My first self-published boardgame under the Teich Games brand. It has taken many forms from concept to creation, first starting out as a standard golf and dice game. I have proudly designed and illustrated all game materials without the use of AI.
THE JOURNEY: Proof of CONCEPT
Here we see the first rough draft brought into the digital space. I included the typical hazards associated with real-world golf such as the bunker and water. I even went a step further to differentiate between the fairway and the rough. Each of these course cards would be connected to create a wacky and unique hole.
The objectives for each hole were marked by the flag.
An idea was there, but in reality it felt stale and unwelcoming. It lacked a creative spark that would set my game apart from others on a shelf. So far, the game was just lining up your shot and rolling the dice to see how accurate your ball was, and then wait for your next turn. Rinse and repeat. I wanted to engage the other players while it wasn't their turn so you didn't feel like you were stuck waiting.
Because of this, I knew I needed some fundamental changes to the theme and gameplay of the game. That's right—the two core elements that make up any game needed to go in another direction.
An idea was there, but in reality it felt stale and unwelcoming. It lacked a creative spark that would set my game apart from others on a shelf. So far, the game was just lining up your shot and rolling the dice to see how accurate your ball was, and then wait for your next turn. Rinse and repeat. I wanted to engage the other players while it wasn't their turn so you didn't feel like you were stuck waiting.
Because of this, I knew I needed some fundamental changes to the theme and gameplay of the game. That's right—the two core elements that make up any game needed to go in another direction.
The new world
Welcome to the dungeon! The new, revamped artstyle and game mechanics that took over. Your standard hazards and obstacles went through many drafts of changes and ended up looking like this below.
Now you'll find lava, monsters, and hazards within this dungeon-fantasy golf couse. The world becomes filled with more whimsy and magic—and takes itself less seriously than before.
Dozens of unique and fantastical cards come with the base game of Putt & Peril.
You can choose to play as one of six heroes. Each hero has their own special ability that will affect how you might win the game and/or sabotage your friends.
The next step: Prep for Crowdfunding
I have playtested the game multiple times by this point in the process. I've sent games out to be reviewed and blind-tested by other gamers to gather feedback. Ultimately it culminates in a version of Putt & Peril that feels light and fun for everyone, keeping players engaged the whole time even if it's not their turn! Throughout this process I've been thinking about what to do next to bring it to life. Crowdfunding. And that means lots and lots of marketing.
Creating a crowdfunding campaign includes creating a lot of high-impact graphics. Art that will catch your attention and capture your imagination. I wanted to show off all aspects of the game and show people the value they receive with each copy.
Different banners emphasize the game mechanics and components that make this game a unique experience—unlike anything you've played before!
Advertising
Advertising campaigns are being rolled out to build the pre-launched crowdfunding campaign. I've run a few different types of ads and focused on seperate target audiences with varying degrees of success. I'm interpreting the analytics and conversion rates of each campaign to create more fruitful campaigns in the future.