I did it - I quit my job and started to develop fulltime

VladR · 2004-04-21T01:59:41

Hi, After two years of part-time development of my game Avenger, I decided to quit my daily job and start working on games fulltime. I took a loan for 12 months of living costs, during which we plan to release 5-7 shareware games based on my engine. However, it is possible only because also my modeller Martin quits his job too (next Thursday) so that he shall handle the modelling of worlds. I have been thinking of this for very long time, especially since last August when my wife born me a wonderful son - so I want to give them everything possible. That`s why the development of Avenger has been paused so many times during last year. If I should count the time it took me to create this game during last two years in my free time, if I would be developing full-time, it would take me about 3-4 months. But I was promoted this January in my daily work (economics- not related to programming at all) and was expected to sign a agreement stating that I`ll be working there for another 5 years or I`ll pay the costs of training aboard that I was expected to take part in during January. Since the costs of the training are worth 2 years of my salary , I decided it was right time to quit. Currently,the game is about a week or two before the betatesting that is going to take place at Betashare. During the time of betatest, my modeller shall start creating the worlds for two other games in paraller so that we are able to test them early from the gameplay standpoint. We plan on distributing our games through shareware channels like RealArcade, Gigex,Shockwave, TryMedia and others. I believe their traffic shall make up more than enough for those 50-75% they take from each copy sold. I do believe that ~6 games should secure some cash-flow that can keep us afloat with bread on the table for the family. I should mention another fact, that plays well for me and that is my location - I live in Slovakia which means that the prices here are lower than in US. True, a TV costs the same, and the same holds true for cars and other commodities. But, unlike in US, we`re able to make a good living from 700 USD per month for a family of 5 members. Therefore, if I manage to sell 350 copies per year of each game, I`ll have covered costs of living for another 12 months. I don`t think 350 copies are that unrealistic high number. You see - I`m not talking about thousands of copies, I`ll be OK if the game sells few hundreds of copies. Even if each game would sell only 200 copies, I`d still have money for another half year during which I`ll make another 2 small games which hopefully bring some cash-flow too. You may ask what about backup plan ? Well, I think that after I`ll have released 5-7 different small games I shouldn`t have a problem to find a job as a game programmer in UK-London. If during first 9-10 months I don`t sell a single copy, I`ll start applying for jobs and working in other jobs while I find a programming job. True, I`ll be paying the loan another 5 years, no matter what and I may be forced (if I don`t find good-paying job) to prolong this loan for longer time. But then again, I wouldn`t forgive it to myself till the end of my life if I didn`t try. VladR Avenger 3D game (Last update FEB-04)

Games Business and Law Business

Started by VladR February 06, 2004 11:53 AM

31 comments, last by VladR 19 years, 12 months ago

VladR

722

Author

April 17, 2004 01:03 AM

quote:Original post by Bashar
It''s not easy what you''re planning on doing.

Of course. If it was easy, tens of thousands of people out there would be doing this already.

quote:Original post by Bashar
You have to have skill, drive, and a great capacity to constantly learn.

These are just the most basic features necessary for such project.Of course, I have them,no problem with that. Though they are not enough for commercial success.

quote:Original post by Bashar
I think I''m many years away from thinking what you''re thinking, and even then it''ll be orders of magnitude harder.

Well, what is that supposed to mean ? If you feel you wouldn`t owe it to yourself [had you not even tried], it`s not for you. Plain and simple.

VladR
Avenger 3D game (Last update MAR-26)

VladR My 3rd person action RPG on GreenLight: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=92951596

Metron

271

April 17, 2004 12:35 PM

Hi,

just a little update : My first release is called "Nick, the Robot : Sokoban".

Feel free to take a look at it and send me some comments.

http://www.dude-development.com

Greetings,
Metron

----------------------------------------http://www.sidema.be----------------------------------------

gamelife

204

April 21, 2004 01:59 AM

VladR, you are not alone!
I quited my sucking job several months ago, and started to code a basic game engine myself. My deposit could let me live unemployed for a year, and hopefully I can make some shareware games or find a game job during this period.

quote:I wouldn`t forgive it to myself till the end of my life if I didn`t try.

Sure, comrade!

I did it - I quit my job and started to develop fulltime

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I did it - I quit my job and started to develop fulltime

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