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k8cre8So, last week was eventful, mostly in a good way, but, also in a "huh" kinda way, which, clearly demands explanation. The first part, which relates to job stuff, I'm not at all sure what to do about, and then there were interesting potential developments on the Buffy game front.
*Warning: long post*
Curious? Well, then, what are you waiting for? Read on!
I've been at the new job for a month now. It's not really at all what I expected from the interview and the description. In the interview and the description, they were looking for someone with experience in adult education, and in administrating adult learning programs, which led me to believe I'd be doing that kind of thing. But, their idea of administrating learning programs is vastly different than mine. Mine involves curriculum and program development, training the presenters, and managing the courses, projects, etc. In this case, it means sending e-mail and using Excel, and changing the dates on web pages. To me, it's hard to see that there will be enough to do to justify this as a full-time job. It's pretty unchallenging, and largely uninteresting, and, I'm pretty sure it'll take me *maybe* all of 3 hours a day to do the job. I will be meeting with my boss next Monday to talk about all of this.
While I'm thinking all of this, the other company is getting a check this week. It's the first of 4 payments from an investor. The funding is basically about 6 months of operating expenses. However, the 3rd payment is contingent upon getting a second investor to match the investment of the first. What this means is that at the very least, my back wages will be paid. However, they are really wanting me to jump back in at full-time. They have a sales team in place, and have gotten a verbal contract with a large educational organization to devlop several courses for them, which pays the company a large chunk upfront, and then, each student that takes the course will pay us a fee to use the game and the book. The annual amount from this is about 25K (it'll be about twice that the first year for developing the courses). In addition, the sales team is actively working on leads, and according to their projections, there should be a stable income in 6-9 months. The CEO person thinks, so long as everything goes according to plan, they could offer me wages and benefits starting in July. However, given the meeting I'm going to be having with my current boss (above), and the professional courtesy of 2 weeks notice, I told her the soonest I could be available is August 1.
But, really, the question is, should I?
The wage rate is much higher at the 2nd company (notice I said "rate," I'm still not sure I should count on this, given that I've still yet to receive a check). The work at this company is actually challenging and interesting, for the most part, and according to the plan, the stuff I hate about this job will be moved to someone else by the end of the summer, leaving me to do only writing and design stuff.
OTOH, I have a guaranteed paycheck. It might be small, but, it's reliable. Given that all of the money stuff was supposed to have occurred months ago, should I even bother to assume that a regular paycheck is going to happen, or, that after 6 months, that the other funding will have been obtained, and that this will be a lasting option? If I were to say yes to this, will I simply be searching for another job *again* in 6 months, or, maybe even sooner, say 3 months? While I'm not at all excited about my current job, I always have a certain amount of loyalty, and part of me feels like a heel for possibly abandoning them, partially, since I like my boss, and most of my co-workers. However, I also told them I'd be willing to work at the lower rate if I felt like this would be a good fit. Based upon their answers to my questions, I thought it was. I'm not really sure about that anymore.
Anyone have thoughts on this?
I also had a meeting last week with Keith, who finally did have a moment to talk about stuff. First item was the re-jiggered Buffy game for the company that hasn't paid me. I wanted to get an idea from him about how I should structure that secondary contract to be able to still use the Buffy game, and, also, what types of fees I should ask for. Very helpful. Then, I asked about strategies for getting the Buffy game produced, given there is licensing involved, and Fox notoriously charges huge fees to license any of its properties. Making me feel stupid for not having thought of it earlier, Keith said, "well, why don't you submit it to the people who produced the Buffy CTC? It's basically a card game, right?" Duh. Of course! Brilliant! Why on earth did I not think of this?
So, the company who produced the Buffy CTC is mostly a sports card company, but, they accept submissions. They lost the Buffy license in 2004, but, I suspect, they'd be able to get it again more easily than another company, and are a really good place to start.
There is an additional minor snag or two.
