Will working with a publisher help me prevent my game from being cloned?

Question

I read many articles on "How (or why not without) to make mobile game without publisher". But the question that bothers me is:

"What if I make a game, that really hits the market in the eye and people start playing it BUT some publisher will see my game and make the very similar game in 2 weeks and makes it ever more succesfull?"

Is this the main reason why I should choose to go with the publisher?

EDIT: My main concern is not about my weeks spent on developing (I love it!). My concern is: Me working WITHOUT publisher (therefore using not so great marketing techniques) can take some time to get my game to peoples hart VS other developer (USING publisher) can clone my game and with publishers help get their cloned game to public much faster. Before people even realizing it is a copycat.

Answer 1

A publisher would not be able to protect you from someone else creating a more popular clone of your game. Games from large publishers get ripped off just as often as those from small indies. Maybe the publisher has enough money in their war chest to fight a legal battle, but considering that such lawsuits are expensive and the success rate is hard to estimate, you can't count on them being willing to invest the money required to defend your game. Especially if it isn't one of the fattest cash cows in the barn.

There are essentially two reasons why you would want to work with a publisher.

• They complement your skillset. Maybe you are a great game developer, but you don't know anything about marketing and how to promote your game? A publisher might help out with that. They might also be able to get you into contact with people who can help you with the game itself.
• You need their money. Publishers are sometimes willing to fund a game up-front or pay you a flat fee for your game regardless of its commercial success. So if you are in risk of running out of money or need some guaranteed payout to plan your own financial future, then selling your game to a publisher can help you. That means, if you can convince them that your game is worth it. Nobody is going to throw money at you if they are not convinced that your game will make them a profit.

But there are also reasons why you would not want to work with a publisher:

• Executive meddling. Publishers might want to have some creative influence over your game. They might demand that you change things or force you to meet deadlines. Usually their demands are well-meaning. After all, their primary interest is making sure your game is as profitable as it can be. But maybe your game is a labor of love? You want it to be exactly the game you imagined and haters gonna hate? You don't care if you lose profits if it means you don't compromise your artistic integrity? Then you might prefer to work without a publisher behind your back.
• IP rights. Some publishers will want to own your intellectual property rights, like the copyright to the game and its assets, the trademark or the rights to use the characters and scenario. So if you ever want to create a sequel or spinoff, you might not be able to do that without the permission of the publisher. Or even worse, the publisher might hire someone else to do that, which means you get cut out of the creative process and won't get paid. Read the contracts carefully and make sure you understand all their implications. Ask a lawyer if you need help.
• They want their share of the money your game generates (no exceptions here). If you can cut out the middle-man and sell your game directly (like many independent developers do nowadays) you can make more money per sale for yourself. That means if you have the necessary business skills to sell your game without their help. But if you feel that the publisher's contribution won't result in enough additional sales to justify their cut, then there is little reason to work with them.

I am looking forward to playing your game.