How to pitch a board game to Wizards of the Coast

In its own words

“We do not review unsolicited game or card submissions, return submissions, or make comments on submissions we haven't reviewed.”

“Contact an agent, broker, or other experienced game industry professional.”

“From time-to-time, Wizards of the Coast will run design competitions such as The Great Designer Search to offer potential developers a chance to showcase their talents.”

What it has bought from outside

1. 1993

   Magic: The Gathering from designer Richard Garfield (via Garfield Games)

   “Garfield Games then licensed the production and sale rights to WotC until the court case was settled, at which point Garfield Games was shut down.” en.wikipedia.org

2. 1997

   TSR (Dungeons & Dragons) and Five Rings Publishing from their owners $25 million

   “Wizards of the Coast announced the purchase of TSR, the publisher of Dungeons & Dragons, on April 10, 1997.…” en.wikipedia.org

3. 1998

   Pokémon Trading Card Game (English rights) from the Pokémon rights holders

   “…In January 1999, WotC began publishing Pokémon Trading Card Game after acquiring the rights in August 1998.…” en.wikipedia.org

4. 2022

   D&D Beyond from Fandom

   “In April 2022, Hasbro acquired the digital toolset and game companion D&D Beyond from Fandom,…” en.wikipedia.org

Other companies that take a board game

• 

  Czech Games EditionReads unsolicited workCzech Games Edition reads game pitches sent through the form on its Submissions and Pitches page, and replies when it can.

• 

  Exploding KittensHas a submission portalExploding Kittens takes game ideas through the Game Submissions page on its site.

• 

  Stonemaier GamesReads unsolicited workStonemaier is tentatively open to game submissions, through its submission guidelines page.
• Big Potato GamesHas a submission portalBig Potato takes game ideas through the submission form on bigpotato.com, and promises to take a look.
• Goliath GamesHas a submission portalGoliath takes inventions through its form at inventors.goliathgames.com, under a confidentiality agreement that lasts two years.

• 

  RavensburgerHolds open callsRavensburger no longer reads game proposals sent in unasked.
• University GamesHolds open callsUniversity Games takes original designs from students in a college or university design program, one each, and they must own the rights.

• 

  Fantasy Flight GamesDoes not take outside ideasFantasy Flight Games does not accept game design, development or writing submissions it did not ask for.

All of them, open doors first