Creating a successful board game requires more than just a clever idea—it demands innovation, market insight, and strategic execution. The team explores the thriving ecosystem of tabletop gaming, inspired by indie success stories like Leonie Grundler’s Biome, which raised $400,000 on Kickstarter in minutes. They examine the trade-offs between creative control and mass distribution, consulting top designers like Ilan Lee of Exploding Kittens to balance fun with educational depth. Their goal: craft a game that teaches economics through engaging mechanics, merging accessibility with strategic complexity. From Gen Con inspiration to manufacturing hurdles, the path to a hit game involves navigating fierce competition, funding models, and the delicate art of gameplay design—all while aiming for broad retail appeal without sacrificing substance.