Every human being has his strengths and weaknesses. There is no point of denying that truth, and we are better to find others who can fill the gap of our weaknesses. Of course, that don't mean that board game designer can't have a tremendous talent in world-building, storytelling and character making; however it happens very rarely! And sometimes you might not have enough time to do everything yourself!
So why we want to reach those very talented people?
It's all because we don't want to create something average but something extraordinary! A mixture of a talented designer with a great world creator can strike us with something simply beautiful.
I'm aware that not all games need a unique and complexed storyline and theme. I understand that in abstract games, any theme can work, there's no need for a complexed story behind; however, the storyline definitely will add value. But in some games, the storyline and the whole invented world is real meat. And people will appreciate that little big detail.
Everyone know Jamey's board game Scythe. Jamey started working with Jakub Rozalski to create the game in Jakub's original 1920+ Universum! I'm sure the game would succeed anyway; however, the beautiful world where the game is placed in had a significant impact on popularity! It became not only a board game but a piece of art as well.
So where to start?
Search, search and search! Reach talented people! Most of them are writers. An excellent example of a famous writer and genius world inventor is J. R. R. Tolkien! But you don't have to reach the most famous people! Many smaller authors will be more than happy to work with you. Read their books and see if you love them!
What are we looking for in the author's work?
- Original set up
- Advanced Universum
- Mythology
- Great Stories
- Interesting Characters
- Details
- And all the geeky stuff!
Show them respect
Please, always respect those creative people and their hard work! Some of them spent all their lives working on their amazing world, writing complex mythology and all other stuff.
If you like someone's invited world, don't expect to and ask the author if you can use his work for free! I'm not even explaining why; it's common sense to pay someone for his hard work, time, talent and dedication!
If you feel that the authors work is not for you, that doesn't mean it's bad! Don't go around criticising him and what he has created everywhere you can! It's wrong! However, you can personally suggest them where you see room for improvement.
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Who's you favourite author, writer or artist? Which Universum you would like to see in a board game?
