It's a scary thing to browse the ratings and comments page of my own games on BoardGameGeek.com. It's not easy to take criticism. I try my best not to be defensive about my games. I try to understand why some don't like my games. I try to learn from feedback my games receive. The most important thing about rejection is what we learn from them. And then there are some comments which give me huge encouragement.
I came across this comment from a gamer in the US about Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves: "Seems a luckfest at first, then you realize that you can share info to collude, then you realize that you can give false info for your own gain..." It is such a wonderful feeling to feel understood. I know one of the weaknesses of my games is that the fun part is not immediately apparent. In an age of short attention spans and more new games than anyone can keep up with, this is a handicap. It was a very moving moment for me to read this comment. A fellow gamer from the other side of the world understands what I am trying to do with my design, and he appreciates it.
I ran out of stock of my first print run of Ali Baba around mid of the year. In preparing for the second print run, I made few changes. The first batch of games has just landed. I was a little late in starting work on this, resulting in a tight timeline. I needed the games to be ready in time for the upcoming Thailand Boardgame Show in Bangkok 7 - 9 Nov 2025. To be safe, I had to arrange some of the games to be sent by air. The rest would be by sea.
One thing I added in the second edition is Chinese language. Both Simplified and Traditional Chinese rules are added. I added Chinese text to the cover too. I am hoping to promote my game in the Chinese language world, not only the Chinese community in Malaysia, but also China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. One interesting point which Jon shared with me was adding Chinese to the cover might cheapen the look, and I realise I do agree with that. When I pick up a boardgame, if it is a Chinese edition, I automatically wonder whether this is a pirated copy. There is an association with inferiority. This is a problem with Malaysians. We still have this mindset, even though by now most of the boardgames from international brands that we buy and play are made in China.
I also needed to do some standardisation. In the first edition, I had forgotten to put my logo on the box front. Yes, rookie mistake. The cover has not been designed to allow for the logo, and adding the logo now makes the whole thing look a little too busy. But I think I should have the brand up front.
I wanted the "2nd edition" to be prominent, because I wanted the cover to say "this game is so good that they needed to print a 2nd edition". So yes. Marketing.
For this printing I went through the formal CE testing. This is in preparation to be able to export the game with minimal hassle.
Three rulebooks in different languages
I make use of the four sides of the bottom box piece to advertise my other games - Pinocchio, Snow White and Dancing Queen.
1st and 2nd edition comparison - box front
1st and 2nd edition comparison - box back
I love taking shots like this
There is no change to the components or gameplay
