Remuneration of a board game author: Guide 2026 - Remuneration authors game society

The 2 models of remuneration: package vs royalties

THE package is a one-off payment made on delivery of the work (or in milestones: 30% on order, 30% on validated prototype, 40% on final proof). It's the dominant model in B2B without mass-market commercialisation, because it offers clear financial visibility to client and author. It suits training, internal communication, event projects, where the game isn't sold but used.

THE Royalties The author is paid a percentage on the sales of the game - usually between 3% and 8% of the price of tax charged by the publisher to the distributor. The dominant model in general public edition, because it aligns the author's interest with commercial success. Unsuited to B2B projects without sale, where there is no base to calculate the royalties.

Hybrid model: Package + success bonusThe author receives a package on delivery, plus a bonus if the game reaches certain thresholds (number of units produced, NPS, redeployment after 12 months). Fair model for B2B projects with long-term ambition - used on 5 of the 33 recent projects we documented.

Scales observed in B2B France 2026

Of the 33 documented B2B projects, the packages are distributed as follows. Complete design (shading + mechanical + narrative + prototyping accompaniment): mid-range envelope for a medium-scale project, significantly higher level for a complex project (escape game, multi-format game, multi-language project).

Adapting an existing concept (e.g. adaptation of a book, e-learning, existing training in play) : moderate package. Prototyping alone (without design, based on a specific customer brief): envelope contained. Project direction author (production follow-up, BAT validation, deployment support): intermediate package.

For large-account projects (CAC40, public institutions) with auditable CSR constraints and traceability requirements, provide for a substantial increase over the above ranges. For start-up or ESS projects with a constrained budget, smaller packages are frequent - at the cost of an acceleration of the calendar (less iterations).

The contract: mandatory clauses and recommended clauses

The contract of author of a board game must state, on pain of nullity (Article L. 131-3 ICC): the extent of the rights assigned (reproduction, representation, adaptation, translation), the destination (authorised uses: internal, external, training, marketing), the territory (France, Europe, world), the duration of the transfer (for a fixed period or for the legal period of protection).

Beyond legal obligations, 5 recommended clauses for a balanced contract. Credit clause : compulsory mention of the author's name on the game and on the communication media. Integrity clause : prohibition on modifying the work without the author's consent. Resumption clause : recovery of rights by the author if the work is not exploited for X months.

Reversion clause : if the work is exploited differently from what was intended, renegotiation. Occupational insurance clause The author guarantees originality, the company undertakes to defend the author in the event of third party action. These 5 clauses are now standard in the Grand-Account 2026 contracts.

Tax and author's European status 2026

The board game author may charge under several statutes. Micro-entrepreneur (ex-self-employed): the simplest status, annual ceiling for the provideo calln of services, social contributions of about a fifth. Simple to set up but not suitable for large projects.

Professional profession (BNC) : standard reporting scheme, USSRAF + pension contributions (CIPAV or other according to activity), simplified accounting. Adapted to regular authors with several clients.

The regime of artists-authors (Maison des Artistes / AGESSA, now USSRAF Limousin) : special social scheme for artists and authors, reduced contributions (approximately 16%), access to specific aids (CNL, ATLF).

Personal SAS or SARL : recommended structure from a substantial annual CA, tax optimization via salary vs dividend, social protection leader. Annual structure fees to anticipate. See also our article on Self-publishing board game for authors who publish themselves.

Recent Sector Claims (2023-2026)

Since 2023, the collective of the authors of board games (grouping the SAJ - Society of the Authors of Game, and several informal collectives) has been campaigning for better management of the remuneration. a minimum rate of royalties enhanced by the practice observed; a guaranteed minimum package for a complete design; transparency on sales (compulsory semi-annual reports by the publisher).

These claims began to infuse the contractual practices of progressive publishers in 2024-2025 (Iello, Gigamic, Lumberjacks Studio...).In the B2B, adoption is slower because the package dominates and the royalties are rare - but the flat rates increased by 15 to 25% over the period 2023-2026.

The label "Equitablely paid author" worn by the SAJ since 2025 begins to appear on some play boxes - it guarantees that the author has received at least 5% on the price HT editor or an equivalent package. For a B2B sponsor with CSR commitment, financing a fair remuneration is a signal consistent with the corporate discourse.

Frequent Compensation Errors of B2B Sponsors

Error 1 - confuse service delivery with transfer of rights. Set up a package for "the design of a game" without a transfer clause means that the company does not have the operating rights. Always specify in the contract what is acquired and for what duration/territory/destination.

Error 2 - negotiate the price after delivery of the prototype. The tariff is negotiated at the framing, on the basis of a precise specifications. Renégocier after delivery exposes to conflicts and to counter-deliverables degraded. Always sign the contract before the start of the work.

Error 3 - do not budget iterations. Of the 33 projects analysed, the observed ratio is 1.3 to 1.8 iterations on average per project - between the initial prototype and the final version. If the initial package covers only 1 iteration, the following must be charged from the contract (usually 15 to 25% of the package per additional iteration).

Error 4 - choose the author on the price criterion only. On sensitive B2B projects, the difference in the package between an experienced author and a beginner is quickly profitable: less iterations, better pedagogical quality, better end-use rate. The hidden cost of a poorly designed project is far higher than the initial economy.

Sources: Urssaf (artists-authors) · Légifrance (CPI).