Speaker: Colin McDonald, All 4 Games

This workshop is part of a project that is investigating how the intellectual property (IP) model can be sustained by independent videogame development businesses and, in turn, support business growth in Scotland.

We are holding workshops in Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh to provide a forum for videogame developers, industry bodies, support organisations and policy makers to collectively discuss the IP model and identify the key actions required.

Please join us and help to create a better picture of IP activity in Scotland, and find out how the IP model can work for your business or those businesses you work with.

This is an opportunity to learn more about the IP model, discuss the barriers that exist, and influence Government support policy.

At the workshop you will:

• Hear from companies in Scotland that have achieved this model.
• Share your experiences of the IP model.
• Discuss the factors that help or hinder the IP model.
• Have your say about the key issues that need to be addressed to support developers.
• Inform the support and policy agenda

This will be an interactive session to exchange experiences of trying the IP model and identify what is required. The discussions will be supported by industry practitioners with experience of the IP model.

Colin McDonald will join us for the Glasgow workshop. Colin entered the games industry in 1990 bringing around twenty 8-bit titles to market, including licences of Lemmings and Prince of Persia. He joined DMA Design as Producer on the multi-billion dollar Grand Theft Auto franchise, then was a founder and Studio Manager of Realtime Worlds, where he helped raise over $100m in investment and oversaw the 2 million selling, BAFTA-winning game Crackdown, and the online game APB. Colin was then VP of Business Development at RTW spinout eeGeo, and is now Head of All 4 Games, and Chairman of facial animation specialists Speech Graphics.

Researchers in videogames, business models and entrepreneurship from the School of Computing Science and Adam Smith Business School at the University of Glasgow will also take part in the discussion, sharing some new research in the area. The outputs will be used to inform the support and policy agenda.

We appreciate you taking time to attend and, while we can’t offer an attendance fee, travel expenses will be reimbursed. As a gesture of thanks, however, we offer all participants a gift voucher and there really will be a free lunch!

Spaces are limited, and priority will be given to attendees from industry. The Centre for Executive Education, where the workshop will take place, is building 7 on this map.

Background

Videogame development companies have traditionally operated in a fast-moving environment, at the weaker end of a buyer driven value chain and with limited power. The work-for-hire, subcontractor-based
business model has been prevalent but often viewed as a barrier to firm growth, sustainability and economic success due to its project-based activities, little or no proprietary intellectual property and limited possibilities to build value.

In recent years, market and technology-related developments, and various support initiatives, have resulted in the opportunity to adopt the more highly valued IP model where intellectual property ownership remains with the development company. However, despite the perceived benefits of the IP model, and the desire from industry to adopt it, work-for-hire remains prevalent and where the IP model has been embraced, there have been varying degrees of success.

But is the IP model achievable for independent videogame development companies? Recent research indicates that the model can be adopted but retaining it is only possible in limited circumstances, including the continued use of the work-for-hire model. External factors such as the market and funding affect the developer’s ability to achieve the IP model. However, many internal factors including skills, IP-related experience and the attitude of the management team and staff are also important. So what is the reality of making the IP model work?

The workshops are supported by a University of Glasgow ESRC IAA award.