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Publishing small Bejeweled-style games

Started by markroth8 Dec 19, 2004 at 11:08 AM 3 replies 2.2k views

Original Post

Dec 19, 2004 at 11:08 AM

My full-time job is as a software engineer, but as a hobby I like to write small independently-developed games. Any advice on publishing small puzzle/arcade-style games like Bejeweled? I'm putting the finishing touches on an original concept game in this genre. I've playtested it with some of my friends and they believe it is at least as fun and as addictive as those already on Yahoo! Games, Popcap, Pogo, GameHouse, and others. The game is already fully playable and production-quality. My problem is I have no idea where to go from here. Seems like there are some really experienced people in this forum. I'd appreciate any advice you may have on: 1. Should I be concerned about protecting my idea? If so, when and how should I do this? 2. Should I form a corporation before trying to get my game published? 3. Any other legal considerations I should be aware of? 4. With the above legal issues aside, what should be my next step in turning my game into some revenue? 5. Anyone have any experience publishing games like these that they would like to share? Thanks much, - Mark

ogracian

Dec 19, 2004 at 7:14 PM

Hi,

Well, about how to sell your game are several options being the most used through your own online store or through a publishers, either way has its pros and cons, but if you are seriously considering sell your game, the more professional look you could give (either your custumers or your publisher) the better; I mean, is much better to aproach a publisher using a company email instead of a free email account like yahoo to say something.

By other hand, I could recomend you a really great book "The Indie Game Development Survival Guide" by David Michael; this book contain a LOT of valuable information for any person interesed in game development bussiness and I am sure it will help you go in the correct direction with your game(s).

Hope this helps,
Oscar

Agreenknight

Dec 20, 2004 at 9:33 AM

1. Should I be concerned about protecting my idea? If so, when and how should I do this?

steve-ideas aren't copyrightable, your game is. I would be concerned if you plan on making money from it.

2. Should I form a corporation before trying to get my game published?

Steve-It usually takes awhile few titles I have heard for a company to support itself.

4. With the above legal issues aside, what should be my next step in turning my game into some revenue?

Steve-approaching a publisher

5. Anyone have any experience publishing games like these that they would like to share?

Steve- I dont' but http://www.v-worlds.net/content.php?article.182, check this out.

What legal issues you should be aware of? Keeping the rights to your game copyrighted.

DavidRM

Dec 20, 2004 at 11:56 AM

Quote:
Original post by markroth8
1. Should I be concerned about protecting my idea? If so, when and how should I do this?
2. Should I form a corporation before trying to get my game published?
3. Any other legal considerations I should be aware of?
4. With the above legal issues aside, what should be my next step in turning my game into some revenue?
5. Anyone have any experience publishing games like these that they would like to share?

1. Take the time to get your copyright on the completed game registered. You could look into registering a trademark on the title, but that can be expensive. Overall, don't be too paranoid.

2. If you're in the US, just marketing it under your own name (a "sole proprietorship" for tax purposes) is probably sufficient to get started. Certainly it's the least expensive option.

3. The main legal issues you need to be aware of are tax issues. Find a CPA who handles small business accounts and ask them.

4. You'll need to learn how to market the game, beginning with a Web page, going through the effort to get it listed around the Web, and more. That's easily the hardest part of the whole process. Or at least the one that makes most developers get nervous and wish for the good old days of only doing what they're told...

5. There's my book: The Indie Game Development Survival Guide. The book covers the whole indie game development process, from design, through planning, team building, development, testing, and, especially, marketing and sales.

There's also the Indie Game Developer Forums:
http://forums.indiegamer.com/

Lots of experienced indie game developers post there.

Best of luck.

-David

markroth8

Dec 21, 2004 at 8:39 AM

Thanks for your replies, everyone!

Agreenknight - I checked out that article. Thanks. It's a bit dated but it has some useful tips nonetheless.

David - I'll be sure to check out your book. It looks like it's written for people just like me!

Sounds like I should:

* Not bother with forming a corporation just yet, but consider sending emails from an account other than Yahoo! and the likes.
* Copyright the completed game before making it public
* Put together a homepage for the game

But then what? Given the style of game (small puzzle game), should I contact a publisher? Should I try and sell it as shareware and wait for a publisher to contact me?

It seems to me that the Bejeweled model is different than the classic shareware model. In the shareware model, you are your own publisher. In the Bejeweled model, you're taking your idea to a publisher who adds value to your product and sells it through their existing channels.

Does anyone have any experience dealing with Yahoo! Games, Popcap, Pogo, GameHouse, or other similar companies?

- Mark

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