Why Are So Many Licensed Games So Bad? - Ep. 52

Board Game Business Podcast

We discuss licensed games and the specific challenges associated with making a game from them. If you are granted the rights to make a card game based in the Star Wars universe, how do you make a game around it? Or should you make the game first and try to acquire the license later? Here are some questions we answer:

• Should I design a game for a license?
• How much does it cost to get an intellectual property?
• Do you pay up-front or are there royalties or both?
• What does the schedule/deadlines look like?
• What impact does this have on your cash flow?
• How do you learn enough about the chosen universe?
• What kind of help can you expect from the licensor?
• Can you add to the universe?
• Are there any conventions that you should go to related to licensing?