Building a True Partnership with Your Publisher

A successful game isn’t just about great development, it’s about creating a strong, collaborative partnership with your publisher.

📑 Build Trust & Transparency

🔹 Share Early & Often: Provide regular updates, highlight wins, and address challenges quickly. Surprises should be in your game—not in your project timeline.
🔹 Be Honest About Risks: If a milestone is slipping or a feature isn’t working, tell your publisher early. They value studios that can identify issues and propose solutions.
🔹 Create Advocacy: Treat your publisher like part of your team. When they understand your vision, they can advocate for you internally, securing resources or managing expectations.

📌 Rule #1: The more transparent you are, the more your publisher will trust and support you.

🔢 Embrace Feedback & Adapt

🔹 Stay Open-Minded: Whether it’s gameplay, monetization, or strategy feedback, listen and assess. The goal is to make your game a commercial success.
🔹 Be Agile: If data suggests a pivot, embrace it. Flexibility is crucial in maintaining momentum and meeting objectives.
🔹 Collaborate on Solutions: If feedback impacts timelines or budgets, work together to adjust SOW, reprioritize features, or explore new ideas.

📌 Rule #2: Adaptability and collaboration lead to better outcomes and a stronger partnership.

🔥 Be a True Business Partner

🔹 Understand Financial Goals: Publishers are investing in your game to see a return. Aligning your goals with theirs can lead to better results.
🔹 Negotiate Smartly: Be open to fair negotiation on financial terms. Win-win deals often lead to stronger, longer-lasting relationships.
🔹 Think Beyond This Game: Show your publisher you’re invested in future opportunities, from new projects to strategic partnerships.

📌 Rule #3: When both parties win financially, you set the stage for future collaborations.

✅ Find New Ways to Build Together

🔹 Leverage Publisher Resources: Tap into their expertise in marketing, analytics, and live ops to strengthen your game.
🔹 Innovate Together: Collaborate on new features, explore market trends, and experiment with creative monetization models.
🔹 Explore Co-Development: Strong partnerships can lead to joint ventures, expansions, and shared risks and rewards on future projects.

📌 Rule #4: The more you collaborate, the more chances you have to build something bigger and better.

📢 Final Thought: Build a Partnership, Not Just a Project
A true partnership with your publisher isn’t just about hitting milestones—it’s about being transparent, adaptable, and focused on shared success. Treat your publisher as a partner, not just a paycheck, and you’ll unlock more opportunities, better terms, and a reputation as a studio that delivers on all fronts.

📌 Stay transparent, stay flexible, and aim for mutual success—each step strengthens your partnership and paves the way for future wins!