Last updated on Jul 8, 2024

You've poured your heart into your game code. How can you prevent a former team member from stealing it?

Creating a video game is a labor of love, with countless hours dedicated to writing the perfect code to bring your vision to life. But what happens when a team member leaves? The thought of someone taking your hard work and claiming it as their own is a nightmare scenario. It's crucial to ensure that your intellectual property is protected, and there are practical steps you can take to prevent code theft by former collaborators.

1 Legal Safeguards

Having a solid legal framework in place is your first line of defense against intellectual property theft. This means drafting clear contracts for all team members that outline ownership rights and nondisclosure agreements (NDAs). These contracts should be specific about what constitutes confidential information and the consequences of breaching these terms. It's wise to consult with a lawyer who specializes in intellectual property law to ensure your contracts are enforceable and tailored to the unique needs of the gaming industry.

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Monica Yaneth Loeb Willes

Educational Content Creator - Full Stack Marketer - XR Designer - Wordpress Developer
Is important to contact a specialized lawyer that works in the games industry and knows about intellectual property of the games. Ask your lawyer to create a NDA for you, and also to create all legal possible protections that apply to your game before sharing your game with a third party. Think about protecting your game for more than one way. For example, I always register the game manual with the authors office in my country, its free to do it. The manual is very detailed about the game mechanics, art etc, so if the game is stoled, can be used as legal evidence too. Is vital also to create a contract to be signed by stakeholders and people who you want to talk about the game before creating it, so your secret is safe.
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2 Access Control

Controlling access to your game's code is a critical security measure. Use version control systems like Git, which track changes and access. Limit access rights to those who need it for their work, and ensure that when someone leaves the team, their access is promptly revoked. Regularly update passwords and consider multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security. This not only prevents unauthorized access but also creates an audit trail that can be useful if a dispute arises.

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3 Code Documentation

Thorough code documentation can act as a deterrent against theft. When your code is well-documented, it's easier to prove ownership since it shows a clear record of development over time. This includes commenting your code extensively and maintaining detailed development logs. Documentation also makes it easier for remaining team members to continue work without disruption, reducing the temptation for departed colleagues to claim they are indispensable to the project.

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Monica Yaneth Loeb Willes

Educational Content Creator - Full Stack Marketer - XR Designer - Wordpress Developer
If you want to share your code with someone else, additional of the NDA, think about creating a "Programmers Manual" for the game and register it in the authors protection office in your country. Normally that registration is free. Is a legal way to prove ownership in case of need. Documenting code internally is also very useful. Keep a log in a valid software system that records also the date of the input, where you can put a note that reflects the changes done in your code and put a number to each comment. Example: //1.1. Send "Hello World" note to console in Unity. Debug.Log("Hello World"); Note in Notion: 07.05.2024 - 10:19 am : Comment 1.1. Send "Hello World" note to console in Unity.
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4 Regular Backups

Regular backups of your game's code are a must. Store these backups in multiple secure locations, both on-site and off-site. Cloud storage services can be useful for off-site backups, but make sure you choose providers with strong security measures in place. Backups not only protect against theft but also against data loss from hardware failure, natural disasters, or other unforeseen events that could set your development back significantly.

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M. Nouman

Founder and Developer @ Arcaner Studios | Student @ FAST NUCES LHR
It's important that backups are secure from unauthorized access. Adopt encryption standards to protect sensitive code stored in both local and cloud backups.
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5 Monitor Your Code

Stay vigilant by monitoring your code and keeping an eye on the gaming community. If a former team member does attempt to use your code, you'll need to act quickly. Tools that scan for code plagiarism can help you detect unauthorized use. Additionally, keeping connections within the industry can alert you to any suspicious activity, such as a former colleague suddenly releasing a game with striking similarities to yours.

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6 Exit Strategy

When someone leaves your team, have a clear exit strategy in place. This includes conducting exit interviews, ensuring all company property is returned, and reiterating the legal consequences of violating their contract. It's also important to communicate with your remaining team about the departure to manage any uncertainties and maintain morale. A smooth transition can minimize the risk of disgruntled former employees considering taking your game code with them.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Gonzalo Girault

Hypergon-Powered by HI (Human Intelligence) Desarrollando la siguiente generación de comunicación interactiva #Roblox #Fortnie #UE #Unity #Gaming #Mexico
If you aré worried about this, then you dont have much of a team... Teams should help you improve your code, give feedback and ideas. If you aré at all worried about this, change teams, and if It happens, then there aré legal ways to act. But remember, if you did It, then really no one can steal It, becaouse the talent Is yours
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You've poured your heart into your game code. How can you prevent a former team member from stealing it?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Legal Safeguards

2 Access Control

3 Code Documentation

4 Regular Backups

5 Monitor Your Code

6 Exit Strategy

7 Here’s what else to consider

Game Development

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You've poured your heart into your game code. How can you prevent a former team member from stealing it?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Legal Safeguards

2 Access Control

3 Code Documentation

4 Regular Backups

5 Monitor Your Code

6 Exit Strategy

7 Here’s what else to consider

Game Development

Rate this article

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