Section 6: Company Infrastructure, part 1

This article is set to receive further refinement at a later date. This installment serves as one of many in a series dedicated to providing in-depth insights into the art of Game Design and Development. Within the scope of this educational endeavor, one will encounter comprehensive explanations of the fundamental principles and terminologies that underpin the field of Game Design and Development. This note will be removed upon completion of all necessary revisions and improvements to the article.

Company infrastructure is an essential part of any successful game design & development organization. In this article, we will explore what company infrastructure is, how it is used in game design & development, and why it is crucial for creating high-quality games.

Company infrastructure refers to the organizational structure, policies, and procedures that are put in place to support the daily operations of a game design & development company. This includes things like hiring practices, team structure, project management methodologies, communication tools, and software development processes. Effective company infrastructure is essential for ensuring that game development projects are completed on time, within budget, and to a high level of quality.

One of the most critical components of company infrastructure in game design & development is team structure. Game development teams are typically composed of artists, programmers, designers, and producers, each with their own unique skill sets and responsibilities. A well-structured team ensures that everyone knows their role, understands their responsibilities, and can collaborate effectively with their teammates.

Another critical component of company infrastructure in game design & development is project management. Project management involves planning, executing, and controlling the development of a game, ensuring that it is completed on time, within budget, and to the desired level of quality. Effective project management involves setting clear goals, establishing timelines and milestones, tracking progress, and communicating with stakeholders throughout the development process.

Communication tools and software development processes are also essential components of company infrastructure in game design & development. Effective communication tools, such as project management software, video conferencing, and instant messaging, help teams to collaborate effectively, share information, and stay on the same page. Software development processes, such as agile development methodologies, ensure that code is written efficiently, tested thoroughly, and deployed in a timely manner.

Effective company infrastructure in game design & development requires a deep understanding of the industry, including the latest trends and technologies. Game design & development companies must be agile, adaptable, and able to stay ahead of the curve to remain competitive in the marketplace. This requires a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development, as well as a willingness to invest in new tools and technologies as they emerge.

Company infrastructure is a critical component of game design & development organizations. It involves creating an organizational structure, policies, and procedures that support the daily operations of the company. Effective company infrastructure is essential for ensuring that game development projects are completed on time, within budget, and to a high level of quality. It requires a deep understanding of the industry, a commitment to ongoing learning, and a willingness to invest in new tools and technologies. If you are interested in game design & development, learning about company infrastructure is an essential part of the process.

6. Company Infrastructure
There is a lot you need to know before you release your artistic production. Hopefully this is where you're starting after completing the Ov. Most people don't really understand this part of the decision making process. This is where you decide if you're going to start a company or create content to sell to a company. Either one you choose you will have to know all of this information. Before you take any further steps into designing your productions. I even pitched at a educational development discussion at the 2018 game development conference, SiegeCon, the idea of creating a strategic educational program that takes people through the different things sections of game development so they can choose which part of game development they want to get into as a counter argument towards stronger gate keeping. I said that there should be at least a program that goes over the sections in development order for at the very least 2 weeks each. Going over everything from the idea process to marketing to company legal information to prototyping to post release: content & infrastructures. I left James Portnow (yes that James Portnow, Game Designer James Portnow from Extra Credits.) speechless. Anyways I digress, that's for another time. Here's everything you should have a basic understanding of no matter which path you choose.

