DISCOVER HOW TO FINALLY GET YOUR BOARD GAME PUBLISHED

  • Create a game that publishers will be lining up to try
  • Discover the steps pros use to get their games signed 
  • Finally become a published game designer

You're thinking:

"There are hundreds of publishers out there, all of them looking for the next hit game… So why won’t any of them return my emails?!”

EVERYBODY ELSE'S GAMES ARE GETTING PUBLISHED NOW IT'S YOUR TURN

Are you frustrated seeing more and more games coming out, but you can’t find a publisher for your own game?  

These other designers must be doing something that you’re not.  

You’re constantly asking yourself…

  • Am I reaching out to the right publishers? 
  • Are they even reading my emails? 
  • What does it take to set up just one meeting? 
  • Why won’t somebody publish my game?!?!

If you are randomly sending cold emails to publishers who’ve never heard of you, there are better ways to get their attention.

Sure, You could spend $33,568 on a 4-year degree in Wilfrid Laurier's Game Design and Development Program, but you don't have to.

If only you had some extra help and support…  

I want to share with you how I’ve been so successful in getting multiple games signed with different publishers so that you can get your games signed, too.

Jamey Stegmaier

“Without a doubt, if I had read Joe’s book back in 1989, it would have accelerated my progress and potential as a game designer by decades.”

-Jamey Stegmaier Designer of Scythe, one of the top 10 board games of all time.

NEVER STRUGGLE TO FIND THE RIGHT PUBLISHER FOR YOUR GAMES AGAIN

The Creation to Publication Program was created to help game designers just like you finish their game and find a publisher.

There’s no more guesswork.

The Creation to Publication Program will...

  • Help you find the perfect publisher for your game 
  • Give you the confidence to reach out to that publisher and get a response
  • Provide you with the tools you need to build strong relationships in the industry that will help you for years to come

I’ll guide you down the right path. And, I will be with you every step of the way.

AFTER DESIGNING GAMES FOR 15 YEARS, DANNY FINALLY HAD 2 OF HIS GAMES PUBLISHED WITHIN A YEAR OF PARTICIPATING IN THE CREATION TO PUBLICATION PROGRAM

"Joe Slack's course gives you an opportunity to pick the brain of an industry insider as well as the other pupils. I highly recommend the course. Joe improved my games, and also helped me place them by suggesting four publishers."

-Danny Goodisman Creation to Publication Program Student

Can't get your foot in the door with a publisher?

Does the whole process feel daunting to you?

YOU CAN GET YOUR GAME SIGNED WITH A PUBLISHER


I CAN HELP

Hi, my name is Joe Slack.  

I've been designing board games since 2014 and I have helped over 4,000 game designers just like you. For years I have been helping game designers hone their skills and achieve their goals.

  • I wrote the #1 international best-selling book "The Board Game Designer's Guide"  
  • I have taught Game Design and Development at Wilfrid Laurier University  
  • I created and run an online Board Game Design Course, which has been taken by over 100 students  
  • I have 6 published games, including 4 with other publishers

A little more about me and my game design experience:  

4 GAMES PUBLISHED WITH ESTABLISHED PUBLISHERS

  • Zoo Year’s Eve
  • Kingdom's Candy: Monsters
  • Four Word Thinking
  • King of Indecision

SUCCESSFUL KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGNS

My game, Relics of Rajavihara, not only funded in just 4 hours but it also raised 663% of the original goal.

The expansion campaign in 2021 reached 1,634% of it's funding goal.

BEST SELLING AUTHOR ON BOARD GAME DESIGN

4 books on board game design - 1 international best-seller and 2 other #1 new releases.

The Board Game Designer's Guide

The Top 10 Mistakes New Board Game Designers Make (and How to Avoid Them)

The Board Game Designer's Guide to Getting Published

The Board Game Designer's Guide to Careers in the Industry


Some people are natural game designers. Some people are natural teachers. Learn from someone who is recognized as both.  

I've helped many other designers turn good games into great games and get them signed with publishers. I want to help you do the same.  

HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE AMAZING PUBLISHERS I HAVE WORKED WITH:

“The course really helped me understand the process involved in designing a board game. Joe is a great instructor. He is able to ask probing questions that help to draw out answers so he can assist you with your game design.”

