Hi,
I was recently thinking of doing some game development in my freetime. I consider myself a decent programmer - it's my job after all. I could handle the programming part of the game pretty well, but there is so much more. I need so much more people - model designers, artists, musicians, composers, story writers, texters, manager and I'm not even thinking of a big game. Where and how do you get decent people for this kind of job? I honestly doubt they will work for free or fun. And even if they will, without any contract they can do pretty much anything they want - deny me to use their work or even steal my work or work of other people. On the other hand, I can't afford to pay 10 people.
At this point, I am pretty sure I would need to find a decent sponsor, found my own company and do everything my way (..fail badly and hang myself) . This sucks. I don't want to quit my job and risk everything I have, but still... it is very tempting. However I don't find it very realistic.
I hope I can find here someone who can give me some advice, perhaps someone who managed to start off their project - with happy ending or not. Is it even possible to make a game in your freetime on your own?
How do you start your own game project.
If it's just a game you want to create to learn then there are many free assets you can download from websites specialised in a certain category I.e. Free 3d models etc. This is what I use currently.
Author
There are always new things to learn, but my ambition is to develop a high quality product/game. I know there are many free models to try out, but they are free for a reason. I would much rather work with someone who can create exactly what is needed.
Why not try this approach, since you have a job currently: Use the free models, sounds, etc and make your game. As you go and can pay someone for resources, pay them. When you have something to show, you could try to pull people in who want to contribute, or try for something like Kickstarter.
Have a look at this: http://answers.unity3d.com/questions/16650/game-asset-website-list-free-and-paid-textures-mod.html
Other people who want to make their own games typically don’t quit their jobs and start their own companies, and those who do do it because they know what they are doing.
That might be a clue that you are over-thinking this.
Firstly, if you are programming in the games industry, you should already be making contacts. If not, then you are wasting your time.
Secondly, people are more willing to work with you if they get to make their own ideas.
I worked with the author of this book on several projects at work (making contacts, hint hint) and we are planning our own games together now.
I will provide the engine and then we will make his game idea first, then mine.
Because it is his game we will make, of course he won’t abandon the project and will work free of charge.
And when it is your turn to make your idea, try to tailor it towards what the others on your team would enjoy making.
I have a lot of ideas for games, so when I am working with him I am going to pick the one that would be most fun for him to make. That helps ensure the people working with you stick around, and again work free of charge.
Otherwise you can just dig around online for the assets you need.
L. Spiro
That might be a clue that you are over-thinking this.
Firstly, if you are programming in the games industry, you should already be making contacts. If not, then you are wasting your time.
Secondly, people are more willing to work with you if they get to make their own ideas.
I worked with the author of this book on several projects at work (making contacts, hint hint) and we are planning our own games together now.
I will provide the engine and then we will make his game idea first, then mine.
Because it is his game we will make, of course he won’t abandon the project and will work free of charge.
And when it is your turn to make your idea, try to tailor it towards what the others on your team would enjoy making.
I have a lot of ideas for games, so when I am working with him I am going to pick the one that would be most fun for him to make. That helps ensure the people working with you stick around, and again work free of charge.
Otherwise you can just dig around online for the assets you need.
L. Spiro
1. Where and how do you get decent people for this kind of job?
2. I honestly doubt they will work for free or fun.
3. And even if they will, without any contract they can do pretty much anything they want - deny me to use their work or even steal my work or work of other people.
4. On the other hand, I can't afford to pay 10 people.
5. I would need to find a decent sponsor, found my own company and do everything my way
6. I don't want to quit my job and risk everything I have,
but still... it is very tempting. However I don't find it very realistic.
7. Is it even possible to make a game in your freetime on your own?
I moved your post to the proper forum -- Business (since your main topic is starting and running a business).
Read these articles:
http://sloperama.com/advice/lesson29.htm
http://www.igda.org/games-game-august-2010
http://www.igda.org/games-game-september-2008
http://www.igda.org/games-game-october-2008
To answer your points:
1. Try the gamedev.net Classifieds.
2. So do I! Read those articles.
3. Right. You need to have a contract. You should never do one of these without a contract. http://underdevelopmentlaw.com/collaboration-agreements-and-online-development-teams/
4. Then you need to do some fancy thinking.
5. Then you need to write a business plan. Read those articles.
6. Everything is a risk. Not doing it is a risk. Doing it is a risk. Not quitting and doing it on the side is also a risk.
7. Anything is possible (except time travel to the past and the Star Trek holodeck). http://sloperama.com/advice/lesson50.htm
you can join my project if you like because i really need a programmer ...theres only 4 of us at the moment who are artists,researchers and managers etc......
email me for more infomation
[email="upload_entertainment@ymail.com"]upload_entertainment@ymail.com[/email]
email me for more infomation
[email="upload_entertainment@ymail.com"]upload_entertainment@ymail.com[/email]
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