1. Research and Identify Potential Companies:
* Target Audience: What type of games do you want to produce? Are they family-friendly, strategy-heavy, niche, etc.?
* Company Size: Do you want to go with a smaller indie publisher or a larger, established company?
* Game Focus: Are they known for specific genres (card games, dice games, strategy games, etc.)?
2. Resources to Find Game Production Companies:
* Game Industry Websites:
* BoardGameGeek: Forums and industry news sections often have discussions about publishers.
* Dice Tower: Website and podcast feature interviews with game designers and publishers.
* The Game Crafter: Platform for self-publishing games and connecting with manufacturers.
* Trade Shows and Conventions:
* Gen Con: Major board game convention with publishers and industry professionals.
* Spielwarenmesse (Nuremberg Toy Fair): International toy fair, but with a large board game section.
* Online Directories:
* Game Industry Association: List of members, including publishers.
* BoardGameGeek Publisher Database: Search for companies by genre, location, etc.
* Social Media:
* Follow board game publishers on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
3. Creating Your Pitch:
* Game Concept: Clearly and concisely explain the game's mechanics, theme, and target audience.
* Unique Selling Points: What makes your game stand out from others?
* Prototype: Have a playable prototype ready to demonstrate.
* Market Research: Provide insights into potential sales and target market.
* Financial Projections: Present a budget and potential revenue projections.
4. Making Contact:
* Direct Email: Find the contact information for the company's publishing director or CEO.
* LinkedIn: Reach out to individuals within the company who work in publishing.
* Phone Call: If you can't find contact info, call the company and speak with someone in the publishing department.
5. Follow Up:
* Be Persistent: Follow up with companies if you don't hear back initially.
* Consider Alternative Options: If traditional publishers aren't interested, look into crowdfunding or self-publishing.
Additional Tips:
* Network: Talk to other game designers and attend industry events to get advice and connections.
* Get Feedback: Get feedback from other players and experienced game designers to refine your concept.
* Be Prepared for Rejections: It's common for game designers to face rejection, so don't give up.
By following these steps, you can increase your chances of finding a game production company interested in your board game concept.