-David Neal Board Game Design Course student

he Board Game Design Course Creation to Publication Program

GET NOTIFIED

JOIN THE WAITLIST NOW!

ENROLLMENT FOR THE CREATION TO PUBLICATION PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY CLOSED

JOIN THE WAITLIST TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN ENROLLMENT IS OPEN AGAIN... I'LL EVEN SEND YOU MY FREE PITCHING TO PUBLISHERS CHECKLIST!

"The course was helpful in creating a support system for me. It created a community of fellow designers that were experiencing the same difficulties that I was having. I have already recommended the Board Game Design Course to others getting into game design."

-Chris Cormier Board Game Design Course Student

WHAT WILL YOU GET WITH THE PROGRAM

Here is exactly what you will get when you join the Creation to Publication Program:

THE CREATION TO PUBLICATION PROGRAM

A pre-recorded group training and coaching program led by me that will walk you step-by-step through the process of turning your game into a product that publishers will be lining up for

A STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

8 weeks worth of content, covering everything publishers want and how to get your game signed

WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE

Take the course at your own pace, covering the material as quickly or as slowly as you like

LIFETIME ACCESS

Lifetime access to all the video lessons and resources

MEMBERS-ONLY COMMUNITY

8 weeks of access to the Private Members-Only Community, including twice-monthly group calls to answer all of your questions

TAILORED CONTENT

Content is tailored to you, answering any questions you have

EXPERT GUIDANCE

Expert advice and guidance throughout the program from an experienced board game designer and instructor

ENROLLMENT FOR THE CREATION TO PUBLICATION PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY CLOSED

JOIN THE WAITLIST TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN ENROLLMENT IS OPEN AGAIN... I'LL EVEN SEND YOU MY FREE PITCHING TO PUBLISHERS CHECKLIST!

JOIN THE WAITLIST NOW!

HERE ARE LESSONS WE'LL BE COVERING IN THE PROGRAM

01

GETTING NOTICED

We start things off in Lesson 1 learning how to make sure your game will stand out in today's crowded market.

02

WHAT A PUBLISHER WANTS

Lesson 2 helps you understand what publishers are looking for in new games and how to apply this to your design.

03

YOUR RULES & YOUR PITCH

Lesson 3 is all about writing your game's rules and developing a pitch.

04

SELL SHEET & VIDEO

In Lesson 4 we will focus on creating a killer Sell Sheet and an Overview Video for your game.

05

FIND THE RIGHT PUBLISHER

Lesson 5 focuses on publishers. How to find the right one for your game and, just as important, how to avoid the WRONG one.

06

USING YOUR PITCH

In Lesson 6 we will go over where and how to pitch your game to publishers effectively.

07

CONTRACTS

Lesson 7 deals with contracts and more specifically about how to not get royally screwed over on them.

08

YOU'RE SIGNED

Congratulations! Now what? You think you're all done once your game is signed, but you're not quite done yet!

The Ripped-Up Legacy Card Guarantee

THERE IS ZERO RISK TO YOU!

I’m so confident that you’ll love The Creation to Publication Program and will be able to improve your game and find a publisher that I stand behind it 100% with my Ripped-Up Legacy Card Guarantee.  

If you try out the program and decide it's not right for you, take the receipt and rip it up like a card in a legacy game and I’ll give you all your money back. You have a full 30 days from the start of the course for a full refund.

I want everyone who joins the program to be confident and excited to be able to finish their game and pitch it to the right publishers, and if you’re not, please let me know. 

I’m happy to refund your money if the program isn’t right for you. No hard feelings. ☺

BUT DON'T JUST TAKE IT FROM ME

HERE IS WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID 

I would definitely recommend working with Joe. He has a lot of experience to share.”

- Amelie Le-Roche, Mentoring Program Student

“In board game design, there's a limit to how much you can learn just from reading books and blogs; Joe has a firm grasp on industry trends, important networks to follow, and knows what it takes to get a game published.” 

- Patrick Hardy, Mentoring Program Student

"Joe really cares and wants to help. He is fully genuine in wanting everyone to succeed. He is constantly putting out content and the course continues to get better. Wherever you are on the journey, I know you’ll benefit from Joe's experience."