First, they specifically say they are accepting proposals for *collectible* card games. My game is not really a collectible card game. Fundamentally, it is a trivia game. A collaborative trivia game. It is a concept that can have many expansions, however, which might fit their business plan/reasons for wanting such games.
Alternatively, the game could have collectible elements added to it, I could see there being collectible minions, big bads, locations, etc. These are cards needed to play the game, but, if you had different cards you could supplement your decks with, and, the more "Rare" cards were more powerful/beneficial, well, maybe that'd be cool.
So, should I propose the game as is, or, propose it as a collectible game?
Next, there is this interesting clause in their submission form, which reads as follows: "Donruss has the unrestricted right to use and disclose any information received from me comprising or concerning this submission without compensation to me, except to the extent that such information is validly protected under the patent or copyright laws of the United States or foreign countries."
Does that sound like I should copyright the game before I even send them a proposal, or can I send them a basic proposal/query, with just the contents of the proposal, (i.e. the idea of the game, the selling points, etc.), and still retain control of the non-sent items, official copyright or not? I'm basically just planning on sending the submission form, and a basic proposal or query, no game samples, no rules. Basically, this is an interest letter and no more. Am I wrong?
Anyway, I'm very excited about this development, and I'm feeling that this might be publishable afterall. I was starting to think the licensing was dooming the project before it could start.
I'm going off to work on some other projects while you all digest this... ;) Feel free to ignore, too.
I've been at the new job for a month now. It's not really at all what I expected from the interview and the description. In the interview and the description, they were looking for someone with experience in adult education, and in administrating adult learning programs, which led me to believe I'd be doing that kind of thing. But, their idea of administrating learning programs is vastly different than mine. Mine involves curriculum and program development, training the presenters, and managing the courses, projects, etc. In this case, it means sending e-mail and using Excel, and changing the dates on web pages. To me, it's hard to see that there will be enough to do to justify this as a full-time job. It's pretty unchallenging, and largely uninteresting, and, I'm pretty sure it'll take me *maybe* all of 3 hours a day to do the job. I will be meeting with my boss next Monday to talk about all of this.
While I'm thinking all of this, the other company is getting a check this week. It's the first of 4 payments from an investor. The funding is basically about 6 months of operating expenses. However, the 3rd payment is contingent upon getting a second investor to match the investment of the first. What this means is that at the very least, my back wages will be paid. However, they are really wanting me to jump back in at full-time. They have a sales team in place, and have gotten a verbal contract with a large educational organization to devlop several courses for them, which pays the company a large chunk upfront, and then, each student that takes the course will pay us a fee to use the game and the book. The annual amount from this is about 25K (it'll be about twice that the first year for developing the courses). In addition, the sales team is actively working on leads, and according to their projections, there should be a stable income in 6-9 months. The CEO person thinks, so long as everything goes according to plan, they could offer me wages and benefits starting in July. However, given the meeting I'm going to be having with my current boss (above), and the professional courtesy of 2 weeks notice, I told her the soonest I could be available is August 1.
But, really, the question is, should I?
The wage rate is much higher at the 2nd company (notice I said "rate," I'm still not sure I should count on this, given that I've still yet to receive a check). The work at this company is actually challenging and interesting, for the most part, and according to the plan, the stuff I hate about this job will be moved to someone else by the end of the summer, leaving me to do only writing and design stuff.
OTOH, I have a guaranteed paycheck. It might be small, but, it's reliable. Given that all of the money stuff was supposed to have occurred months ago, should I even bother to assume that a regular paycheck is going to happen, or, that after 6 months, that the other funding will have been obtained, and that this will be a lasting option? If I were to say yes to this, will I simply be searching for another job *again* in 6 months, or, maybe even sooner, say 3 months? While I'm not at all excited about my current job, I always have a certain amount of loyalty, and part of me feels like a heel for possibly abandoning them, partially, since I like my boss, and most of my co-workers. However, I also told them I'd be willing to work at the lower rate if I felt like this would be a good fit. Based upon their answers to my questions, I thought it was. I'm not really sure about that anymore.
