<aside> 📃 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Find Available Slots and Earnings Projections Here
Eligibility to Take More Slots
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Q: Does the game have to be specifically about the topic of my slot only? Or can we include other subjects such as Science, Geography, History, etc.?
**A:**We have a set of content requirements for each topic that a developer might create a game for. However, we value games that are engaging and apply the concepts to real-world applications, or any fictional application a student would understand and enjoy. So, that could certainly include geography, history, etc., as long as the focus is still on the academics of your topic. We do not want games that are just a continuous set of practice problems.
**Q:**I have a game that I've previously created. Can I use it here?
A: We typically don't accept already made games, as we 1) can't guarantee a game slot for a topic for which the game is built and 2) we have our own set of content requirements, based on the school curriculum, that we need to make sure the game aligns with. We value developers who can deliver a new game built for use on our platform, but then the developer can use it elsewhere if they like (as the developer retains IP or software). If you think you have an already-made game that fits your game slot very well, please email gamedevs@legendsoflearning.com directly and we can discuss it separately. You can also consider recycling assets from your previous games if they would apply well to an educational game.
Q: Is the text in the learning objective document something we can use verbatim within our game? There are portions in the learning objective that I think would best be used verbatim to avoid confusion about the meaning of the terms used, but I do not know if the text is directly copied from a source that may require licensing of some sort, etc.
A: Text from the LO documents can be used verbatim, however, we discourage it. Many reviewers leave negative feedback if they see text copied straight from concepts.
Q: Are images on websites linked in the Learning Objective Concept Document available to use in our games?
A: Only images freely available for use in the public domain can be used unless you buy the image license from the owner. Making your own interactive or stylized graphics for your game would be the best.
Q: Can I create a multiplayer game?
A: No. For now, we only accept single-player games.
Q: Can I be connected with the teachers to get their feedback on my prototypes and make sure I'm aligning the game content with the LO before I submit it?
A: We, unfortunately, don't have the capacity or resources to connect developers with teachers directly during the development process. If you think you need information beyond what is provided in the LO document and the additional resources, we encourage you to do some additional research on your LO. The LOs are derived directly from US academic subject standards, so a range of resources is typically very readily available online. When you do submit your game, our content reviewers are educators, so they will be providing valuable perspectives.
Q: Which are the best-performing games on the platform and is there a way we can play them?
A: See here. We also recommend creating a teacher account (free to do) and searching for the game on the platform to see its ratings within its topic.
Q: Can we include our studio logo on the splash screen or as a 'Made By' section of the main menu?
A: Go for it! Games are still owned by each studio, so feel free to include your studio's logo if you like.
Q: Can my game have a free-play mode when students are done with the main gameplay experience? A: At this time you cannot include a free-play mode at the end of the game. When teachers assign a "playlist" of minigames as assignments, they expect students to complete each item in the assignment and promptly move to the next minigame.
Q: Does the game need to implement multi-language support? A: As long as you submit a JSON file in English, we will take care of localization from there. We will complete the translation, and it will be added to the JSON file on the accepted game version that you can download from the developer portal. Before the game is submitted, if you are able to translate to Spanish and test the text in your game, making sure all characters render correctly and the text fits w/in defined areas, we highly recommend you do so.
Q: What input are we targeting for the games? I hear that Chromebooks are going to be the primary device in the classrooms, but that iPad is also possible. So does that mean I should always build for touch controls? Is keyboard input supported at all? A: Because the primary devices used are Chromebooks, keyboard controls are supported, but I'd keep it to a mousepad, simple arrow keys, or space bar since a lot of students aren't advanced with computer game controls. iPad compatibility isn't required, but some Chromebooks do have touch screens. So, we highly encourage developers to build game controls that are compatible for both, traditional Chromebook mousepad/key controls and a Chromebook with touchscreen controls. Assume that most students won't have a separate mouse.
Q: Can the students control the volume of the text-to-speech? A: Unless you build in a setting to your game where the student controls the volume of the speech and/or the background music separately, a student only has the ability to adjust the volume of all noise from the game together at once via the audio controls on their device.
Legends of Learning utilizes Tipalti to process payments to game developers.
Use this link to access to Tipalti: https://suppliers.tipalti.com/legendsoflearning/Account/Login
Q: How do developer payments work? A: Each quarter, playtime for all games is tallied and each game receives a payment based on how much the game is played relative to the rest of the games on the platform. The total payout pool is 40% of the company's revenue. If your game has 1% of playtime in the quarter, and 40% of our revenue is $600,000 your game is paid $6000. We have data that helps developers project annual earnings depending on the topic chosen, as the topic for your game is a factor in how often it's played.
Q: Is there the possibility of having a minimum guarantee or funding help to make the games? A: On occasion, we will offer prepayments to game developers. These prepayments operate as an upfront credit against future game royalties earned. We tend to reserve prepayment programs for game developers who have published at least one or multiple games on our platform and demonstrated high-quality game designs and reliable delivery timelines.
Q: Do you have an indication of payment as a first-time dev for this platform? A: Historically new devs are just as likely to find success on the platform as the median returning the studio to our platform. The most successful studios are those who continue to work with us and learn how to make engaging, meaningful educational games. But there are new studios that can find that success early on! We recommend looking at the range of possible payouts in the top 25% of topics available if your game has a median rating. (We keep the current median rating up to date in the LO Slots Spreadsheet).
Q: How much do you expect to pay vs how many man-hours of work do you expect to be put in this game? The numbers in the documentation vary wildly and hours vs payment are never linked. A: There is not a precise answer here. Total hours of work for each game will vary significantly depending on the developer. It's up to each developer to analyze the opportunity based on their own availability and interest and commitment to the project. See this spreadsheet to analyze ROI.
