Pitching a game to Galaxy, or another game provider
February 2nd, 2015 at 12:55:13 PM
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Hi, all,
I'm about ready to pitch a new table game. I have a provisional patent, the math is all done, dealing procedures, etc. etc.
But: I'm interested in some discussion about the advantages/disadvantages of pitching the game to one of the existing providers, such as Galaxy or ShuffleMaster (I'll call those companies GalaxyEtc for this post), or whether I should try to do it on my own.
I have a contact at Caesars, and wrote to him asking whether someone there could give me time for a pitch. He nicely responded that I should get the game accepted by GalaxyEtc first, because Caesars has properties in over 15 different jurisdictions, and they don't have the resources to shepherd a new game through the approval process.
Of course, he slightly misunderstood what I was asking, because I figured that I myself would "shepherd" the game through the approval process, for Nevada at least, but it set me thinking...
If GalaxyEtc is happy with the game, and takes it on, it would save me huuuuuge time and trouble. They could get the official math approval, the licences for different jurisdictions, pitch the game to the casinos (and the casinos would probably be more inclined to listen to them than to me). Probably they could negotiate a better price from the casinos. And of course they would take a huge cut. However, I don't have any idea of what that cut would be. I don't know whether it would be the same as just giving them the game, whether I would get just totally hosed, if I would have to work constantly to protect myself, how transparent the process would be to me.
On the other hand, GalaxyEtc could probably get far wider distribution than I could. (? International) So far, I've been having fun designing the game. But maybe: why spend the next two years getting nowhere, and being frustrated at the hours I put into it, when if the game is good enough for GalaxyEtc I could still get some income from it, with far less time devoted to the game.
So some questions:
Does anyone know what GalaxyEtc's take is?
Can I get information like that before the pitch to GalaxyEtc? Seems to me the different GalaxyEtc companies would compete to hear about new games, and would be happy to let the game designer know beforehand what information they need, and what happens if they like the game. I did some Googling about that, but wasn't able to find anything useful.
How do I protect myself before making the pitch?
What other questions should I be asking? Not knowing anything about this part of the business, it seems like they're all wolves ready to pounce.
Seems to me, also, that pitching to GalaxyEtc would be much more fun for me. For example, they'd be understanding and perhaps impressed by the math and probabilities of the game, whereas I can't imagine I'd do anything but confuse a casino representative.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
--Steve
I'm about ready to pitch a new table game. I have a provisional patent, the math is all done, dealing procedures, etc. etc.
But: I'm interested in some discussion about the advantages/disadvantages of pitching the game to one of the existing providers, such as Galaxy or ShuffleMaster (I'll call those companies GalaxyEtc for this post), or whether I should try to do it on my own.
I have a contact at Caesars, and wrote to him asking whether someone there could give me time for a pitch. He nicely responded that I should get the game accepted by GalaxyEtc first, because Caesars has properties in over 15 different jurisdictions, and they don't have the resources to shepherd a new game through the approval process.
Of course, he slightly misunderstood what I was asking, because I figured that I myself would "shepherd" the game through the approval process, for Nevada at least, but it set me thinking...
If GalaxyEtc is happy with the game, and takes it on, it would save me huuuuuge time and trouble. They could get the official math approval, the licences for different jurisdictions, pitch the game to the casinos (and the casinos would probably be more inclined to listen to them than to me). Probably they could negotiate a better price from the casinos. And of course they would take a huge cut. However, I don't have any idea of what that cut would be. I don't know whether it would be the same as just giving them the game, whether I would get just totally hosed, if I would have to work constantly to protect myself, how transparent the process would be to me.
On the other hand, GalaxyEtc could probably get far wider distribution than I could. (? International) So far, I've been having fun designing the game. But maybe: why spend the next two years getting nowhere, and being frustrated at the hours I put into it, when if the game is good enough for GalaxyEtc I could still get some income from it, with far less time devoted to the game.
So some questions:
Does anyone know what GalaxyEtc's take is?
Can I get information like that before the pitch to GalaxyEtc? Seems to me the different GalaxyEtc companies would compete to hear about new games, and would be happy to let the game designer know beforehand what information they need, and what happens if they like the game. I did some Googling about that, but wasn't able to find anything useful.
How do I protect myself before making the pitch?
What other questions should I be asking? Not knowing anything about this part of the business, it seems like they're all wolves ready to pounce.
Seems to me, also, that pitching to GalaxyEtc would be much more fun for me. For example, they'd be understanding and perhaps impressed by the math and probabilities of the game, whereas I can't imagine I'd do anything but confuse a casino representative.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
--Steve
February 2nd, 2015 at 1:20:56 PM
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I encourage you to pitch to Galaxy and Scientific Games (formerly Ballys, which was formerly ShuffleMaster). Ask for Roger Snow at SG and Dan Lubin at Galaxy. Conveniently, both are members of this site. Roger is pacman and Dan is PaiGowDan.
At the very least you'll get feedback about the merits of your game. Be warned that both companies say "no" to most games they see.
I would like to add to my reply to try AGS (ask for Ofir Ventura) and DEQ (ask for Denis Miron).
At the very least you'll get feedback about the merits of your game. Be warned that both companies say "no" to most games they see.
I would like to add to my reply to try AGS (ask for Ofir Ventura) and DEQ (ask for Denis Miron).
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
February 2nd, 2015 at 4:42:33 PM
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Shuffle Master is happy to look at any game idea. You can reach me at rsnow@scientificgames.com.
--Roger
--Roger
February 2nd, 2015 at 5:38:10 PM
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Galaxy game submission info is:
Galaxy contact screen, or you can email me at DLubin@Galaxygaming.com (Manager of Table Games Development).
Galaxy contact screen, or you can email me at DLubin@Galaxygaming.com (Manager of Table Games Development).
Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes - Henry David Thoreau. Like Dealers' uniforms - Dan.
February 2nd, 2015 at 8:31:58 PM
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Somebody suggested that I suggest these pre-requisites before trying to pitch your game:
1. Provisional patent, at least. If "No" - then have a link to your own Game Inventors Corner where this help is available.
2. Basic Math - if no, then also have a link of recommended guys, to include board members (Charles, CrystalMath, etc.), along with links to your own math homework pages.
3. Basic Dealing Procedures, or How-to-Play will suffice. HERE'S a link to Sample Game Rules of Washington State (a great resource to follow): http://www.wsgc.wa.gov/activities/game-rules.aspx
4. Also tell them it is a one-in-a-thousand shot, but to Quote the great Wayne Gretzky: "The only shot that has a 100% failure rate is the shot you fail to take."
1. Provisional patent, at least. If "No" - then have a link to your own Game Inventors Corner where this help is available.
2. Basic Math - if no, then also have a link of recommended guys, to include board members (Charles, CrystalMath, etc.), along with links to your own math homework pages.
3. Basic Dealing Procedures, or How-to-Play will suffice. HERE'S a link to Sample Game Rules of Washington State (a great resource to follow): http://www.wsgc.wa.gov/activities/game-rules.aspx
4. Also tell them it is a one-in-a-thousand shot, but to Quote the great Wayne Gretzky: "The only shot that has a 100% failure rate is the shot you fail to take."
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
February 5th, 2015 at 1:31:45 PM
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Thanks for all the input, Wiz. And I followed Gretzky *forever*!
/Steve
/Steve
