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)

That is mighty courageous of you!
Good luck with your business!

DISCLAIMER: If any of the above statements are incorrect, feel free to deliver me a good hard slap!

My game: Swift blocks

You have big balls! I like you. Good luck!

Yeah, good luck Vlad, just don''t give up :-)

Keith

Good luck to yer!

I wouldn''t bet my horses on finding a job in the UK though. Development studios here have been dropping like flies of late. France, Canada and the US are probably better bets.

--
Sean Timarco Baggaley

Thanks to All for positive comments ! I didn`t expect it here at all.

quote:I wouldn''t bet my horses on finding a job in the UK though. Development studios here have been dropping like flies of late. France, Canada and the US are probably better bets.

Well, it is true, but I`m checking regularly Recruit Agencies web pages and it seems that there are many positions each day in London and nearby towns. True, there might be 100 candidates for one position, but I think my chances to get at entry-level position with several games under my belt are significantly higher than of those people who just finished school and have no real experience.
Besides, who knows what situation shall be like in 12 months ?
As for Canada, it seems favourably as of now. At my last visit to ECTS in 2003 I was offered an opportunity to work for a well-known company in Canada, but I decided not to go (yet) and try the indie route even though just for about one year.

Also, I have two strong and fit&healthy hands and enough physical power, so I could temporarily work on some construction site as a worker (have some skills in this area already) to feed the family till i find my job if it eventually fails. There is a paying work out there albeit not always the dream one. But I`ll do as much as possible to survive - it`s a great responsibility when you`re not alone and have a family, so this shall always push me forward.


VladR
Avenger 3D game (Last update FEB-04)

Woot!

Good Luck!

John Thrower
www.gamedogma.com
www.cgengine.com