On 14 November 2022, Vircon Legal co-founder Erdem Mümtaz Hacıpaşaoğlu moderated the main hall at HyperGames Summit 2022.
Why games are one of the hardest products to paper
A game studio sells something that is simultaneously software, a service, a marketplace and a community. The publishing agreement decides the questions that matter most — who owns the IP and the sequel rights, how revenue is split after platform fees, what happens to the title if the relationship ends — and studios routinely sign it before those questions feel urgent. It is the document most worth slowing down for.
Then there is the live game itself. In-game purchases and virtual items raise consumer-facing questions about what the player actually acquires and what survives a server shutdown; NFT and GameFi mechanics add a financial-regulation layer on top; and a young player base makes age assurance and data minimisation operational obligations rather than policy text. Related work: Tiplay Studio, Metaverse Game Studios, Loop Games and Technology Law.
Author
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View all postsMümtaz is the Managing Partner of Vircon Legal, which he founded in 2016. He advises founders, investors and operators on financing rounds, M&A, cross-border incorporations and regulated verticals such as crypto-asset infrastructure, fintech and games, bringing a former startup founder's perspective to every engagement. He is a Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer (2025–2026) and co-author of Startup Hukuku. Canonical profile: https://mumtazhacipasaoglu.com · Open-access legal guides: https://github.com/mumtazhpo
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January 13, 2025Related Practice Areas
Gaming & Esports Law
Studio funding rounds, chain of title, publishing and platform agreements, esports.
View service →Startup Law
Incorporation, founder agreements, ESOP, term sheets, regulatory matters.
View service →ICOs, Crypto & Blockchain
Crypto-asset regulation, token offerings, exchange and custody licensing.
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