Are you a board or card game publisher looking for a new project? Future Invaders could be your next success story! Years of design and development have already gone into the game, with only the final steps remaining. Below is a Q&A addressing common questions, followed by contact information if you're interested in further discussing the publishing process.
Quick to learn, challenging to master. Fewer rules than the average tactical card game. Little equipment required, all you need are 30 cards and a few dice. Strict design restrictions to avoid replicating the "unfun" aspects of the genre. Near future science-fiction, an underused theme in card games. Years of future content already planned and designed. With universal acclaim from both new and experienced playtesters, this game is primed for success!
Casual to midcore board and card game players. This game appeals to people looking for an accessible entry into tactical card games, or to those who already enjoy the genre but want a fresh, back-to-basics experience.
Playtesting shows strong interest in two main areas: the setting, which offers a near-future sci-fi world unconnected to existing media franchises, and the mechanics, which simplify gameplay compared to modern card games while still allowing for creative and complex interactions.
The current beta version is available for free as print-and-play to help generate interest and get players to try the game. Most playtesters have expressed a desire to buy a professionally printed version, showing that the free version will not reduce future sales.
Regarding game design, the core set is complete, heavily playtested, and well-balanced. The current illustrations are AI-generated and need to be replaced by professional art. The rules also need to be formatted for a booklet, and additional accessories such as durability counters, resource trackers, and playmats need to be designed. Lastly, the game must be printed, distributed, and marketed.
The tactical card game market is crowded with the "random booster" model, which many playtesters have criticized. Future Invaders will be sold as prebuilt decks of 45 cards. The core set includes 12 such decks, and each expansion will add 12 to 16 more. Special packages of 150 and 300 cards will also be available for "draft mode". This model has received positive feedback from playtesters, who have expressed a willingness to buy 2 to 10 items per expansion, but remains open to discussion.
Multiple future expansions have been drafted, with new card designs already done. Each expansion will introduce a new major mechanic, refreshing gameplay along with major progress in the game's story and worldbuilding. Discussing future plans for the game would act as a spoiler to its players. If you are looking to know more, this topic will have to be discussed privately.
The IP is currently owned by the author, Éric Bisceglia. The Future Invaders card game is meant to be the centerpiece of a larger universe, which will include free online games and novellas developed by the author. Publishing the game would entail shared IP rights, with card game rights going to the publisher, while the author retains rights to produce non-commercial works within its universe.
Designing a complete website for a game is a long and complex task. Having an already completed website will save a lot of development time, and its ownership can be transferred if desired, although I am willing to continue developing it in the future.
Future Invaders is envisioned as a long-term project, not a one-off game. Crowdfunding could fund the initial core set but wouldn't guarantee the quality or stability that comes with an established publisher.
If you're interested in publishing the game, please contact me at bisceglia.eric@gmail.com.