A Guide to Kickstarting Your Game

So, you’ve got a killer game idea — the kind that keeps you sketching at midnight and gets your friends hooked every time you pitch it over coffee. 

The only thing standing between your concept and a printed box on someone’s shelf? Funding. 

That’s where Kickstarter comes in. 

However, launching a campaign isn’t just about creating a page and watching the pledges roll in. It takes planning, community, and a solid strategy. The good news? You can absolutely pull it off, and our team at AdMagic is here to help bring your idea to life.

​​What Is Kickstarter?

Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform where creators pitch projects and raise funds from backers who believe in their ideas. For tabletop games, it’s become a go-to launchpad — helping indie creators bring board games, card games, and RPGs to life without needing a big-name publisher.

When a creator sets a funding goal and timeline, backers can pledge money to support the project. If the campaign hits its goal, the funds are collected and the creator moves forward with development and production. 

If it doesn’t, nobody gets charged — it’s all or nothing.

Pros of Using Kickstarter:

  • Creative control: You retain full control over your vision.
  • Community building: Early backers become your biggest fans.
  • Market validation: You’ll know there’s interest before you invest in production.
  • Funding: Probably the most important benefit.

Cons:

  • All-or-nothing model: If you don’t hit your goal, you walk away with nothing.
  • Time-consuming: Managing a campaign is a full-time job.
  • Backer expectations: You’re accountable to a crowd that expects updates and delivery.

Step-by-Step Guide to Launching a Kickstarter Campaign for Your Game

1. Build Your Game Prototype

Before you go live, make sure your game actually works. Playtest it. Break it. Fix it. Then polish the mechanics, rules, and components until it plays smoothly. Even if you don’t have final artwork yet, a clean prototype shows your project has real legs.

2. Do the Math

Get real about your costs. Manufacturing, shipping (especially international), Kickstarter’s cut, taxes, and a buffer for those “surprise” expenses. Your goal needs to be enough to cover everything without being out of reach.

3. Plan Reward Tiers

Start with a base reward (a copy of the game) and build up. Maybe deluxe editions, limited-run art, or behind-the-scenes access. Keep things simple — too many reward options can overwhelm backers, slow down your campaign, and create extra work (and costs) during fulfillment.

4. Create a Killer Kickstarter Page

This is your pitch; tell your story. Why this game? Why now? Why you? Add gameplay breakdowns, player counts, time per session, and eye-catching visuals. Include a short, engaging video that explains your game in a couple of minutes.

5. Build Your Audience Before Launch

Kickstarter success starts before you launch.

Months before you go live, start talking. Use social media, newsletters, Discord groups, and BoardGameGeek forums — wherever your potential players hang out. Collect emails, get feedback, and build hype.

6. Launch and Keep the Momentum

Once your campaign goes live, don’t disappear. Post updates, celebrate milestones, respond to comments, and stay active. A good start helps with Kickstarter’s algorithm and can boost your visibility.

7. End Strong and Prepare to Deliver

As the campaign winds down, remind people it’s their last chance to get in. After it ends, shift into fulfillment mode: finalize your files, start production, and keep your backers updated on timelines.

How AdMagic Helps Bring Your Game to Life

Here’s the part where things can get overwhelming, but also exciting. Your game is funded. Now it’s time to make it real. That’s where AdMagic steps in.

Whether you need custom board games or custom playing card games, or another custom product you have invented, AdMagic knows Kickstarter like few others. We’ve printed everything from Exploding Kittens, the most-backed game in Kickstarter history, and The Magic Puzzle Company, the top-funded puzzle campaign, to small-batch indie decks on tight timelines.

Our team supports creators through manufacturing, packaging, and even rush orders, ensuring you stay on a tight post-campaign timeline.

Here’s how we support Kickstarter campaigns:

  • Game Manufacturing: Board games, card decks, tarot sets — you name it.
  • Artwork Templates: Easy-to-use files to get your designs press-ready.
  • Hands-On Support: Not sure how to start? We walk you through it.
  • Rush Orders: In a time crunch? We’ve got options for that.
  • Kickstarter Expertise: Check out some of our past projects — we’ve done this a few times.

Want to talk timelines or get a quote? Please call us at 1-973-448-1766 or complete our online form.

You’ve Got This

Launching a game on Kickstarter is a wild ride. There’s the rush of creativity, the challenge of logistics, and the thrill of seeing people get fired up about something you made. With the right prep and a partner like AdMagic, you’re launching a product, building a fanbase, and maybe even setting the stage for more games down the line.

Wondering if now’s the right time to start? If you’ve got the idea and the drive, it probably is.

Need help turning your vision into something people can unbox and play? AdMagic is here for it. Let’s make something awesome together.