How does one submit an idea to a big company like Bethesda... or any company? Let's say (since I don't) that I had a great and very complete workup for a DLC. Maybe with worked out characters and maps made up in GECK. Let's assume it really is something of note. What do you do with it?

(Oh, and mods... this is just where I figured this should go. If it shouldn't be here then please move it. Sorry for any inconvenience.)

Companies often have their own ideas teams, and often have a clear idea of what content they're going to use.

If you've got an idea, and want to be taken seriously, you'd be best to draw up a storyboard, with EVERYTHING that corresponds to the content they'll be working on, that's everything from scripting, to writing, to level design. You would then contact someone high up in the company and arrange to make a pitch and hope you wont be wasting their time, and if it's what they like they'll buy your idea.

Or you can just post something publicly and hope someone sees it. And then they get an idea for free. But I doubt they need it.

Honestly, I'd get in touch with a mod team, as that's the best you'll likely get to bringing your idea to life. No point Bethesda buying your idea when they're already running out of time implementing their own.

To answer your general question, the place to submit ideas is . . . right here, on the forums.

As for a complete design document, FalloutChris is correct, Bethesda already has their own people for that. It's unlikely that Bethesda would want or use a third party design document. Individual ideas are far more valuable, as these can influence their own design documents.

Prior to Bloodmoon's announcement there was a large discussion concerning the how and where of possible future expansions for TES III. I posted a fairly detailed design document for a potential TES III expansion set in the Dunmer city of Necrom and actually got some developer feedback on it. It's worth pointing out that my design document was an exercise in gameplay design (what could work and what couldn't) rather than a serious developement suggestion. I had things like integrating 'invisible walls' in to the world without being abrupt, and ways to deal with the scope of Necrom without building the whole thing. It was a fun thread, a lot of people were posting interesting design ideas.

Some good points... but I suppose I should clarify a bit more, since it is something different. Let's say I had an idea for something that didn't get put into the game. Like a t-shirt or a novel. Let's go with novel (again, this isn't what I'm thinking about). How would you go about submit an idea for writing a Fallout novel? And how do you get a chance to pitch?

What would you be pitching, a novel idea? Or to write the novel yourself with the intent to profit from the franchise? (I know you're using an example, but it still applies to all methods of content. Mods for example are possible because they're non-profit, otherwise Bethesda would have rights to ban the content from the public domain)

As for a T-shirt, you would again get in contact with Bethesda and pitch your designs, either selling the designs to Bethesda, or getting permission to sell the T-shirts yourself. In the latter case you would become a franchisee, and Bethesda would then take a set fee plus a percentage of the sales profits.

But getting a chance to pitch would mean you making a call to Bethesda's appropriate department, and provided you have the appropriate credentials and a sound enough idea, would then arrange a meeting where you would pitch your idea. Again, if you're serious about doing some real business of course.

... hiring a professional Agent would be advisable for something like T-shirts, novels, or other out-of-game merchandise. They would know what trees to shake, and what doors to knock on, to get the request in front of the right pair(s) of eyes.

Let's keep with the novel metaphor. Ideally, I would write such novel and Bethesda would take a nice big chunk out of the profits because it would have the official license on it. I want the idea out there and 'shove it out on public domain/creative commons' is not enough.

As for an agent, where do you get one? Do they work on contingency? I always hear the '10%' so I suppose that makes sense.

Well it would be best to pitch your idea to Bethesda before you write it, it would be foolish to put all your time into such an effort and be told it's not what they're looking for. Then again, I don't actually know how that works. But I'd get authorisation before putting all that effort in personally, I call it 'covering my ass'

You can find agents advertised everywhere, online would be your best bet. They'll get you where you want to be for a fee. They're just links to the right people, and speak the right language, but in the end it's down to you and what you can bring to the table, agents are your representation. Fees and percentages can be discussed during the initial correspondence, unless they're otherwise set and non-negotiable.

See, I'd rather spend time on it and they not approve than spend money on an agent and be told they don't care. I honestly could pitch my idea right now, this second. But who to pitch to and how to contact them is a complete mystery.

Another aspect you have to consider is that you would need to protect your idea/material, if it's not copyrighted a company can essentially 'steal' your 'intellectual property' and there's nothing you can do about it. I'm not sure what Bethesda's take is on the distribution of litterature, but they're a gaming company, so I don't think they'd have much use for it themselves.

To pitch your idea in the most successful way you'd need to pitch to the right person and not an assistant/middle-man. It wont be easy to pull something like that off, it'll take some searching on your part, but that's business, it's also good for the executive as they don't get hounded by hopefuls from day to day (not saying you are, but look at it from their perspective). Honestly, if you're coming here for advice on how to pitch an idea to a company like Bethesda, well, if I knew I'd be doing it this second You just need to remember that a company like Bethesda isn't looking for 'loose change', your pitch would need to be worth their time and interest, and you need to consider your idea carefully. Most game-based novels get by on free and public fan-fiction, you would have to bring something unique and special to the table in order for Bethesda to even consider giving you the rights to sell that content.

