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Original post by bpoint Maybe I misunderstood you, but isn't placing an original title designed by the developer more risky? If the game doesn't sell, both the publisher and the developer lose out -- however those games with a license will already have an existing market to sell the product to.

Levels of risk. An original game with a new team is more risky than a licensed game with a new team. A licensed game with an established team is less risky than either. Given that the main reason for licensed games is reduced risk it would be rather backward to increase the risk by giving the project to a new team.

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I also wonder if publisher concept deals are any different in Japan. You don't see as many license-based games here than you do in the US or Europe...

Yes, original games are more common but the Japanese method of doing business requires a more personal relationship. It is harder and more time consuming to get a contract from a Japanese publisher.

Edit: You are from the US but are you of Japanese decent or are you gaijin? If the latter have you done much research on what (if any) problems are faced by gaijin attempting to set up a business in Japan?

[Edited by - Obscure on April 19, 2006 11:22:38 AM]

I would be most interested in seeing how this goes... particularly the part about doing business in Japan. This sentence applies quite accurately to myself as well :)

"I'll be 30 years old in a couple of months and have wanted to do my own thing for almost 10 years now."

doesn't that birthday coming up make you think about what you are doing with your time here huh?

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Original post by Obscure Edit: You are from the US but are you of Japanese decent or are you gaijin? If the latter have you done much research on what (if any) problems are faced by gaijin attempting to set up a business in Japan?

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Original post by zppz I would be most interested in seeing how this goes... particularly the part about doing business in Japan. This sentence applies quite accurately to myself as well :)

Yes, I am a gaijin currently under a Spouse Visa.

I have already done plenty of research into starting a business here in Japan -- foreigners are basically on the same ground as a Japanese national. Even the "One-yen" Kakunin companies are available.

If you are not married to a Japanese, or do not have an eijyuuken (Permanent Residency), then your visa will need to be changed to an "Business/Entrepreneur" status, which has it's own requirements of initial capital and two other Japanese nationals working with you.

For the most part, the problem is not actually starting the business itself, but getting the proper funding. VCs may not want to dish out cash to anyone who has a non-permanent visa. I may have to apply for my own eijyuuken sooner than I thought...

Edit (to zppz): JETRO's website has a lot of information on setting up a business in Japan in English. Good luck!

[Edited by - bpoint on April 19, 2006 9:02:07 PM]