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Oisterboy

You guys are a lot better with things than I am...I've browsed a bit, but I'm not sure how to go about things.

I have a game idea I would like to pitch to a company that has the ability to design and mass produce the game. It is very do-able, and the more I think about it, the more opportunities pop into my head.

At the moment, all I have is the raw idea. Just a basic outline...something like when Mario was in the "run and jump across stuff to rescue a princess" stage. Obviously if I am planning to be taken seriously by any sort of game makers, I need to have something laid out. I mean, I could just start with character sketches I guess...but how detailed would you guys make things? Would you go as far as to sketch out level designs? My game would be a platformer, so the plot would be minimal, but still there. Actually, for my game, the plot is pretty much just laid out.

Now, the part I really don't know about is where to find places to pitch my idea...and how to go about having my idea NOT stolen from me. Obviously I'd need to get some copywrites on characters, title, etc...but how do I protect the actual IDEA from being ripped off?

Thanks for any help you guys can offer. I just thought of this idea, and I think it really has potential.

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BGLamb

It sounds like you need to get your idea down to the essense of what it is you want to do, and what is original about it. That is what you will need to copyright, and that is what the developers would be interested in. Things like character design and level design are not as important to them as the idea behind the game itself.

Unless these things are integral to the idea itself, leave them out. If they want your idea, they probably not going to want to hire you as the level disigner and graphic artist aswell.

To copyright, you don't actually need to do anything technical. You just need to be able to prove that it's your idea and that you had it on a certain date. Record it in as much detail as possible, print it off, post it to yourself (which will get it dated with a postmark) and do not open it. This serves as a proof that the idea is yours.

As for who to talk to, I don't really know. I would suggest contacting developers directly though. Just look through your list of games and write all of the companies a simple letter asking who to contact with ideas. They will all get back to you with the name of the relevant person/department, then you can send off your ideas. It can turn into a lot of legwork if you want to contact a lot of people, but it's the most foolproof way, without knowing anyone in the business.


Also, depending on what the game is, there are a lot of indie developers out there. Amazing things can be done by one man and a Flash designer these days. Might be worth surfing forums of game design and seeing if you can find a smaller, less professional team there who still might be able to realise your idea.

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ChickenDewd21

You're lucky, Oi-man. I take a hit and I'm all "Yeaaahhh that's an amazing idea." I take another hit and I'm all "FFFuuuuuuuccckkk, I forgot."

It's a vicious cycle. ;/

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Oisterboy

I often have pretty sweet dreams that I think would make an awesome movie, but then I forget about them.

And yeah, this idea stuck xD

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Ronin

The word you are looking for is "design document".

It is the point to start at.
@sketches:
Not the point to start at.

@Copyright:
There is no real point to that; Just show your idea to nobody; Absolutely nobody.
Sign all documents of with the location and date and file them away properly.

@How to act:
Formulate your idea, arrange a proper meeting, where you have everyone sign out all recieved documents as well as what was talked about (proper protocol) and try to sell the rights of your idea away at ANY conditions.

Do not dream of making it big on your own, you will get eaten and spit out and you won't achieve anything.
If they do agree to offer you something on paper, go for it, or call it quits.
Move on and try to find someone; If you can't find anyone it's because the idea is worthless.

My take on the story:
I would be surprised if anyone even would listen to you.
That has nothing to do with you, but with the path you take. It's not a "tired and working" concept to listen to random guys on the street about their ideas, so it's a thing people will back away from considering.

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KellionBane

Do you know any developers? Or anyone in the industry? Sometimes talking with people in the business about an idea before presenting it may help you understand if you're wasting your time with it, or if its a viable idea.

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BGLamb

I don't agree with this.

I think all companies will have someone in the organisation who will read through all the random ideas that people send them. I think it's a tried and tested process.

It's just that to succeed through this avenue you need a really good idea and you need to be able to handle the follow-up meetings in a semi-professional way.

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Groteske

Make some sexy graphs! Everyone likes sexy graphs.

But hmm you could consider getting professional help from people who do advertising. It's the same thing but instead to consumers it's a business you are selling something to.

And lol if they like your idea....get a lawyer to look over the contracts.

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Oisterboy

I know its a really tough, very fast-paced industry. I know every asshat and his brother thinks they have the next-big-thing, and usually, nobody does.

However, my idea is pretty easy to expand upon. It has a whole bunch of ways it could go too.

Hmmm.

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V-Opolis

Copyright protects the expression of the idea, but not the ideas ideas themselves. This is easier to understand if you remember the goals of our Founding Fathers -- to reward creations, but protect the free flow of ideas and information.

you cant.. sorry copyrighting ideas would just cause so much trouble it would be chaos. someone could copyright the idea of having an idea.