Services for Games Developers

  • Making you Investor/Bank-friendly
    • We can make you “investor friendly” with operational, finance and technical reports.
    • We can make you “publisher friendly” with operational and technical audit reports.
    • We can write your Business plan and calculate forecasts.
    • We can advise on R+D Tax Credits for you (working with accountancy firm).
    • We have some contacts with investors, potential introductions.
  • Restructuring of Company
    • Setting up central holding company to retain core IP and Technology.
    • Splitting off separate companies.
    • Creating new “vehicle companies” for specific IPs.
    • Insulating parts of company from liquidation.
  • Deal Negotiation
    • Don’t hand over your IP to Publisher... we can negotiate for you.
    • Define specifications for contracts.
    • Deal is “on the table”... but you're not so sure - we can review heads of terms.
    • Finance review of your publisher, safe financially to do deal with them?
    • Deal Negotiation; areas covered
      • Pre-production agreements
      • Licensing Agreements
      • Publishing agreements
      • Conversion agreements
      • Distribution agreements
      • Agreements with console manufacturers
      • Acquisition of content and merchandising rights
      • Completion bonding
  • Project Management
    • We can source and validate oursource suppliers. e.g. Due dillgence on Art Asset supplier.
    • Mid term planning
    • Operational Audit and Technical Due Diligence
      • Management and Management Tools / Processes Audit
        • Interview Senior Staff, management and leads.
        • Review Reporting structure and processes.
        • Review use of project planning and scheduling tools. (e.g. MS Project)
        • Review head count / cost ratio.
        • Analysis of costing methods.
      • Game Specification Audit
        • Verification that game specification is achievable and affordable.
      • Game Design Audit
        • Design Audit of processes used, ensuring templates and design writing aids are used.
      • Software and Tools Audit
        • Tools and editors; ensuring that they are fully operational and easy to use.
        • Technical Software Audit.
        • Technical Engine Audit.
      • Security Audit
        • Maintain “live” and fully up to date copy of source code.
        • Keep back-ups and off-site deposits of all code and masters in bank deposit boxes.
        • Security checks / Prevent leaks of products.
        • Confidentiality Audit.
        • Asset Management of source code for fast retrieval.
        • Fire and disaster management.
      • Legal and Intellectual Property Audit (working with Legal Firm)
        • IP Audit. e.g. Look for any copyright infringement of main character in game.
        • Check trade marking and ownership of names.
        • Check that any assignments of copyright are clean.
        • Check escrows and any related agreements.
        • Check software licenses are up to date. e.g. Alien Brain, Renderware, Photoshop, MS Project etc.
        • Check for ownership of technology IP. e.g. Check the engine is actually owned by developer.
        • Check film and TV license rights are clean and secure, where relevant.
      • Financial Audit (working with Accountancy Firm)
        • Financial Audit checking stability of company.
        • Review accounts, and management accounts.
        • Burn Rate Audit. (Realistic or not?)
        • Check funds are being spent on project.
        • Check profit margins and contingency.
      • People Audit
        • Employee and Freelance contract Audits. (To ensure all rights are owned by the company)
        • People Skill Audit. (Including software skills).
        • Interview of Leads to ensure management skills.
        • Check personnel / HR issues
        • Accurate head count burn rate calculations.
      • Risk Analysis
        • Identifying risks and recommendations to reduce risks.
        • Define appropriate risk management systems.
        • Ongoing monitoring of risk areas.
      • Project Management
        • Ongoing management of project and monthly reporting on project.
      • Project Recovery
        • To get the project complete on time in a variety of scenarios. e.g. When a developer goes bust
        • Lining up “two back up” developers who could complete the project and get to market on time.
  • Publisher Problems
    • Breakdown in relations with publisher, we can unravel and try and mend.
    • Publisher ignoring contractual specification, we can analyse and dispute.
    • Unfair change orders from publisher... we can tackle.
    • Royalty payments from publisher are incorrect, we can find out why.
  • Going Bust?
    • Running out of money... Going Bust? We can help in different ways.
    • Under pressure from bank to give (or increase) personal guarantee. We can give an objective viewpoint.
  • Want to exit the Games Industry?
    • Want to exit the games industry cleanly? We can assist.
    • Want to close your company? We can assist.
    • Sale and disposal of companies.