IMPORTANT: We’re NOT considering outside game submissions currently. We’ve left the submission portal open so designers can see what our submission process is like, but we aren’t currently evaluating anything submitted. We’ll make an announcement if and when we open the portal again.

We’re looking for mass market games that are fast, fun, friendly, and different

Fast

• It should take no more than 3 minutes to teach. A 7-year-old should be able to grasp the mechanics without struggle. (Tip: rule complexity should target a BGG weight of 1.0 to 1.2).
• Brisk playtime: Games should last under 30 minutes regardless of player count (10–15 minutes for card games). Speed games are quite welcome.
• Zero-friction setup: minimize the time between opening the box and taking the first turn.

Fun & Friendly

• The theme and mechanics should invite people in, feel warm, and drive laughter from the first turns of the first play. Like a party to which everyone’s invited.
• Keep it peppy, not too thinky: players shouldn't be bogged down in thought. Turns should be paced so players never feel stuck.
• Obvious, satisfying choices: keep the number of options on a turn low.
• Engaged downtime: players should have fun when it’s not their turn, through simultaneous play, off-turn actions, or having something entertaining to watch.
• Avoid mechanics that breed resentment.

Different

• This is the hardest one to define, and achieve. Most of our own games so far haven’t, a key reason we’re looking to you.
• There are lots of mechanically original games, but few that create genuinely original and delightful experiences.
• It’s doubly hard to make a game that’s different AND intuitive to mass market customers, especially since nearly all games are unintuitive to them. Novelty must often be deeply married with the familiar to make it work.

Empirically, we’re looking for games non-gamers spontaneously ask to play again after their first play, without prompting. That’s the goal of the guidelines above.

We’re also looking for games that create that kind of experience whether parents and kids are playing together, or just adults.

Other things we look for

• Create a roller coaster: big moments, smaller moments, ups and downs, unexpected turnarounds, surprised yelps and celebratory roars.