Ever bought a game just because it looked cool? In Episode 248 of Crowdfunding Nerds, Andrew and Sean explore the concept of "game shaped objects"—games that lure us with their aesthetics but might not see much playtime. Why do we sometimes buy games that end up as shelf trophies? 

Join us as we dive into the tension between art and marketability in game design. Sean shares tales of gifting games like Codenames that become more of a conversation piece than a pastime. What does this reveal about consumer psychology and the role of aesthetics in purchasing decisions?

We also discuss the critical role of playtesting and embracing feedback to refine a game’s experience. Plus, we explore how games compete not just with each other, but with all leisure activities for our attention. Tune in for insights on balancing form and substance to create games that are both captivating and commercially successful!