New tabletop games agency will connect intellectual properties, designers and publishers while providing crowdfunding strategy, interim leadership, inventor relations and designer representation 

Bettendorf, IA – 7/28/26 - Best in Play today announced its official launch as a full-service agency and strategic partner for the tabletop games industry, along with its first major client engagement and an upcoming crowdfunding project based on a major video game intellectual property. 

Founded by veteran tabletop professionals Daryl Andrews, Jacob Way and Scott Brady, Best in Play will help intellectual property owners, game designers and publishers form strategic partnerships and bring new tabletop products to market. 

The company’s services include matchmaking between intellectual property holders, designers and publishers; crowdfunding campaign consultation; interim replacement of key personnel; publisher inventor relations; and designer agency and representation. 

“Best in Play was created to bring together people and opportunities that should already be working with one another,” said Scott Brady, Managing Director of Best in Play. “Great intellectual properties need the right designers and publishing partners, designers need better access to decision-makers, and companies sometimes need experienced leadership without the time or resources required to build an entire department.” 

Best in Play Chosen to Supplement Executive Search for Major Client 

As part of its launch, Best in Play announced that it has been retained to serve as Consultant for a U.S.-based creator-brand merchandising and e-commerce company. 

Best in Play will provide senior-level leadership and games-industry expertise while the client continues its search for a permanent Head of Games. The engagement will draw upon the combined experience of the Best in Play team across product development, licensing, publishing, production, crowdfunding and portfolio strategy. 

The contract represents Best in Play’s key personnel interim replacement service, which is designed to help companies maintain momentum during executive searches, organizational transitions and periods of rapid growth. 

“An important initiative should not lose six months of momentum because a key role is temporarily vacant,” said Daryl Andrews, Managing Director of Best in Play. “Our model gives clients access to an experienced team that can step in quickly, evaluate the situation and keep products, partnerships and internal teams moving forward.” 

Major Video Game Property Planned for Early 2027 

Best in Play also announced that it is working on a tabletop project based on a major video game intellectual property, with a crowdfunding launch planned for early 2027. 

Additional details regarding the property, game and participating partners will be announced separately. 

The project will draw upon Best in Play’s experience in licensed product development, crowdfunding strategy, audience engagement and direct-to-consumer publishing. 

“A recognizable property may attract attention, but a successful crowdfunding campaign still needs the right product, positioning, audience strategy and operational plan,” said Jacob Way, Managing Director of Best in Play. “Our goal is to build campaigns that respect the fans, communicate value clearly and create a foundation for success beyond the initial launch.” 

Five Core Service Areas 

Best in Play will offer five primary services to intellectual property owners, publishers, designers and other tabletop industry partners: 

Intellectual Property Matchmaking: Connecting intellectual property holders, designers and publishers based on creative fit, audience alignment, commercial opportunity and production capabilities. 

Crowdfunding Campaign Consultation: Advising clients on campaign positioning, budgeting, audience development, reward strategy, prelaunch planning, marketing, operational readiness and post-campaign growth. 

Key Personnel Interim Replacement: Providing experienced leadership and departmental support during executive searches, temporary vacancies and organizational transitions. 

Publisher Inventor Relations: Managing external submissions, inventor communication, concept evaluation, playtesting coordination and the development of promising projects on behalf of publishers. 

Designer Agency and Representation: Representing individual games, multiple projects or designer catalogs by preparing concepts for presentation, identifying publishing partners and supporting negotiations and licensing relationships.

Experienced Industry Leadership 

Best in Play is led by Managing Directors Daryl Andrews, Jacob Way and Scott Brady, whose combined backgrounds span award-winning game design, independent publishing, crowdfunding, licensed product development, business operations and organizational leadership. 

Daryl Andrews is best known as the co-designer of the award-winning tabletop game Sagrada. His career also includes work with major entertainment and consumer properties, including Batman, The Oregon Trail and Disney, as well as numerous original and licensed tabletop projects through 90+ different publishers. 

Jacob Way is a Michigan-based tabletop game professional with experience across every stage of the industry. His background spans retail, product manufacturing in Asia, game design, licensing, and business development. He has designed games for major entertainment intellectual properties, raised millions of dollars through crowdfunding campaigns, and helped bring products to major retailers, including Target. 

Scott Brady is the inventor of Hues and Cues, a successful color-communication game that has sold millions of copies. He is also the original founder and organizer of tabletop publisher Play to Z. Before focusing on the games industry, Brady served as general manager and owner of a Los Angeles-based secure specialty printing company with approximately 100 employees, giving him significant experience in business leadership, production, operations and organizational management. 

The Best in Play team also includes Strategic Contributors David Gordon, David Du, Erik Dahlman and Daniel Pesante, who add further experience across manufacturing, distribution, licensing, marketing, finance, international business and tabletop publishing. 

Best in Play will work with intellectual property owners, publishers, designers, inventors, manufacturers, entertainment companies and other organizations seeking experienced support within the tabletop games industry. 

For partnership inquiries, representation opportunities and additional information, visit TheBestInPlay.com or contact info@thebestinplay.com. 

About Best in Play 

Best in Play is a full-service agency and strategic partner for the tabletop games industry. The company connects intellectual property holders, game designers and publishers while providing crowdfunding consultation, interim leadership, publisher inventor relations and designer representation. Led by experienced tabletop professionals, Best in Play helps partners identify opportunities, build stronger products and navigate projects from initial concept through development and commercialization. 

Media Contact 

Best in Play

Email: info@thebestinplay.com

Website: www.TheBestInPlay.com