mjohnson Member Posts: 48 From: Registered: 08-03-2006 |
Just wondering...I'm new here...typically when everybody here is asking for volunteers to work on a game, why is that? How can people who live in different parts of the world work in an organized manner on a game? How do you communicate to each other? Do the volunteers get paid or does all of the profit go to whoever's game it is? What benefits do people get other than experience or cheap note by working on someone else's game, rather than simply making their own? Just wondering...thanks, Michelle |
jestermax Member Posts: 1064 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: 06-21-2006 |
i'm fairly new here as well (but welcome to CCN  ) but communication happens over emails and instant messages. it IS possible to work separately around the world if you can find a system of communication that works for everyone on the team (its just sometimes hard to do that).from what i understand, mostly things go unpaid unless specified. as for working with someone else vs. working on your own, a lot of it is preference and time. some people work better with a team or some just don't have the time to devote to a huge project. On the other hand though, sometimes you can get synergy from teamwork and you'll come up with something that is 10 times better then it would've been if you each worked on it alone. anyways, my 2 cents (put them in a jar for a rainy day) |
Ereon Member Posts: 1018 From: Ohio, United States Registered: 04-12-2005 |
Yeah, me, I'm a loner, mostly because I'm paranoid about conflicts with a partner and my own ideas getting murdalized  . As for people who work as volunteers, it's usually a pretty big deal to take on a game of almost any size, it requires a very large spectrum of skills, some of which some people don't have and don't really want to learn, so the idea is to take those things missing in your skills and team up with someone else who has those skills that you lack. The main reason for someone just outright volunteering is usually just experience in their chosen field, and getting better at that. One person may be a level designer, and they want to focus solely on level design, so they join a game project simply to be a level designer, this gives the team leader one less thing he or she has to do themselves and lets them focus of their area of expertise. So it's all really a balance, with experience being the chief reward, this is usually because most projects (especially on here) don't have any upfront operating capital with which to pay their employees, some people though will offer to pay after the project is done, splitting up the profits between team members.------------------ Of course God knew what would happen if they used their freedom the wrong way: apparently He thought it worth the risk. Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one. |
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jestermax Member Posts: 1064 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: 06-21-2006 |
haha, yeah, thats pretty much the reason i don't work with people. i hate getting...."murdalized"..? |
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Ereon Member Posts: 1018 From: Ohio, United States Registered: 04-12-2005 |
Lol, welcome to my vast and largely made up vocabulary ------------------ Of course God knew what would happen if they used their freedom the wrong way: apparently He thought it worth the risk. Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one. |
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jestermax Member Posts: 1064 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: 06-21-2006 |
YES!!!! i made it to 100 posts  woohoo! (this is post 101 btw, lol ) |
GUMP Member Posts: 1335 From: Melbourne, FL USA Registered: 11-09-2002 |
XrucifiX is living proof that such a development environment can work. Not the most ideal situation but it can be done. |
HanClinto Administrator Posts: 1828 From: Indiana Registered: 10-11-2004 |
Hey MJohnson! Welcome to CCN! Yes, it can be pretty tough to work on a project when scattered to the four winds, but it's been done. Bible Dave is a community project that was started by CPUFreak91 here on CCN about a year ago, and the team has been made up from members all over the world. I think Joe is lives in Guatamala, though I could be wrong (if not Guatamala now, then he used to live there). I think Vincent is from Germany (he did the first version of the engine and most all of the tile graphics), I'm from Indiana, and several others are from other parts of the states. Mainly we've communicated through the forums here and the chatroom #ccn-chatzone over on Freenode IRC. So it can be difficult, but it's very doable. Skype is absolutely fantastic for communicating with diverse development teams. --clint |
ArchAngel Member Posts: 3450 From: SV, CA, USA Registered: 01-29-2002 |
yeah, it difficult, but do-able. I'm actually leading one of these projects now, with communication done over e-mail, IM and a forum like this. all volunteer. ------------------ |
Mack Administrator Posts: 2779 From: Registered: 01-20-2001 |
quote: Over MSN, over a companies forum, telephone, etc. XRUCIFIX has released one title using this development method and is using the same development method (for the time being) for our second title.
quote: Depends if the company has the money to do so. Some companies have profit sharing and bonus structures setup so that when the title is released everyone will get a piece of the pie. The experiance people get working in a team and on a released title also works very favourably on thier resume.
quote: If everyone went out and made thier own game then no games would be out. This is one of the problems with the Christian gaming industry right now, everyone is off doing thier own thing. I think CCN is the only place trying to solve this with the 'Community Works' project where those who are available contribute to a voted game idea. They're already released 'Bible Dave' and I believe are working on another. Also GameACE has a 'resource deposit' that Gump is working on where needy projects can have a selection of royality free models, textures, music, sound, etc. |
CPUFreak91 Member Posts: 2337 From: Registered: 02-01-2005 |
Welcome to CCN, mjohnson!
quote: In my case I can't do very good graphics for my game so I'd ask someone if they would like to do it.
quote: We communicate by email, Instant Messenger, IRC (A chat network), and these forums.
