Game Submissions

Overview

Submit your game via this form. We will review your game against the criteria below. We will respond within 30 days.

Possible outcomes include:

1. Independent distribution. Not every game is a fit for the Board Game Store, but we encourage developers to share and monetize their projects independently through platforms like itch.io and other distribution channels.
2. Community Game. Your game will be published in the Community Games section of the Board Game Store, making it available for Board players to discover and download free.
3. Board Game. For select titles, Board may pursue a deeper publishing partnership. These games are featured in the Board Game Store and may be monetized. Partnership models could include game-specific Pieces, revenue share, development funding, or acquisition.

Great Games for Board

The criteria below outline the qualities we look for in games that are a strong fit for Board.

Physical meets Digital Magic

The use of Pieces is where we find the most value to players. That moment where players experience a blending of the physical and digital world is where we find true wonder.

• All games require use of physical Pieces.
• Physical Pieces should meaningfully affect gameplay and not simply be tokens.
• Games should acknowledge physical actions clearly (placing a Piece, rotation, sliding, etc). When a Piece is placed on Board, there should always be a reaction.
• Piece interactions should not feel gimmicky. If a finger tap could be better used for an action, use the finger instead (e.g., don’t use a Piece as a stylus).
• Be mindful of the screen. Don’t use Pieces in a way that would damage the screen such as dropping them or slamming them.
• Games are often best with 4-12 Pieces. Each player should regularly use a Piece when playing, but too many Pieces can be overwhelming and cost-prohibitive.

Accessible yet Deep

Games on Board are meant to be played by a wide range of skill sets and age groups. We want games where parents have genuine fun playing with their kids but also have fun playing together as a group of adults.

• New players should be able to start playing quickly.
• No external instructions should be required (PDFs, videos, Discord explanations, etc).
• Rules should be understandable without prior gaming knowledge.
• Games should be appropriate for all audiences. Themes, language, and visuals should be broadly accessible.
• Difficulty should scale or accommodate mixed age groups or skill levels.
• Games should be infinitely replayable or have at least 10+ hours of content.

Unique to Board

The best games on Board are those that could only exist on Board. This means games that would not be possible as traditional video games using a controller or mouse and keyboard but also not possible as a board game with dice and tokens. Ports of existing games without significant changes to account for the unique features of Board do not work.

• Games should follow all the best practices for creating physical meets digital magic.
• Games should use the unique placement of a tabletop screen with players sitting around it. Consider this when designing UIs and interactivity.
• Games should utilize the digital aspect of Board to enforce rules but also do things like simulation or visualization not possible in other games.
• Games should use the Pieces and multitouch to be the most intuitive way for players to control and interact with the game.
• Games should consider the other aspects of the hardware, like the speakers and microphone, and take advantage of them.
• Games should not be direct ports of any existing games, but be truly new and native to Board.

Made to Play Together

We want players to gather around Board together to invest quality time with each other. The goal is to bring people closer, not simply entertain them.

• Design games for 2+ people around one Board, but solo mode is a bonus.
• Allow up to 6 or even unlimited players to play together.
• Encourage conversation and interaction, not heads-down focus.
• Games can last as short as 60 seconds or as long as a few hours. Keep active (lean in) session times short, typically under 8-10 minutes, to ensure players can be social and not too much time is spent leaning over Board.