I was wondering if anyone here could clarify some very broad and generic questions about designing and producing a video game.

I have played too many video games to count and was wondering at the feasibility of creating a video game without any real background in coding/programming. I am a recent college graduate and I have access to funds through connections and family. I have a strong background in finance and accounting whereas the other individual involved in the design is currently an iOS game programmer.

What sort of cost am I looking to create this game for PC? Obviously I am looking for a rough estimate or range, anything to help me gauge scale of fundraising and investments. To clarify this cost would be for everything. Art, sound, programming, etc…

Some background on the game to give you a better idea of cost estimation:

• Simulation game with aspects of city building / resource management / and interactive story telling through events and decisions.
• The only screen that you see moving units and models will be the screen viewing your “settlement”. The rest is going to be 2d maps / menus / interface.
• Not trying to stun anyone with realistic graphics, going to be a dark and scary simple graphic style. (Not opposed to pixilated etc and other simplistic but appealing types of visualization.)
• Small unit size and building detail.
• Zoomed out camera to manage your settlement in a classic city builder type point of view.
• No multiplayer, single player campaign, once beaten endless survival mode.
• Units are never directed movement-wise, they do their own thing after you assign them a role or job within the city. (Patrolling the walls, farming, etc…)

I am in the stage of working through a game design document and planning out every possible aspect through text, sketches, and mind mapping tools.

In summation: If I plan out every possible aspect of the game in text / GDD / sketches what will my costs be for a PC simulation / building / interactive settlement management game?

P.S. – Some games that gave me inspiration are Banished (PC), King of Dragon Pass (iPad), Rebuild (iOs / flash), Age of Empires, Majesty…

Any help or information provided would be awesome!

Promit,

I greatly appreciate your timely response. And don't worry I am by no means offended that you brought the stern sword of the internet to my topic! This idea / project has literally just been started. And as a proactive person I have typed this up to get some more personalized information about costs that will accumulate as I work on my own.

So while I continue to read and read and read and read, I figured I would have some topics out there gathering information as well. As I clearly stated above this is a rough gauge just so I have some monetary numbers in the back of my head. The second part of your post was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for providing some input while I continue to brainstorm and see where this idea takes me.

And as to your reiterations and wisdom of researching before starting a business venture I can only say that I am well aware. This is just a minuscule step in an ongoing learning experience of gathering information to further prepare myself before taking any actual concrete steps.

P.S. Might have been useful to mention that the other individual involved in development has a background in programming and mobile game development.

Do you intend to hire a crew? If so, how many people?

Also, would the crew be hired (permanent) or freelancing? Would they work in-house? Do you have a place for that?

I could come up with a ballpark quote for the project itself, but it wouldn't include the rent you need to run this (with electricity bills, etc.)

I am also trying to do this - but am not working with games just yet. I'm trying to create a 3D prototype for a sales pitch, more or less.

When I was focused on games, there were many hurdles I was trying to get over. I am also a guy with a vision, pretty much the same as you, except without the education. I am currently seeking one however so I can make games in the future. I ended up deciding against what I want to do because I don't know how to run a business. That is what you are doing, essentially. So instead of planning a full-on game, I had another idea that is somewhat in the same realm making games; more focused on the 3D design and nothing else.

I will tell you what my plans are, and maybe you can figure things out, and get a clearer picture of what needs to be done:

• I am currently searching for a partner(s) that has a business degree and/or has been working and running a business for a while. This will help me establish the business (a software development company of sorts). For the moment, this won't be a paying gig, that is why I am tapping into my resources of friends and family to find someone trustworthy and capable.
• As I work on the above, I am busy working up the prototype. In this case, it is a very simple, very small 3D rendering of an estate. I can't make this myself, but I can draw up the plans and details so that someone can easily work with them (a 3D artist in this case)
• Cost of the prototype - once I have this established, I can then begin looking for people to hire.
• Hire my artist(s), etc.
• Refine the prototype if needed, and work on sales pitch with my business partner.

It's fairly straight-forward. After some time thinking about all of this, I figured that I had to work on my strengths for this to happen. I am the owner of the business, but my job could also be defined as some sort of management position, perhaps a producer or something. Because I am lacking in the education area, this is all that I can do - but it still helps with the project as I more or less fill one of the jobs required to make it happen.

You will need to start a business though, and run things as such. If you want your game to be taken seriously (when hiring people, finding investors, etc), you need to be professional right out of the gate. If you take a look at all the indie games on Steam, you will notice every single one of them is made by a company. A lot of them you may have never heard of, and may also have very small teams - but that is the professional way.

As far as your design goes, you have to test it before it is even coded. This article is one of your best resources for being a game designer: http://archive.gamedev.net/archive/reference/design/features/evolution/index.html

I hope that helps, and good luck with your project!