Mods signing with publishers?

[Argyll]

What are your opinions if a mod team would sign with a publisher if approached? This would mean that the mod would become a game and no longer become a free mod.

Thoughts?

 

[Scottc]

Personally I think its a premature thing for any publisher to do before any playable beta is released and the public has responded in a possitive way. Besides that, its a major accomplishment and is a blessing.

 

[chapel]

Its not immature, the publisher obviously sees something with the mod. But that doesnt mean they made a good choice. Its a good thing and a bad thing. When publishers make deals like that, most time they are 1 time deals. If you were me, Id rather have longevity than a 1 shot deal. Other than that its kick ass setup if you get it.

 

[Scottc]

Well if your going to invest time, money, manpower and your companys name in a project that for all you know is run by kid 15 year olds you are gambling a lot. It could die for any number of reasons or it could be a hit, it could be a dud if released. I think the safest way for any well known publisher would be to wait it out, play the first release, take the feedback from the community into account and then go onto contacting the team.

I know this isnt about whether publishers should or shouldn't do it, but I am clearly stating what a publisher worth your time would do, if someone has contacted you, you should research them well before even replying to the email.

 

[chapel]

Originally posted by Scottc
Well if your going to invest time, money, manpower and your companys name in a project that for all you know is run by kid 15 year olds you are gambling a lot. It could die for any number of reasons or it could be a hit, it could be a dud if released. I think the safest way for any well known publisher would be to wait it out, play the first release, take the feedback from the community into account and then go onto contacting the team.

I know this isnt about whether publishers should or shouldn't do it, but I am clearly stating what a publisher worth your time would do, if someone has contacted you, you should research them well before even replying to the email.

Well I agree that you should research a publisher, and know all terms arranged. But publishers are smarter than that, they are gonna go after ones that they want, and of course their gonna research it, and want a working demo at minimum. So I say wait till your in that position otherwise who cares.

 

[Argyll]

Let's just say that the publisher approaches a mod that would fit their target market.

They would then have some terms that would not hinder or alter the development process at all. When release time (beta release) comes along, they would provide vast amounts of support.

I won't go further into details, but what do you think about that?

Basically, it is support after the development is finished or testing. They would not offer financial support or anything until a possible retail version.

 

[Scottc]

That happened many times on an old mod I worked on, but taking the advice of friends in the business we stayed true and free, cause what all these companys stated is that if we release and everything goes well they pay us and we hand over ownership.

Just don't let them take everything right from under you

 

[Sirius]

Originally posted by Scottc
Personally I think its a premature thing for any publisher to do before any playable beta is released and the public has responded in a possitive way.

You have a point, but look at Hollywood. Film studios buy scripts from first time writers without knowing how successfull the movie will be. Buisness is all about gambles, and making the right ones. Sometimes all you need to do is come up with something that has mass appeal, and a publisher will take a chance on making a profit.

 

[WhiteOni]

If any pubisher wanted my mod... well... I'd tell 'em that I won't change it for them first!

But if they say that they are gonna "help" you.. maybe as PR... I'd say... OKAY ^^

But a publisher won't do a lot for a mod.. okay.. maybe get you the source engine and make a standalone game...:dork:

 

[SidewinderX]

What brought this up?

 

[Argyll]

This is just a 'what if' scenario Sidewinder.

 

[SidewinderX]

Ahh, I see.

 

[Yakuza]

Originally posted by Argyll
What are your opinions if a mod team would sign with a publisher if approached? This would mean that the mod would become a game and no longer become a free mod.

Thoughts?

They wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole, untile the mod had reached a some level of growth. Were some good amount of profit would come in.

It took counter strike quite awhile to get published and it was almost an instant hit from release. Yet it took awhile for publishers to pick them up.



Its all about the cheese.:cheers:

 

[STEELV]

You can't sell the MOD unless you buy rights from VALVe for the Source engine though...

 

[Onions]

our mod has been approached by a publisher who is prepared to pay the license. we've barely started too. rawk

 

[Yakuza]

Originally posted by Onions
our mod has been approached by a publisher who is prepared to pay the license. we've barely started too. rawk

Good luck man, hope things work out for you.

:cheers:

 

[Argyll]

Originally posted by Onions
our mod has been approached by a publisher who is prepared to pay the license. we've barely started too. rawk

Jay from Epiphany 6 Studios and a representative from Battle Eagle Entertainment?

 

[HiroProtaganist]

so is the question here whether or not it's "selling out" to let your mod get created as a full fledged independent game? It would depend on your intention going into it. If your desire is to break into game development; then modding is an easier way to get into development than say going to school for game design for four years. Then getting hired on as an unpaid intern for a year then spend the next 5 years making less money than it cost to got to school to learn how to make games. then no it's not "selling out" however if you create a mod and say "No, we will never sell it for profit. We want this mod to be free to everyone." then you turn around and sell it to the highest bidder then yes you "sold out" or at least that's how i see it.

Ohh and if it's true that Op: Co-in has interestd publishers then congratulations your success makes everyones dream seema a little closer.