Publishing lessons

I recently visited my mothers house and while I was there, I noticed her basket of soaps, shower gels, and shampoos had started to overflow. It’s something she has had for many years as you can tell from the dust and cobwebs [sorry mum!], and it always gets me thinking.

Every time she stays in a hotel, she keeps one of the small containers and adds it to her collection.

I remember asking her why she did this and she explained to me that one day she would retire, at which point she was unlikely to be able to afford to travel ever again. When this day came she wanted to be able to get in the bath, use one of the items, and think back to the trip where she got it. Effectively collecting memories that she could relive in the future.

I was always touched by this idea and don’t think it is uncommon, there are plenty of people who collect fridge magnets, snow globes, and other items from locations they visit.

In some ways I share similar experiences with some of the board games in my collection. There are certainly games I own because I enjoy playing them, but there are plenty of games that provide me with memories. Games from people I have mentored, games from special occasions, and games from trips abroad.

Perhaps for board game publishers the closest we cat get to this are the enamel pin sets that are often available at conventions. I always see people running around Gen Con trying to get each publishers pin.

I can’t help wondering though, wouldn’t it be nice if every time you supported a Kickstarter you got a special something to say thank you? Not a game component, but perhaps a tiny model, or decorative item that could be placed on a shelf.

I know that I would love to be able to browse a shelf of varying items and think back to all the publishers I have helped support on Kickstarter over the years.