Introduction

You probably don't know me.

I'm not very active in the games community. Not yet, anyway. I've posted here and there on Board Game Geek. I don't remember if I've reviewed anything or not. I probably haven't. I used to post over at the Board Game Designers Forum and I really should get back there. I've written a few things about game design over on HubPages for a lark.

I'm more of a lurker than a poster. Usually I don't feel it necessary to add anything to the conversation, or I'd rather be designing something. When I do post something, the thread usually ends there, so I feel rather like the Topic Killer.

So you probably don't know me.

Hopefully you'll get to know me, and we'll have a wonderful friendship. That's what games are really all about.

This is the year I come out of hiding and actually do something with my designs and passion.

I've sent in a membership application to the Game Manufacturer's Association, and I've registered to go to their trade show, so I'm committed. Let's make some games, people!

To be frank, I think I've got some great things to share with everyone. I know every designer says that, but my family and friends think so, too. Of course, every designer says that, too. ;) The games industry is on the verge of exploding, though, and this is the best time to do it if I'm going to do it.

I'm forming Woodbine Street Games primarily as a design house. Maybe sort of like a brokerage. We handle all the design and pre-production along with marketing to the public. The publisher would only need to be concerned with production and related customer service. I'm still not sure whether we will also be that publisher, but that's why I'm going to the trade show this year: to lock in the direction of the company. I've got big plans, and over the past year and a half I've watched the industry evolve and repeat my earlier statement that now is the time.

I started by trying to open a game store, actually. The design house was going to be Phase 2 of the master plan, but the economy (and my own financial situation) is making me reevaluate the plan. I thought the store would be easier, but that doesn't seem to be completely the case. In any event, I met some wonderful people with whom I look forward to a continuing relationship. The store is still in the plan, it's just a later phase.

I'm starting this blog to chronicle my journey both for myself and for others who might be in my position. Maybe I can provide inspiration, or help others to learn from my inevitable mistakes. Even though I've been researching the hell out of small business, I'm still making this up as I go along. There's no real formula for this sort of thing, but there is a whole lot of good advice.

I'm excited. I'm terrified, but I'm excited. Thank you for taking the journey with me. Let's see where the road leads.