The Game Industry's general model (usually developer is a small business + poorly planned and run = loss of ownership)
Most Game Businesses create an idea, are completely funded by their Publisher, then are divided by two conflicting goals;
a) to get the product out as fast as possible Vs. b) trying to complete the creative development while making the game.
In making our prototype we found that creating great gameplay, while making and directing the technical aspects were conflicting goals. What happens so often is that Developers push the Publisher for more time to creatively deal with the issues that arise from lack of planning, this leads to spending more money, the Publisher ends up owning the Intellectual Property, and Microsoft makes the $ 125 Million on Halo-2's opening week, (instead of the developers and their shareholders who were previously bought out). "By the end of the year, Halo 3 will be a billion dollar franchise." "that has sold almost 15 million units and a billion hours online." - Peter Moore Corporate Vice President for Microsoft.
How do you overcome these issues?
We maintain creative control and product integrity via financial collaborators on multiple fronts.
The iMU Business Model
(Cost effective micro businesses + directed like a Corporation) + Diverse funding strategies = sustained ownership
Our creative develop is done! Finished before the post financial stages of the development cycle, completed before our official launch.
- By self-funding, bootstrapping, and Member contributions into Asset production, our value is secured to iMU legally by way of Participation Agreements with our Members (Artists, Programmers, Developers, Studio Management, and iMU Corporate).
- Use of Non-equity financing Friends (Legacy Memory products) + Sponsor advertising products & services
- Deal making Partner Programs & strategic alliance Captial Solutions with vested interest Partners (other than Publishers)
- Use of Private Investment via business angels & Private Investors
- Publisher who make up less than 50 % of our funding (1. Games & 2. Music)
- Practical cost-control business practices
- Enhanced Business and Developer Management
- Produce episodic Video Games & serial Music Products to build & maintain market growth & expansion
This builds and secures the foundational project value in the creation of Game, Music, and Investment Products without wasteful exploratory spending, producing fabulous games of superior substance and quality, faster at lower cost.
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