https://youtube.com/live/Y5ics9N2Lt8

Some publishers are investing $20,000-$40,000 on prelaunch ads (compared to our prelaunch ad spend of $1,000, which is augmented by organic reach from our YouTube channel, Instagram, Facebook, newsletter, Bluesky, etc).

It seems to me that spending $20-$40k prelaunch can dig creators into a deep hole, shifting the focus from serving backers to getting enough backers (that you at least break even).

https://stonemaiergames.com/spending-big-bucks-on-prelaunch-ads-worth-the-squeeze/

In today's video I discuss autobattling games! These are games where you make choices--sometimes involving programming--that set up a series of events/actions over which you have minimal to no control.

https://youtu.be/KUzr-o6F0Zg

In regards to several recent crowdfunded games that either relaunched after an initial cancellation or are struggling to move far past their funding goal, I've heard some concerns about trust from potential backers.

For example, if a project has a $10,000 funding goal but after the first few days they only have a few hundred backers and $13,000 in funding, is it a mark of dishonesty if they cancel the project, reconfigure, and relaunch?

https://stonemaiergames.com/marketable-vs-aspirational-funding-goals/

https://youtube.com/live/ZueGOyxXlOw

Over the weekend I was playing a game, Takenoko, which I hadn't played in a while. I had a rule question about gardener and panda movement, and I did what I often do if I can't find a question in the rulebook: I pulled out my phone and Googled the question.

https://stonemaiergames.com/how-do-you-ask-rule-questions/

Today I discuss my favorite legacy games--games featuring permanent changes that can't be undone--out of the roughly 25 that I've played. Legacy games often feature unlocks, surprises, and consequences in a campaign format.

https://youtu.be/0rc1h6WlOhI

14 years ago today--on September 10, 2012--Viticulture reached its funding goal on Kickstarter. I consider this the official day that Stonemaier Games was born, and I'm so grateful for those original backers for giving birth to that game and this company.

I don't have a monumental topic today; rather, I have a few bite-size topics on which I've ruminated recently. I'd love to hear your thoughts about any of them.

https://stonemaiergames.com/bits-and-bobs-5-recent-thoughts-about-tabletop-publishing/

Join Jamey for an hour of Stonemaier Games news, questions, answers, and random discussion topics!

https://youtube.com/live/fj8OVuT9BPA

At Stonemaier Games,  our staff and contributors now include a total of my 6 full-time coworkers, 1 part-time coworker and cofounder, a number of key independent contractors and creatives (designers and artists), and another 100+ paid volunteers (proofreaders and playtesters). I am so lucky to work with such talented, passionate, and kind people every day.

https://stonemaiergames.com/labor-day-2026-whats-new-this-year/