HeardTheWord Member Posts: 224 From: Des Moines, IA Registered: 08-16-2004 |
I have questions about starting a Game Development company. I am just coming out of college and I think God is calling me to start a development company. I know it sounds like an impossible dream but I believe anything is possible in God's hands. I guess I would just like to hear how a development company can get started. I've really been praying about this and feel it is where God is leading me. A lot of people and information has been presenting itself to me but I don't feel prepared. Please help me on my journey. I have read a lot of articles about design documents and how to impress publishers. Will a publisher pay for all your needs or do you have to have a lot of money on your own? I don't expect to create a multimillion dollar game from the start but I would like the company to grow. Does anyone have any tips? |
GUMP Member Posts: 1335 From: Melbourne, FL USA Registered: 11-09-2002 |
Not trying to discourage you but you may want to just join a developer already in existance. At this point in the Christian gamedev industry there are already more developers than there are publishers or investors willing to finance them. Fragmenting the talent even further doesn't really help the industry as a whole. |
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nfektious Member Posts: 408 From: Registered: 10-25-2002 |
Very good questions. I have to agree with Gump, though. The Christian entertainment sector - in the sense of games - is still very new and very young. The addition of several small developers will result in an oversaturated market at this point. As an alternative, and in the interest of fostering the Christian game development community, it is better to join the ranks of companies already established. This will give you experience in the industry - likely to include everything from having your name on a published title to being involved in some level of managment or lead development. In time, as the community and industry grows, more development companies can be supported. In an attempt to answer your questions, there are many methods of getting a game to market - with or without a publisher. And whether you have a publisher or not, you have to be careful of all the contracts you enter into - including and not limited to the publishing and distribution side. The percentages and fees can vary - for all parties involved. Generally speaking, to break into the industry and be an independent developer you have to be able to get your own game published and be willing to take little or no profit on it (if you decide to go through an established publisher/distributor). There are exceptions, but it does depend on the quality of the game and the character of the person/company. My advice - from someone who has been in your shoes before and honestly made the mistake of doing the opposite of what I'm about to mention - let God lead you and clearly indicate the time he wants you to take this path. The desire and calling to start a company can be real and a bit overwhelming (as in "I know this is what I am to do so I need to do it NOW!") - but God's timing is much different than our timing. God truly has more patience than we do - remember that this calling and leading can mean that you need to prepare for this to do it down the road, not that you need to start now. It is very easy to get in the way of God's work. I hope this helps. Just remember to consistently be in prayer and in a steady relationship with God. I know Mack from Two Guys can attest to the power of having a close relationship with God and discerning what God wants and when. If you are interested in getting in touch with the Christian developers who are actively involved in making games, you should consider attending the Christian Game Developers Conference and getting involved in that community, as well as staying involved here at CCN God bless, |
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HeardTheWord Member Posts: 224 From: Des Moines, IA Registered: 08-16-2004 |
Thanks for your response. I have thought about going to the Christian Developers Conference. Are most of the Christian Developers on the West Coast? Do you know if anyone is looking for a programmer? I don't see too many job listings on site so I will have to start contacting. Sorry for all the questions but I felt this is the best place to ask. I am graduating in May and will be looking for a job. Why can't a Christian Dev Team get support from a well known publisher? I think it should be possible and you could get your games out in stores. Wishful thinking anyway. Maybe you wouldn't want funding from a non-christian publisher because of the other games they sell. Just a random thought out of my mind... |
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nfektious Member Posts: 408 From: Registered: 10-25-2002 |
Look for an email from me containing some information that might be helpful. God bless, |
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HeardTheWord Member Posts: 224 From: Des Moines, IA Registered: 08-16-2004 |
Thanks. I sent an email back. |
Mack Administrator Posts: 2779 From: Registered: 01-20-2001 |
My 2 cents as well; help out your bros and you'll gain much needed experiance and knowledge through that. ------------------ |
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HeardTheWord Member Posts: 224 From: Des Moines, IA Registered: 08-16-2004 |
I will do that. I would still like to work up this game idea I have and see if I can't run with it in the future. Thanks for you answers they have made this journey much easier. I can't express my thanks enough. |
goop2 Member Posts: 1059 From: Registered: 06-30-2004 |
I think God may want me to do the same. Im not sure though, but is it normal for sombody to stick to something like this for as long as I have? Im not sure if this is where God wants me, but still, I think it might be. I have been praying about it every night for awhile. If you could pray for me too, that would help. ------------------ I took the road less traveled and now WHERE THE HELL AM I????? |
