From tools and engines to libraries and assets, open source software plays a powerful role in game development. But not all open source licenses are created equal, and failing to understand the rules can lead to unintended obligations or risk to proprietary work. Below is a breakdown of the most common open source license types, …
Open Source Licenses in Game Development: What Studios Need to Know Read More »
Game development often starts with passion before profit. Many early projects rely on informal funding from friends or family. That support can make a dream possible, but it is also subject to some legal and regulatory requirements. And, it can create tension if the project takes off or fails. A handshake deal that seemed fine …
When Friends and Family Fund a Game: Keeping It Legal and Clean Read More »
Many people know that when video games are published, revenue share (often called royalties in that context) may be shared between the involved parties. However, revenue share arrangements often exist for collaborators or even service providers to equitably divide the fruits of their labor, especially when cash compensation may not be available at the outset …
Promotional giveaways and contests have become some of the most powerful engagement tools for creators and brands across social media. Their popularity stems from results that are difficult to ignore: giveaway posts can generate up to 64 times more comments and 3.5 times more likes than standard posts, and 91% of all posts with over …
What Creators Need to Know Before Running a Promotion Read More »
Choosing the right legal entity is one of the earliest and most important decisions for a new game studio. The choice often comes down to two common structures: the limited liability company (LLC) or the corporation. Each offers benefits and drawbacks that can shape how a studio grows, raises money, and protects its founders. LLC: …
LLC vs Corporation for a Game Studio: What Every Developer Should Know Read More »
Early access has become a cornerstone of modern game development. It’s a release model where a game is made available to players before its official launch, usually in a playable but unfinished state. This approach gives studios the chance to test ideas in real time, build community, and generate early revenue while still refining the …
From Early Access to Launch: Legal Steps for Game Launch Read More »
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) provides the main mechanism for how a Copyright Holder can take down online content and materials that infringe upon their copyright. The Basics of the DMCA Specifically, the DMCA provides a safe harbor in connection with third-party uploaded materials on their site that infringes the copyright of others by …
Roblox, which brands itself as “the ultimate virtual universe”, has experienced exponential growth in recent years. Last year, Roblox announced at the 2024 Roblox Developer Conference that Roblox maintained a userbase of 79.5 million daily active users (DAUs). That already sky-high figure grew to 111.8 million in 2025, per the 2025 Roblox Developer Conference. Those …
Legal Issues in Roblox: What Game Studios and Brands Should Know Read More »
Fan games are a beloved part of anime and gaming culture. Often created by passionate fans who want to expand on a favorite series, these projects can range from small mods and visual novels to fully developed games inspired by an existing franchise. While these works are usually created as tributes, they raise difficult questions …
Fan Games and Legal Risks: What Developers Should Know Read More »
Advanced or deep learning AI, particularly generative AI and large language models (LLMs), is revolutionizing the video game industry. These tools accelerate development, enrich gameplay, and enable personalized, dynamic experiences. AI has grown from rudimentary pathfinding and procedural generation to systems capable of nuanced NPC behavior and real-time narrative adaptation, creating “Living Games”. Yet, with …