The Game Design Round Table BtC - Isaac Vega on Self Publishing
10 snips
May 21, 2025 In this conversation, Isaac Vega, co-founder of Rose Gauntlet Entertainment and designer of hits like Dead of Winter, shares his insights on self-publishing board games. He discusses the stark differences between self-publishing and working with traditional publishers, emphasizing the commitment required for marketing and distribution. Isaac also highlights the importance of honest feedback and knowing your audience to ensure your game resonates. Along the way, he reveals the joys of player connections and the challenges of perfecting designs.
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Grow Into Publishing By Learning Roles
- Isaac credits gradual role growth for making publishing feasible later in his career.
- Learning art direction, business, and leadership paved the path to founding Rose Gauntlet.
Break Publishing Into Manageable Parts
- Break publishing into smaller parts and tackle them one at a time to avoid overwhelm.
- Hire contractors or partners for roles you lack and focus on communication, deadlines, and budgets.
Control Is The Core Reason To Self-Publish
- Self-publishing often boils down to control: art, materials, and story presentation.
- If control over those aspects matters more than distribution muscle, self-publishing may be the right choice.
