Plan for MrPhil (Philip Ludington)
by MrPhil (Philip Ludington) · 10/09/2005 (9:36 am) · 8 comments
What I learned at IGC, Day 2
- Business cards are a must, even if you are just a hobbyist
- Microsoft uses interesting phrase when talking about software and computer games like "vibrant ecosystems" and "digital lifestyle"
- Xbox live has 2 million subscribers
- Microsoft predicts the PC Game markets expanding from $4 billion (2004) to $9 billion by 2009
- MSN Games players are 70% women
- Xbox 360 has out of the box support for downloadable games, even if they got the model without the hard drive, they call it Live Arcade
- Xbox has seen an average Conversation rate of 8 to 8.5% on its Live titles (this is just insane!) Peak titles doing 21-22% and low titles in the 4% area
- In Korea you can rent games by the hours
- A lot of cash flow in Asia comes from selling power-ups and providing servers not the actually selling of the game (because of piracy)
- It is important to know your story because a good strong story will be picked up by the press
- 21-6 spent two years working on it own game engine in the beginning
- Don't get wrapped up and excited by offer of money for your game, it happens a lot and usually doesn't go any where
- Lawyer's are expensive and very important, don't hire one that charges less than $400 a hour
- Make a game you have passion for, consider yourself the target market, you'll need the passion to get through the tough spots
- Watch out for feature creep
- A big part of game development is feature creep
- Game development will take Two times longer and three time more expensive than you expect
- Give yourself a couple years to finish a title
- Monster.com is actually a great place to find talent
- Cap royalties and have a vesting schedule for all projects
- Offer ownership in projects NOT the company
- Talk to outsides and get the input on your ideas and work, it is important to find out if what you are doing makes sense
- Usefully tools: IM, CVS, Phone, Conference Rooms in person, Secure forums, Team speak, Twiki, Subversion JotSpot, Dot Projects
- Communication is very very important for a team. Phone conversations and in person meeting help calmly resolve emotional issues
Game on,
MrPhil, Owner
Mr. Phil Games
Previous Plan Next Plan Mirrored
- Business cards are a must, even if you are just a hobbyist
- Microsoft uses interesting phrase when talking about software and computer games like "vibrant ecosystems" and "digital lifestyle"
- Xbox live has 2 million subscribers
- Microsoft predicts the PC Game markets expanding from $4 billion (2004) to $9 billion by 2009
- MSN Games players are 70% women
- Xbox 360 has out of the box support for downloadable games, even if they got the model without the hard drive, they call it Live Arcade
- Xbox has seen an average Conversation rate of 8 to 8.5% on its Live titles (this is just insane!) Peak titles doing 21-22% and low titles in the 4% area
- In Korea you can rent games by the hours
- A lot of cash flow in Asia comes from selling power-ups and providing servers not the actually selling of the game (because of piracy)
- It is important to know your story because a good strong story will be picked up by the press
- 21-6 spent two years working on it own game engine in the beginning
- Don't get wrapped up and excited by offer of money for your game, it happens a lot and usually doesn't go any where
- Lawyer's are expensive and very important, don't hire one that charges less than $400 a hour
- Make a game you have passion for, consider yourself the target market, you'll need the passion to get through the tough spots
- Watch out for feature creep
- A big part of game development is feature creep
- Game development will take Two times longer and three time more expensive than you expect
- Give yourself a couple years to finish a title
- Monster.com is actually a great place to find talent
- Cap royalties and have a vesting schedule for all projects
- Offer ownership in projects NOT the company
- Talk to outsides and get the input on your ideas and work, it is important to find out if what you are doing makes sense
- Usefully tools: IM, CVS, Phone, Conference Rooms in person, Secure forums, Team speak, Twiki, Subversion JotSpot, Dot Projects
- Communication is very very important for a team. Phone conversations and in person meeting help calmly resolve emotional issues
Game on,
MrPhil, Owner
Mr. Phil Games
Previous Plan Next Plan Mirrored
About the author
My name is Philip Ludington, I'm a professional programmer by day and I dabble in game development by night. Learn more about my projects at www.MrPhilGames.com
#2
10/09/2005 (10:35 am)
the conversion rates and demographics are interesting for sure. I don't suppose they gave any indication as to how many people have tried Xbox live arcade? 
#3
Anyway, that may explain the conversion rates. Not that it makes them any less impressive.
10/09/2005 (10:39 am)
XBox Live has a little bit of a different model - because the players have to invest in the monthly subscription ANYWAY, it's a somewhat more targeted audience --- they are already inclined to make the conversion to see a better return on their investment. I don't know if that'll be the case on the 360.Anyway, that may explain the conversion rates. Not that it makes them any less impressive.
#4
10/09/2005 (11:51 am)
Thanks Phil for providing the info you have gathered so far. Your .plans have revealed a lot of useful tips and information.
#5
10/09/2005 (8:35 pm)
Great highlights, I definetly like the one about the Microsoft employee using big words. I can't remember the one huge word he stated when he was like, "well, to put it in easier terms...". Was definetly an awesome day! 
#6
btw the Microsoft employees were great... Greg was a really cool guy and even played magic with everyone on Friday.
Add: was nice meeting you Philip!
10/10/2005 (1:19 am)
Xbox 360 Live Arcade will have a non pay version so you can still purchase games without paying a monthly subscription :) (brilliant if you ask me)btw the Microsoft employees were great... Greg was a really cool guy and even played magic with everyone on Friday.
Add: was nice meeting you Philip!
#7
@ Adrain - He glossed over that kind of number but didn't says their "rention rate is good."
@Justin - yeah is was something like "psycho-emotive expression" or something bizarre like that
@ All - You're welcome! Glad I could help out!
10/10/2005 (11:00 pm)
@ Matt - definately great meeting you too!@ Adrain - He glossed over that kind of number but didn't says their "rention rate is good."
@Justin - yeah is was something like "psycho-emotive expression" or something bizarre like that
@ All - You're welcome! Glad I could help out!
#8
10/12/2005 (11:00 pm)
Nice write-up. Although, my lawyer only charges $250 an hour, and he has been very good. 
Media @ KrabbitSoft Studios Inc.