Anyone have thoughts on this?
I also had a meeting last week with Keith, who finally did have a moment to talk about stuff. First item was the re-jiggered Buffy game for the company that hasn't paid me. I wanted to get an idea from him about how I should structure that secondary contract to be able to still use the Buffy game, and, also, what types of fees I should ask for. Very helpful. Then, I asked about strategies for getting the Buffy game produced, given there is licensing involved, and Fox notoriously charges huge fees to license any of its properties. Making me feel stupid for not having thought of it earlier, Keith said, "well, why don't you submit it to the people who produced the Buffy CTC? It's basically a card game, right?" Duh. Of course! Brilliant! Why on earth did I not think of this?
So, the company who produced the Buffy CTC is mostly a sports card company, but, they accept submissions. They lost the Buffy license in 2004, but, I suspect, they'd be able to get it again more easily than another company, and are a really good place to start.
There is an additional minor snag or two.
First, they specifically say they are accepting proposals for *collectible* card games. My game is not really a collectible card game. Fundamentally, it is a trivia game. A collaborative trivia game. It is a concept that can have many expansions, however, which might fit their business plan/reasons for wanting such games.
Alternatively, the game could have collectible elements added to it, I could see there being collectible minions, big bads, locations, etc. These are cards needed to play the game, but, if you had different cards you could supplement your decks with, and, the more "Rare" cards were more powerful/beneficial, well, maybe that'd be cool.
So, should I propose the game as is, or, propose it as a collectible game?
Next, there is this interesting clause in their submission form, which reads as follows: "Donruss has the unrestricted right to use and disclose any information received from me comprising or concerning this submission without compensation to me, except to the extent that such information is validly protected under the patent or copyright laws of the United States or foreign countries."
Does that sound like I should copyright the game before I even send them a proposal, or can I send them a basic proposal/query, with just the contents of the proposal, (i.e. the idea of the game, the selling points, etc.), and still retain control of the non-sent items, official copyright or not? I'm basically just planning on sending the submission form, and a basic proposal or query, no game samples, no rules. Basically, this is an interest letter and no more. Am I wrong?
Anyway, I'm very excited about this development, and I'm feeling that this might be publishable afterall. I was starting to think the licensing was dooming the project before it could start.
I'm going off to work on some other projects while you all digest this... ;) Feel free to ignore, too.
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no subject
Date: 2006-06-19 10:21 pm (UTC)Submit the Buffy game as-is, and just be sure to highlight the expandability factors.
Your game is already copyrighted. Copyright happens automatically; all you have to do is be able to document that you wrote it first. (One commmon way to do this is to print it out and mail it to yourself so it has a postmark.) I wouldn't worry about them stealing the concept; the really valuable part is the questions, not the game structure, and I think you're pretty safe on that front.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-20 01:29 am (UTC)That's sorta what I thought, but, this is more formal than most game companies go, so, I wanted to make sure I didn't need to formally copyright it.
I do think specific concept is largely unique, and unless I sent them the whole thing, the couldn't replicate it, and so, while they could decide that "general Buffy trivia game" is a good idea, they could take that, and do it themselves, but, porbably won't. (which Chris pointed out.)
no subject
Date: 2006-06-20 03:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-20 03:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-20 06:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-19 10:34 pm (UTC)Btw I bought a camera ( as you might have read and now can maybe help with the cover for the cookbook.. if we got a good idea ... just saying! ;-))
no subject
Date: 2006-06-20 01:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-20 02:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-20 03:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-20 10:33 am (UTC)I should definitely shut up here
Date: 2006-06-19 11:40 pm (UTC)Regarding the decision first job/second job, does the second job offer any kind of benefits? Retirement? Health Care? Insurance? Given the general instability of the funding, I'd take some of these into account. I don't know much about the second job, but if you could work out some sort of freelance/telecommuting thing with them, that's the direction I'd go. Compensation is more than a paycheck, and I know that if you factored in employee benefits at company 1, your compensation would be MUCH more attractive, and much more representative of the big picture. And that part of it is the advice I'd give to anyone, and it doesn't have anything to do with the fact that I work for the first company.
