Autoplay
Autocomplete
Previous Lesson
Complete and Continue
Game Developer Business & Legal Guide: Run an Indie Studio
Getting to Know Your Instructor
Who am I? What's my background? (1:40)
Written Disclaimer: PLEASE READ BEFORE CONTINUING
Problems All Creative Professionals Encounter
Do I need a written contract with my client? (9:14)
What should I do if someone refuses to pay me? (19:27)
What if a client refuses to sign a contract? (3:39)
TEST: Problems All Creative Professionals Encounter
Test Answers: Problems All Creative Professionals Encounter
Written Transcript: Problems All Creative Professionals Encounter
Episode One: Non-disclosure Agreements
Nondisclosure Agreements - Part 1 (5:23)
Nondisclosure Agreements - Part 2 (3:54)
Nondisclosure Agreements - Part 3 (4:04)
TEMPLATES: Nondisclosure Agreements
IMPORTANT: Please read this before viewing templates
Confidentiality Agreement (One-sided)
Mutual Nondisclosure Agreement
Interview: Chris Avellone - Chief Creative Officer of Obsidian
What does the Chief Creative Officer of Obsidian do (3:48)
What is the Obsidian design test for potential employees like (1:50)
Warning signs of a struggling game development studio (Black Isle Studio) (6:08)
On the process for starting game development studio like Obsidian (3:56)
Drawbacks to making new IP for game development studios (2:23)
How publishers choose to work with outside developers (1:29)
Working with publishers as an independent game developer (4:46)
Disadvantages of working at a mid-sized game studio (2:28)
What are the difficulties of running a mid-sized game development studio (3:40)
Advantages of crowdfunding (Kickstarter) over traditional game publishers (3:28)
Why has the games industry moved away from PC only products? (2:23)
DOs and DON'Ts for indie game development startup companies (3:14)
Outtakes from the LAGD interview with Chris Avellone (1:30)
REAL WORLD EXAMPLES: Production-Related Game Development Agreements
Kitara Media 5.18.11
REAL WORLD EXAMPLES: Other Non-Production Related Game Agreements
Ascend Acquisition Corp - Business Development deal w/United Talent Agency (UTA)
Aptus Games 6.8.08 - licensed game based on Survivor TV show
IndiePub Ent 5.10.10 - studio hiring a business development consultant
Internet Holdings 12.10.13 - Partnership between 2 studios in different markets
Kitara Media 3.6.12 - Exclusive advertising arrangement with Tapjoy
Kitara Media 6.18.12 - Partnering with biz dev consultant to bring branded games
Red Mile Ent 5.23.07 - Creating licensed games based on the Sin City movie
REAL WORLD EXAMPLES: Agreements w/Major Traditional Publishers
IndiePub Ent 12.18.08 - Nintendo DS license agreement with Nintendo
Mad Catz 3.5.15 - Hardware / Software partnership for Rock Band 4 controllers
Red Mile Ent - American distribution rights for Ubisoft (France) games
Preventing Legal Issues Before They Happen
The value of kindness, empathy, and good business practices (6:09)
The value of communication (11:37)
Understanding that no-one really "wins" in a lawsuit (6:44)
TEST: Preventing Legal Issues Before They Happen
Test Answers: Preventing Legal Issues before they happen
Written Transcript: Preventing Legal Issues Before They Happen
Episode Two: Independent Contractors
Hiring Help and Independent Contractor Agreements - Part 1 (7:14)
Hiring Help and Independent Contractor Agreements - Part 2 (4:00)
Interview: Gabe Newell - Co-founder of Valve
Why Valve decided to remake Half-Life after a year of development (5:12)
Game developers should collaborate with customers and give up control (3:25)
How Half-Life Episodes and other distribution models create value for consumers (7:30)
You may have a legal "right" to do something but it doesn't mean you should (6:01)
Is the way Valve organizes its employees a model that other indies can follow (1:36)
On the importance of treating employees well and avoiding crunch time (5:22)
The cons of Valve's loose organizational structure (3:46)
The importance of working with people you like and trust (0:47)
Valve's original vision for Steam as a new game distribution model (3:34)
Why open platforms tend to overtake vertical platforms and proprietary systems (6:31)
Why all the hats in Team Fortress (Adding value with user-generated content) (2:06)
Why Valve's employees organized without managers and titles (1:27)
Pinkie Pie is the best pony - LAGD interview blooper (0:09)
Episode Three: Trademarks
Trademarks and Naming Your Game - Part 1 (7:18)
Trademarks and Naming Your Game - Part 2 (6:15)
Trademarks and Naming Your Game - Part 3 (4:47)
Game Developers: Knowing The Law Can Save You Time and Money
Avoid lawsuits by knowing the laws you need to comply with (3:01)
