Selling a Game Idea to a Publisher

FireHorse · 05-01-2013, 04:24 AM

Say you've got an idea for a game, and let's assume you've already play-tested it to iron out the bugs. Now you want to see it published — so you send it off to a publisher, and hope for the best.

Now let's assume the publisher likes it, and decides to publish it.

What sort of deal are you likely to get? Will the publisher buy the rights to the game entirely, and present you with a fat check for it? Or will they just cut you in for a percentage of the profits?

Or does the answer depend entirely on which publisher you're dealing with?

Andrew Hackard · 05-01-2013, 05:05 AM

There is no single answer, even within a publisher; everyone's needs are different and every deal is unique.

05-01-2013, 04:24 AM	#1
FireHorse Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dayton, Ohio	Selling a Game Idea to a Publisher Say you've got an idea for a game, and let's assume you've already play-tested it to iron out the bugs. Now you want to see it published — so you send it off to a publisher, and hope for the best. Now let's assume the publisher likes it, and decides to publish it. What sort of deal are you likely to get? Will the publisher buy the rights to the game entirely, and present you with a fat check for it? Or will they just cut you in for a percentage of the profits? Or does the answer depend entirely on which publisher you're dealing with?

05-01-2013, 05:05 AM	#2
Andrew Hackard *Munchkin* Line Editor Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Austin, TX	Re: Selling a Game Idea to a Publisher There is no single answer, even within a publisher; everyone's needs are different and every deal is unique. __________________ Andrew Hackard, *Munchkin* Line Editor If you have a question that isn't getting answered, we have a thread for that. Let people like what they like. Don't be a gamer hater. #PlayMunchkin on social media: Twitter \|\| Facebook \|\| Instagram \|\| YouTube Follow us on Kickstarter: Steve Jackson Games and Warehouse 23