NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #3/NN_1993_3.iso/spool/rec/games/programm/5554

Internet Message Format | 1993-01-28 | 1.8 KB

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From: [e-mail] (Dr. Cat)
Subject: Re: Game Publishing Questionaire
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Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 03:55:27 GMT
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   Self publishing is not for the inexperienced.  Running any kind of a
business is tricky, running a publishing business without having the
background is very unlikely to work out.  If you deal with Epic Megagames or
Apogee, they pay a 40% royalty.  Is a mere doubling of your profit on the
project worth incurring a large risk that you won't make any money at all,
that you might actually lose money?  I would say you should also approach the
conventional publishers, such as Microprose, Electronic Arts, Origin, Sierra,
etc.  If you have a finished (or nearly finished) product, you're in an
excellent negotiating position, and there's no reason not to talk to as many
publishers as possible and get the best offer you can.  You should definitely
make sure you get a royalty, and get a non-refundable advance against it also.
When you have an offer you want to take, you should talk to some authors who
have had their work published before you accept it, to see whether it is a
fair offer.   Regarding how much money you might make, it's really hard to
say without any description of your game other than the fact that it is an
RPG.  In addition, how much you can make depends a lot on which publisher
you end up with.  Good luck!
                                  Dr. Cat