Video Games

Gamers. Lawyers. Game on.

In this game, every glitch has consequences. If it uses AI, the rules change. If players create it, ownership matters. If it goes global, the risks multiply. Developing and publishing video games today comes with a complex set of legal and regulatory considerations. In a highly regulated, high-stakes environment, legal strategy is critical.

At DLA Piper, we know the video games industry: its culture, its complexity and its potential. With decades of experience advising the global gaming industry, our lawyers go beyond traditional legal services. We help clients identify and address existing and emerging challenges across transactions, disputes, regulation and negotiations; delivering practical and commercially focused solutions tailored to your business.

Gaming is the fastest-growing segment of the media and entertainment industry, and we work closely with the developers, publishers, platforms and investors shaping its future. Our advice is informed by real-time industry insight, helping clients navigate a fast-evolving global landscape. Our lawyers are called upon to share their knowledge globally at games law conferences and events including, Game Developers Conference, Gamescom dev, Games Industry Law Summit and More Than Just a Game. We are deeply embedded in the industry, including the Video Game Bar Association, and a proud sponsor of the Games Industry Law Summit and XP Gaming.

New global rules on online safety, consumer protection, digital services and data privacy are reshaping how games are built, distributed and monetised. We work with our clients to develop strategies to manage compliance that are tailored to their games, markets, and audience.

Financing, corporate transactions, employment, regulatory, M&A, online safety, privacy, advertising, regulation, disputes and class actions – whatever the issue, we bring together the right global team. You get one first-class team, supported by an international platform and deep gaming industry knowledge, ready to address every regulatory shift, platform challenge and technological change.

Whether you’re negotiating billion-dollar transactions or managing the day-to-day, we provide high-level legal support at the scale and speed the video games industry demands.

Awards and recognition

Experience

Our experience includes advising:

Aonic on a EUR152 million growth investment led by Metric Capital Partners, a USD35 million investment in nDreams, and multiple strategic acquisitions including TutoTOONS, Tiny Roar, Bkom Studios, and a 70% stake in Milky Tea, as well as a strategic partnership with OtherSide Entertainment.
Keywords Studios on its acquisitions of (i) Australian based video game developer Mighty Games, and (ii) a Melbourne-based video game developer Wicked Witch.
A global video game, software developer and publisher with advice on possible mass-litigation in Austria in connection with its lootboxes.
Sony Entertainment Europe (PlayStation developer and publisher of games) on drafting contracts for users of the PlayStation game Dreams, which allows players to create their own games and content.
A global entertainment group on its groundbreaking strategic partnership with the creator of a leading sandbox video‑game franchise to develop the world’s first permanent, location‑based immersive attractions.
A major interactive entertainment company on multiple matters including:
- the enforceability of its next‑generation controller authentication system as a technical protection measure (TPM);
- design‑right considerations in its controller technology;
- management of an emerging developer‑related dispute affecting a market‑leading game launch; and
- infringements of brand assets across online marketplaces and physical retail in the UK.
A leading global games console company in a UK-wide program to identify, investigate and stop infringements of its video‑game franchise branding and associated IP across online stores, live events and subscription‑box sellers.
A leading international esports organization on the regulatory implications of a proposed sponsorship arrangement with an online gaming and sports‑betting operator licensed in Curaçao.
A major US‑based global video games publisher on a multijurisdictional restructuring. Our London employment team coordinated with local counsel worldwide to review communications and support a phased, 12‑month global redundancy program.
A global children’s entertainment brand on the development and implementation of generative AI governance and internal policy frameworks.
A global video games developer in the investigation and takedown of an operator distributing unauthorized hacking tools.
A major online platform on the rollout of a global digital wallet offering for its ecommerce store, together with related international regulatory considerations, including payments and online‑harms compliance.
Sockmonkey Studios and its shareholders on its sale to Behaviour Interactive.
Multiple foreign games publishers on the global rollout of video games, live‑service offerings and in‑game monetization features.
A major sports and entertainment franchise on the launch of a non‑fungible token (NFT) platform.
B2B SaaS providers and procurers on significant in‑licenses and out‑licenses involving enterprise and government‑scale platforms.
A global financial institution in negotiating the title sponsorship of an Overwatch League esports team.
New World Interactive on the establishing its Canadian studios and its subsequent sale to Embracer Group AB.