Game Dev Unchained
  • Games ReCAP
  • Art Boost
  • Unchain Yourself
    • Getting in
    • Getting Thru
    • Getting Out
  • GduX.me
    • Business
    • Developer Sustainability
    • Diversity
    • Indie
  • About
  • Shop
  • 0
Getting Out

IP Licensing for Small Teams featuring Mel Kirk

by Brandon Pham December 22, 2020
by Brandon Pham December 22, 2020 0 comment

You have to have proof that you can do it and if you haven’t done it before, then it will cost an investment with a strong roadmap to secure deals at the beginning. – Mel Kirk

Mel Kirk is the COO of Zen Studios, specializing in creating pinball machines, and handles the business development for the studio. His studio is use to working with big partners: from Star Wars, Marvel and Ghostbusters to DOOM, Telltale’s The Walking Dead and Portal. Yet Zen Studios have remain indie to the core. In this episode, Mel offers a great perspective on the business of indie games and lays out general steps to working with big partners.

Topics discussed in this episode:
0:00 About Mel Kirk
6:09 Being assertive in business development
14:02 Indie teams needing to leverage existing IPs more
18:47 The early days of Zen Studios
23:26 Building a network to working with Street Fighter
28:24 How to setup your company towards acquisition?
35:40 Balancing steady growth over huge ambitions
39:40 Why is Zen studios located in Budapest, Hungary?
43:19 How did remote working affect the studio?
48:50 Thoughts on VR with Guitar Hero experience
53:00 Words of wisdom to the indie crowd
57:27 Shout out

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

  • Connect with Mel:
    • Twitter | Linkedin
    • Zen Studios
      • Website | Twitter | Facebook | Youtube |  Instagram | Discord

Share 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Brandon Pham

previous post
Developing Raji: An Ancient Epic & Crossing the Finish Line
next post
Daybreak Studios Acquired for $300 Million Dollars

You may also like

Biggest Headlines of Last Year

February 4, 2022

The Convergence of all Entertainment

February 2, 2022

How has the Pandemic Impacted the Game Industry...

February 1, 2022

Abby & Tony from Black Tabby Games

March 17, 2021

What’s Next for VR with Scott Rogers

March 2, 2021

The Convergence of Games and Movies with Mauro...

February 23, 2021

The Story Behind GoDemics with Leo Gonzalez

February 15, 2021

Game Licensing for Streamers?!

January 16, 2021

Designing Fall Guys with Joe Walsh

January 5, 2021

Developing Raji: An Ancient Epic & Crossing the...

December 16, 2020

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for ways to Unchain Yourself. Let's stay updated!

use code: GDU3030 for 30% off

Instagram

GduX.me

  • Building Up a Indie Company with Karla Zimonja

  • Surviving Long Term in the Game Industry with Moo Yu

  • Career Options Beyond “Traditional” Game Development with John Podlasek

Editors’ Pick

  • Accepting the Challenge of a Character Artist with Eric Valdes

  • User Generated Content System Seller or Legal Nightmare with Zachary Rich

  • Committing Career Suicide, Telling True Stories about Game Development

Games Recap

  • Blockchain Tech at Dice 2022

  • Journey and Sky developer thatgamecompany nets $160 million

  • WTF Happened with Cyberpunk 2077?!

Categories

  • Art Boost (13)
  • Featured (9)
  • Games ReCAP (9)
  • GduX.me (35)
    • Business (7)
    • Developer Sustainability (12)
    • Diversity (6)
    • Indie (10)
  • Unchain Yourself (68)
    • Getting in (2)
    • Getting Out (36)
    • Getting Thru (28)
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Email
  • Spotify
  • Twitch
  • Reddit
  • Discord

@2019 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign

Game Dev Unchained
  • Games ReCAP
  • Art Boost
  • Unchain Yourself
    • Getting in
    • Getting Thru
    • Getting Out
  • GduX.me
    • Business
    • Developer Sustainability
    • Diversity
    • Indie
  • About
  • Shop

Shopping Cart

Close

No products in the cart.

Close