The entry for the 9-cards design contest went out, lived its life abandoned and died. Without surprise it had no tests and I believe no volunteer assigned. But I don’t think about it – wasn’t it the point? Yes: Get it out. After publication, I received a notification on Board Game Geek from a very nice tester who let me know that he couldn’t access the files. As I was working (like both working on a new design for the other contests and working to eat plus some other things on the side) plus preparing a hackathon for my company, I didn’t see it. I really need to learn how to use the BGG web site but even more I really need to self-motivate: this board game designer stuff is hard. Plus I don’t have the time to write anymore – actually it’s even worse than that as all I can think about is the story of my new design rather than just a story. Anyway the results are out for the first contest I engaged into and I congratulate all participants and the winner (their game won nearly every category). I am patting myself on the back too because self-disqualification shouldn’t be a reason to not appreciate the fact that you were able to try. I pat you in the back too if that helps, Sweetheart.
Obviously one thing to retain is that I should be more present on the forum but also on every communicate channels I engaged into these last months.
So as I was saying I decided to enter several contests and with the aforementioned new design, “Four Tides of Stardust”, I joined two contests (in that order):
They both required a video.
Have you ever “done” a video? Not recording random stuff but like properly “done” a video? It’s hard and you need some time to prepare. I recorded the video for the first design using my phone, on my knees and looking down at the game set up in a red carpet. I had to restrain myself from breathing as my belly pushed my headphones’ chord on the way and I couldn’t get the angle right. And did it about 40 times because I had no text prepared and kept stuttering (English is not my first language as you already know). You can see the last version here and it’s awful. Poor judges.
I recorded the second video with the game setup correctly on my diner table. I used a chair (yes, on the table) and a fold-able laundry drying hanger (yes) to keep the image steady while I recorded game play. I then edited the video using Splice and added the audio after checking the time I took to do certain things, writing down what I will say. It still took me most of my night, I started at 9pm and I finished exhausted at 4am.
This awful but defining moment is here. It’s better than the first one but if you clicked on both link I need to tell you, Pumpkin, that you are a masochist.
The second contest also required a sell sheet. I clearly screwed that up too. The issue is the same: my obvious lack of preparation. I tried to be clever but I cannot really use the tool, Gimp. Good name. Anyway that one is here.
Both contests required a payment of 5 US Dollars and considering the garbage I sent them I fell like I should add ten times that to both my entries, hoping it will help with the medical bills. These poor people.
So here are the insights found when preparing this month’s contests:
- Prepare your video
- Start preparing your video long before the entries deadline
- Learn how to use a video tool
- Have an idea of how it will unfold
- Prepare your visuals
- Prepare your speech
- Separate recording of visuals and of speech
- Join visuals and audio in the video tool you chose
- Prepare your Sell Sheet
- Start preparing your Sell Sheet long before the entries deadline
- Look at other sell sheets for inspiration
- Write your texts early
- Organise the layout early
- Start playing with a graphical tool early
Morality: whatever you plan to do, start early.
Ah… Wisdom.
These Worlds Inside. 