Using a Game Agent

Hi Guys.

I'm also looking to submit the 'next big thing' to an agent for their assessment and hopefully submission to a publisher. The online ones that I've come across are:

Days of Wonder (all headings have links!)
See here for the game categories they review ... Universal Card games: Portable, highly-addictive card games; "Small box" games: Short (30-45 minutes max) games centered around a unique central mechanism; "Big box" games: Fun games that are kids or family-oriented)

Mayfair Games
See here for their game range

Out of the Box Publishing
The types of games that they'd be looking for are similar to their line of games: "Out of the Box Publishing creates innovative party, card and board games that provide fresh, fun and engaging ways to enjoy time with friends and family. Games that can be learned in minutes, are colorfully illustrated and fun to play, can easily be played in less than an hour, are efficiently designed in smart packaging and feature dynamic player interaction from start to finish)

Cactus Marketing
Generally family games such as Scattergories, Power Lunch

Project Speil
They review games on behalf of Ravensburger. See their FAQ for an idea of the types of games they're looking for.

Games Play UK
Looks like its generally board, sports and educational games.

Rehtmeyer
See here for their Wish List

ZMan Games
RPG, Board Games, Fantasy Games.

Are there any other links out there that people can add?

Has anyone had experiences with any of these consultants? What were they? Did you get a detailed assessment, or just a few words? How long did it take? How much did they cost and did you think you got fair value for it? Did they provide good introductions to publishers? What cut did they take on the royalty arrangement? Who would you recommend?

Grateful for your 2 cents worth.

Cheers ..... TwoBob

(BTW, anyone know who published the game "Who'd You Rather"?)

I'm also looking to submit the 'next big thing' to an agent for their assessment and hopefully submission to a publisher. The online ones that I've come across are:

Cheers ..... TwoBob

Twobob,

Sisk already posted a comprehensive list of publishers accepting submissions in this thread:

http://www.bgdf.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=16364

-Darke

Sisk already posted a comprehensive list of publishers accepting submissions in this thread:

http://www.bgdf.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=16364

-Darke

Ah, good. I hadn't seen that thread ... not sure how I missed it really! I'll add the others ones to that thread. Cheers!

There is a large section of agents in the Toy and Game Inventors Handbook. If you look at Sports stars, movie stars etc., they all use agents to represent them. You may hear that Julia Roberts gets 14 million a picture, but after everyone has taken their cut, it's smaller. The question that everyone must ask themselves is whether they want complete control and take the risk (but get the reward) or lose some control and some of the profits, but have someone take on the risk. I don't know squat about all of the fine print of the contracts, advances, rates etc. so it is something to consider.

My plan is to self produce, hopefully have a game with good potential by being able to show anyone that it's moving, and then potentially have an agent shop it around. I can maybe get a higher rate if I've already done everything up to that point and started the name recognition. And if I'm selling enough copies with more profit than licensing it to someone else (plus an agents fee), I might just pass. Good luck.

HR Puff

At the beginning of my game creation, I used an online submission process by an agent for feedback. Her opinion said my game wasn't licensable as she was probably determining whether she wanted to represent the game (that was never my reason for submitting my game, but I did say whatever as it's her opinion). She did say that there seemed to be potential for the self production route.

Fast forward 8 months in which I have a working prototype and am moving full steam ahead. I asked my project manager who works for the game company manufacturer I'm using whether he thought my game was licensable. He said he did. I told him the earlier comment by this lady and how she didn't think it was. He said the difference is that I have a working prototype now and it looks real so it could be pitched to large game manufacturers who would have a visual idea and not just one trying to imagine what the game would look like.

Based on this limited experience, I believe an agent will most likely pass on a game unless it looks real and isn't just an "idea" For them to try and sell the game to others, someone will have had to do a reputable looking prototype. Whether the agent believes in the game to show you the way is the million dollar question. But even if they decide not to represent you, don't quit.

HR Puff

I contacted the agent first and foremost because her company said they can manufacture games for self publishers including electronic components. Since my game hinges on this electronic component, I needed to have someone make a prototype for me to prove to myself that the game could be done. In her online submission response, I think she was saying I don't want to represent your creation from scratch: however, I will manufacture the prototype and actual game for you and still make money.

That being said, I told the company I was willing to go forward in them making a prototype for me and I needed a quote. After 3 months of pestering the project leader, I never got a quote from him and he was ignoring my calls. The president never responded to my email that i wanted a new project manager who would work with me. Since they didn't care about me at this point as a potential client, I decided to accept the $75 submission fee as a small price to pay and not spending the big bucks with them. i did get a useful piece of info from the review though.

I found another company 2 months later that only were manufacturers and didn't have aseparate business of representing games etc. What I found reassuring with this new company is that after talking with the project manager, he drew a hand scetch of the electronic component I described and emailed it to me 2 hours later. This is the first time I looked at someones artwork of my vision. This is why I made the earlier post: I'm guessing that agents and game manufacturers can invision your game unless they see a prototype. The chances of a company or game being sold by writing a plan on a napkin (Southwest Airlines reference) are limited.

The question becomes, "how do I do a prototype to show or shop around when even I don't know what the finished product should look like?" I think of my experience so far and looking into the future as a director of a movie. I have the vision for what I want to make: however, i need to find the right people who buy into my vision to do what I cannot (graphics, design, manufacturing etc.) When you think about it, George Lucas didn't say to his model makers, special effects team etc., "here's a drawing of an X Wing Fighter, Boba Fett, R2-D2 etc., now do it." He hired the right people and said this is my story, help me create it and that's what happened. When I looked at the drawing, I said.."you got it, plus more..."

I know I'm long winded and it's not like I have any legs to stand on regarding having a game yet: however, my experience is free. Use it as you wish

HR Puff