Designing a published board game from concept to launch

My process began by defining the core fundamentals of the game, including its target market, game size, and complexity, to ensure it would be commercially viable. 

I then collaborated closely with an illustrator to establish a unified creative vision for the product. By using mood boards and design references, we developed a unique and compelling art style that would stand out and resonate with the target audience.

I led an extensive playtesting and iteration cycle, starting with low-fidelity prototypes to allow for rapid adjustments to the core mechanics. This allowed me to quickly balance the gameplay and ensure it was both fun and easy to learn while also offering meaningful player strategy. 

As the design matured, I moved to higher-fidelity prototypes for blind playtesting with anonymous groups, which provided invaluable, unbiased feedback and validated the game's market readiness.

With the game refined and polished, I created a professional pitch deck and sell sheet detailing the gameplay, target market, and manufacturing costs. These materials were crucial for generating interest and securing meetings with key industry figures. 

The effort culminated at the UK Boardgames Expo, where I gave a live demo to Explosm and successfully landed a publishing deal.