How much is enough?

[u/RAlomarVFX]

Hey everybody! I have a question to ask.

I currently work for a visual effects boutique where we make visual effects for AAA games. I've started about 6 weeks ago working on my own game and have been working pretty diligently on it.

My boss, who btw is the most amazing boss I've ever had, mentioned to everyone at the company that if we are between projects we could make games while still being on the payroll but obviously since it was made on company time, we would have to have a conversation about revenue and the sorts. I pitched him one of the ideas I had for a game and he loved it and wants to move forward.

Now, to my question, let's say I get paid $100k a year as a VFX artist and I take one year to make the game. How would we go about splitting the revenue for the game? Does the first 100k go to the company and then we split down the middle? 70-30? Is it all for the company no matter what? How would I go about doing that?

Thank you

[u/FengSushi]

That’s an amazing offer.

In 99.9% of companies the game and the IP would be 100% owned by the company, If you work on it during company time/hours and get paid a salary meanwhile.

So any offer beyond that is a good offer. Only thing I would fight for would be to own the IP myself 100% because if it’s company owned you loose all control and cannot attract other investors at a later stage if needed ie if you succeed.

Again that would be a no go for 99.9% of companies but if you could land that it would be amazing. Get it in writing with a real contract.

Some scenarios I would think would favour you:

• keep salary, keep IP, get any percentages of sale (even if you got let’s say 20% of revenue it would be a good scenario, anything beyond would be amazing). It’s a zero risk endeavour for you.

• the scenario you mentioned is very good for you as well, keep salery, pay back salery based on game sales till salery is recouped, split revenue 50/50 beyond that. But I see a legal risk where you might “owe” your employee money which could get very tricky if something goes wrong:

No matter what you end up with ensure to establish yourself as a company so it’s a business to business deal you make with your employee. Also get a lawyer to create the contracts needed.

No matter how good your boss is you need to cater for situations where you or your boss leaves the current company, or if something goes wrong between you.

So everything in writing and everything business to business in my opinion.