Updated 11 June 2024
This guide is intended to give board game designers an idea of what we're looking for from game submissions in 2024. Most of the time it's a case of "we'll know it when we see it" but we've tried to define what it is we're looking for here as best we can.
In 2024, we can now split the games we're looking for into two categories:
Games suitable for Kickstarter
Bigger box games (mostly)
A variety of components
Potential for deluxification & expansion (so we can offer a good value base game for retail release and a deluxe version for Kickstarter backers)
Euro games
Games not suitable for Kickstarter
Smaller box games (mostly)
Less variety in components.
Party games
Dexterity games
Small card games
Each of these categories is broken down into more detail below (click the arrow to expand or collapse each section) and we have included a section at the end of the blog that applies to all games we're looking for.
1. Games suitable for Kickstarter
Game Themes
For Kickstarter we publish very thematic games. Games that have a strong connection between theme and mechanism are best for us.
What we want
Most themes are fine by us, aside from something completely outlandish, but most of the games we launch on Kickstarter have semi-serious themes. We are particularly interested in:
Fantasy
History with a twist (Alternative history) (also Vikings, Ancient Egypt etc.)
Sci-Fi
What we don't want
Any theme that doesn't suit our publishing line. Any theme that doesn't reflect our values such as Historical colonialism or cultural appropriation (Empire building in a fantasy or sci-fi setting is ok)
Game Mechanisms
Our Kickstarter games usually have a blend of mechanisms, but are innovative in at least 1 or 2 ways. If your game is innovative, we want to hear about it!
What we want
Any mechanisms that are used in modern Euro-style games
Engine building
Multi-use cards
Worker Placement
Area Control*
Set Collection*
*not as the main mechanism of the game but ok as a supporting mechanism
Game Components
For Kickstarter, we like to publish games that have a variety of components. If a game is completely made up of cards, then it won't suit our line. However, on the other end of the spectrum, games that have too many components, or too many types of components, or too many expensive components (such as miniatures) won't work for us either. See our previously published games for an idea of what the "just right" level of variety and quantity are for Kickstarter.
Player Count
We are mostly looking for 1-4 player games.
All submissions MUST play at 2, 3, and 4 players, ideally with the potential to develop a solo mode. There is no maximum size for player count (for example the Pioneer Rails player count is only limited by the number of sheets in the box).
Game Size
Our previous idea was to be a publisher that creates "big games in small boxes" but now we are not so focussed on that and we just want to publish the best games. That said, we are still mostly looking for:
Small box games that are medium weight in complexity (like Isle of Trains: All Aboard, 'Tiny Epic' games, or 'Exit' games).
Medium box games that are medium-heavy weight in complexity (something like Solar Sphere, Bonfire, or The Taverns of Tiefenthal)
Although Solar Storm, Isle of Trains: All Aboard, and Pioneer Rails are all very different games, we'd consider them fitting into the 'Small box games' category.
Solar Sphere and Mutagen both fit into the 'Medium box games' category.
2. Games Not Suitable for Kickstarter
Game Themes
We are open to any theme for our second line of games, but again we don't really like anything completely outlandish.
Game Mechanisms
What we want
As described above, we are open to many types of games in a small box, especially games that are more appealing to gamers who are not 'hobby gamers'. For example:
Party games
Dexterity games
Small card games (trick taking, card shredding, etc.)
Game Components
As explained above, for these games we are looking for less variety in components. Our aim is to have a much cheaper manufacturing cost, and therefore MSRP for mass market games.
Player Count
We are mostly looking for higher player count games, so 3-8 players would be a good range but a minimum of either 2-4 or 3-6 players
Game Size
In the case of non-Kickstarter games, we are looking for something that is between the size of a deck of cards at the smallest and the size of a small box game (like Isle of Trains: All Aboard, 'Tiny Epic' games, or 'Exit' games) at the largest
Applicable to all games
Game Theme
Remember, we're open to retheming games and we always consider this when we get new game submissions. Even if your game isn't a perfect thematic fit, we might be able to think of a new theme that would suit it (and us) better.
However, in some instances a game theme is tied so closely to a mechanism (or mechanisms) that it cannot be changed (such as a game about baseball). If that is the case, and if your theme is one of the following, it won't be a good fit for us:
Themes we don't want
Sports
War
Adult only / mature
Game Mechanisms
In the sections above we described what we want for our Kickstarter and non-Kickstarter games, but here are some things we don't want in any of our games
What we don't want
Games that have mechanisms that are either outdated, don't fit our publishing style, or we don't enjoy personally
Take That
Roll & Move
Abstract games
Trivia games
Social deduction / hidden identity games
Word games
Roll and Write or Flip and Write games
Dungeon Crawler games
Got a game that fits all of the above?
If you've got something that ticks all the boxes, submit your game through our Games Submission Page. We give feedback to all game submissions.
Other notes:
There is no cost to submitting your game to us.
There is no obligation for you to publish your game with us if you submit your game to us.
There is no obligation for us to publish your game if you submit your game to us.
The Dranda Games submissions process may include your game being played by a group of our trusted volunteers who volunteer to playtest game submissions and prototypes in development with us.
We will not share your game submission with anyone that is not part of the Dranda Games submissions process without your permission.
If your submissions is successful, and we choose to publish your game, we would do so on a simple % royalty rate basis of gross sales. We also give an advance on those royalties upon signing the contract. You will also be credited as the game designer in the rulebook and on the game box.
Mark
I have created a board game which relies purely on skill - no dice throwing, no cards and no lucky chance etc. However, it is for 2 players only. The parts are very cost effective - a playing board (say size of a draught board) and 2 sets of 12 playing pieces - either a simple set of two different coloured counters or, to enhance playing appeal and to add a realistic touch to where my idea came from, the pieces could be based on the traditional fairground bumper car; the game is suitable for all ages from say 6 up to adults. I have also invented an Advance level of this game which would involve an interchangeable board…
i have created a game inspired by the classical mononopoly with some major changes and also 5 unique and interesting features integrated.can i submit??thanks