I am totally new at this and therefore a little in shock, but I pitched two game ideas to a company, who first said they weren't accepting new submissions, and they replied that they were interested in both and asked me to send prototypes. The prototypes are ready to send; but they said they weren't going to make a decision for 90-120 days. I have two questions. Is this a normal amount of time to ask an invenor to wait? And is it okay to pitch the games to other companies while I'm waiting, or am I expected to keep quiet until I hear back. Any advice will be appreciated.
A publisher is interested. Now what?
Mon, 05/02/2005 - 01:10
Mon, 05/02/2005 - 03:42
#1
Re: A publisher is interested. Now what?
KCAJ wrote:
I am totally new at this and therefore a little in shock, but I pitched two game ideas to a company, who first said they weren't accepting new submissions, and they replied that they were interested in both and asked me to send prototypes.
Congratulation, I hope you get them sold to.
KCAJ wrote:
The prototypes are ready to send; but they said they weren't going to make a decision for 90-120 days. ... Is this a normal amount of time to ask an inventor to wait?
I would say yes. They have to do a lot of tests and see if they can profit from the game on the market.
What you can say is that you give them exclusive right to decide on the games for ... (set a date). You may also get a status report at half time (it could only be a one liner that says that they still is interested).
You should also get a confirmation that they have received your games.
KCAJ wrote:
And is it okay to pitch the games to other companies while I'm waiting, or am I expected to keep quiet until I hear back.
No you should not. If you do, you get a higher risk that they will drop your game.
// Johan
Mon, 05/02/2005 - 03:53
#2
Re: A publisher is interested. Now what?
KCAJ wrote:
I am totally new at this and therefore a little in shock, but I pitched two game ideas to a company, who first said they weren't accepting new submissions, and they replied that they were interested in both and asked me to send prototypes.
Congrats from me, too! That's great!
Quote:
The prototypes are ready to send; but they said they weren't going to make a decision for 90-120 days. I have two questions. Is this a normal amount of time to ask an invenor to wait?
Quite reasonable. Some companies require 1 year.
Quote:
And is it okay to pitch the games to other companies while I'm waiting, or am I expected to keep quiet until I hear back.
This is a bit trickier. Johan may be right, but the SAZ (game designers guild) suggests just the opposite, to submit to many companies at once.
If you're not in a hurry, I'd hold off, personally, but then I don't know the reasoning of the SAZ, necessarily, other than, perhaps, that we as authors need to take back some control of the process. Dunno.
Best of luck!
-- Matthew
Mon, 05/02/2005 - 17:32
#4
Re: A publisher is interested. Now what?
KCAJ wrote:
I am totally new at this and therefore a little in shock, but I pitched two game ideas to a company, who first said they weren't accepting new submissions, and they replied that they were interested in both and asked me to send prototypes.
Congratulations - a signifcant step in the right direction. I remember that feeling of shock all too well...
Quote:
The prototypes are ready to send; but they said they weren't going to make a decision for 90-120 days. I have two questions. Is this a normal amount of time to ask an invenor to wait?
Yes. I've waited less time; I've waited significantly longer. IMHO one of the greatest virtues you can have as a game designer is patience...
Quote:
And is it okay to pitch the games to other companies while I'm waiting, or am I expected to keep quiet until I hear back.
Generally it _is_ acceptable, provided you've let the publisher in question know in advance that you are doing so. They may request that you not do so, and they may choose not to look at your game if you insist, but most publishers are flexible.
That said, I never do it. But my reason is simple - it's a lot of work to manage multiple submissions, and it's just not worthwhile to me. But getting my games published isn't a primary goal, so a slow and serial process is just fine for me, as is having a finished game just sitting on my shelf.
Joe
Mon, 05/02/2005 - 18:10
#5
A publisher is interested. Now what?
Might should mention that Joe_Huber is published.
Thank you both for the feedback. I would have guessed a different answer, but am going with your suggestions.