Plan for MrPhil (Philip Ludington)
by MrPhil (Philip J. Ludington) · 10/09/2005 (4:36 pm) · 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
#2
10/09/2005 (5:35 pm)
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 (5:39 pm)
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 (6:51 pm)
Thanks Phil for providing the info you have gathered so far. Your .plans have revealed a lot of useful tips and information.
#5
10/10/2005 (3:35 am)
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 (8:19 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!
10/11/2005 (6:00 am)
@ 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
10/13/2005 (6:00 am)
Nice write-up. Although, my lawyer only charges $250 an hour, and he has been very good.
Media @ KrabbitSoft Studios Inc.