Help with video licensing rate for use in console video game at DVinfo.net

John Huebbe · July 18th, 2007, 07:33 AM

I've been approached by a large console video game company about licensing some of my action video for use in a new console game. I'd like to get some suggestions about what some of the going rates might be. (per second/minute/clip). I've never licensed video like this and have no clue what the rate might be. The details are very few. I think they are trying to get an idea right now if they can afford to include it in their game.

As everybody knows... I'd hate to charge too much and have them walk, but I don't want to sell myself short either. Any help would be much appreciated.

Paul Tauger · July 20th, 2007, 02:29 PM

My practice includes representation of a several large video game developers. I can't provide specific guidelines for how much you should charge, but you might consider this: budgets (and the production process) for a video game are very similar to those for independent film production. An "A-list" game typically costs $10-20 million to produce over an 18-24 month development cycle. I'm aware of some games that cost as much as $30 million and I know of at least one that is budgeted at $40 million. Obviously, how much you charge depends on how central your footage would be to the game, as well as how much of it is used.

Matt Newcomb · August 3rd, 2007, 01:44 AM

Is it the publisher or the developer? If it's the publisher you will be able to charge a lot more since they have the deep pockets. Developer's will try to get the lowest price possible.

July 18th, 2007, 07:33 AM	#1
John Huebbe Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: St. Charles Posts: 141	Help with video licensing rate for use in console video game I've been approached by a large console video game company about licensing some of my action video for use in a new console game. I'd like to get some suggestions about what some of the going rates might be. (per second/minute/clip). I've never licensed video like this and have no clue what the rate might be. The details are very few. I think they are trying to get an idea right now if they can afford to include it in their game. As everybody knows... I'd hate to charge too much and have them walk, but I don't want to sell myself short either. Any help would be much appreciated. __________________ - John http://www.321govideo.com

August 3rd, 2007, 01:44 AM	#3
Matt Newcomb Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 212	Is it the publisher or the developer? If it's the publisher you will be able to charge a lot more since they have the deep pockets. Developer's will try to get the lowest price possible. __________________ Talenos Productions at http://www.talenos.com

July 20th, 2007, 02:29 PM	#2
Paul Tauger Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Los Angeles (recently from San Francisco) Posts: 954	My practice includes representation of a several large video game developers. I can't provide specific guidelines for how much you should charge, but you might consider this: budgets (and the production process) for a video game are very similar to those for independent film production. An "A-list" game typically costs $10-20 million to produce over an 18-24 month development cycle. I'm aware of some games that cost as much as $30 million and I know of at least one that is budgeted at $40 million. Obviously, how much you charge depends on how central your footage would be to the game, as well as how much of it is used.