If you have ever bought a board game, you might have wondered why such a tiny asset’s price was so high. For starters, most of them are produced by small publishers, and the components used are custom, so the production costs are usually high. Moreover, each board game has a unique assembly, storage and distribution process. So, the main question is, why are board games so expensive?
Apart from these, several other factors dictate the price tag of a board game. Below are examples of the key ones.
The Development Process
When creating a board game, there are several steps involved. Many people might have an idea of the developing process, but much must be done before the game earns a playable format. Professional game developers take about a year to develop and launch a game to the market. The development process begins with polishing the idea and mechanics. The process involves creating a game sample and getting people to test it. If it happens that they break the game, it has to be redesigned from scratch. This process goes on over and over until perfect results are achieved.
After the first successful attempt, the developers expand the process so that more people sample the game. If it goes well, they create the final prototype. When the prototype is ready, they harmonise funds and resources to print a run-of-the-board game. Once the game has been created and printed, they have to market it so people can buy it. Remember, this requires a team of game designers, editors, copywriters, artists and testers. All through these processes, the developers spend countless times and money, so they have to compensate for this through the game’s market.
Type of Materials Needed
Smaller games that rely solely on a deck of cards are far less pricey to produce than those that include a board and numerous custom pieces. In short, the nicer the game, the higher the material costs, which translates to a high market price.
The production costs of a board game are higher if the pieces are non-standard. Most developers prefer creating games that have more unique pieces to stand out. Using the pieces, unique cards, and board specifics contributes to the enjoyment of those playing the games. These features you enjoy in such games raise the final price.
The Number of Components Used
Each game is unique and requires special components to make it complete. For example, some games, such as monopoly, have few components; hence they are cheaper. If you have ever come across games with metallic player pieces, they are pricey because they are custom designs. Apart from metal components, the others are cheaper to print, especially if it’s paper and a deck of cards.
On the contrary, other games like World in Flames are costly because the components required are diverse and take time to assemble – this one has over 1000 pieces! Some of the game’s components have special features such as stickers, seal boxes and envelopes. So, you can imagine how much expenditure was used during the developing and production stages. Additionally, the more components a game has, the heavier it is, and the shipping costs will go high.
Size of the Target Audience
Although most games are high-priced, some can be quite affordable. A good example of such games would be Santorini. It’s a fun game with high-quality components, yet it’s reasonably priced. Since the game isn’t complicated, it has a broad appeal among people. For this reason, such a game is workable at a lower price. On the other hand, a game like Gloomhaven is complex due to its extensive number of components. Therefore, it doesn’t appeal to most people, and only a few gamers play it. As a result, it’s highly priced.
Purchasing a Board Game as a Single Item
Another factor contributing to the costly price of the games is a single purchase. The developers don’t expect a single person to buy more than one game. Therefore, they have to set a sale price to create a reasonable profit margin. Typically, publishers don’t expect return business although the trend of offering expansions is changing this over time. Disney’s Villainous, for example, currently has 5 expansions to the Core game.
So, Why are Board Games So Expensive?
These games are so pricey because game publishers have spent huge amounts of money to produce the game. You might pay $50 or $100 on a board game, and this is because the company had to incur some costs that weren’t cheap. In reality, the price of self-publishing a game can range from $3,000 the basic card games to more than $20,000 for complex ones. So, one way or the other, the game companies have to get back that money, which can only happen by setting reasonable prices.
Are they Worth Investing In?
Even though such games are high-priced, they are worth spending your money on. Now that you understand the development process and the amount of money involved, you might have changed your mind about why the prices are high. At the end of the day, the producers of these games want you to have fun, so it’s not an exploitation scheme. Here are several reasons why getting a quality board game is worth it:
• You only incur a one-time fee – Once you purchase a board game, it doesn’t require you to pay any maintenance or repair fees. You get to play the game as often as you like, and nothing can stop you.
• Have Fun with Friends – One of the best games to enjoy with family or friends is board games. One advantage of such games is that they don’t discriminate on age, and anyone can participate. What’s more, you can play anywhere and at any time.
• Boosts Creativity – The game producers create games that need thinking and complex creativity. Although a single board game can be expensive, you’ll get your money’s worth since it’ll boost your creativity level as you entertain yourself. This is especially important for children.
• Learn New Skills – Any board game you’ll encounter will require exploring new ideas and extensive thinking. Such games will enhance your skills as they help you stretch your imagination.
Special Tips When Buying Board Games
Although the games are a good long-term investment, you can still cut costs by buying used games. Consider purchasing them on sites like Amazon, eBay, BoardGameGeek, and Reddit’s board game bazaar. Alternatively, you can choose cheaper options like Love Letter, Sabatour, Coup, Sushi Go, Skull, and Forbidden Island. These games price ranges between $10 and $20. Other games worth considering are King of Tokyo, Ticket to Ride and Carcassonne, which sell for $20 – $30. These are especially great options for new gamers.
Another excellent tip is that you should try it first-hand before purchasing any game, its nice to test something before diving into your pocket. You can do this by joining a local board gaming group or café in your area and sampling the game. Alternatively, you can visit your friend who owns the game and have them play with you for a tangible experience.
Conclusion
So, why are board games so expensive? The fact is, they should be. This results from the significant amount of time and effort that has gone into creating them. In the real sense, however, they’re not always pricey. After reading this guide, it’s safe to conclude that they are reasonably priced. They typically retain their value well if properly cared for and are worth investing in to your advantage!
