Plan for Joshua Ritter
by Prairie Games · 03/02/2004 (9:28 am) · 7 comments
I have been informed that Initial-D Mountain Vengence was the last title to use my engine. The news came as a surprise and was timed poorly. As this was my primary source of income, the fact obviously causes some concern. I made a lot of money licensing the tech... so I can't complain too loudly... However, I did expect a little more warning on it's demise... happens all the time.
Now:
That which does not kill me makes me stronger. I am no where near dead. In fact, my career has only begun. There will be piles more money than I ever saw making games for the man. We are doing the development, taking the risks, and at the end of the day own the IP.
I find it ironic that kids commit $60k to schooling without much thought. Whereas a highly trained/skilled/talented professional worries about gaining some debt on a project. Citibank is the game's funding, for now.
One thing we are considering is small amounts of private investment. This would be when the game is nearing alpha. It's very impressive... I do wonder if anyone has experience with this? Generally, what are the returns? I don't believe my experience with a venture capitalist was representational of reality.
A very determined,
-J
Now:
That which does not kill me makes me stronger. I am no where near dead. In fact, my career has only begun. There will be piles more money than I ever saw making games for the man. We are doing the development, taking the risks, and at the end of the day own the IP.
I find it ironic that kids commit $60k to schooling without much thought. Whereas a highly trained/skilled/talented professional worries about gaining some debt on a project. Citibank is the game's funding, for now.
One thing we are considering is small amounts of private investment. This would be when the game is nearing alpha. It's very impressive... I do wonder if anyone has experience with this? Generally, what are the returns? I don't believe my experience with a venture capitalist was representational of reality.
A very determined,
-J
#2
03/02/2004 (10:06 am)
I have been part of dozens of pitches to venture capitalists in the last 5 - 6 years. They all want ALOT ( pretty much everything ) as a general rule. They are taking all the risks and they want their money back plus some. Be prepared to end up with only owning a fraction of what you think you should get, and be prepared to "buy it back" from them at a later date. 
#3
It is still hard for me to recommend to anybody that they use an investor to get their game developed. Even if your game looks good, will it sell? The numbers for downloadable games are still very small. An investor taking this much risk wants a big return. At least Citibank doesn't know they are investing in a risky venture, and they only charge 18% and don't demand a Board position or tell you how to run your business.
Maybe you eat a little crow and presell your box rights for N. America and maintain your on-line and world-wide box rights. Whatever you do, keep the Mac rights. Sell away the WIN box rights to stay alive, then go Indie for everything else, i.e. Europe, Asia, on-line, Mac, LIN, coin-op, bundles, etc.
When will your game be done? How much do you need? Do you have screenshots?
-Jeff Tunnell GG
03/02/2004 (10:16 am)
You are not really looking for venture capital. Your needs are way too small. You need an angel. That would be somebody that believes in you, and is willing to invest in your company/game. I would suggest that you try to get them to just invest in the game itself.It is still hard for me to recommend to anybody that they use an investor to get their game developed. Even if your game looks good, will it sell? The numbers for downloadable games are still very small. An investor taking this much risk wants a big return. At least Citibank doesn't know they are investing in a risky venture, and they only charge 18% and don't demand a Board position or tell you how to run your business.
Maybe you eat a little crow and presell your box rights for N. America and maintain your on-line and world-wide box rights. Whatever you do, keep the Mac rights. Sell away the WIN box rights to stay alive, then go Indie for everything else, i.e. Europe, Asia, on-line, Mac, LIN, coin-op, bundles, etc.
When will your game be done? How much do you need? Do you have screenshots?
-Jeff Tunnell GG
#4
I am shooting for alpha in 3 months... at that time there will be some press materials including shots and video. We are in the process of a heavy development period. It's a few weeks out from when I was planning to present some of the game here. The game will be done no later than Oct 15th. We plan on releasing Macintosh shortly after... After this, we will begin creating the expansion pack, with multiplayer support.
In terms of how much $$$, as little as we can manage. I have streamlined my existence as best I can... I believe it will come down to a matter of less than $10k
-J
03/02/2004 (10:35 am)
Yes, I didn't really think I was looking for a venture capitalist. I made a game under onel; it was a whacky experience. Including a 3 day trip to Helsinki, the capitalist using the 3dfx booth at E3 (very embarrassing), and a finished but bizarre game that never found anyone to sell it.I am shooting for alpha in 3 months... at that time there will be some press materials including shots and video. We are in the process of a heavy development period. It's a few weeks out from when I was planning to present some of the game here. The game will be done no later than Oct 15th. We plan on releasing Macintosh shortly after... After this, we will begin creating the expansion pack, with multiplayer support.
In terms of how much $$$, as little as we can manage. I have streamlined my existence as best I can... I believe it will come down to a matter of less than $10k
-J
#5
Hm. I wasn't considering a box deal. An interesting twist, I should be.
A few weeks and a first look, a few months and an Alpha, a bit further a (closed) Beta, followed by 2x Gold for Win/Mac.
I then get to roll up the sleeves for the Levels 20-30 + Multiplayer Expansion. I couldn't imagine a better reward; It's masochism for sure!
03/02/2004 (12:10 pm)
Continued... after some mulling... Hm. I wasn't considering a box deal. An interesting twist, I should be.
A few weeks and a first look, a few months and an Alpha, a bit further a (closed) Beta, followed by 2x Gold for Win/Mac.
I then get to roll up the sleeves for the Levels 20-30 + Multiplayer Expansion. I couldn't imagine a better reward; It's masochism for sure!
#6
He talks a lot about what they had to do to get investment for their movies in the early days. They had very little luck with traditional investment sources... and so they went through non-traditional sources. Friends, relatives, local supermarket owners. Of course, the pros were probably right... the original investors didn't get their money back for YEARS. But he has some tips for hitting the old investment trail, IIRC. Might at least be worth a look.
03/02/2004 (1:36 pm)
If the local library has a copy, you might want to read "If Chins Could Kill," the autobiography of Bruce Campbell... famed for his "Ash" character in the Evil Dead movies directed by his buddy, Sam Raimi. He more recently appeared as the wrestling announcer in the Spider-Man movie, directed by... Sam Raimi. He talks a lot about what they had to do to get investment for their movies in the early days. They had very little luck with traditional investment sources... and so they went through non-traditional sources. Friends, relatives, local supermarket owners. Of course, the pros were probably right... the original investors didn't get their money back for YEARS. But he has some tips for hitting the old investment trail, IIRC. Might at least be worth a look.
#7
... and I am as excited as ever to give a first look of this sucker.
03/02/2004 (2:00 pm)
Thanks, I will know how things sit in a few months. My burn rate is slow and I have excellent credit. I am going to do my best to use this to finish the game. There is a certain amount of pride at work. I am not above eating crow.... and I am as excited as ever to give a first look of this sucker.
Torque Owner Nicolas Quijano