| Maybe you have thought up a really neat and | | | | yourself registered mail. When you receive it you |
| unique idea for a video game and you are thinking | | | | sign for it but do not open it. Leave it sealed. This |
| "If I can just get in touch with the right people I | | | | gives you an amount of legal protection that |
| can sell it and make a lot of money. And I get | | | | establishes a time line for your idea. |
| to see my idea turned into a game that people | | | | NDA's (Non Disclosure Agreements) |
| will play". | | | | A Non disclosure agreement is a legal contract |
| Well, that may be true, and it is possible to do | | | | between two parties. In this case it is between |
| but, to be honest, it is very unlikely. Developing a | | | | you and the person you want to reveal your idea |
| video game takes a lot of work. A typical game | | | | to. It can be a useful tool that will help you |
| for today’s mass market takes a team of | | | | protect your rights. Generally it outlines the |
| people two years and thousands of hours of | | | | confidentiality of your idea and prohibits the other |
| work to create. There is a tremendous amount | | | | party from using the idea. If you are serious |
| of work involved and much of this work is very | | | | about your idea you should do some research on |
| creative which can be expensive. | | | | NDA's and even speak with a lawyer about them. |
| Maybe all of that is a bit discouraging and if you | | | | Outside of the United States these agreements |
| really think you have an idea that is unique there | | | | are often referred to as Confidentiality |
| are some things you can do and I will explain the | | | | Agreements and sometimes they are referred to |
| steps and processes you can take to move your | | | | as Secrecy agreements or Confidential Disclosures |
| idea for a game out of the world of fantasy into | | | | (CD's). |
| the world of possibility. | | | | Okay let’s get started with something solid |
| The big obstacle to getting your idea made into a | | | | you can do |
| game is the question of who is going to do all that | | | | No matter which of the three paths you want to |
| work? It is an important question. A group of | | | | travel down there are some things that you can |
| people have to believe in the idea and have to do | | | | do to get your idea rolling on its path toward |
| the work to take it from idea to reality, and | | | | becoming a real video game. |
| generally you have to rely on yourself. If you | | | | 1. Write out a very extensive overview |
| believe in your idea you need to be the person | | | | of the game. Make it as detailed as possible. And |
| that will spearhead the work and get it from idea | | | | put this in the package you mail to yourself! |
| to reality. If you can do this, and if your game is | | | | 2. Draw up pictures and artwork of |
| unique and different the rewards can be | | | | game scenes, characters, maps and anything else |
| astonishing. | | | | that is unique about the game. In effect you are |
| Three Possible Paths to Success | | | | creating a library of images in the game. Put this |
| There are three possible ways to get a game | | | | in your package too! |
| made from your idea: | | | | 3. Write up an executive summary - |
| Get in touch with a heavy hitter in the game | | | | This is a one or two page summary of the game |
| making industry and convince him or her that | | | | idea and it outlines the things that make it unique. |
| your game is worthwhile. He or she will then set | | | | This is your introduction to people in the gaming |
| the wheels in motion for your idea to be bought | | | | industry and it is the first thing you can give them |
| and developed. (This is highly unlikely although it | | | | so they get a grasp of your idea (of course you |
| has happened on rare occasions) Companies will | | | | would get an NDA first!) |
| occasionally buy video game ideas and keep them | | | | 4. Start your research into the game |
| for future potential projects. | | | | industry. Hang around forums where developers |
| Get in touch with independent developers with | | | | and game makers chat and start learning about |
| game design skills and get them to come on | | | | what it takes to make a game. You can make |
| board with your idea. You have the ability to allow | | | | some good contacts and there are hordes of |
| them to patch together their time in developing | | | | people willing to give you solid advice and some |
| your game. Gamedev.net is a good place to | | | | help with your dream. gamedev.net is a great |
| network and find people for this endeavor. | | | | place to start |
| Spearhead the development yourself. Learn some | | | | 5. Start learning how to make a video |
| basic game making skills and put together a group | | | | game! It is totally possible for a person with |
| of people willing to spend time (and money) on | | | | average computer skills to develop a single level |
| your game. You become the evangelist for the | | | | of a game or a portion of a game. This can be |
| game and the Project Manager. (This is the best | | | | used as a calling card and example for what the |
| option if you want to succeed and it answers the | | | | game would be about. |
| question of who is going to do all the work - You!) | | | | |
| Protecting your Idea | | | | If you want to follow step number five and learn |
| You probably have questions about your idea and | | | | how to make your own game there are lots of |
| how to protect it from being stolen. Well, I guess | | | | resources available that will help you learn how to |
| this is a possibility and maybe it has happened but | | | | do it relatively inexpensively. With lots of |
| it is unlikely. It goes back to the fact that it takes | | | | perseverance you can even create the whole |
| thousands of hours to take a game from idea to | | | | game yourself and have it ready for sale. |
| actual game and the number of unique ideas is | | | | The Paragraph you might not want to read |
| relatively unlimited but here are some things you | | | | Okay, after going through all of that I am glad to |
| can do to get started in protecting yourself. | | | | see you are still with me. But, if you are thinking |
| The Problem of Copyrighting Ideas | | | | all of this stuff about NDA's, sending letters, |
| Ideas cannot be copyrighted! It sounds funny but | | | | writing up summaries and putting together |
| it’s true. You can research this on the official | | | | packages just seems like too much work then |
| government copyright website. So, just having an | | | | you can see my point about making a video |
| idea means you have very little. If you draw | | | | game from your idea. It takes a lot of work and |
| pictures of your game and hopefully develop your | | | | if you are not going to do the work why should |
| idea into a game you can get copyright for those | | | | somebody else? If you really think your idea is a |
| things. In any case here is some help with | | | | great one then I recommend you find the time |
| protecting yourself. | | | | and the motivation to make it happen! Nothing |
| Send yourself a letter! | | | | worthwhile is ever easy and hey it is totally |
| Put together an exhaustive package of materials | | | | possible that your idea can someday be an actual |
| about your idea. Include a summary, pictures, | | | | game. Every game ever made first started out |
| drawings and anything else that will describe your | | | | as just an idea. |
| idea then seal it in an envelope and mail it to | | | | |