There was a time when having a publisher was essential to being a successful game studio. They had access to the retail distribution channels essential to getting your game into the hands of end users. But those days are gone…long gone. Digital distribution changed all that. According to a recent news story, 92% of PC game sales were done via digital distribution. Next-gen console distribution is not far behind either. So, who needs publishers? Our panel will look into the scope of benefits that a publisher can bring to bear on a games launch and look into what, if any, value publishers bring to the table in this brave new world.

About David Edery

David Edery is the CEO of Spry Fox, a game development studio focused on making the world a happier place. Spry Fox has developed several original games including Road Not Taken, Steambirds, Triple Town, and Realm of the Mad God. Prior to going his own way, David was the Worldwide Games Portfolio Manager for Microsoft’s Xbox Live Arcade service.

About Justin Berenbaum

Justin Berenbaum brings over 20 years of business development experience to the video game industry with an emphasis on emerging markets. His career spans international business development, sales, customer support, game development, strategy and licensing for video game developers and publishers and technology companies. Justin is currently VP of Business Development & Strategic Relations for 505 Games and, prior to this position, he ran his own video game consultancy, Theseus Games, Inc., where he worked with technology companies and developers in the interactive space. He also served as VP Business Development for EmSense Corporation, a quantitative biosensory metrics analysis company; was Senior Manager Business Development & Latin America at Activision-Blizzard; and handled business development at Overture (formerly GoTo), pay for performance advertising. Justin holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz and is currently a member of the IGDA Business & Legal SIG, and is a long-time volunteer and supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Tom Buscaglia

Tom Buscaglia, The Game Attorney, is a principal in the law firm The Game Attorney PC, with offices in the Seattle, Washington, US area. Tom has assisted independent game developers since 1991 with all aspects of business and legal matters. Tom wrote the chapter entitled “Effective Developer Agreements” for the book, The Secrets of the Game Business and has written numerous articles, including in Game Developer Magazine and the Game Law series of articles and an Expert Blog on Gamasutra.com. Tom is a perennial presenter at numerous conferences such as the Game Developer Conference and PAX where he speaks on the game industry business and legal matters. Tom, an IGDA member since 2000, Chairs the IGDA Board of Directors and is a founding Trustee of the IGDA Foundation. As FaTe[F8S] Tom is founder and Supreme Warlord of FaTe’s Minions, an online gaming “clan” that has been competing online since January, 1998. So, in addition to his deep professional knowledge base, he has a gamer’s appreciation and understanding of the game industry.