How (Not) to Make a How to Play Video - Ep. 54

Board Game Business Podcast

How-to-play videos are used more and more by designers to show potential publishers or playtesters their game and by publishers after a game has been released to teach customers how to play them. In honor of April Fool's Day, we give tips on how NOT to make a how-to-play video. I know, we're not supposed to tell you, but we really don't want people actually taking our advice. Here's the gist of the tips we cover, but backwards:

• Prepare so you can keep it concise.
• Keep it short. You don't need to say every corner case, but make sure to cover any confusing ones.
• Use consistent terminology.
• Use at least two camera angles so it's not just a talking head.
• Layer in photos to help make your point and show examples.
• Lighting is important! Light up your face with multiple lights at different angles so there are no shadows. (3-point lighting)
• Light up your components to show them too, but with not glare. Don't use sleeves if they add glare.
• Use a microphone close to you for clear and consistent audio. Clean the audio afterwards.
• Make it easy to find the video online.