Game ideas

You are looking for a publisher for your game idea? Then get in touch with us. Below you will find a guide for game authors.

It explains in detail which information we need from you and about your project.

If you contact us, we will use your data only within the scope of your inquiry. Further information on data protection can be found at kosmos.de/datenschutz & Datenschutz-Autoren (kosmos.de)

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So that you can decide whether it makes sense to present a game idea to us, please first inform yourself on our homepage about our current program. Here you can see what types of games we publish. We are looking for games with a certain twist that clearly stand out from existing products.

Below you will find more information about our requirements and contacts for children’s games as well as adult games. If you would like to submit a game idea, please use our form.

Children’s games

Our children’s games are generally intended for children aged 5 and up. In individual cases we also publish games for children aged 3 and up. The game idea should be interesting for these age groups, but should not lose its appeal for older children.

Family and adult games

For family and adult games, we are particularly interested in innovative games of simple to medium complexity that are not too abstract. The game ideas may include an element of luck. The playing time should generally not exceed 90 minutes, and the recommended starting age should be 8 or 10 years.

I have a game idea. What should I do next?

Test your game idea with different play groups, ideally also with different age groups.

When you feel that your game is mature, write a set of rules and have them tested by people who do not know your game. This is exactly what we have to do during testing, and we have already had to return many games because the instructions were not clear enough.

The game was well received by my test groups. How can I achieve publication?

On this page you will find a link to our game idea submission form, through which you can send us your idea. Please note that we only process game ideas submitted via this form. Unsolicited ideas, instructions, prototypes, or finished games sent to us will not be processed and will be returned without comment. This allows us to ensure an efficient review process. If we like your game idea, we will initiate the next steps afterwards.

When will I receive feedback?

We appreciate every submission and guarantee that every idea will be reviewed for suitability for our program. However, as one of the largest German game publishers, we receive a very large number of ideas, so the review process may take up to 3 months.

Please understand that we cannot respond individually to all submissions, even though we would like to. We will only contact you if your game is of interest to us. Please be considerate and refrain from inquiries about the current status.

What should my prototype look like if it is needed for testing?

If we request a prototype, the most important thing is that it is fully playable. Please do not assume that we have an abundance of materials available. Whether you send your prototype hand painted or almost production ready will not influence our decision. Of course we are pleased if your design is already lovingly created, but ultimately the game idea decides, not the appearance of your prototype. The prototype should not exceed standard dimensions in terms of weight and size. This means that game boards may be folded and the entire package should not be larger than DIN A3. Therefore use cardboard, paper, plastic, and simple playing pieces, and avoid bulky and heavy materials such as plywood and stone.

Will I get my prototype back?

We handle your prototype with care and will of course return it to you as soon as we have tested your game and made a decision. Therefore it is necessary that you write your full name, address, email address, and telephone number on your prototype and on your game box. If the address is missing, we unfortunately cannot return your game.

May I also offer my game idea to other publishers?

We are often asked how we handle situations in which a game is sent to several publishers at the same time. Of course you have the right to do this. It is fair if you inform us of this fact. Please also understand that in this case we will only play your design in the submitted version and will not test any changes.

What can I expect if you decide to publish my game?

In principle, any remuneration is a matter of negotiation. The amount of the fee depends on many factors, such as print run, components, size of the game, and so on. If we offer you a contract, we will discuss this with you.

Where can I get further tips for game authors?

As a first point of contact, we recommend the Spieleautorenzunft [www.spieleautorenzunft.de](http://www.spieleautorenzunft.de). The Spiele-Autoren-Zunft e.V. (SAZ) was founded in Germany in 1991 and represents the interests of game authors in public. Their website also offers an extensive collection of links for game authors.

You can also find some tips on the Catan website ([https://www.catan.de/service](https://www.catan.de/service)).

In addition, the website of the magazine Spielbox ([www.spielbox.de](http://www.spielbox.de)) provides a wealth of information that can help you.

Here you can find our game idea submission form.