Developer’s Corner

People ask me all the time about the title of this blog. Does this mean the blog is just for gamers?No. The title means it is for lawyers, game publishers, game makers, and game developers who care about gamer’s rights.

Think about it. When there is a movement for “people’s rights”, who is it that makes the money? The politicians.

And whenever someone in Hollywood makes a movie that is “for the people”, who rakes in the profits? The movie-maker.

So today is the first of a regular feature that focuses on the people (publishers, artists, voice-over talent, and developers) who make all the gamers happy.

The Players are Wrong but Listen Anyway This article by a game developer goes into detail as to what type of feedback to gather from the users during the game-making process. This frankly doesn’t rise to the level of a legal duty, but more of a moral duty… that is from a game developer with a sincere wish to make as fair and as entertaining of a game as possible. If you are strictly looking for a legal viewpoint, maybe you could use the forums and feedbacks as a sort of “testing ground” to determine if the beta testers feel the game is working out as a fair and even playing field, depending upon the user’s choice of character, etc. But the developer does a great job of noting these opinions must be taken in the context that most of these early users have an “axe to grind” or may be overly skeptical types that over-critique a supposedly fun experience. A great read for developers or anyone.

Raising Startup Financing This list has a more general feel, as it would apply towards anyone raising money for a financial project. But for a developer with a great idea and some resources to start, the list is a great jumping-off point to investigate financing options.

Developer Links This is an incredible A-to-Z list of links of use to a game developer. Mostly the destinations are esoteric and specific to a developer’s needs, but there are some that might be good general reading. If you have an interest in developing games or even being a beta tester, you should browse the list and spend a couple of minutes to add to your knowledge.

SAG and AFTRA renegotiate their contract structure with Developers Gamasutra has an excellent story about the renegotiation of voice-actor talent. You may have noticed that voice-acting is getting better, and the voice talent are getting paid. And plus they are in a stronger negotiating position than artists, graphic designers, and programmers; who get 100% of their work from the game studios. For the voice-over talent there is always animation, film work, radio, and commercials. Thus they are more of a varying expense than those talents who are specific to the video game industry alone.

Three for the B(usiness). #1 If you don’t get legal advice at the beginning of a large financial venture(oh, but it’s just a video-game), then at least have some resources who can advise you WHEN to get an attorney. There are attorneys who deal specifically with financing, video games, talent agents…. but just make sure you have resources available for when you need them.

#2 Keep an open mind during the alpha, beta, and “gold” process for game dynamics. Listen to the critics, the testers, and the programmers, but most of all listen to your heart. Only you know what kind of game you are trying to write, and just like some books are not for everyone, maybe your beta testers should be playing something else, and upon release your dream will find its “true audience”.

#3 Game talent takes many forms. Keep an eye (and an ear) out for people that will help your final product. Set expectations on salary, benefits, accolades on the team you assemble, and under-promise and over-deliver. You may lose a few at the beginning of the process, but you can build a strong core of people that hopefully continue forward with you, and as any HR professional will tell you, it’s a lot cheaper to keep a good employee than to find one.

Jay Moffitt is a TN attorney. The words do not constitute legal advice, and no attorney/client relationship is created. Jay Moffitt does not claim a certification in this specialty, and TN does not offer a certification in this specialty. Copyright October 3, 2009. Comments will be answered in a timely fashion and with courtesy.

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