The Publishing Challenge for Independent Video Game Developers: A Practical Guide

Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Author
Contributors
Chapter 1 Introduction
	References
Chapter 2 An Overview of The Indie PC and Console Market
	Looking at Regions
	Sifting Through Genres
	Understanding Platforms
	References
Chapter 3 What Does Publishing Mean?
	No “One-Size-Fits-All” Definition
	Detailed Structure of Publishing
		Distribution
		Funding
		Development
		Support Services
		Communication
	Who Are The Publishers?
		First-Party Publishers
		Online/Streaming Distribution Platforms
		Developer–Publishers
		Media Companies
		Publishers With Small or Mid-Size Development Teams
		Mobile-Only Publishers
		Publishers With An Investment Background
		Boutique Publishers
	A Closer Look at Boutique Publishers
	Online Stores Distribution Landscape
	It Is All About Community Building and Servicing
	References
Chapter 4 Choosing Your Publishing Strategy
	Checklist To Consider External Publishing
		Do You Have The Right Team To Develop and Finish Your Game?
		Are You Ready and able To Produce A Polished Prototype?
		Are You Ready to Prepare High-Quality Pitching Documentation ?
		Are You Looking For Project or Company Funding?
		Are You Ready To Enter a Close and Intense Business Relationship ?
		Are You Ready To Spend Time Pitching, Negotiating, And Be Rejected ?
		Are You able To Finance The Gap Until The Contract is Signed?
		What is Your Cash Flow Situation For The Complete Length of The Project?
		Are You Ready To Split The Revenue And Recognize The Value of The Partnership?
		Are You Ready To Eventually Share Your Intellectual Property (IP) and Enter A Long-Term Relationship?
		Do You Clearly Know Your Objectives For Your Game and Your Company ?
		Are You Ready To Accept Change Requests According To The Publisher’S Feedback?
		Are You Ready To Fight Through and Negotiate A Long Legal Agreement ?
		Do You Know A Lawyer To Support You in Setting Up The  Contract?
		Are You Ready To Manage The Relationship?
		Do You Have A Long-Term View of The Publisher Sustainability?
		Do You Understand The Structure and Organization of The Publisher and Their Philosophy ?
		Are You Ready To Accept Strict Deadlines and Adapt Your Production Pipeline Accordingly?
		Are You Ready To Maintain Clear Documentation of The  Project ?
		Are You Ready To Follow A Clear and Transparent Communication Schedule ?
		How Important Is it To Reach as Many Countries as Possible?
		Do You Have The Workforce and Willingness To Carry Out Marketing Activities?
		Do You Know Your Target Group, Your Unique Selling Propositions, and Your Objectives?
		Do You Have The Necessary Budget To Fund A Marketing Campaign?
		Do You Know How To Best Manage The Lifetime Sales Of Your  Game?
		Are You Ready To Cooperate And Share Responsibilities For Building Your Community?
		Do You Already Have a Vibrant Community And Efficient Social Network Management?
	How Publishing and Financing are Closely Interwoven, By Thierry Baujard
		Which Financing at Which Stage of The Project?
			Project Versus Company Funding
			What are The Different Sources of Financing (Public/Private)
			Opportunities For Co-Production
			Position of a Publisher Towards Other Sources
	Game Publishing Agreement: The Legal Endgame, By Konstantin Ewald
		Publisher’s Objectives
		Developer’s Objectives
		Key Legal Issues In Your Game Publishing Agreement
		Additional Elements of The Game Publishing Agreement
	Testimonials by Publishing Experts
		Managing Partnerships In Publishing Deals: By Søren Lass
			The Publisher Question: Financial And Strategic Consideration
			Managing The Collaboration Process
			The Commercial Results
			Preparation is Key And After The Deal is Before The Deal
			Questions To ask Yourself as a Developer When Choosing a Publisher
		How and When To Make The Right Strategic Decisions For Marketing, By Zoran Roso
			At The Beginning: Key Strategic Decisions And How To Make Them
			When You Start: What Do You Need To Think about and How Do You Measure Success?
			Wrapping Up
	Case Study: Publishing of Vectronom by Ludopium and Arte
		Turning a Concept Into a Good Prototype
		Starting Showcasing and Getting Fee Dback
		Looking For a Publisher and Finding a Publishing Deal
		Milestones, Localization, And Qa
		Preparation For Communication Is The Core of Your Success
			A Captivating Atmosphere
			Solve Puzzles At The Speed of Sound
			Play On Your Own or With Friends
		Press And Advertising
		Community Building
		Participation At Fairs And Fest Ivals
		Project Plan and Release Timing
		Distribution, Store Management, Coordination of Marketing Activities
	References
Chapter 5 Gathering of Useful Tools For Publishing
	General Recommendations By Julian Broich
	List of Current Publishers
	List of Tools For PR, Communication, and Community Management, By Pierre Schlömp
		Self-Publishing Check List
		Publishing And Distribution Platforms For PC And Virtual  Reality
		Qa And Localization
		The Marketing Plan
		Your Own Website And Internet Presence
		Freelance PR Agencies
		Content Creators
		Forums And Other Platforms
		Hashtags And Bots
		Game Festivals
	Reference
Chapter 6 Conclusion
	References
Index