This profile forms part of a series of interviews produced as part of Game Republic’s 20th Anniversary celebrations supported by our Official Partners Barclays, Escape Technology and Red Kite Games.
Laura Harper is a well-known face to many games companies across Yorkshire and The North, as well as the wider games industry. Now partner at Lewis Silkin, Laura’s focus is on digital commerce and creative industries. Laura has worked with games companies, gaining her first credentials signing a publishing deal with EA in 1999. “Video games was an exciting area to work in back then, and it still is”. Now she provides advice and support for companies on licensing, IP, development deals, publishing agreements, outsourcing and games services matters, trademarks and much more. She is a connector too, with an ever-growing network of investors, platforms, publishers and companies with a clear passion for games. No wonder then, that she was selected as one of the key influencers of the games industry for our 20th Anniversary series.
What is the best thing about working in the games industry?
The people and the projects. From my first foray into the industry at around the same time Game Republic was born, we have gone from discs to downloads. Innovation is the constant and there is so much creativity in the sector. It is a really inclusive, helpful, supportive industry that extends regionally, nationally and globally.
There are recurring themes in relation to areas which are misunderstood. These include, indemnities, warranties, IP ownership and milestone/delivery obligations. Make sure the terms of the agreements accurately reflect what you have agreed.
What tips do you have for those starting out in the industry?
Enjoy what you do. Look after your people, not least as it is such a dynamic environment for talent. Understand the terms of your commercial contracts, in particular, your development and publishing agreements, before you sign them. There are recurring themes in relation to areas which are misunderstood. These include, indemnities, warranties, IP ownership and milestone/delivery obligations. Make sure the terms of the agreements accurately reflect what you have agreed. Speak with a specialist lawyer as they will be able to help you and they will also help you to manage risk for your studio.
What is your approach to game developers?
I always encourage my team to work collaboratively with studios and professionals. Resolution driven, we look at how we can work out the best way to proceed to help support the development, whether advising a publisher; a games studio or games service business. I try to be pragmatic – sometimes it is about connecting people and looking at the longer game. We are part of the games ecosystem and that means that our work spans AAA developments to supporting industry projects. I was delighted recently to work with Screen Yorkshire and Game Republic on the Next Level mentoring scheme. It is great to be able to offer practical insights to help industry professionals and companies to grow. Working with games companies of all sizes and at all stages of their business for over two decades, it is good to share knowledge, provide context and support what continues to be an exciting industry.
What has been a career highlight?
I think that I am very lucky as there have been many highlights (and I hope that there continue to be many more!) In terms of my games practice, I am fortunate to work with some great studios and have negotiated development and publishing deals for some groundbreaking AAA titles including international co-development deals for complex projects. I can honestly say that a recent highlight has been joining Lewis Silkin, a leading UK law firm which focuses on creativity, technology and innovation. My colleagues and I are all expert in games law with tonnes of industry knowledge and experience which we use to support our clients and each other. It’s a great bunch.
What do you think of the role of Game Republic?
It’s really important for industry bodies to bring industry people together – I’m a big believer in the power of sector clusters to support businesses; talent and economic growth and Game Republic has been at the heart of the games industry cluster in Yorkshire for an unbelievable 2 decades; providing industry support and providing vital signposting for studios and other stakeholders from within the region, UK and beyond…
We have an impressive diaspora of global games industry talent which is from the North –not to mention the fact that many of the UK’s most successful games developers are based here.
What makes Yorkshire and The North a good place to do business?
We have a really enviable talent pool and lower costs of entry mean that studios looking to inwardly invest in the North will find that it provides a softer landing and a perhaps a more supportive ecosystem. We have an impressive diaspora of global games industry talent which is from the North – not to mention the fact that many of the UK’s most successful games developers are based here. All of which makes the North a strong brand when it comes to games development and the games industry.
What projects do you have coming up that will make an impact?
Growth in our games practice means that we now have a truly national team of games industry experts based in London, Leeds and Manchester – many of whom have worked in-house in games development studios as well and global games publishers and all of whom are absolutely invested in the sector. Providing this specialist, accessible support will make a real impact as we continue to grow.
