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Ed’s “five keys
to success”
First, thanks to the many of you who told me during my recent road trip to Leipzig, Austin GDC, the Tokyo Game Show, and the London Licensing show that you really enjoy this e-newsletter.
We appreciate that and will do our best to continue to provide you with content that is relevant and engaging. In return, we’d love you to forward this to your friends in the business so they can opt in as well … and also to give our clients the opportunity to compete for your work. ‘Nuff said on that, as Stan Lee would say.
I recently read a business book called “The Obvious,” and I highly recommend it. It reiterated many things we all know intellectually and with which we would agree whenever we hear them. But it did so in a way that made it clear how few people actually practice these truths. That was my inspiration for this month’s column, where I intend to share some specific lessons that I teach all my new clients regarding success in our business. They are lessons that should also be obvious but they, too, are frequently overlooked. I call them the Five Keys To Success. They are:
- Talent. If an individual or a studio doesn’t have the necessary talent for the job, they will lose out to those who do. Simple, right? But how many people try to do things for which they are not suited in the interest of cash flow? In the long run, you and your reputation suffer, so you lose more than you gain by doing it.
- Relationship. If I walk up to you on the street and you don’t know me from Adam, and I ask you for money — even one dollar — are you likely to give it to me? I don’t think so. Only …
Click here to read the full article »
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Location: Bratislava, Slovakia
Focus: Developer of 3-D game engines and eight strategy and action games.
Facts: Created Quadrax, Spellcross, Battle Isle: The Andosia War, Chaser, Conan, Gene Troopers, Knights Of The Temple 2, and The History Channel: Civil War.
The big news from Cauldron is that it’s poised to release its latest title — “Soldier Of Fortune: Payback” — in November with “Battle For The Pacific” following shortly thereafter. Both are for Activision.
“Soldier Of Fortune” features over 40 realistic weapons which can be modified with such attachments as scopes, suppressors, handgrips, and grenade launchers. It’s about pure action and fun!
Founded in 1996 and based in Bratislava, the capital of the Slovak Republic, Cauldron was the first game developer from both Slovakia and the Czech Republic able to sell its products outside of the two countries.
Today, Cauldron specializes in developing concurrently multiplatform versions of each game in almost the same timeframe as for one platform. Each of its four multiplatform titles comes in three or four platforms. To achieve this, the developer employs a staff of over 60 who are divided into two teams. Cauldron is an approved developer for the PS2, PS3, Xbox, Xbox 360, and GameCube.
“We’ve also developed two great in-house 3-D graphics engines,” says David Durcak, Cauldron’s development director, “which were gradually transformed into one complex 3-D engine containing all the features of the top 3-D engines plus it is multiplatform.”
Cauldron has other games planned but, at the moment, isn’t free to discuss them. Stay tuned!
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Nibris signs deal to develop “Pocket History Rome.”
FOG Studios client Nibris has signed a deal to develop “Pocket History Rome” on the Nintendo DS in conjunction with Slitherine Strategies and The History Channel. Based on the PC title “Legion” from Slitherine, “Pocket History Rome” is a strategy game set in ancient Rome where players control a vast army in order to build their fledgling empire and rise to power.
Torus Games signs to begin adapting Wham-O! licensable IP.
Australian-based developer Torus Games has signed with FOG Studios to begin adapting the Wham-O! licensable intellectual properties — Frisbee®, Hackey-Sack®, Hula Hoop®, Boogie Board®, Superball®, and more — for the Wii platform. Torus’ strengths include state-of-the-art, cross-platform technology, commitment to quality, and a veteran development team. Torus began development in 1994 and has delivered over 50 titles on a variety of platforms for many happy customers. Founder and CEO Bill McIntosh says, “Torus is not only very experienced in working with licensed content and is sensitive to licensor requirements, we are also innovative with our own creations and so we hope to introduce new gameplay elements that will extend the way players enjoy Wham-O! products.” FOG is actively seeking publishing partners for the WhamO! Fun Pack for the Wii. Interested parties should inquire here.
Infinite Interactive’s "Puzzle Quest" now available on Xbox Live Arcade.
Originally released earlier this year on the PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS, Infinite Interactive’s "Puzzle Quest: Challenge Of The Warlords" is now available on Xbox Live Arcade with enhanced graphics and online play added to the mix. GameSpot’s review gives it a big 9.0. And you can still check out last month’s "Game Developer" magazine where "Puzzle Quest" was that issue’s cover story.
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Ping us by clicking on the appropriate link. We are currently looking for the following:
- Requests For Proposal: Racing game developer capable of producing 60 frames-per-second quality output for off-road racing title. Inquire with resume of past experience and references.
- Requests For Proposal: Work-for-hire opportunities for mobile; full development and/or porting.
- Requests For Proposal: Work-for-hire opportunities for PC, handhelds, consoles; full development and/or porting and conversion.
- Requests For Proposal: Tests for art and animation outsourcing, cinematics, or similar projects.
- IPs/Brand Owners seeking development partners and/or representation.
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FOG Studios, the leading agency for interactive rights since 1979, helps:
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Independent developers find publishing partners and other avenues to market. |
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IP owners maximize their return when licensing in the interactive marketplace. |
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Publishers develop relationships with world-class brands and top developers. |
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A Friend Of FOG
While at the Tokyo Game Show, we met with the folks from Allegorithmic and were thoroughly impressed with their new Pro FX art compression tools. Check them out here. |
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For more information on a specific opportunity, click on the appropriate link: |
| Cauldron |
Revolution for PC, PS3, and X360. |
| High Voltage |
Roller Derby for PC, PS3, and X360. |
| Velvetelvis Studios |
Worst Case Scenario for PC, PS3, and X360. |
| Velvetelvis Studios |
Kick-ass Girl for mobile and Nintendo DS; worldwide rights. |
| Wham-O |
Hacky Sack® Rhythm and Dance Pad game; worldwide rights. |
| Anino Games |
Jakers! Piggley’s Summer Adventure for Nintendo DS; worldwide rights. |
| Anino Games |
Word Archery for all platforms; worldwide rights. |
| Skee-Ball Golf |
PC, XBLA, Wii, and Nintendo DS; worldwide rights. |
| Nibris |
Raid Over The River for Nintendo DS; worldwide rights. |
| Nibris |
Double Bloob for PC, XBLA, and Nintendo DS; worldwide rights. |
| Humagade |
Young Thor for Nintendo DS; worldwide rights. |
This is not a complete listing of the opportunities available through FOG Studios. To request more information on any of the featured opportunities, discuss other opportunities exclusively represented by FOG Studios, or to determine the availability of any of our Developer or Service Provider Clients for your upcoming projects, please click here.
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Cauldron Ltd.