casual connect seattle 2017: did that publisher just ghost me?
TRANSCRIPT
Did That Publisher Just Ghost Me?Publisher & Developer Relationships in the Modern Age
Mel MontanoSenior Business Development Manager
ghosttransitive verb
informal: to abruptly cut off all contact with (someone, such as a former romantic partner) by no longer accepting or responding to phone calls, instant
messages, etc.Added February 2017 to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary
What is this talk about?
● The Start○ Meeting
● The Middle○ Developing○ Launching
● The End○ Contract completed / Game cancelled
● The Sequel
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Past Publisher - Developer Relationships
● Physical distribution focused● Mostly one-sided deals● IP control● Unknown support● Market driven and reactionary
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Modern Publisher - Developer Relationships
● Digital distribution focused● More fair deals● Own your own IP● Potentially unknown support● Market driven and reactionary
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The Meet-Cute
● Mutual friends and developers● Conferences● Game-Dev meetups
○ Women In Gaming International○ City/Region meetups
● Pub-Dev speed dating● Pub-Dev matching sites
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If You Are Hosting An Event
● Set your Code of Conduct and follow it● Consider your audience
○ Location○ Under 21 or non-drinkers○ Provide non-alcoholic beverages
and snacks● Avoid loud music
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Attending an Event and Hosting a Booth
● Consider every interaction as new● Include relevant information on your
business cards and flyers● Tip: Take notes every meeting● Stay hydrated, drink some water
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At Events, Don’t Be That Person
● Be respectful● Drink responsibly
○ Drink some water● If you make mistakes, apologize.
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After Meeting
● 3 day rule after conferences○ Unintentional ghosting
● Actionable subject line in your email○ One email chain, don’t double dip
● Give context in the email○ “We met at … Was wondering …”
● Don’t be scared to ask questions!
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What To Do When You Think You’ve Been Ghosted
● Around a week after the first message, a polite follow up is welcomed
● Following messages cc: in additional contact, give time frames
● Three emails and give a gap○ Reach back out at the next event
● Staffing changes● Remember regional holidays!
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Considering a Publishing Partner
● Look at their portfolio● Talk to other developers● Ask for information on previous titles● Take your time, ask questions,
negotiate● Consider a studio visit
○ Take into account pub/dev location
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Consider Your Dealbreakers1. Revenue Advance2. Revenue Split3. Platforms for Release4. Schedule5. Development Support (Analytics, Porting, etc)6. Day to day relationship7. Physical / Digital Publishing8. Marketing Expectations9. Exclusivity
10. Termination Information
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Working With a Partner - The Day to Day
● Communicate● Set up recurring calls and check-ins● Specify monthly information and
reports are needed● Set up shared folders for assets for
marketing and promotions● This is a partnership, discuss and
mutually agree on decisions14
Things Not To Do
● Assume anyone works in a specific department when first meeting
● Lie or threaten● Go into a meeting totally unprepared
○ Calling the company you’re talking to the wrong name
● Rebound and duplicate game pitches○ What about this? Or this?
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It’s OK to Not Have a Publisher
● If you go it alone, work out how to fulfill those things a publisher provides○ Revenue Advance, Platform Relationships,
Analytics, Store Page Design, Ongoing sale management, Marketing and User Acquisition, Customer Support, QA, Roadmap and Event Planning, Localization, Etc…
○ Some can be provided by other service providers
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When Things Go Wrong
● Communicate!● Stay calm, review your options● Do a post-mortem with the developer /
publisher to work out what went right and what could be improved
● Try not to ‘bad mouth’ other studios, developers, and publishers, but do share experiences
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When Things Go Right
● Celebrate together● Mention your publisher please!● Think about the next game● Do a post-mortem with the developer /
publisher to work out what went right and what could be improved
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Questions?
● I’ll be outside following the talk for further questions
● The talk will be posted following the conference
● Don’t forget to drink some water today
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Relevant Articles“Code of Conduct.” Open Source Bridge.
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