As fascinating as playing a board game is, it is always frustrating after buying a new one and discovering that some components are missing or you notice some errors that can make the game useless or unused.
Despite our excellent human abilities, we’re prone to making mistakes. When it comes to board games, most manufacturing companies put in their best efforts to minimize errors and mistakes, which are proven abortive.
Now the question is, as a manufacturer, how can you avoid board game components missing or prevent the occurrence of common errors to reduce bad reviews from customers and grow your business?
This article will consider the different board game component errors, including the common mistakes to avoid when manufacturing board games and other important information you should know.
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What Are The Types Of Board Game Components Errors?
During production, board game mistakes and errors can manifest in various forms or shapes. Below are some of the standard board game components’ errors and mistakes:
Misprints
Misprints are types of error found in printed artwork or text on the game components. In other words, it can be described as any manufactured product that wasn’t produced as expected and fell outside the expected error margin. This error occurs when printing cards, boards, or rulebooks is incorrect or contains typos, grammatical errors, or missing information.
Some of these errors include incorrect images, grammatical and spelling mistakes. Most times, misprints can cause misunderstanding or confusion for players while playing games.
Duplicate Components
This error occurs when more copies of a particular game card or pieces are included in the game. It can cause imbalances in the Gameplay when some players gain access to additional abilities or resources than intended.
Missing Components
Missing components is the most common error most manufacturing companies do. It involves the essential game components not found in the box. It may refer to the missing dice tokens, cards, and other vital elements required to play the game.
Missing components can significantly affect the Gameplay and force the players to call the manufacturer or the publisher for replacement.
Wrong Shapes Or Sizes
Sometimes, the game components need a different shape or size, which mismatches the desired design. Most times, cards might be larger or smaller than the standard size. This makes it difficult to shuffle or fit in the cardholders and affects the overall gaming experience.
Low-Quality Components
Low-quality components are manufacturing defects, including color discrepancies, damaged pieces, misaligned printing, and so on. These problems can affect the game’s longevity and durability. Most times, low-quality components become unusable or wear out quickly.
Rulebook Errors
Rulebook errors can create ambiguity or confusion concerning how to play the game. This error includes missing rules, contradictory information, and unclear instructions. The fact is, rulebook errors may lead to frustration as well as difficulty in teaching and learning the game.
Packaging Errors
Most companies need to pay more attention to the packaging aspect of production, which can affect product quality. For example, if the box isn’t closing correctly or inadequate protective materials is used, the game components can damage.
Language And Localization Errors
Translation errors or discrepancies between components may cause confusion to the players in multiple-language edition games. This error often obstructs players from understanding the game and hinders the perfect gaming experience.
5 Tips To Avoid Mistakes During Board Game Manufacturing
To ensure a smooth and perfect board game manufacturing process and avoid mistakes, here are five essential tips to put in place:
- Double-Check Artwork and Layouts
Make sure you review all artwork and layouts before sending them for production. Arrange ink jet samples for review, especially for the placement of components, text, and graphics, to avoid any misprints, missing elements, or errors in instruction, which can lead to confusion or negatively impact the gameplay experience.
- Prototyping and Playtesting
Before sending your board game for distribution to the final users, invest time to engage thorough prototypes and conduct extensive playtesting with different groups of players. The playtesting process will help identify missing components, unclear instructions, or gameplay issues.
- Supplier Verification
Working with reputable and experienced manufacturers and suppliers is important to resolve this problem. A reliable vendor can have a record of producing high-quality board games and production processes. Inspection from raw material to prototype samples can significantly reduce potential mistakes.
- Factory Inspection
Make sure you establish complete inspection on prototype samples before bulk production. Before shipment, the finished goods are inspected in the warehouse. However, For important new products, customers can arrange a third-party company to inspect the shipment.
- Customer Service and Support
A successful business must create a smooth and perfect relationship with its customers. Therefore, establish a system to address customer feedback and complaints promptly. If any missing component issues arise post-production, be ready to offer replacements to affected customers.
The Elements Of A Great Game Design
Below are some critical elements of a great game design.
- A great game design should have clear and well-defined objectives and goals for players to achieve.
- It should have constraints and objectives because they work together to form a game’s primary framework.
- It should be able to interact in understandable and unique ways.
- It should be intrinsically competitive. This is why tension would always be kept, even to the final move.
- It has to monitor significant events to ensure that players are engaged continuously.
- The game’s rules should be clear, concise, and straightforward.
- Players should be rewarded for their efforts and skills, whether through gaining new abilities, moving to greater levels, or unlocking new content.
What Materials Are Commonly Used In Board Game Manufacturing?
Board games are made from several materials, each serving a specific purpose in creating the game components. Some of the common materials include:
- Cardstock: Cardstock is commonly used for game cards, boards, player mats, and other components.
- Wood: Wood is mainly used for creating high-quality player pieces, including tokens, game boards, and other components requiring a more tactile feel.