Use contracts to minimize the time you spend on revisions (2:01)
Know the law to add value to your client's work (1:56)
Save time by creating "standard business terms" in your contracts (1:51)
Knowing the law will build stronger client relationships (2:57)
Test: Knowing the law can save you time and money
Test Answers: Knowing the law can save you time and money
Written Transcript: Knowing The Law Will Make You Money & Save You Time
Interview: Edmund McMillen - Game designer & co-CEO of Team Meat
Should beginning game developers learn Flash (3:22)
The slow process of becomming successful as a game developer (2:30)
How Flash game sponsorships work and how to get them (4:00)
The problem with relying on cloned concepts for indie game developers (3:38)
Originality and the need for self-promotion (7:46)
Tips on when to formally organize your game development business (2:03)
Tips for when indie game developers should consider making merchandise (6:06)
General tips for new game developers (2:32)
Working With Lawyers as a Game Developer
General (1:29)
"General practice firms" versus "small, boutique firms" (1:33)
What "practice areas" should your lawyer be knowledgeable of? (12:05)
Avoid being upsold on services that you don't need (3:15)
Understanding research costs (2:38)
Flat fees versus hourly rates and asking for discounts (8:04)
Know when you may need a professional's help (2:50)
Test: Working with Lawyers as Game Developers
Test Answers: Working with lawyers as a Game Developer
Written Transcript: Working With Lawyers as a Game Developer
Interview: Jordan Weisman - CEO at Harebrained Schemes LLC
Designing game worlds that can work across mediums and platforms (3:07)
Designing game worlds with lasting influence (2:53)
On starting new game companies when people don't believe in your vision (4:37)
The process of licensing game IP from another company (3:38)
Tips for game developers when licensing their IP to other companies (6:01)
Differences in working at small, mid-sized, and large game companies (4:43)
General tips for startup game development companies (2:04)
So You Want To Be A Game Dev Student? - Robin-Yann Storm
So You Want To Be A Game Dev Student? - part 1 (8:00)
So You Want To Be A Game Dev Student? - part 2 (8:00)
So You Want To Be A Game Dev Student? - part 3 (8:02)
So You Want To Be A Game Dev Student? - part 4 (4:26)
Conclusion. Course wrap up, bonus lectures, and opportunities.
Bonus lecture: Get discounts on other Udemy courses I am teaching
Bonus lecture: Discounts because of my partnership with Knowledge Base
Ways you can get more help
Disclaimer - No attorney / client relationship between us (3:16)
OPTIONAL BONUS: Five Legal Tips For Game Developers
Work out the business details: make sure everyone agrees (3:48)
Describing the most important "business details" that you need to work out (8:10)
Business Details: Determine the division of power (2:07)
Details: Anytime something changes, get everyone to reconfirm their agreement (3:24)
Business Details: Don’t make enemies by cutting corners (1:22)
Avoid confusion with your game name and existing names (3:27)
Is your game "company" a real company (or a "general partnership") (6:04)
Transfer ownership of intellectual property in writing (4:14)
IP: Joint ownership (What happens if you don’t work out IP ownership?) (2:47)
Why you’re in a much better AND much worse position than you think you’re in (4:52)
BONUS: The Linux Game Industry - Ryan C. Gordon
The Linux Game Industry - part 1 (10:02)
The Linux Game Industry - part 2 (10:02)
The Linux Game Industry - part 3 (10:02)
The Linux Game Industry - part 4 (10:02)
The Linux Game Industry - part 5 (10:02)
The Linux Game Industry - part 6 (1:32)
Advice to Running a Game Kickstarter of Your Own - Chris Avellone
Advice to Running a Kickstarter of Your Own - part 1 (10:00)
Advice to Running a Kickstarter of Your Own - part 2 (10:00)
Advice to Running a Kickstarter of Your Own - part 3 (10:00)
Advice to Running a Kickstarter of Your Own - part 4 (10:00)
Advice to Running a Kickstarter of Your Own - part 5 (10:00)
Advice to Running a Kickstarter of Your Own - part 6 (4:15)
BONUS INTERVIEW: Peer Schneider - Co-founder of IGN / Games Journalist
What does the Senior Vice President of Content at IGN do (3:56)
How IGN spots new indie games and decides which ones to review (4:54)
New business models- DLC, in-app purchases, and free-to-play (3:03)
Responding to game reviews being tainted by publisher advertising money (6:41)
Effect game reviews have on sales & developer relationships with publishers (5:06)
BONUS INTERVIEW: Adrian Hon - Creator of Zombies, Run!
