   Experiences with agents - who's good and who reeks?
  We are now at the point where we want to start shopping our game out in the world.  After looking at Gamasutra''s agent listing, I realized that names and web sites don''t tell me anything about how good any particular agent really would be for us.  Has anyone had good or bad experiences with any of the top agents in the industry?   Dave Mark - President and Lead DesignerIntrinsic Algorithm - "Reducing the world to mathematical equations!"
  All an agent does is shop your game to a publisher. The game industry isn''t Hollywood, though, and, so far, the use of agents isn''t that common. You''re better off learning how to pitch the game to a publisher yourself.-David DavidRMSamu GamesThe Indie Game Development Survival Guide;  I''m quite aware of what an agent''s role is.  I was originally going into this expecting to do the pitch myself.  However, since I was worried that I may not get in front of the publishers that I would like to even get the chance, I figured it would be worth investigating agents as an option.   Dave Mark - President and Lead DesignerIntrinsic Algorithm - "Reducing the world to mathematical equations!";  An agent wont get you in front of a publisher any better than you can do it yourself. You just need to call them, ask who handles acquistions and  send your submission to that person. It will be the quality of the submission that gets you in front of the publisher and far too few agents that I have encountered do anything to help ensure the quality of the submission. If you have a specific reason for not wanting to handle the pitch (not a native speaker for example) then an agent is useful. Other than that you get better control and understanding of what is happening if you do it yourself.   Dan MarchantObscure Productions (www.obscure.co.uk)Game Development & Design consultant ;  If you are not going to GDC then your making a mistake.  If you'ld like to get in front of a publisher, then the networking you can do at GDC is very valuable.  Besides, you might learn a bit about how the whole publishing thing works as well.  There are many events at GDC where you can have your game pitched, especially if you travel with demo in hand.If you do go, go light on the tutorials/sessions and spend a significant time just talking to people in the common areas.  You never know who you will run into.  Also, after the tutorials are done, be sure you are on the Expo floor loitering from open to close.  Again, you never know who you will run into.  The trip will probably run you ~$2500 but its worth it in many ways. Hurry, though, hotels are running out, flights are being booked, and Feb 18th is the deadline to get any kind of a discount on the admission.  If you buy after the 15th it'll likely cost you an additional $300 or so to attend.Kressilac [edited by - Kressilac on January 29, 2004 1:08:26 AM];  Oh, I''m going to GDC all right... I gotta see my AI buds!   We are planning on starting to contact people well in advance of GDC in order to set up meetings ahead of time rather than trying to wing it.Thanks, though!   Dave Mark - President and Lead DesignerIntrinsic Algorithm - "Reducing the world to mathematical equations!";quote:Original post by Obscure  An agent wont get you in front of a publisher any better than you can do it yourself. You just need to call them, ask who handles acquistions and  send your submission to that person. It will be the quality of the submission that gets you in front of the publisher and far too few agents that I have encountered do anything to help ensure the quality of the submission. Hi Dan, that''s strange thing to say, considering that are sort of agent too?Btw, I sent an email inquiring about your services but you never replied.;  I highly recommend Octagon Entertainment (http://www.octagon1.com/) I have worked with them in the past, and they can open many many more doors than you can on your own. They know who to talk to and are very experienced and respected in the industry. Its worth checking them out.Robert Ricerobert@orchidmedia.net ;  I have sat in on a couple of Jay Powell''s GDC sessions as well as reading his contribution to "Secrets of the Game Business".  I also had a chance to speak to him in person last spring on an issue.  I agree he seems like he knows his stuff... and more importantly knows his people.  It''s good to get a recommendation on them... although I did notice you are from North Carolina - you don''t happen to be from the company, do you?  Dave Mark - President and Lead DesignerIntrinsic Algorithm - "Reducing the world to mathematical equations!";  No, I am an independent consultant in the game industry. I specialize in business development and design, and prefer to work with younger companies. I have used Octagon previously when I was with another company. I had stellar results. Let me know if you decide to go with them.robert@orchidmedia.net 