- Plastic: Plastic is used for game components, including custom miniatures, dice, player pieces, and more durable components or interior tray.
- Dice: Dice can be made from several materials, including plastic, wood, resin, acrylic, etc.
- Game Boards: It’s usually mounted on sturdy cardboard, chipboard, matte card with lamination, and others.
- Packaging: Game boxes for packaging are mostly made from sturdy cardboard, paperboard, corrugate materials, and others, which provide a protective container for all the game components.
- Inserts: custom-designed inserts are required for proper organization and storage of the game components. These are mostly made with coated paper or offset paper.
- Rulebooks: A rulebook is one of the essential components of the board game that involves the game’s instructions, rules, and guidelines. It’s mostly made with high-quality offset paper.
What are the standard board game box sizes?
Board game box sizes vary depending on the game components. However, the typical dimensions for standard retail board games are represented in the table below:
| Sizes | inches | cm |
| Small | 5.5 x 7.25 x 1.5 | 14 x 18.4 x 3.8 |
| Medium | 8 x 10.5 x 2 | 20.3 x 26.7 x 5.1 |
| Large | 11.5 x 11.5 x 2.5 | 29.2 x 29.2 x 6.4 |
The above size dimensions are commonly used and differ depending on the complexity and components of the game.
How To Protect Board Game From Being Copied
Intellectual Property (IP) protection is crucial for board game creators. Below are some strategies to help protect your board game:
Copyright: Copyright protection automatically protect the artistic and creative aspects of your game, such as artwork, rulebook, and written content. You can register your game components with the relevant copyright office in your country.
Trademark: Another significant way to protect and make your business unique is to consider trademarking the name and logo of your game to prevent others from using similar branding and prevent confusion from the consumers’ end.
Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs): When sharing your game’s details with playtesters, manufacturers, or potential partners, make sure you have them sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to protect your idea and keep your game’s information confidential.
File For A Patent: A patient may be applicable if your game design includes unique mechanics or innovative technology.
Standard Printing Options Available For Board Games Manufacturing
A board game can be printed through various methods depending on the manufacturers’ and consumers’ design choices, budgets, and aesthetic preferences. Below are the most common printing options:
- Offset Printing
As one of the most quality printing methods offset printing is suitable for large print runs and provides high-quality results with vibrant CMYK colors. It uses printing plates to transfer ink onto paper or cardboard. And it’s an ideal method for game boards, rulebooks, and other components.
- Digital Printing
Digital Printing, generally known as DI printing as an acronym, is a cost-effective printing method for smaller print runs, prototypes, or when frequent editions are required. It offers quick turnaround times and is ideal for cards, tokens, and other components.
- Screen Printing
Screen printing is often used for printing on game components like custom dice, wooden tokens, or plastic player pieces. It provides vibrant colors and good durability.
Although the above are not the only methods for printing board games, they are the most common. However, choosing suitable printing options depends on your game’s design, budget, and desired production quality.
Frequently Asked Question
- How long does board game manufacturing take?
Board game manufacturing time varies depending on the game’s complexity and the manufacturer’s production capacity. However, it takes about 45-50 days for new products, 40 days for repeat order, and 1-2 weeks for the pre-production phase, which involve design finalization, prototyping, and sample approval.
Also, mass production, including printing, cutting, assembling components, and quality control, takes a month interval, while inspection and shipping take one week.
2.How Much Does Board Game Manufacturing Cost?
The cost of board game manufacturing depends on several factors, including:
- Components: The type and quantity of components in your board game will influence the cost. It includes game board cards, tokens, miniatures, dice, etc.
- Quality: The materials and the standard of the products you choose can impact costs.
- Quantity: Larger production runs often result in lower per-unit costs.
- Complexity: Intricate designs, custom components, and unique packaging can increase costs.
- Manufacturer: Different manufacturers have different pricing structures.
Notably, due to the abovementioned factors, a manufacturer should prepare a range of $4,000 to $20,000 for board game manufacturing for one shipment.
3.What Are The Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs) For Board Game Production?
Minimum order quantities vary depending on the manufacturer and the complexity of your game. Generally, MOQs for board game production are about 1000 units. Smaller print runs may be possible but often cost higher production costs per unit. Choosing a manufacturer with lower MOQs benefits first-time creators or those with budget constraints.
- Can Worker Error Be Prevented During Quality Control?
Humans make mistakes, but worker’s error can be minimized during quality control by ensuring that employees are well-trained to perform tasks or use the equipment effectively. Other way includes creating a reliable system, having a regular audit, and encouraging open communication. That fact is, professional and reliable board game manufacturers can avoid errors and make customers satisfied with bulk shipments.
Conclusion
Manufacturing a board game correctly is possible when you work with the proper process and approach. In this article, we can reveal some guidelines you may consider when developing your board game to ensure the process becomes more manageable.
Therefore, make sure you incorporate these approaches for long-term relevance. However, if you need further clarifications or inquiries, please feel free to contact us.
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