How to create your own game company
Instead, ask your sources to fund more tangible things that developers need, such as PCs and other equipment.”ġ6. “Funding sources are often weary about giving cash to people – there is no guarantee you’ll do what you say with the money. “Don’t register for VAT until you need to. It’s hard to raise money for your third game idea when you’ve killed the first two. It’s easy to find marketing dollars if you have good beta metrics.
“Raise money for development, not marketing.
HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN GAME COMPANY FOR FREE
You can get a lot for free if you ask nicely and create some interest in what you’re doing: for example, extended trial licenses for software, expo fees and so on.ġ3. Avoid all expenses that are not absolutely essential. You’ll find that it saps a lot of your time with with negotiating, builds, formalities, lawyers – when you can just get on and make it”ġ2. “If you can fund a game yourself, it’s worth it. Know what kinds of investors you should be targeting for the stage you are at.”ġ1.
HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN GAME COMPANY HOW TO
Understand how to value what IP you have – not just the game, but tech, people and skills too. Make sure you know about UK tax breaks to get 20 per cent back off your game production costs, as well as the R&D tax breaks. “Research which pots of money you can access. If there’s one thing not guaranteed in video games, it’s the ability to make money.”ġ0. It doesn’t matter if it’s savings, freelance work or selling body parts. “Always have a plan B when it comes to funding. A flexible, future-proof foundation for your game means it’ll stay relevant and engaging for longer.”Ĭharlie Peachey, Marmalade Technologies Finding fundingĩ. What platforms are they on? What devices are they using? Where might they be in the future? What devices will they buy? Make sure your content is ready to go wherever they are by using the right cross-platform tools from the outset. “For any small indie studio, be prepared to spend a LOT of time doing tasks other than actually making the games.”Ĩ. Don’t be afraid to show what you’re working on. “You will wear many hats: business, PR, HR. Get it out of the way in the beginning so you’re all on the same page. Make it clear from the beginning the IP ownership rights and how individuals will get paid. Document and create agreements with everyone you work with. Do not take this lightly it will make or break you.”ĥ. “Remember you are not just building a creative team – you are also starting a commercial entity. You might be great at estimating how long something will take, but 1,001 things will get in the way.”Ĥ.