May 02

Q: In addition to the demo, what should a developer have in its publisher presentation?

A:  In addition to your demo, you need to make sure that the publisher has all the information they need to properly evaluate your proposal. You should include a walkthrough of the demo and/or saved games to be certain that they can see all the unique selling points of the game. They will also be interested in the past history of the team itself and what the individual team members have worked on in the past.  Also, include a design treatment in the package, not a 400 page document, but 15-20 pages that outline the unique gameplay and technology features, and lets the publisher know the time you plan to complete the game and an idea of the cost.

Jay

Q: Jay, any insider tips on the best place to spend our time at E3? We're a new developer, we're on a budget, and we need to maximize our money and time. I know the Fairmount lobby bar is the place at GDC, what about E3?

A: Unfortunately, E3 is so large that it is hard to pin down one place to socialize like the Fairmont at GDC. I would certainly spend my time looking around the floor. E3 is aimed at the press and retail buyers, meeting with publishers is not the best way to spend your time unless you have been in discussions with them for some time and a meeting will be key to closing your deal. Walk the floor and see what types of games the publishers are releasing and what features competitive products are including.  If you are just starting the development of your game, you need to make sure that the project you are working on is better than the majority of the games you see here.  Many booths will have a "happy hour" around 5 each day. This is a good time to meet some of the important people at the company in a more relaxed atmosphere. Keep in mind though, the larger the publisher, the harder it will be to gain access to these booths.

Jay

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Note: If you didn't get a chance to attend GDC or were foolish enough to miss Jay Powell's lecture, we're giving you another chance. Jay has graciously allowed us to publish his white paper: Negotiating Contracts That Protect Your Title and Team.

Who is Jay?
Jay Powell is an agent at Octagon Entertainment, a full service agency catering to the needs of game developers, specializing in the creation of domestic and international opportunities for game financing and publishing and finding opportunities in other medias. Jay has arranged and negotiated numerous deals in Europe and North America for Octagon's clients. He has also proven a key evaluator of projects, having secured some of Octagon's most successful games. With gaming experience in excess of fifteen years, Jay's industry insight has been immensely beneficial to Octagon's clients and publishing partners. Jay's experience has allowed Octagon to create and maintain a property evaluation and acceptance methodology that exceeds the standards and expectations of the interactive industry. Now, Jay brings his knowledge and experience to you.