6.1 Legal Documentation Basics
- Coverages
- Jurisdictions
- Local business license
- Fair Use & Parodies
- Legal agreements (e.g. lease agreement, employment contracts)
- Intellectual Property (I.P.)
- Copyrights
- Doesn't protect abstract concepts like themes, game mechanics, or generic ideas.
- Does cover
- Reproduce copies
- Prepare Derivative Works
- Distribution Platforms Copies
- Publically performance
- Publically Display
- Trademarks
- Common Law
- Federal Registration ($~2000 w/ Legal Fees)
- Patents
- Trade Secrets
- Right of Publicity
- Infringement
- Contact Distribution Platforms
- Cease & Desist Letter
- Levels of aggression
- DMCA Take Down Notice
- Lawsuit
- Have to enforce your trademark
- Licenses
- Length of licenses
- Rules of Conduct
- User Generated Content
- Virtual Currencies & Goods Terms
- Age Restrictions
- Limited Liability
- Zombies? (Amazon Web Services Terms: 57.10 Acceptable Use; Safety-Critial Systems.)
- 3rd party language
- End User License Agreement (E.U.L.A.)
- Make sure they actually accept & click-through the EULA, protect yourself. Control your liabilities by Imposing legal obligations on players. Protect yourself.
- Privacy policy
- Data collection
- What types of data is collected?
- Why they are collected & how they're used?
- When & with whom they are shared?
- How users can collect their data & correct it?
- What steps are taken to protect data?
- Government enforcement
- COPPA
- COPPA Safe Harbors
- Reputation
- Data breaches
- Confidentiality
- Revenue/Compensation
- Revenue Share
- Net Revenue?
- At what point is Revenue Shared?
- Scope of Coverages
- Scope of Royalties
- Scope of Work
- Contracts
- Independent Contractor
- I.P. Rights
- Services/deliverables
- Derivative Works
- Reps/Warranties/Indemnification
- Scope Creep
- Boilerplate
- Docontracts?
- Non-Disclosure Agreement (N.D.A.)
- Mutual or One Way N.D.A.
- Definition of Confidential
- Permitted Uses
- Duration & Obligations
- Development Agreements
- Payment plan
- Scope of Work
- Developer Tools
- Change Orders
- Publishing Agreements
- No Gotchas
- Recoupables
- Publishers Obligations
- Detailed marketing campaign
- Travel expenses
- Conference expenses
- Promotional Opportunities
- Draft Operations & Shareholders Agreements
- Invention Assignment Agreements
- Termination Clause
- Non-compete/Solicit

6.2 Taxes
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- State tax registration
- Business bank account
- Payroll systems and processes
- Employee tax withholding and reporting
- Employee compensation and benefits administration
- Employee stock options and equity plans
- Employee performance incentives and bonuses
- Employee recognition and awards programs

6.3 Company Information
- Are you a Independent or Company?
- If company, what is your Business Structure: (e.g. sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), corporation, non-profit organization)?
- Filed for Entity Creation yet?
- Business name
- Business logo
- Business phone number and email address
- Initial registered office address
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Business website
- Business purpose or mission statement
- Principal place of business
- Business permits and licenses
- Business insurance
- Registered agent information
- Names and addresses of directors, officers, members, or partners
- Business cards and other marketing materials
- Articles of incorporation or organization
- Bylaws or operating agreement

6.4 Company handbook
- Business sustainability policies and practices
- Business Policies
- Social responsibility policies
- Corporate social responsibility report
- Environmental policies
- Environmental impact assessments
- Customer service policies and procedures
- Community engagement and support initiatives
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion policies
- Employee relations policies and procedures
- Performance management policies and procedures
- Employee disciplinary procedures
- Employee exit procedures and exit interviews
- Legal compliance policies and procedures
- IT infrastructure and technology systems
- Data privacy and security policies
- Anti-corruption and anti-bribery policies
- Employee privacy policies and procedures
- Employee data protection policies and procedures
- Employee benefits and compensation policies
- Health and safety policies
- Workplace health and safety procedures
- Employee forums and open-door policies
- Business ethics & values (Practices)
- Business processes and systems
- Employee professional development and career growth opportunities
- Employee diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
- Employee wellness programs and initiatives
- Community involvement and philanthropy initiatives
- Employee retention programs and initiatives
- Employee volunteer programs and community outreach initiatives
- Employee diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Employee engagement programs and initiatives
- Employee mentorship programs and networking opportunities
- Employee benefit programs (e.g. health insurance, retirement plans)
- Employee assistance programs (e.g. counseling services, health and wellness resources)
- Employee recruitment and training processes
- Employee performance evaluation processes and systems
- Employee health and safety training programs and resources.
- Employee training and development programs
- Employee recognition and rewards programs
- Employee referral programs
- Employee volunteer programs
- Feedback and complaint handling processes
- Employee engagement surveys and feedback mechanisms
- Employee satisfaction surveys and feedback mechanisms
- Employee feedback mechanisms and suggestion boxes
- Time and attendance tracking systems
- Business continuity and disaster recovery plans