quote: It depends upon what the project leader wants. If the project leader wants to sell the game he/she may give some of the profit to the volunteers or he/she may not. If the game is free, (obviously) no one gets proffit.
quote: Experience is one of the main reasons I help out with people (and I think I can say that for several other people here on CCN. The other benefit is that people get to see you work (ie. you could mention "Worked on the graphics or code for such and such game" in your resume. And like I said above, some people don't have all the talents necessary for doing the game all by themselves. ------------------ |
Max Member Posts: 523 From: IA Registered: 09-19-2004 |
Erm, hello, and welcome MJ. Think of it like a boat. You can make a boat on your own, but it takes longer and it's harder to make all the parts. If you have a friends who knows how to make masts, and one who makes sails, then there ya go. Sometimes people don't ask for payment, but just do it to practice what they have. Besides, it's hard to crew a boat with only one person. Sorry for the confusing analogy. I'm working with Archangel and a few other on a project right now, we are setting up meetings and such, and we get work done. If you need help, I'm sure many people will jump at the chance to assist you. ---Max ------------------ Blind belief is dangerous. - Kenyan Proverb Computers are useless. They can only give you answers. - Pablo Picasso |
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mjohnson Member Posts: 48 From: Registered: 08-03-2006 |
Ok, I understand, thanks for the insight. Are there any completed games that you could direct me to that have been completed with this process of Im-ing, etc. Thanks, Michelle |
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Mack Administrator Posts: 2779 From: Registered: 01-20-2001 |
Here's a demo for Eternal War: Shadows of Light: http://www.ccgr.org/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=getit&lid=18 |
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mjohnson Member Posts: 48 From: Registered: 08-03-2006 |
I've seen that game before thanks. Any other completed games made with this process? Just curious, it seems so unconventional, you know, when's the last time you heard Nintendo doing this... (now, don't reply back to me talking about how they have all of this money and resources, I know that, I'm just saying...lol!) |
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GUMP Member Posts: 1335 From: Melbourne, FL USA Registered: 11-09-2002 |
Well...if I remember correctly the dev team for King Kong was split into groups that had to communicate long-distance via various methods. Of course, this was a couple large groups compared to having pretty much everyone scattered all over. XrucifiX has 3 people in Alberta, Canada and 2 in Florida, USA...the rest are all over the place. |
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mjohnson Member Posts: 48 From: Registered: 08-03-2006 |
Oh ok thanks |
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JeTSpice Member Posts: 433 From: La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA Registered: 06-10-2006 |
And HanClinto is from Indiana, but he's currently posting from Africa, while on a mission's trip. MJohnson, are you a coder? |
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mjohnson Member Posts: 48 From: Registered: 08-03-2006 |
I've taken some classes on basic programming and along with that I can do sound design, create pixel art, graphic design, concept art, level design, game design, etc. Yeah, just stuff like that... You? |
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JeTSpice Member Posts: 433 From: La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA Registered: 06-10-2006 |
independant producer |
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mjohnson Member Posts: 48 From: Registered: 08-03-2006 |
What have you produced? |
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JeTSpice Member Posts: 433 From: La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA Registered: 06-10-2006 |
mostly Christian entertainment, and mostly working with volunteers. stage dramas, instructional videos, tv preaching shows...that sort of thing. And a demo video game. |
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jestermax Member Posts: 1064 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: 06-21-2006 |
wow.... i have never seen a girl who was a coder and would admit it.... *mouth drops* lol |
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CPUFreak91 Member Posts: 2337 From: Registered: 02-01-2005 |
quote: Still am there.