It sounds like a bust, but that's business. If you really think you have an idea that they'll be willing to buy/lease out to you, then put a presentation together, protect your property, and get some credentials. That's about all the help I can give you

Bethesda is not interested in licensing out Fallout novels, PnP RPGs, etc. I know of one company that did approach them and was turned down, because Bethesda doesn't want anyone else making products that touch on Fallout lore.

I suppose that is also part of it. I wouldn't want to ruin the Lore. Not that Fallout doesn't have a load of Lore that is in official games that no one pays attention to and have official lore created for the sake of advertisemant (Don't get me wrong, I adore Vault 77). OK, so sarcasm aside, I really don't want to mess up lore. And I would like whatever I created to be canon; not fanon. Not that I really want to craft the whole world or anything.

Well now... today's Bethesda blog has an interesting development. Someone is writing a Elder Scrolls novel. Honestly, it's an obvious thing; the series is ripe for this sort of thing. But it shows maybe there is some hope for my idea.

So I figure I'll spill it: I'm working on a Tabletop RPG version of Fallout. I know all about PnP, but I find it lacking; especially in the department of making room for the new stuff from FO 3. It's too direct a translation of a game designed for a computer. I won't go into detail, but I have an excellent plan. Heck, I have excellent stuff already completed. If I could present it I could pitch it like crazy.

... actually, http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Fallout_d20, and it didn't turn out well:

So ... I wouldn't get my hopes up too much, were I you.

Yeah, even if you did an amazing job putting something like this together I don't think Bethesda is interested right now.

If a large RPG developer like Green Ronin or Mongoose Publishing pitched an idea they may have some luck since they have a track record and funding, but even then I'm skeptical if Bethesda would be interested. If you don't have any published work to your name in this area I doubt you have a chance.

Of course you could try and break in to the industry with a post-apocalyptic setting of your own.

I know about GCG and their attempt. I think more than anything they failed because they were told they had the rights when they in fact did not. Unless the idea was grandly different than the product they produced though... it wasn't much. Many d20 adaptions don't work, and I think that was the key problem. They also were flying fast and free. I'm more interested in a product with the restrictions of the Lore, not a product that makes its own. Other than a small bit of 'new' material that would be used for demonstration purposes, I wouldn't be creating new Lore. This would probably consist of 2 Vaults and 2 cities- cities I know they will never make into games. Other than that all I can imagine adding would be a new vehicle or weapon here or there.

Still, I'd have no issue sending it to someone like Green Ronin or SJG. I'd think it would be fitting for SJG to publish the series as it was born from GURPS anyway.

Edit: It actually would be near impossible for me to just 'make' the thing. I would have to go with some publisher, and there are many publishers that could really help the project work.

One of the reliable companies (not one retarded guy in a garage like Glutton Creeper) some of you mentioned in this thread actually did try to acquire a PnP license from gamesas and was turned down, since Bethesda is generally not interested in licensing out products like PnP RPGs or novels that could encroach on their lore.

So no, given that a major RPG publisher failed to do so, there's not much of a chance of you getting the license either.

It's a shame, though. It was a good and reliable publisher that would deliver a great game. Maybe Bethesda will change their mind in the future.

Really now? Two questions (if you can answer either) 1. What was the company? and 2. Was the game in some way released (leaked, released under a different name, released for free to the web)?

I won't publicly say what company it was. And the game wasn't released in any way, because it wasn't made at all - there were just some talks about licensing the title.

Was this recently? Maybe they go easier on stuff during the 'off-season' like Elder Scrolls is doing right now. That could explain the Elder Scrolls novel...

Yes, pretty recently.

Dang... There must be a way though. I mean, you get to the core you just have a bunch of geeks and nerds. A Role Playing version should be right up their ally. Unless that's wrong, the trick is simply pleasing enough people to care about the idea and not stepping on any toes. That should be possible... if given enough time and effort...

You could do anything you like without permission (I'm guessing) as long as you're not making any money or passing it off as a legitimate product, that includes any advertising, free or otherwise.

You can bring your idea to life, but that's about all you can do unless you're willing to invest your money and time into getting Bethesda to agree to a lease. I personally think it would be a waste of my time and money, but it depends how determined you are.

Time I got, money I don't...

I don't care about the money, but I don't want it to depend on internet word of mouth. Viral can be powerful, but I doubt it for this. And you have a good point, you can't advertise it.

Interesting to read more from the blog. There was an interview with Pete Hines talking about the novel project. It seems to be right on the money that they are concerned with Canon and Lore. That and convincing Kurt Kuhlmann.