advice and suggestions on starting a club or competition

[Rickmorris]

hi all. I have made a few games over the past few years which I love to do as a hobby. I dont want to sell them but want people to play them other than my family. so I want some way to make a bit of money to continue making and advancing. I work full time so its not to make a living off. Id really like to hold competitions now and then in different places. charge a fee to enter the competition which is skill based. have a cool top prize for the winner. it will be hard to win but really fun trying I think lol and open to all. I know what type of insurance id need, I can hold them in community halls , private venues . I dont need a license because it really is skill base, there is three very different games all have to be completed and timed fastest wins. I dont want to get in to details of the games but would people come to something like this ? what entry fee could I charge per player ? i like the idea of going to smaller places where there is not much to do instead of massive cities.

the other which im not keen on is starting some type of game club for people to come along and play my games. just charge an entry fee to come have fun.

any thoughts on this good or bad looking for things ive not thought of. is it just a stupid idea ?

many thanks

Rick

 

[Deleted member 335660]

Well Rick, I like playing chess and out here in Spain it is not easy to get English versions so we decided to sell them through our gift shop and online.

Was not a brilliant success despite all our marketing.

I think it was because people because people either buy games spontaneously or they are geeks and join clubs.

So I would suggest, bearing in mind your lack of time, that I would just try and set up something locally with friends, family and local community and see if it is popular.

My Royal British Legion friends charge £3 to enter a quiz night and promote the point all money goes to charity. They do it in our local pub. So try similar idea and see how it goes.

 

[WaveJumper]

Well Rick, I like playing chess and out here in Spain it is not easy to get English versions so we decided to sell them through our gift shop and online.

Was not a brilliant success despite all our marketing.

I think it was because people because people either buy games spontaneously or they are geeks and join clubs.

So I would suggest, bearing in mind your lack of time, that I would just try and set up something locally with friends, family and local community and see if it is popular.

My Royal British Legion friends charge £3 to enter a quiz night and promote the point all money goes to charity. They do it in our local pub. So try similar idea and see how it goes.

I am probably going to kick myself for asking this ? but whats the difference between Spanish chess and the UK version are you taking about the actual chess pieces themselves

 

[Volopa]

What type of games? Board games or actual physical games?

 

[japancool]

hi all. I have made a few games over the past few years which I love to do as a hobby. I dont want to sell them but want people to play them other than my family. so I want some way to make a bit of money to continue making and advancing. I work full time so its not to make a living off. Id really like to hold competitions now and then in different places. charge a fee to enter the competition which is skill based. have a cool top prize for the winner. it will be hard to win but really fun trying I think lol and open to all. I know what type of insurance id need, I can hold them in community halls , private venues . I dont need a license because it really is skill base, there is three very different games all have to be completed and timed fastest wins. I dont want to get in to details of the games but would people come to something like this ? what entry fee could I charge per player ? i like the idea of going to smaller places where there is not much to do instead of massive cities.

the other which im not keen on is starting some type of game club for people to come along and play my games. just charge an entry fee to come have fun.

any thoughts on this good or bad looking for things ive not thought of. is it just a stupid idea ?

many thanks

Rick

People won't turn up to play games if they're not also playing them at home. You need to get them to people before you can start tournaments, and that costs money.

At a tournament, people won't want to spend an hour or two learning the rules before they can start playing.

Pitch your games to established companies (don't bother with Games Workshop). Don't consider producing them yourself unless you have a lot of money to burn, or else you could try crowdfunding it.

 

[JamaC]

Setting all this up will take a lot of time. Plus Marketing will not as easy as you think

Utilise businesses that already have customers such as pubs, clubs etc and tailor the games to suit the industry

Not sure how you would package it though

 

[Deleted member 335660]

I am probably going to kick myself for asking this ? but whats the difference between Spanish chess and the UK version are you taking about the actual chess pieces themselves

Yes apologies, there is no difference in terms of Chess, I was referring to other games like Monopoly that have English and Spanish versions. Our target audience is English people living in Spain

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I like playing chess and out here in Spain it is not easy to get English versions

Chess has languages?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Chess has languages?

Sorry, wrote the reply on a phone and took a long time to post!

 

[Rickmorris]

There actual physical games that anyone could play from a 12yo to an adult with no learning time needed. it could easily be done in a pub or club. I would like it to be a completion open to everyone. have a prize for the winner of the over 18s and one for the under 18s. I know how id advertise which would get word around in that area which is going to cost.

its not a board game type of thing maybe think of each game as a fun activity/game. there are three different activities to complete each timed to get the winner ?.

my apologies i know I'm not explaining myself that great

 

[Volopa]

If some games have physical elements you might want to consider some sort of public liability insurance.

 

[Rickmorris]

yes with out a doubt ive already looked in to insurance so thats not a problem.

 

[DoolallyTap]

Hobbies cost money so if you do it as a hobby expect to be out of pocket very quickly.