Q: What has more weight for financial results: the student's or teacher's rating? A: Both are equally important. We order games in each LO by their average rating between the teacher rating and student rating. So if a game's teacher rating is 4.2 and the student is 4.1. We compare that against other games' average ratings to sort them.
Q: If we choose "Check" as the payment method, will it be cashed by one of the local banks? Are there any restrictions or considerations for this issue? Also, how will the checks be sent? A: The checks are standard US Business checks. You need to check with your local bank to see if they accept them and if there are any restrictions on them. They are sent out through US Postal service first-class mail. In the US that typically takes 2-3 days to arrive. Internationally, it can take 1-2 weeks depending on the country. If you choose check, please make sure to use the full mailing address, including any postal codes and the country.
Q: After a payment period concludes, when will payment be sent? A: Within 30 days of the payment results being posted.
Q: If we select PayPal as our payment method, who handles any associated fees? A: Your studio is responsible for any transfer fees.
Q: Can I switch my payment method after I send the contract? A: Yes, simply email gamedevs@legendsoflearning.com indicating your updated payment method and if you would like it to be updated for the slots in one contract only or for all your games.
Q: If my game is put on the platform during the middle of a quarter will I be paid for that? A: Yes, as soon as the game is live on the platform, playtime will be counted for the current quarter and will be paid out when the current quarter ends.
Q: If I'm a USA-based studio and I earn more than $600 during a calendar year, will I send a 1099 form? A: Yes, but only if you were paid via written check or wire transfer. If you are paid via PayPal, Legends of Learning will not send you a 1099, rather a payment company like PayPal should handle any tax-related reporting.
Q: What is Tipalti? A: Tipalti is a global partner payment automation system and accounts payable software to manage, execute and reconcile the entire process of making outbound payments to partners and suppliers.
Q: Which currency does Tipalti support paying out to? A: Tipalti can pay in the local currency of over 196 countries.
Q: What payment methods are available? A: Tipalti supports a wide variety of payment methods and will periodically add more options. These include ACH (automated clearinghouse), wire transfer, Global ACH (eCheck), PayPal, prepaid debit cards, and live paper checks. The availability of each payment method will vary based on the recipient country.
Q: How fast are payments processed? A: Payment processing depends on a variety of factors including payment method type, foreign exchange conversions, and the individual payee’s banking system. You can check this list for more information.
Q: Can payees change their payment method within Tipalti? Yes – at any time. If you are owed a payment and would like a different payment method, just make sure you updated your account preferences in Tipalti as soon as possible.
Q: What are the main issues that can trigger a failure to pay? A: Supplying the wrong information, such as their bank routing information or typing in the wrong email, or using a PayPal account that is no longer valid.
Q: How many attempts are made to execute a payment? A: Tipalti does not re-attempt to make rejected payments. The payee becomes un-payable until they resolve the details of their payment method, using the supplier portal.
Q: Can I elect to hold payment to a future royalty payment period? A: Yes, developers can hold their payments. It is your responsibility to communicate to Legends of Learning your interest in holding payments.
Q: Can I change my account designation from "Individual" to "Company"? A: Developers can change between individual and company themselves on the first page of their account.
Q: Is Tipalti mandatory? Can we use payment methods outside of Tipalti? A: Tipalti is mandatory for all game developer payments. No payment methods outside Tipalti will be used. We believe Tipalti is a great option for our game developer community to provide a wide variety of payment method options and lower transaction fees.
Q: Can I use Payoneer with Tipalti?
A: Yes! You just need to follow the next steps:
Step 1. Select your payment country.
Step 2: Find your Payoneer US bank account.
Step 3: Add your bank information to Tipalti
Q: When I’m expecting a payment, do I need to take any action in Tipalti to initialize or accept it?
**A:**No, our staff will handle the payment process in its entirety. When Tipalti processes the payments that we schedule, they will automatically arrive at the account you specified in your payment method.
Q: How and when developers will receive the invitation link to Tipalti? A: For new developers, you will receive the invitation link after signing and sending your contract. Please check your main mail inbox and spam folder in case the invitation link got lost.
Q: How do I find the history of my invoices and payments? A: Log in to your Tipalti account and navigate to the “Payment History” tab for a history of payments received and the “Invoice History” tab for a history and PDF copies of all invoices.
Q: How do I fill out my tax forms? A: You can complete the tax form as an individual or company with the “Name” field and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) that matches your tax return. The type should be based on who is legally receiving payments for tax reporting purposes. If you are filling out the form as an individual, please put your personal legal name in the first “Name” field as appears in the tax return and fill out your Social Security Number (SSN). If you are filling out the form as a company, please put your business legal name in the first “Name” field (not your personal name) as appears in the tax return and fill out the business Employer Identification Number (EIN).
Q: Does Tipalti verify the accuracy of the information in my tax forms? A: Yes, TIN validation verifies that the combination of the TIN and Legal Name for the TIN matches the IRS database. The TIN is either the SSN or business EIN. Tipalti validates the information entered in the W-9 Form against the IRS database within 24 hours of submitting the tax form. If the combination of TIN and Legal Name is not validated, you will receive an email from Tipalti within 24 hours to re-submit your Tax Form.
Q: Can I update the tax forms if my tax filing information changes? A: Yes, you can update your account information at any time, including tax form details. To update the information, log in to your Tipalti account and navigate to the “Payment Details” tab on the left side of your screen.
Q: Can I receive payments using a US-based bank account even when I’m living in another country? A: Yes, for example, if the developer lives in Nigeria we can enable his/her account to be able to use a bank with a US address. Developers must let us know first and then click on this message for this dropdown list to appear.