As we get ready for another year at Licensing Expo, it’s another great opportunity to make connections and hopefully gain some insight that will need to new deals and projects.
I was recently at another industry event (ComicsPRO) and was asked by a publisher how we go about choosing projects and if I could point to some of the work our designers have done. I began rattling off names of some of the award-winning games our team has been a part of, but because the publishers weren’t gamers, none of them were familiar to them.
I find that can also be true of new Licensors. We meet with the big IP holders with large fan bases at Licensing Expo. The reason for this is in 2 parts – it’s like a speed dating exercise so you really have to hone your pitch and also because when thinking about a new licensee, there’s risk, rules and expectations from the licensor. We find that we can address these best in-person, with follow-ups and with samples of our products in their hands.
There has been a trend in the industry to limit the number of licensees that a big brand has in their portfolio. Part of this is because managing licensees can be a pain, requires resources and some of them won’t truly care about the brand. But managing multiple licensors can be no picnic either for publishers – its why many game publishers shy away from using big IP – despite the obvious potential that the fan base comes with.
That’s where we’ve found our niche – we put fans first always, and design games with playability and collectibility in mind. Our design philosophy is to always be thematic in our approach – something easier said than done with certain IPs. Our games have to be sustainable, we want something that people will love and play for decades and will share their fandom across multiple generations.
If you are going to be at Licensing Expo this year… look us up! Or feel free to find me through LinkedIn or via our contact form here on the site.
Here’s to another great year!