of theme, would you recommend taking the mechanics and putting a more original theme on it? I like the island because it is intuitive for people what they should probably do (build shelter, campfire, get food etc). Thanks again!

[@PamWallsGameDesign]

I would definitely consider a different theme or a twist on the deserted island trope so that your game can stand out from other deserted island games. But, if your gameplay is solid and you are getting very positive feedback, then I would maybe pitch it to publishers as is and see if any are interested as is or if they would want you to re-theme. If your plan is to self publish, I would definitely consider trying to make your theme really stand out from others.

[@travisbuschette8609]

Okay, gotta start preparing now for next year's contest!

[@PamWallsGameDesign]

That should be enough time 😅

[@doubleante]

I'm no audiophile but thumbs up on the audio.

[@PamWallsGameDesign]

Awesome, thanks! I got a wireless mic as well for my next video, let me know if that sounds/looks better!

[@goodknightmoon7733]

Didn't notice the audio, so that typically means it's good. 😎👍

[@PamWallsGameDesign]

Yesssssssssssss

[@asura899]

I checked out the site of the edison awards and was surprised that there are so many judges 😮 You are the only one which I know 😅 How many games are judged in one year?

[@PamWallsGameDesign]

I'm not sure exactly but I believe it's in the hundreds.

[@StuffByBez]

250 last year, 339 this year.

[@asura899]

@@StuffByBez Wow that is a lot. Thanks for the information ;)

[@StuffByBez]

@@asura899 You're welcome. 🙂