Board Game Preorders Explained: How to Buy Upcoming Games Like This Game is Killer

Quick answer

A board game preorder reserves a copy before the official release date, usually at a lower preorder price, and the game ships once stock arrives. To preorder This Game is Killer: Franchise of Fear, order it now at the $9.99 preorder price, note that it ships late August, and expect the charge to be finalized when the order is placed.

Preordering a board game is one of the easiest ways to avoid missing a small print run, but the process can be confusing if you have only bought games from a shelf. This guide answers the questions readers ask most often about board game preorders, from how they work to how they differ from crowdfunding and release-date purchases.

The examples come from real titles in the Smirkanddagger catalog, including This Game is Killer: Franchise of Fear, which is currently available as a preorder. Use these answers to decide when a preorder makes sense and when waiting for release is the better move.

What does a board game preorder actually reserve?

A preorder reserves one copy of a specific edition or printing from a retailer's incoming stock. It is not a pledge, a donation, or a vote on whether the game gets made. The publisher has already committed to the print run, and the store is taking orders ahead of the arrival date so you do not have to race other buyers once the game is listed as in stock.

That distinction matters because preorder listings usually show a shipping window rather than a guaranteed delivery day. For example, This Game is Killer: Franchise of Fear is listed with the note that it ships late August. Treat that as the earliest point your order can leave the warehouse, not a promise that it will arrive on a specific date.

• Check whether the listing names a specific edition, language, or printing before you order.
• Screenshot or save your order confirmation in case the shipping window shifts.

How is a preorder different from crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding campaigns ask you to fund a game that may still be in development, and the final product can change before it ships. A preorder is a retail transaction for a game that is already scheduled for production or already printed. You are buying a known product at a known price, not backing an idea.

That means preorders carry less risk but also less influence. You will not get stretch goals, backer-only miniatures, or design surveys. What you get is a straightforward purchase with a defined shipping window. If a store lists a preorder, the game is coming; if a campaign is still open, the game is still being finalized.

• Preorder: fixed product, fixed price, defined shipping window.
• Crowdfunding: evolving product, possible stretch goals, longer and less certain timeline.

When should you preorder instead of waiting for release?

Preorder when the game has a small print run, when the preorder price is meaningfully lower than the expected retail price, or when you know your group will want it on day one. Preordering also helps if you have missed a previous printing and do not want to pay aftermarket prices.

Wait for release if you are unsure about the theme, player count, or complexity. Waiting gives you time to read rulebooks, watch playthroughs, and confirm that the game fits your table. For a light party game you can usually wait; for a niche title with a limited print run, preordering is the safer choice.

• Preorder limited print runs, licensed titles, and games with a strong discount.
• Wait if you need to check player count, playtime, or complexity against your group.

What does preorder vs release date mean for shipping?

The release date is when the publisher makes the game available to retailers. The preorder shipping window is when the store expects to pack and send your copy, which can be the same week or later depending on when stock arrives. A preorder placed months in advance does not ship earlier than the release date.

Read the listing's shipping note carefully. This Game is Killer: Franchise of Fear says it ships late August, so plan for that window rather than assuming same-week delivery. If you need the game for a specific event, order with a buffer and confirm the window before you commit.

• Release date = when the game becomes available to stores.
• Preorder shipping window = when your specific order is expected to leave the warehouse.

How do you preorder board games safely?

Order from a store that states the shipping window, the edition, and the price clearly. Keep your confirmation email, and check whether the store charges at checkout or when the item ships. If the listing does not answer those questions, ask before ordering.

For This Game is Killer: Franchise of Fear, the preorder price is $9.99 against a catalog comparison price of $19.99, and the listing notes that it ships late August. That combination of a clear price and a stated window is what a good preorder listing looks like. If a listing is vague about any of those details, treat it as a warning sign.

• Confirm the edition, price, and shipping window before you pay.
• Save your order confirmation and check the store's cancellation policy.

Can a preorder be delayed or cancelled?

Yes. Print runs, freight, and customs can push a shipping window back, and stores sometimes cancel orders if they receive fewer copies than expected. That is normal in tabletop retail, but it is why you should not build a fixed event around a preorder without a backup plan.

If a delay happens, you usually have two options: wait for the new window or ask to cancel for a refund, depending on the store's policy. Check that policy before ordering. A store that clearly explains delays and cancellations is easier to work with than one that leaves you guessing.

• Delays are common; check the store's delay and cancellation policy first.
• Avoid scheduling a game night around a preorder until the game is in hand.

Preorder checklist: what to confirm before you buy

Shipping window

Find the stated shipping window on the listing. For This Game is Killer: Franchise of Fear, the note says it ships late August. If no window is listed, ask the store before ordering.

Price and edition

Confirm the preorder price, the comparison price, and the exact edition or printing you will receive. A clear price and edition reduce the chance of a surprise at delivery.

Cancellation policy

Check how the store handles delays, cancellations, and refunds before you pay. A written policy is your protection if the shipping window moves.

Preorder facts from the Smirkanddagger catalog

• This Game is Killer: Franchise of Fear - PREORDER: Listed as a preorder at USD 9.99, with a catalog comparison price of USD 19.99, and the listing notes that it ships late August. The lower preorder price and stated shipping window make it a low-risk way to secure a copy before release.
• This Game is Killer: Franchise of Fear - PREORDER: A hilariously deadly party game about a possessed animatronic going on a killing spree in an abandoned old restaurant, where the restoration team must survive four hours by managing power to lock doors and activate cameras. Knowing the theme and survival premise helps you decide whether it fits your group before the preorder window closes.
• The SPILL: a dynamic co-op game of saving our oceans from a disaster: A fully co-op game featuring a 4-way dice tower pouring oil into the ocean, with players working together to avert an ecological disaster. If you prefer cooperative games over competitive party titles, this is a useful comparison point when choosing what to preorder or buy next.

Preordering is a simple way to lock in a copy of an upcoming game before the print run sells through. Confirm the shipping window, price, and edition, then decide whether This Game is Killer: Franchise of Fear fits your table. If it does, the current preorder price makes it an easy call.