A legal toolkit for developers seeking funding.
Are you a game developer preparing to raise funds, negotiate a publishing deal, or explore acquisition?
Are you an investor, publisher, or partner evaluating a potential game studio opportunity?
This guide provides more than 20,000 words detailing the key legal and financial considerations in game funding transactions: from venture capital and publishing advances to M&A and hybrid deal structures.
It will be FREE to download from this site. The goal: to help studios and their partners understand how funding really works in games, and how to prepare before a single term sheet is signed.
Inside, the Game Studio Funding Playbook covers:
- Market and funding trends from 2021–2025
- Legal frameworks for venture capital, publishing, and M&A deals
- Common diligence pitfalls and how to avoid them
- The Game Dev IP Checklist — a guide to proving ownership and readiness
- Legal checklists for investor due diligence preparation
- Key questions to ask during negotiations
- How to evaluate the right funding partner for your studio
- Investor red flags and deal terms that can derail momentum
- A practical roadmap for when to involve legal counsel
Get the funding information you need by downloading the free eBook now by completing this form.
FAQ: The Game Studio Funding Playbook
Who is this ebook designed for?
The Game Studio Funding Playbook is designed for mid-size game studios, emerging developers preparing for funding, and teams navigating venture investment, publishing advances, or acquisition interest. It is also relevant for studios planning a future raise and seeking clarity on legal readiness, IP organization and investor expectations.
Is this resource useful for early-stage or small indie teams?
The guide includes foundational legal checklists and explanations that apply to studios of all sizes. While the emphasis is on mid-size teams preparing for structured investment, smaller studios exploring early publishing deals and other forms of funding will also find value.
Does the ebook cover venture capital funding for game developers?
Yes. The playbook outlines how venture funding works within the games industry, including preferred equity, investor rights, protective provisions, and common diligence issues that arise when raising capital through institutional investment.
Does this resource address publishing deals as a form of funding?
Yes. The guide explains how publishing advances function as financing, how milestone structures work, and what legal terms materially affect control, IP rights, and long-term revenue. It also covers the differences between publishing funding and equity investment.
Is M&A covered in the ebook?
The playbook includes an overview of M&A structures commonly seen in the games industry, including asset purchases, equity sales, earnouts, retention arrangements, and IP-related diligence considerations.
Who else might benefit from the Game Studio Funding Playbook?
The guide may also be helpful for investors, publishers, business development professionals, and industry advisors seeking insight into how studios prepare for funding and what legal materials are typically evaluated during diligence.
Does the ebook provide legal advice?
No. The content is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Studios exploring funding transactions should consult legal counsel for advice tailored to their specific situation.
What topics are included in the ebook?
The playbook covers funding frameworks, investor expectations, IP checklists, diligence preparation, risk areas, negotiation questions, red flags, and criteria for evaluating the right funding partner. It also includes practical workflows for studios organizing materials ahead of a raise.
Is the ebook free?
Yes. The Game Studio Funding Playbook is available as a free downloadable resource for studios and industry professionals.
Why was the ebook created?
The playbook was developed to help studios navigate the legal complexity of game-related financing, reduce unnecessary deal friction, and provide a clear roadmap for preparing for investment, publishing negotiations, or acquisition discussions.