Every U.S. company is required by law to designate a registered agent in each state it operates in. However, a registered agent’s role extends past just fulfilling a legal requirement. Why Is A Registered Agent Needed? Registered agents receive: Missing a time-sensitive legal notice can result in default judgments, fines, or administrative dissolution of a …
Many studios, especially early-stage studios, rely heavily on the services provided by independent contractors. Contractors may provide anything from commissioned art, to administrative services, to programming services for studios. No matter what services are being provided, there are some core ingredients any studio should want to see in written agreements with these service providers: First …
What Every Studio Needs in a Contractor Agreement Read More »
In the push to meet milestones and impress publishers, development teams often treat intellectual property (IP) as a box to tick rather than a strategic asset. The result can be costly detours exactly when momentum matters most: disputed titles, ownership surprises or stalled funding rounds. Understanding where misunderstandings typically arise helps studios safeguard creativity, preserve …
Many budding entrepreneurs know that starting a successful venture requires creating a legal entity and drafting the associated paperwork, but those documents leave many questions unanswered: What role will each founder play in the new business? How will smaller operational decisions, like whether to sign a contract, be made? Can founders “moonlight” and work other …
“It’s hard being an indie game developer” is an understatement. This is especially true for developers embarking on the indie dev journey for the first time, whether on their own or through a newly formed studio. In addition to juggling the demands of game development and publishing, indie developers must now worry about accounting, marketing, …
Marketing and promotion play a vital role in a game’s success, but control over these efforts can be a significant point of negotiation in publishing agreements. Developers and publishers often have different priorities when it comes to messaging, branding, and budget allocation, making it essential to establish clear terms in the contract. In most publishing …
Marketing and Promotion in Game Publishing: Who Controls What? Read More »
When a game developer signs a publishing agreement, a business relationship is established that extends beyond merely getting a game to market. Understanding the nature of this relationship is crucial in ensuring that a deal aligns with long-term goals. The Role of a Publisher A game publisher provides services that developers may not have the …
The Developer-Publisher Relationship: What Developers Are Signing Up For Read More »
On April 5, 2025, the President of the United States announced that the United States will impose a minimum 10% baseline tariff on all goods imported from around the world, with many countries subject to higher rates. This announcement sent shockwaves through many economic sectors, causing a large amount of concern over supply chain costs, …
How New U.S. Tariffs Could Reshape the Video‑Game Supply Chain Read More »
Convertible notes and Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs) are widely used by startups to raise early-stage capital. However, where the terms of those agreements are overly generous to the early-stage investor, those agreements can create complexities in future financing rounds, particularly in the form of “liquidation preference overhang”. What is Liquidation Overhang? Liquidation overhang …
Recoupable expenses are a critical aspect of game publishing agreements, often reducing the revenue a developer ultimately receives. These costs, deducted from game sales before royalties are paid, can significantly impact profitability. Understanding what qualifies as a recoupable expense and how to negotiate favorable terms is essential for developers (and publishers) looking to maximize earnings. …
Recoupable Expenses: Hidden Costs That Can Eat Video Game Profits Read More »