You Are Not An Island – Learn From Other’s Mistakes And Success

Being 28 years old, many people are often surprised that the majority of my preferred music reached the height of popularity before I was born. Simon and Garfunkel is probably my favorite performing duo ever, given the title of this post… Please enjoy.

A winters day … In a deep and dark December; I am alone, Gazing from my window to the streets below on a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.
I am a rock, I am an island.

Ive built walls, A fortress deep and mighty, that none may penetrate. I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain. Its laughter and its loving I disdain.
I am a rock, I an island.

Dont talk of love, but I’ve heard the words before; its sleeping in my memory. I wont disturb the slumber of feelings that have died. If I never loved I never would have cried.
I am a rock, I am an island.

I have my books and my poetry to protect me; I am shielded in my armor, hiding in my room, safe within my womb. I touch no one and no one touches me.
I am a rock, I am an island.

And a rock feels no pain; and an island never cries

When it comes to publishing board games, you cannot afford to be an island. There are too many people that have gone before you. Too many are willing to share their experiences, mistakes, and provide advice. I have a firm belief that mistakes and failures are the best learning experiences. There is just so much pain that can come with a mistake that the lesson burns deep into your psyche. Learn from those that have gone before you. You cannot do this if you are an island.

My belief is that there is no device superior to non-video games for having quality social time. All of my best friends (with the exception of my wife) are my best friends because of gaming. I would have this no other way. An island will not have these friends and increase the number, depth, and quality of friendships. Since physical (non-video) gaming is built upon social interaction, it only makes sense that the industry should be built upon similar interaction.

Interact with other game publishers, game designers, developers, convention organizers, and game players. We all share a love of games. There is no need to disdain laughter and loving. This industry is one that should be larger and needs to grow.

But An Island Is A Good Defensible Position

I also want to claim that an island provides for increased defensive capability. On some level, board game publishers are in competition with each other. If you build up a successful publishing company, then being an island will allow you to remain successful with less energy. It is more difficult for others to take your market share, etc. I prefer to have a smaller piece of a larger pie, as long as I have more pie than before. Publishers should help in promoting each other. More importantly, publishers need to provide support to those who are actively trying to increase the number of gamers.

If you are actively in pursuit of increasing the number of gamers, please contact me and lets see what we can do!