The top 5 things to have in a contract with a board game publisher
(According to a games lawyer)
Almost ten years ago in 2016, I got my first contract from a board game publisher and was immediately overwhelmed by the length of the document and the confusing legal language.
I decided to find a lawyer who could help me navigate this document and googled “board games lawyer” and Zachary Strebeck’s website popped up.
Zack helped translate the document for me and let me know what the industry standard was for royalties (5%), since at that time I had no idea. I learned a lot working with him and that knowledge has helped me navigate my other licensing agreements with publishers.
I highly recommend that designers work with a lawyer and/or watch this week’s Youtube video where I chat with Zack about board game contracts.
One question I asked Zack was “What are the top five things a designer should ensure are included in a contract with a publisher?” and here were his answers:
Understanding the scope of what rights the publisher is asking for and possibly limiting the scope
Clarifying how your royalties are calculated (flat fee per unit or percentage of the wholesale price - but how is that price calculated? Any deductions applied?)
Free designer copies of the game (and ensuring your name is on the front of the box or in the rulebook at the very least)
Clarify ownership of the game (ensure you retain the rights to your game and are licensing it to the publisher, not selling it)
Ensure there are ways to get out of the contract (if they aren’t selling it or marketing it, or late royalty payments, etc.)
Watch the full interview to get more details. It is super valuable information for new designers, but I also learned some new things as an experienced designer.
The Tabletop Game Designers Association also offers contract review for its members and has a publicly available break down of contracts for beginners. I am a member and highly recommend joining if you plan on pitching games to publishers and seriously pursuing game design.
So, have you ever had a lawyer review one of your contracts? And what are some of the craziest/most confusing things you have seen in a board game contract from a publisher?
Take care and speak soon.
Your pen pal,
Pam
PS: Book a free 10 minute session or a paid 45 minute session with me: https://calendly.com/pwgamedesign
🎥 Latest video 🎥
Watch this BEFORE signing your board game with a publisher!
Become a member to watch my videos early and ad free!
Publishers accepting submissions
Know of another publisher accepting game submissions? Reply to this email or add a comment below with the info! Be sure to review each publisher’s submission page to ensure your game meets their requirements. Any publishers that are crossed out don’t appear to be accepting submissions (no submission page on their website)
Party games, Puzzles & Family Games
Asmodee Social Game Studios (Games are submitted to Bezzerwizzer, Zygomatic and Dotted Games)
Big Potato Games* (Herd Mentality)
Mindware* (Qwirkle, Q-bitz)
Spin Master* (Sidekicks, Comic Hunters, Reverse Charades)Not currently accepting submissions via their inventor relations email. They say they will be releasing a new submission process soon.
Party games AND Strategy games
25th Century Games (Green Team Wins, Ra, Agueda)
Dranda Games (Isle of Trains: All Aboard)
GameHead New publishing division of GamerMats led by Paul Salomon (Honey Buzz, Stamp Swap)
Kosmos(Exit escape games, The Gang, My City/My Island)Submissions appear to be closedOrigami Whale Games(Dicey Devices, Danger the game)Submissions appear to be closedSmirk & Dagger (Boop, HiFi, Adventure Party)
Stonemaier Games (Wingspan, Scythe, Apiary. Temporarily accepting submissions for a light/party game.)
Uloomi(The Vibe, Our Secret Society)Submissions appear to be closed
Strategy games
Asmodee Group (Games are submitted to Repos Production, Days of Wonder, Space Cowboys, Libellu AND Next Move)
Calliope Games (Tsuro, Roll for it!)
DVC Games (Karnak, Corvids)
Inside Up Games (Earth, Terminus)
Karma Games (Clans of Caledonia)
Office Dog (River of Gold, Lord of the Rings Trick Taking Game)
Paverson Games (Distilled, Luthier)
Side Room Games (For Northwood!, Orchard)
Solo games
Best with 1 (Dieson Crusoe)
*do not (usually) include the designer’s name on the box
Do not recommend
Hasbro Spark (temporarily shut down): I do not recommend submitting games to Hasbro via their Spark Portal. Games submitted via Spark are capped at 1.5% royalties (incredibly low), only pay royalties for 12 years (unheard of) and don’t commit to crediting designer on the game box (not surprising). Only pitch to Hasbro directly at speed pitch events or in person at conventions where you would get a much more favourable contract.
Upcoming events
September
Protospiel Rochester Sept 5 - 7, 2025 | Rochester, NY, USA
Protospiel Chicago Sept 12 - 14, 2025 | Countryside, IL, USA
Quest Con Orlando Sept 19 - 21, 2025 | Orlando, FL, USA
World Series of Board Gaming Sept 19 - 23, 2025 | Las Vegas, NV, USA
Game Market West Sept 21, 2025 | San Jose, CA, USA
Crowdfunded Summit Sept 23 - 24, 2025 | Online
Want to see MORE events and view them in calendar format?
Join my membership program to get access to my Board Game Designer Google Calendar that I am always updating!
Helpful resources & info
Job opportunities in the board games industry:
Contests:
Chat with other designers:
Playtest with other designers:
Become a member to playtest with me and other members every week
Break My Game in person and online playtest opportunities
Virtual Playtesting Discord Server
Designers should play as many board games as possible and Board Game Arena is a great way to do that. Play board games online with friends or gamers around the world! Not a member yet? Use my referral link to join for free!
That’s all for now!
I hope you have a great week and best of luck with your designs.
Until next week,
Pam
PS: You can view past newsletters here.