- Neal Baker, Board Game Design Course Student

"When it comes to teaching, Joe is a natural communicator. Apart from being an amazing communicator, he is a listener, which in my opinion is an essential asset in problem-solving and game design."

- Sylvain Plante, Game Designer

“It doesn't matter if you’re working on game number 1 or game number 100. Joe takes you through all the steps so you don't miss anything."

- Juan Becerril, Telomander Games

Know when your game is ready and...

LEARN HOW TO PITCH YOUR BOARD GAME TO THE RIGHT PUBLISHER EFFECTIVELY

The Creation to Publication Program will help you to pitch to the right publishers, which will also save you a ton of time and frustration. You'll also discover how to build strong relationships with every publisher you meet.  

It’s not just about the game you’re pitching today, it’s also about the game you’ll be pitching a year from now. I understand the power of relationships and how to leverage board game networks to get games signed with publishers.  

I’ll show you how to figure out the hook for your game and come up with an effective elevator pitch.  

You’ll also discover how to design a sell sheet and pitch video that will have publishers salivating.  

The Creation to Publication Program can help you turn a publisher’s response from “I’ll pass” to “I want to sign this game NOW! 

AVOID THE DANGEROUS CONTRACT MISTAKES MOST NEW DESIGNERS MAKE

Wouldn’t it be amazing to see your game on the store shelf with your name right there on the box?

Picking up your game box, you'll finally realize all your hard work has come to fruition. Watching other people introduce your game to their friends and have an amazing time, then those friends immediately heading to their game store to get a copy of their own. 

Now, how would it feel if you got ripped off? If the publisher took advantage of your inexperience? And now, they own the rights not only to this game but every other game you create in the future.  

Many new designers are so eager to get that first game published, that they’ll sign just about anything put in front of them. And that’s where their game design journey ends. After they realize they’ve made a horrible mistake, and there’s no turning back.  

I won’t let this happen to you.  

I’ve seen a lot of contracts. Both bad and good.

While most publishers are honest, wonderful people, it could take one bad experience to turn you off of designing great games for good.

In The Creation to Publication Program, I’ll show you exactly what to look for and what to avoid, along with how to earn more from your game with one simple request that most publishers don’t bat an eye at, yet many designers simply overlook.  

"I feel my game has gotten closer to publication and when it comes to pitching it, I know I can apply the knowledge I gained from Joe. I would highly recommend Joe, as he is easy to work with and can help with many different aspects of your design process."

-Adam Leamey Mentorship Program Student

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can I pay?

You can pay by any major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, etc.) or by PayPal.

What makes the Creation to Publication Program different?

Not only is the program taught by an actual game designer who has also taught and written 3 books on game design, but it's also the only program that includes a membership community, group coaching calls and bonus live material and reviews of your pitch and sell sheet. I don't just hand you the materials and say "good luck", I walk you through everything step-by-step and I am involved the whole way through, helping you every step of the way.

What if I have a weird schedule?

Don’t worry! All the material is pre-recorded, so you can take the course at your own pace, whenever you have the time. Plus, you can always ask your questions in advance and have them answered on the call, even if you can’t make it live.  

Is there a guarantee if I don't like the course or change my mind?

Yes! I’m so confident that you’ll love the course and will be able to create your own game that I stand behind it 100% with my Ripped-Up Legacy Card Guarantee. You'll find all the details above.

What stage should my game be at when I join?

To get the most out of the course, you should have a working prototype of your game and basic knowledge of games and mechanics. Still, anyone who is interested in having their game published one day will gain a huge benefit from the program. Plus, you'll have access for life, so you can always return to the program anytime. If you're still not sure and you have any questions, please email me: joe@boardgamedesigncourse.com

What if I get to busy during the program and have to stop?

No problem! You'll get unlimited LIFETIME ACCESS to all the videos and resources in the program. So, the program will still be here for you when you're ready.

he Board Game Design Course Creation to Publication Program

ENROLLMENT FOR THE CREATION TO PUBLICATION PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY CLOSED

JOIN THE WAITLIST TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN ENROLLMENT IS OPEN AGAIN... I'LL EVEN SEND YOU MY FREE PITCHING TO PUBLISHERS CHECKLIST!