Another point is that I'm pretty familiar with company 1. If you're bored, I doubt that it's because there isn't enough work to go around. I'd encourage you to really make the job your own--- offer ideas and suggestions. Fix what's broken. I've never known them to resist. One of the reasons they liked you in the first place was that they thought you could really take this position places. So give feedback. Let them know the ways in which they could use your talents. It's an area with a lot going on, and I'm sure they don't want you feeling like your talents are wasted, because everyone in the department has more than they can handle on their plates. If you can help them, I know they'd be open to that. And I've never known them to fail to compensate good employees. Your starting salary might not be all you'd hoped for, but I'd be surprised if you stayed at that level if you really put your heart into the job. I know I didn't.
Finally, I think this all comes down to one question. Is there any scenario in which you'd be happy (satisfied, content, whatever) doing what you're doing (or more accurately, what you're capable of doing) for the first company for any length of time? If your mind is made up, your actions are going to make that a self-fulfilling prophecy. I believe that the first company has the potential to be a better choice than you do, but who cares? I already work there. I've made a decision that works for me. You have to make the decision that's ultimately going to work for you.
Re: I should definitely shut up here
Date: 2006-06-20 01:18 am (UTC)According to the "plan" this will include benefits. But, like the paycheck, I'm not sure if I should trust that. That is, in fact, the biggest issue to me. I'm currently telecommuting with them, and working 10 hours-ish a week, but, they are wanting me to go to 40, working on site 2-3 days a week (site being her house)
I've been telling folks that I'm not busy, and I've gotten extra stuff from several people. But, it's mostly all clerical stuff, which, yes, needs to be done, but, isn't particularly interesting. I've made some suggestions, they've been taken, mostly, so, I'm not feeling ignored, but the stuff I know best, and where I see the biggest weaknesses, well, is stuff they really don't have control over. Like the web site? Well, you know about the difficulties with that. The content used in their training stuff? Mostly, they don't develop that, in large part, I think, for good reason. Today I proposed training for their VLC speakers, which got a really excited reaction from Jean, and a tepid one from Nicole. I've asked about several other things, and sorta got a "that's a good question, I don't know how to answer it." This week, of course, John's out, so, some of this is more pronounced. All of this I'll be talking about with John. And, I told other job I couldn't make any decision until I talked with them, and got a sense of what the possibilities are. I honestly, just don't know. My mind would like more information to be made up, and, would like, well, the timeline to not be so, annoying.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-20 08:56 am (UTC)As for the job thing: I usually take the cautious route which in your case would mean staying with the steady job, however, you seem really creative and the other option seems to suit you more .... but then there's the money situation ..... I'm really not helping here :(
no subject
Date: 2006-06-20 04:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-20 02:38 pm (UTC)At the current job, if you like your boss and think he has a grip on what the company/department/position needs, I would talk to him pretty frankly about what the demands on your time have been, how unfulfilling the work is, and especially what else you think you can contribute.
On the Buffy front, I've already told you my opinion. I'd submit it, including the collectible aspects, and see what happens. Be sure to mention that it's a model that could work for other licensed trivia card games. I hate to say it, but as much of an obstacle as the license is, I think the fact that the Buffy TV show is years out of production is just as big.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-20 04:23 pm (UTC)Anyway, given the number of conventions and the comics and the novels (which are still being published), I'm not *quite* as worried about the fact that the TV show is no longer in production. It is admittedly a factor, but, the DVDs have also been constantly re-issued, and it's also solidly in syndication all over the place.