If you're an enthusiast in the tabletop hobby, there's a good chance you've engaged in purchasing a game during its crowdfunding campaign. Platforms like Kickstarter, BackerKit, or Gamefound often present compelling pitches that draw your interest and lead you to part with your money, promising the final product will reach your doorstep. An extra $20 might secure you additional books, dice, or a deck of cards, adding both weight and cost to the final shipment.

Unraveling the Impact of Shipping Costs on Crowdfunded Games

Understanding the Basics of Crowdfunding Shipping

In the tabletop hobby, many active members have experienced the excitement of purchasing a game through crowdfunding. These campaigns offer a unique opportunity to be part of a project from the very beginning. The initial pledge is just the start; additional costs like shipping can significantly impact the final price. For example, a small shipping disclosure at the bottom of most campaigns provides a rough estimate of what backers will need to pay on top of their initial pledge.However, shipping costs are not static. They constantly fluctuate, even in what we might consider stable times. In the last decade, we've seen very little predictability in these costs. Games funded earlier this year could face drastically increased shipping costs if Trump's proposed new tariffs take effect after Jan. 20, 2025. This uncertainty poses a challenge for both publishers and backers.

The Impact on Small Businesses

Publishers of all kinds are reluctant to burden their supporters with additional expenses. Board games, in particular, are known as a cottage industry with thin margins. Most small businesses simply can't afford to absorb these extra costs. Designer Isaac Childres, in an email to nearly 35,000 backers this week, expressed his concerns. He said, "We will have to figure out the best way to move forward as events unfold over the next few months. It has never been our intention to go back to backers asking for additional money, and we'll be doing everything we can to make sure that doesn't happen here either. We can absorb some costs, but there are a lot of unknowns at play here, and a lot of things out of our control, so we can't make a definitive statement at this time."

The Solution: Gamefound's Stable Pledge Program

Gamefound has come up with a unique solution to deal with shipping-cost fluctuations through its Stable Pledge program. If shipping costs rise by more than 10% from the original estimated price, backers in Stable Pledge campaigns can receive a full refund from the creator within a limited period. This provides more protection for consumers compared to forcing them to pay unexpected costs or lose their initial investment. While it's not a perfect solution, especially for designers who have already spent money on producing the game, it offers some relief.With the current American political climate being as unpredictable as it is, it remains unclear what, if anything, designers can do to help mitigate costs for their supporters. The uncertainty surrounding shipping costs continues to pose challenges, but initiatives like Gamefound's Stable Pledge program offer a glimmer of hope in an otherwise uncertain landscape.