7 Board Game Success Stories [2024]
Here are some real life success stories of starting a board game:
1. PlayingCardDecks.com ($1.68M/year)
Will Roya, the founder of PlayingCardDecks.com, came up with the idea for his business after noticing the increasing popularity of playing cards and the potential for selling decks online. After experiencing success selling decks on eBay, Will decided to launch his own website and has since scaled the business to generate an annual revenue run rate of one million within 18 months. With a focus on great customer service and constantly adding new products, the business is currently averaging 100k a month in revenue.
How much they make: $1.68M/year
How much did it cost to start: $80K
Current team size: 2
How Will Roya built a $100K/month business selling and designing playing cards and decks, using Kickstarter to fund his own decks, and focusing on great customer service, SEO, and new products to retain customers.
2. Facade Games ($360K/year)
Travis Hancock, founder of Facade Games, came up with the idea for his business while playing board games that involved lying and backstabbing. After successfully raising over $100,000 on Kickstarter for his first game Salem 1692, he realized the potential of making more games and pursued his passion full time. With a total revenue of over $1 million and a growing customer base, Facade Games continues to thrive in the board game industry.
How much they make: $360K/year
Current team size: 2
Facade Games has raised over $1 million on Kickstarter and sold about 80,000 copies of their board games around the world, with the goal to publish one new game a year on Kickstarter and build on their line of games in books as well as a new party game line in the near future.
So... can you actually make money with a board game?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
3. Continuum Games ($3M/year)
Greg Hughes, the founder of Continuum Games, Inc, came up with the idea for his business when he developed a card game called Discombobulation. Wanting to pursue his passion for games and toys, he quickly expanded his product line and launched a specialty toy distribution network. Today, the company generates $250k per month in the offseason, and up to $600k per month during peak season.
How much they make: $3M/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K
Current team size: 8
Continuum Games, Inc. President Greg Hughes started his toy and game distribution company with a $5 wholesale card game and today generates an average of $250k per month in revenue, rising to $600k in peak season from a combination of manufacturing and distribution of over 40 games.
4. Kill Merlin! ($228K/year)
Dave Schuman, a lifelong gamer, came up with the idea for Kill Merlin! while playing games with his two sons. Together, they brainstormed different game mechanics and settled on a wizard-themed strategy game with high player interaction. The game has been well-received by gamers, reviewers, and retailers, and their Kickstarter campaign reached its funding goal in the first day.
How much they make: $228K/year
Current team size: 0
Father and sons team up to invent a wizard-themed strategy board game called Kill Merlin!, which became successfully funded on Kickstarter in just one day and will be carried in at least 18 retail stores with hundreds of backers.
So... can you actually make money with a board game?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
Start selling on Walmart.com – one of the world’s most trusted platforms.
Get access to 120+ million* loyal customers, innovative programs for growth, and access to Walmart’s omnichannel presence to maximize visibility.
New sellers can get up to 50% off referral fees and essential services like product fulfillment and storage.**
Join Walmart Marketplace Today
*Comscore, Feb 2022-Jan 2023
**conditions apply
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
