A development or publishing agreement can look like a lifeline right up until it isn’t. Studios of every size have signed deals that seemed reasonable at the time, only to find themselves on the wrong end of a termination clause that wiped out their runway, stripped them of rights to work they spent years building …
Starting a business has never been more accessible and at the same time, never more complicated. Between global audiences and new tools that let creators and founders move faster than ever, it’s easier to build something real. Because of that, making sure that the fundamentals don’t get skipped is also more crucial than ever. This …
Introducing the 10-Step Quick Start Guide for New Businesses Read More »
In game publishing, and especially in game publishing agreements, clawbacks are safety valves that can keep intellectual property from being locked away and lost to history. What Is a Clawback in Licensing? In the world of intellectual property licensing, a “clawback” refers to a contractual mechanism that allows a party to take back rights or …
Don’t Lose Your Game Forever: How Clawbacks Can Help Preserve Rights in Publishing Deals Read More »
As 2025 closes, the games industry enters another year shaped by shifting economics, rapid advances in technology, and a volatile political climate. Last Year: We Got Some Stuff Wrong, Some Right Last year’s predictions focused on structural pressure points rather than specific outcomes. Many of those pressures materialized, though often faster and more unevenly than …
Legal Challenges and Industry Predictions for Games in 2026 Read More »
The funding landscape for video games has shifted significantly in recent years. After a period of accelerated growth during the pandemic, the market moved toward more conservative investor behavior: tighter capital, deeper diligence. Studios now face a funding environment where legal readiness and clear organizational structure matter more than ever. To support teams approaching these …
Back in the wild west days of video games in the 80s, 90s and even early 2000s, games rarely, if ever, collected personal information. As games evolved into the connected experiences we enjoy today, studios now increasingly rely on information flows to support gameplay, analytics, personalization, live operations and more. At the same time, global …
As the free agency page in the esports world begins to turn, rosters begin to lock in, and players begin turning their attention to practice, boot camps, and building chemistry with their new teammates, it’s a critical moment for competitors to pause, reflect, and evaluate the contract they are just about to sign (or have …
5 Key Considerations in Esports Player Contracts Read More »
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 …