Today, video game developers are faced to a disconnection between the value creation resulting from innovation and the value capture generated by the sale of innovation. In the literature, this disconnection refers to a strategic dilemma (cooperation versus integration) and organizational dilemma (open model versus closed-model) within the innovation process. In our opinion, the literature does not give any clear answer about the organizational forms which could solve this dilemma. This article analyzes the way the video game developers organize their innovation process to combine the value creation with a high level of value capture. Based on a qualitative methodology and four case studies, we show that the question of the combination can be resolved by organizing certain phases of the innovation process differently. Therefore, by adopting an open model in the upstream phases (through cooperation), and a closed-model in the downstream phases (through integration), the developers can optimize value creation and value capture. Finally, this research contributes to the studies on innovation and value logics and participates in creating a better understanding of the video games sector.
