Understanding Your Video Game Publishing Agreement - Game Lawyer Q&A
summary
Covers what to negotiate: insist on defined milestones, a clear gold master and a minimum marketing commitment rather than vague “we will market” promises; push back on 100% recoup and blanket IP ownership or global rights; get a term sheet with payment schedule, dispute process (mediation) and realistic remedies for developer or publisher failure; prioritize having a playable fun core before seeking a publisher and hire a lawyer who knows games to keep negotiations from stripping all upside.
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chapters (19)
- 0:00Intro
- 1:30Introductions
- 3:40Current industry landscape
- 7:40Job losses
- 13:15Publishing agreements
- 16:45Publishing offer offerings
- 20:05IP ownership
- 24:43Licensing rights
- 27:10Red flags
- 28:11Marketing services
- 29:19Specificity
- 36:01Terms
- 37:06Negotiation
- 40:12Developer perspective
- 43:31Funding alternatives
- 46:31Bigger budgets
- 51:16Termination clauses
- 56:36Tips for evaluating new publishers
- 59:11Should experienced devs take nonf funding deals