Benefits and drawbacks of original concepts and IP when crowdfunding a game (7:55)
Business considerations with alternate reality game (ARG) design (4:56)
How crowdfunding compares to the traditional pitching process (2:01)
How he became a game developer working on alternate reality games (ARGs) (5:55)
Designing/selling an alternate reality game at a venture capital funded company (6:48)
Where does the extra money in a game Kickstarter go (1:11)
Ten Tips to Start your Indie Company Today - JP van Seventer
Ten Tips to Start your Indie Company Today - part 1 (6:00)
Ten Tips to Start your Indie Company Today - part 2 (6:00)
Ten Tips to Start your Indie Company Today - part 3 (6:00)
Ten Tips to Start your Indie Company Today - part 4 (4:42)
BONUS INTERVIEW: Naomi Alderman - Video game writer & Co-creator of Zombies, Run
Introduction and pressures investors put on the game developers (4:24)
How an email signature led to a career in games writing (4:07)
How does video game writing differ from novel writing (3:44)
What is it like as a game writer working on an ARG (Alternate Reality Game) (5:18)
When do game writers typically enter the development process (2:24)
How should game writers deal with uncertainties that they have no control over (3:25)
Putting together a game writing team you want to work with (2:15)
Outtakes from the LAGD interview with Naomi Alderman (game writer and novelist) (1:19)
BONUS INTERVIEW: Chris Plante - Gaming journalist and Editor at Polygon
How does a gaming website Editor establish credibility (2:52)
How important is media attention to a game's success (3:08)
The new focus on feminism and diversity in gaming journalism (2:28)
Tips for indie game developers for getting reviews and media attention (4:40)
Why AAA titles tend to get high scores and advertising skewing reviews (2:46)
The 24 hour news cycle in gaming blowing issues out of proportion (1:28)
APPENDIX: Free Game Music: HalcyonicFalconX
HalcyonicFalconX License
Sample - Heroes March (Extended)(LQ)
Audio Sample - Raindrops of a Dream
Audio Sample - The Frozen Journey
APPENDIX: Free Game Music: NutcaseNightmare
NutcaseNightmare Public Domain License
Audio Sample - And Now For That Massive Coronary
Audio Sample - Countdown to Myocardial Infarction
Audio Sample - No Rocking in the Jazzhands Zone
APPENDIX: Free Game Music: Stratkat
Stratkat Public Domain Dedication
Audio Sample - Chaotic Filth (loop)
Daydream Anatomy - 8-Bit Heroes - 01 Combat
8-Bit Heroes - 06 Dragon Slayer
Daydream Anatomy - 06 31337
Audio Sample - Dramatic Metal Entrance (loop)
APPENDIX: Free Game Art: Pixel Tower Defense
Pixel Tower Defense Art Public Domain Dedication
APPENDIX: Free Game Art: Turn Based Game
Turned Based Game Art Public Domain Dedication
APPENDIX: Free Game Art: Platformer Pack
Platformer Pack Public Domain Dedication
APPENDIX: Free Game Art: Flash Assets for 3 Games
Flash Assets for Three Games Public Domain Dedication
APPENDIX: Common Game Engine License Agreements
Unity Pro and Personal 5.19.15
Torque 2D_3D 5.27.15
Unreal Engine EULA 5.19.15
RPG Maker 5.27.15
On the importance of treating employees well and avoiding crunch time
Lesson content locked
If you're already enrolled,
you'll need to login
.
Enroll in Course to Unlock