I'm finishing up work on a 3rd person action/survival-horror parody, and I have no idea how to go about getting a publisher. The engine I'm using, although home brewed, is about the same graphical quality as "Torque" (I would link to screenies but the content isn't quite finished yet), placing it in somewhat of a different category than the Dexterity type game. It's solely Windows based or I would shoot for Garage Games (they seem to like multi platform). What do you think?

1. Do a google search for game publishers
2. Check out the Gamasutra company listings for publishers publisher listings

Identify those companies that are publishing games of a similar type/quality to yours and call them. Ask how they handle submissions and go from there.

Good luck

thx Obscure :) Anyone with more direct knowledge of company's that they have worked with, or for, that might be good shots?

You will get more concrete suggestions if you provide a little more info on the title. For example are you looking for online or retail publishers (is the game small enough to download or does it need CD). Does it compare with full price, mid price or budget titles (size of game, quality of engine, quality of graphics/audio, quality of gameplay). There are many different publishers out there all with different requirements and so more info will get you better targeted suggestions.

Here is my suggestion:
Find someone who works for a big game publisher like Sony, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Eidos etc. The person could be a producer, but even a game tester will be very helpful.

Get your game to a state where you think it is ready to be a great demo. When you think it is great, show it to the person who works for a game company. They see a lot of games in development, and if there are any problems they will be able to give you suggestions.

When you have gotten feedback from a professional, write a letter to the people in Business Development (find out who the guy/ gal is and send it to that person) at every company related to games you can think of, asking for an NDA. Don't send content, but if you have nice screen shots or something like that, put it on your web site and give them a link. Most publishers will accept material under NDA if it looks like the sender is professional.

If you get interest, see if you can arrange to show your product at a convention (E3, GDC) or have a meeting. Showing up in person will give you a much higher profile.

Good luck!

thx AP for your suggestions but that is somewhat over stepping my market. I would like to publish as an in-box, because I think I will make more money, but that is one of the things I'm curios about. My game has a good engine, and given the "horror" nature of the scenario the lighting system I have, although simple, is appropriately moody. The game-play will be from a 3/4 down most of the time, big guns, lots of fireworks. It's overall quality should at least match the Valusoft title 'Mob Enforcer.' A good comparison might be to the resent title 'Alien Shooter,' 2d which was a top down shoot 'em up, but in 3d, with a lot more glitz, and more content.

Sounds like you have a realistic idea of where your product sits in the market so you should be able to search out the right level of publisher. Activision is out but Activision Value may be interested. Valusoft and Globalstar are others that you should check out.

Ok, thx :) now all I have to do is finish things up :)