Back Advice for future game authors Advice for future game authors The Game Authors' Guild (SAZ) Literature for game authors Events for game authors How can I protect my game? Where should I send my game? How should I present my game? How can I protect my game? How can I protect my game? If you send your game to a German game publisher, you do not need to worry about your ideas being stolen (from my experience). The publishers are serious, and in the past, there have rarely been problems in this area. Unfortunately, German copyright law offers no sure protection against the theft of intellectual property. If you are concerned about your game, you should take photos of the game components, and have a written description of the game or its rules notarized. The cost to do this is dependent on the notary you choose. Further information on this topic and much more can be found in the paperback, "Manual for Game Developers" by Tom Werneck. You can order it through the online store of the German Game Authors' Guild (SAZ) at SAZ@deutscherfachverband.de . Where should I send my game? Where should I send my game? Choosing an appropriate publishing company for your game requires a certain level of experience. It makes no sense to offer a complex game for adults to a company who only publishes games for children and families. The theme is also important. If your game is about pirates, you shouldn't offer it to a company who has already published a pirate game. I recommend a visit to the Authors' Meetings in Göttingen and Haar, and the Game Convention in Essen, to familiarize yourself with the game industry. The editors of the publishing houses visit these Events, and you could possibly play your game with representatives from the companies while you are there. If you send your game to a publisher, it generally takes about six weeks before you receive first notice that your game has arrived. After that, you need to be patient. It can take a few months, or even a year, before the publisher makes a decision about your game. For this reason, some authors send their game to several publishers at once. This is not forbidden, however be fair and let the publishers know. Addresses for the publishing companies can be found here. How should I present my game? How should I present my game? Make you game look as nice as possible! Some publishers receive up to 10 game drafts per day, so there are time constraints that affect the amount of attention they give to each game. The more your game makes a visual impression, the better your chances are of having someone take a serious look at your game. If you only send a sheet of paper, with one half describing your ideas and the other half describing your desired payment, this paper will make it no further than the trash bin. It is also important to write your rules as clearly as possible, and to ensure your rules contain no holes. Have someone unfamiliar with your game read your game rules before you send them. You'll be amazed at all the things he won't understand! The Game Authors' Guild (SAZ) The Game Authors' Guild (SAZ) The SAZ is an international union of game authors who share three goals: the promotion of the interests of game authors; the promotion of the game as a cultural object; and the promotion of thought exchange and the production of a single voice among the authors (the "we-feeling"). What can the SAZ offer its members? The SAZ makes information available to its members regarding results from drafts and appraisals that it implements. The guild approaches the post in charge with all the demands that concern its members. It is, so to say, the game authors' lobby. Whoever joins the SAZ receives the following brochures: SAZ-Number 1 License contracts - This little brochure contains important points for authors about contract negotiations with game publishers. SAZ-Number 2 Opinions on legal protection for games. Membership to the SAZ costs 60 Euros per year. You do not need to have published a game to be a member of the Guild-- it is enough to feel like a game author. You can find further information on the homepage of the SAZ at www.s-a-z.de . Literature for Game Authors Literature for Game Authors The Games Book This book is a must-have for every game lover. In just under 300 pages, both old and new games are introduced. Johann Rüttinger has formed the presentation of the author Erwin Glonnegger so wonderfully and carefully, that the book has appropriately won the rating "one of the most beautiful books" from the Stiftung Buchkunst. The Games Book by Erwin Glonnegger, Drei Magier Verlag, ISBN 3-9806792-0-9 Manual for Game Developers In this highly recommended book by Tom Werneck, you?ll learn in an entertaining way everything you need to know to be a game author. You can order the book through the online store of the SAZ at SAZ@deutscherfachverband.de . Paperback Game Here you can find the addresses of game publishers, a catalog of all available games, and much more. You can order it from the following website: www.merz-verlag.com Spielbox - the magazine of game players This beautifully laid-out magazine gives you great insight into the game industry. Current games are described, along with reports about publishing companies and authors. You can order the magazine from www.Spielbox.de . Fairplay The idealistic creators of this magazine, which has been around since 1987, say the following about themselves: "Of course we're honest. If a game is of no use to us, then we'll write that . . . And when a game really deserves it, then we're biting and cynical. Isn't that fair?" You can find more information under www.Fairplay-online.de . Spielwiese Subscribers to Spielwiese are informed about everything new in the gaming world through the up- to-date newsletters. You can find more information under www.spielwiese.at . Events for Game Authors Events for Game Authors The Game Convention in Essen takes place annually in October. Almost all publishers are represented in the convention halls with large stands. Therefore, you have the opportunity to make contacts with the publishers and possibly present them with your game. It is, of course, recommended to set up appointments beforehand. The exact dates of the convention can be found at www.merz-verlag.com . The Nuremberg Game Fair opens its doors annually in the last week of January. At this fair, only shop owners, journalists, and game company representatives are allowed entry. Authors who are members of the SAZ are also permitted to attend. The Authors' Meeting in Haar takes place annually in late autumn. If you want to take part, please write to: Bayerisches Spielearchiv-Archiv Haar E.v. Postfach 1120 85540 Haar The Authors' Meeting in Göttingen takes place annually in the early summer. Since Reinhold Wittig started this meeting in 1983, Göttingen has become the Mecca for all game authors. If you register, you?ll receive a table on which you can present your games for free! You can chat with like-minded gamers, take part in workshops, and make contacts with game publishers. If you want to participate, please write to the Kulturamt der Stadt Göttingen Postfach 3831 D-37070 Göttingen.