[Timothy Page]

I’ve seen some creators run a cheap pnp-only campaign on Kickstarter as a way to playtest, gauge interest, and build a following prior to running a full campaign. From what I’ve personally seen it has been successful, and something I’ve been considering lately.
Besides getting playtesters, interest in game, and a softer intro to running a Kickstarter campaign, I also would want to raise a little bit on money to hire an artist/graphic designer so the full campaign would have a more professional look.
Is this something anyone has done? Seen it work, fail? Opinions on using a print and play campaign as a stepping stone a full production campaign?

[Rob Seib]

Hi Timothy,

Following this thread, thanks for posting! I’m really interested to see what other people have to say.

I offered a $5 full colour PnP on my campaign and had 41 backers (out of total 160) back it for that, so it was hugely beneficial in my case just to have the option alongside the game.

[Zach White]

I currently have a campaign going on Kickstarter (Blooming Industry, if you’re curious) and I’ve got 7 people who chose the $5 PNP reward so far. One of them even messaged me to say how he can’t afford the high cost of shipping now + his country isn’t customs friendly, so he really appreciates those PNP rewards.
And if I didn’t have that reward he probably just wouldn’t have been a backer at all!

[Matt Stow]

Yeah, I’m in the same boat. Postage to Australia is always the killer for me, but I really like the sound of this game with the little tulip boats, so physical would be my preferred. I’m the guy who raised the colourblind issue btw 😅

[Zach White]

Thank you! And it was a good callout! Still not sure of my solution yet…

[Drew Corkill]

This is a super interesting idea! I am working on getting a community set up which includes releasing PnP files for current heroes. This was going to be for free to gather email addresses and help with play testing. I love the concept of a PnP only campaign which helps pay for artwork for the future large scale Kickstarter.

Do you know any of the campaigns that did this? I would be interested in checking them out.

[Timothy Page]

I was picturing these two campaigns, first Food Chain Island: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/239309591/food-chain-island which in the campaign they offered the download for a free black and white print and play version. I really liked this option, was able to play and see I enjoyed it enough to back for the full color pnp (with expansion) level.
The second was Sleep Tight: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/themoongrel/sleep-tight-print-and-play this game had a pnp only campaign, they used it primarily as a pnp and generate interest, then later did a full game. The artwork I believe didn’t change though.
So my idea was sort of a mashup of what both these campaigns did. Also as someone who has never run a Kickstarter the thought of limiting everything to pnp and not dealing with logistics of printing or distributing sounds nice.