Chapter 010 - 2001.05.25

  • On this day,

    • I signed the contract,

      • for my very first game license.

  • A deal secured by my third agent group,

    • a general merchandise licensing representative.

  • I just Googled on them -

    • to see if they are still around.

  • Though I found the basic name -

    • I do not recognize a single team member,

      • so maybe they sold their brand to others -

        • not sure.

  • I'm not going to identify them -

    • because I do not want two different groups confused.

  • As you will learn,

    • in subsequent chapters,

      • this first game license was not the last thing we did together.

  • Though it was the one and only analog game we licensed together.

  • Let's spice up my boring storytelling -

    • with an image of my first game -

      • as produced for market.

  • I don't do artwork.

  • I only figure out basic concepts, themes, processes and rules.

  • For this game, the puzzle pieces are specially engineered -

    • so they only 'snap' together a certain way -

      • if they do snap -

        • then it's a legal move.

  • If they do not snap together -

    • then the player knows it immediately -

      • after trying.

  • It's a game for young and old kids -

    • to learn a little something from playing.

  • It's both a multiplayer game -

    • as well as a solitaire challenge game.

  • There was a manufacturing problem with the game.

  • The pieces were not die cut precisely,

    • so certain puzzle-piece combinations -

      • appeared visually as errors -

        • even though they were NOT errors -

          • because the body parts were not smooth.

  • I provided a manufacturing solution,

    • but it was ignored.

  • Many reviewers complained about the problem.

  • Years ago the company informed us that the game was no longer going to be produced and sold.

  • It still can be found on the internet.

  • Here are some links:

  • It took me nearly a decade to land my first successful deal.

  • SNAP made it easier to find even more success with future games.

  • The last sales quarter was Q116.

  • My agent and my company earned equal shares of royalties paid.

  • Nearly 84,000 units were reported sold over the fifteen (15) years of sales.

  • My company's gross revenue was a little less than $12,500 USD.

  • This is evidence that game inventors -

    • do NOT get rich unless -

      • their creations sell millions of units.