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You Don't Need a F-ing Publisher

GDC Festival of Gaming

521,774 views

In this GDC 2016 talk, Devolver Digital's Nigel Lowrie argues that you don't really need a publisher to ship video games---until you really do, that is. Lowrie also shares specific questions that developers should ask when looking for a publisher to help out with their game.

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20 Comments

@ZeMovinPixxle 9 years ago

"im not good at speaking publicly" proceeds to speak well publicly

@justarandomguyontheinterne681 5 years ago

"im not good at speaking publicly"

"We get lots of Bitches i mean pitches"

@nazgulsenpai 7 years ago

I want to make a game so this guy can publish it

@jupitersky 5 years ago

I love how messy this talk was, it makes him seem very approachable.

@jeboteya5489 7 years ago

Video should be called "How to choose a publisher"

@themeatman6984 10 years ago

devolver digital knows what's up.

@wevegottrouble5891 5 years ago (edited)

I like the double-meaning in that statement.
It's not just that you don't need a fucking publisher because you can self-publish - it's also that you don't need them. They need you.

@gabrielviana5595 5 years ago

This man talks like he is a homie trying to help u out

@lolo1867 7 years ago

"You Don't Need a F-ing Publisher" goes on to sell himself as your publisher for 30 mins.

@AlgaeNymph 5 years ago

"Don't sell your IP." New World Computing learned that the hard way; that's why Chaos Overlords never got that sequel.

@cementedvision 7 years ago

this could almost be a talk on romantic relationships

@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y 6 years ago

I live in Romania and I'm not a game dev, but I imagine the worst part about someone from my country making a successful game would be navigating the complicated fiscal system, just so you can set up a legal entity and pay your damn taxes.

@Pan_Z 5 years ago

Appreciate that he doesn't sugar coat a lot of the tips. A good publisher won't just be there when you succeed, but will also weather the storm together. A publisher that will provide constructive criticism because they genuinely care about you & your game sounds perfect.

@KhairiKrakowski 9 years ago

what amazes me the most that these indie developers managed to find great composer, having over the top soundtrack for an indie game. To name a few, Hotline Miami 2, Not A Hero, Party Hard, Hyper Light Drifter, Transistor, etc. SALUTE!!!

@elpoulpo5563 5 years ago

"This is a game called Hotline Miami" for some odd reason, I feel like people in a GDC talk would know about it

@KoKoKurczak 10 years ago

holy crap, this is such a quality content channel, why does it get so little recognition

@filipebrizolara7135 10 years ago

publishing is the toughest part for an indie , because we dont understand shit about it! would love to see more talks on the topic o/

@vitriolicAmaranth 3 years ago

One thing I've learned about getting a job in the games industry over the years is that if you swear a lot in a job interview with Devolver they WILL hire you

@maelvgx9363 9 years ago

I want this man to bring me tacos when I am pluggin my computer. Fuck that was some good speak. Never thought of actually contacting any publisher but I got to say that devolvers are genius in the domain.

@happydoze3152 7 years ago

2 years ago I was very moved by this video and took my chances in publishing my own games. I've earned a solid $4 per month since then. thanks. (this world is cruel)