quote: Nice! Which of the classes did you prefer? ------------------ |
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ArchAngel Member Posts: 3450 From: SV, CA, USA Registered: 01-29-2002 |
quote: unbelievably, I have. she was this really hot vietnamese model, too. (strange, i know.. but still) hottest. coder. ever. sry Gump, you know I love you. ------------------ |
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jestermax Member Posts: 1064 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: 06-21-2006 |
riiiiight, lol anyways, mjohnson do you have a portfolio or anything for your concept/pixel art or any of the other things on your list? |
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mjohnson Member Posts: 48 From: Registered: 08-03-2006 |
Ok, so "jetspice" you are totally new to game developing huh. Well, I hope you learn something from all of the Game Developers on this board! Seems like a nice group of people! "jestermax" yeah I know that girls in gaming are pretty rare, however they are out there, I read an article in Game Developer magazine about how some of the industry's top people are now women, so that's really cool. Like I said I just grew up playing video games with my brother and so it's kind of a natural interest, just something I do on the side but I'm still learning. "cpufreak91" let's see...um, well, I enjoy sound design a lot because I'm an avid lover of music so that just kind of naturally comes out, pixel art is pretty fun, that's my artist side coming out, graphic design is probably my biggest passion, I have a lot of experience with that! and level design is probably my second favorite, I mean to a degree that's the essence of the game! I'm still learning with the whole basic programming thing though, that takes more of your mind and skill, you know, rather than just leaning on your natural gifts. Nope, I haven't put together a portfolio of anything yet...probably should. |
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smkcbe Junior Member Posts: 6 From: Registered: 10-07-2003 |
Hi everybody! Another newbie here...we'll more like a newbie when it comes to posting. So, I guess a little background about me is in order. I'm currently the CTO of a small christian game company known as Brethren Entertainment Studios located in the Everett, Washington. We've been fortunate to release two games called "Redemption:Victory At Hebron" and "Light Rangers:Mending The Maniac Madness". I can't say that I'm a true programmer as I'm really an electrical engineer. But, as God would have it, it seems that I've been coding for most of my life. BASIC, FORTRAN, C, C++, Visual Basic, Actionscript, Lingo....and other wierd languaged that aren't even used anymore. So, I guess I'm a coder after all. I've been to the CGDC and have met some of the wonderful people here, in person. Some of you may remember my snoozer talk this year on "Picking A 3D Engine". It's a great place to network and I'm always inspired by all the people that attend and have a true passion for christian games. I encourage everyone that hasn't gone to check it out. So, back on track. I been reading all the posts on this subject and I guess I'll throw in my 1 cent worth since it seems that no matter whether you're an independent developer or a development studios, the same issue always seems to arise. As many have said here, it definately is possible to create a game even when all the team members are in different locations. Our company did just that. The Light Rangers game was developed with team members and partners from Texas, Atlanta, San Francisco, Seattle, Philidelphia, Tokyo, New York and China. Not everyone with the right talents are always located close to one another. Long distance collaboration is quite a common occurance. Of course the most difficult thing to do is commincate, but if you have one person who does the coordination and makes sure everyone gets the right info, it's not too bad. Of course, it's still not as efficient as having a close team, but it still works very well. In fact, it's this collaboraton that allowed us to complete Light Rangers within six months. In regards to girls in gaming, most of the concept art, characters, backgrounds, and animation for LR were done by our female team members. In fact, the orignal idea for the game was invented by our co-founder for his four little girls. So, it seems that girls are definately starting to play a larger role in developing games. For all you fellas out there, me included, you should think about adding in content for girls. Cuz if all the girls are playing your game, then all the guys will too no matter how girlie the content is. =) ------------------ |
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jestermax Member Posts: 1064 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: 06-21-2006 |
i guess its easy to get localized, lol. where i am there is exactly two girls in my computer science program and neither are that great at it... (i more meant the coding side of it too, not the gaming) welcome to CCN smkcbe |
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GUMP Member Posts: 1335 From: Melbourne, FL USA Registered: 11-09-2002 |
Hello smkcbe, I'm guessing you're doing some of the work with the game engine for your current project? EDIT: Removed reference to the exact engine you're using and release platform since I'm not sure how much info you want disclosed. [This message has been edited by Gump (edited August 08, 2006).] |
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HanClinto Administrator Posts: 1828 From: Indiana Registered: 10-11-2004 |
quote: Hi, Simon! Welcome to CCN! And "snoozer talk"? I didn't hear about that one -- though I *did* hear from friends who went to and liked an interesting one called "Picking an Engine". And a new one with a new engine? I don't remember hearing about this at the CGDC... how much can you tell us? <raises an eyebrow with a smile> Cheers! And again, welcome! In Christ, |
crazyishone Member Posts: 1685 From: Registered: 08-25-2004 |
smkcbe, Glad to have you here. You actually live close by (in relative terms.) I live over near Federal Way. I actually like Washington more than any place I've lived before. Anyway, everyone else has already done the "welcom to ccn" thing, so I'll cut it short- "Sup". ------------------ |
buddboy Member Posts: 2220 From: New Albany, Indiana, U.S. Registered: 10-08-2004 |
darnit... so you *do* still live in federal way. I PMed you whilst i was there a couple days ago, wanted to see if we could meet up. lol. oh well. =D ------------------ RADIOACTIVE IE AHEAD! int name() |
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JeTSpice Member Posts: 433 From: La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA Registered: 06-10-2006 |
@smkcbe - That was a great talk, "Picking an Engine." I took a ton of notes, and it helped me to see clearly the engine that I'm using now. Thanks for it, and hope to see you guys next year. |
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smkcbe Junior Member Posts: 6 From: Registered: 10-07-2003 |
Thanks for the warm welcome everybody. I'm currently looking into a couple engines. They're the Nebula Device and Gamebryo. Nebula is open source while Gamebryo is not. I haven't decided which we'll be using for our future games yet. Gamebryo is expensive, but it'll allow us to get to implementing the game immediately. Nebula is free, but it looks like we'll have to build up tools for it and that will definately slow us down in getting our game finished. HanClinto, I got a chance to play with Bible Dave at the CGDC and it was pretty cool. You guys did a great job for having such a geographically diverse team. I'm sure you can relate to the difficulties of communication. Will you guys be doing more community projects in the future? I also attended your talk on Python. Have you checked out Panda 3D. It also uses Python for scripting. It'd be cool to do something with that engine. JetSpice, I hope to continue attending the CGDC. I went to this last one, but the previous two I had to miss due to development schedules. ------------------ |
