Panel: Beyond Games - Levelling-up your IP | Robert Walsh | NZGDC'25

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of the information is high, drawing from decades of combined experience in the game industry. The panelists provide concrete examples, such as the success of ‘Into the Dead’ and the challenges of licensing major brands like Barbie and Star Wars. Their arguments are well-supported by real-world anecdotes, like the McDonald’s real estate analogy and the story of a failed plushie venture. The discussion is practical, offering actionable advice on content cadence, brand bibles, and low-risk merchandising. The argumentation is solid, with panelists building on each other’s points and addressing potential counterarguments, such as the risk of overextending an IP. However, the lack of quantitative data or formal research limits the depth of the analysis, making it more opinion-based than evidence-based.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The panelists are credible industry figures with extensive experience, but they do not cite external sources or data. The discussion is based on personal experience and anecdotal evidence, which is appropriate for a panel format but limits scientific rigor. The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on IP expansion beyond games. The panelists do not explicitly reference academic or industry reports, but they mention practical tools like brand bibles and print-on-demand services. The lack of formal citations is a minor weakness, but the expertise of the panelists lends credibility to their insights. The title is well-aligned with the content, and the discussion stays on topic throughout.

The title accurately reflects the content: a panel discussion on expanding IP beyond games, covering brand building, extensions, and business strategies.

7/10

Panel of industry veterans with decades of experience, providing practical insights and case studies. Anecdotal evidence and personal opinions, but grounded in real-world examples. No formal citations or data, but credible expertise.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 02:00Introduction of panelists and their backgrounds.
• 10:00Discussion on what makes a great brand and the importance of characters and emotional connections.
• 20:00Insights on designing games for extra content and maintaining content cadence.
• 30:00Examples of brand extensions and the role of brand bibles in maintaining consistency.
• 40:00Advice on low-risk merchandising, including print-on-demand and digital content.
• 50:00Discussion on the business of IP, licensing, and partnerships.
• 1:00:00Q&A session with the audience.

• NZGDC'25 — The conference where this panel took place.

• The Business of IP — General information on intellectual property rights and their commercial application.