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. @squeakywheelph is no @rawfury or @WhiteThornGames but we did beat them to the punch re: sharing @ruinarch_game publishing contract publicly by a year. Here's the link and some additional thoughts since the game has launched (contract link in article). https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/RyanSumo/20191126/354767/What_Does_A_Healthy_PublisherDeveloper_Relationship_Looks_Like_With_Real_Contract_Details.php
I was hesitant to share this again because I'm trying to minimize social media use for mental wellbeing. But I do believe in transparency, especially when the information asymmetry skews towards publishers. One data point is not a lot, but it helps.
Some updates. Since launch @ruinarch_game has done quite well, for a game that doesn't have the clout of well known devs/publishers. Some dropoff in sales recently, but I think that both parties are still quite happy with the arrangement.
We have, however, renegotiated the contract some. We revoked our right of first refusal to sequels, consoles, etc. and agreed to additional investment for localization.
Its important to note that we have this flexibility as a small company that is not purely a publisher.
Its important to note that we have this flexibility as a small company that is not purely a publisher.
I'm sure it's much more difficult for other companies, especially those who make many bets on games, with some inevitably failing. We made 1 bet, and were fortunate that it panned out. I was certainly scared making an investment of that amount, despite my belief in the team/game.
A company that exists solely as a publisher and places many bets on many games is rolling the dice with each one, and so they are obliged to try to protect their investment and their company and their people as best they can. Devs should do the same.
There are multiple funding sources out there, depending on your location. And your reasons for securing funding will vary. For our first game, @politicsanimal my goal was clear. I didn't want to risk my money or mortgage on our first game. So I pitched it.
I charmed @cliffski into publishing it. God bless him, because Political Animals was a flop and lost him quite a bit of change. That it one role a publisher can play, to absorb the inevitable risk that comes into releasing a game.
All of which is to say, publishers, funds, grants etc. all have their pros an cons. It's up to the developer which one works best for their needs and what is the best fit. And I hope that us putting our contract out there helps, even a little bit.
