Computer and video game publisher
From Wikia Gaming
Much like a book publisher who deals with an author's work, a computer and video publisher is usually a firm of people who use games from a developer and condense it into a final product. While the developer is responsible for making the game work, the publisher's duty is to make it a complete and successful (e.g. money-making) package. Therefore the publisher is responsible for contracting (or doing itself) manufacturing, marketing, focus groups, and feedback, sometimes going back to the developer to request game changes for marketability. The publisher is also responsible for submitting the game to the appopriate ratings board (like the ESRB or PEGI) for the regions where it will be released.
An example of a large publishing firm is Vivendi Universal. These firms pick up unknown developers, or work with developers they have previous experience with (usually under an exclisivity contract).
Sometimes the line blurs between developing and publishing organizations. For instance many see companies like Nintendo and Konami as both developers and publishers. However, for financial analysis and tax reasons, they typically form legally separate companies (like Nintendo Software Technology and Konami Computer Entertainment Japan) under the same leadership for these affairs.
[edit] Examples
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