The format of the last Midlands Chapter meeting proved such a hit with the attendees we decided to repeat it.  After loosening up with a few beers, Andrew Oliver of Blitz Games presented his views on developing licenses; in particular film licenses where Blitz have most experience.

Andrew avoided teaching the audience "to suck eggs", as most of them have at one stage or another worked on a licensed product.

Some of the issues raised included:

• Only seeing the script 12 months before release.
  
• Not having the image rights for leading actors and actresses.
  
• Not being able to use the film score, designed for a linear story, in an interactive game.
  

While some of the advantages:

• Licensed product is less likely to be canned than original product.
  
• "Free" marketing and product awareness.
  
• Stability, allowing developers the freedom to create original product.

Attendance was up on our last meeting (to 45 people, including some gatecrashers from SCEE in London) even though many people had to travel a considerable distance to get to the venue.  Thanks go out to Renderware for sponsoring the venue and drinks, to Andrew Oliver of Blitz for his entertaining talk, and for everyone that attended for making it a great night.