The Explosion of game projects and their practicality
by James McKenzie · in General Discussion · 05/12/2002 (6:07 pm) · 6 replies
Hi everyone, sorry if this has already been said, but if it hasn't, I think it should.
I don't know if anyone has noticed, but over the last six months there has been an explosion of game projects listed in the marketplace. There has been without fail, a minimum of at least one new project EVERY day!!
This is a good and bad thing. Firstly, congratulations to Garage Games, as you are now building up a sizeable database of developing games that when, (and if, more on that in a minute,) will bring people to this site. I didn't even imagine there was this many independant developers. Good work everyone.
However this does have a bad side. I watch these projects being listed, and all of them are new startup projects, (which is understandable,) but hardly any projects are moving up to Alpha or Beta status. I've got to wonder how many of these projects will actually get finished. Another good example is the Daily screenshots section. I'm starting to see lots of people posting just screenshots of concept art. Now don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with designing your game before you start, but I have to wonder whether some of these people actually know how they are going to code anything they say they will be able to do. Lots of people have this great idea, start designing their game, make some concept art, some models, and then are stuck wondering how they are actually going to code the thing.
Maybe I'm just biased since I'm mainly a programmer, but coding the game is probably the most important step! Without code, you have no game. So what if you can't have good graphics, at least you've got a playable game with simple shapes. With just graphics, it's just that, graphics. Now before you start abusing me over my comments, I realise that some people won't reach the light of day, and that's fine, it's all a learning experience. I would just like to know who has actually made SERIOUS progress on a game they are making. Please post a message if your game has actually made it to Alpha or Beta stage, or has made serious progress and has all the knowledge to complete it.
In case you're wondering, I am making a game which I am just about to finish the Alpha version and start on the Beta version. I'm going to post a screenshot soon. Also, this is not my first game attempt. I know what people are going through, as I have also started on projects before I know how to make them. By this stage though, I now know everything needed to complete the game.
Check my game out at welcome.to/inspiration-productions
I don't know if anyone has noticed, but over the last six months there has been an explosion of game projects listed in the marketplace. There has been without fail, a minimum of at least one new project EVERY day!!
This is a good and bad thing. Firstly, congratulations to Garage Games, as you are now building up a sizeable database of developing games that when, (and if, more on that in a minute,) will bring people to this site. I didn't even imagine there was this many independant developers. Good work everyone.
However this does have a bad side. I watch these projects being listed, and all of them are new startup projects, (which is understandable,) but hardly any projects are moving up to Alpha or Beta status. I've got to wonder how many of these projects will actually get finished. Another good example is the Daily screenshots section. I'm starting to see lots of people posting just screenshots of concept art. Now don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with designing your game before you start, but I have to wonder whether some of these people actually know how they are going to code anything they say they will be able to do. Lots of people have this great idea, start designing their game, make some concept art, some models, and then are stuck wondering how they are actually going to code the thing.
Maybe I'm just biased since I'm mainly a programmer, but coding the game is probably the most important step! Without code, you have no game. So what if you can't have good graphics, at least you've got a playable game with simple shapes. With just graphics, it's just that, graphics. Now before you start abusing me over my comments, I realise that some people won't reach the light of day, and that's fine, it's all a learning experience. I would just like to know who has actually made SERIOUS progress on a game they are making. Please post a message if your game has actually made it to Alpha or Beta stage, or has made serious progress and has all the knowledge to complete it.
In case you're wondering, I am making a game which I am just about to finish the Alpha version and start on the Beta version. I'm going to post a screenshot soon. Also, this is not my first game attempt. I know what people are going through, as I have also started on projects before I know how to make them. By this stage though, I now know everything needed to complete the game.
Check my game out at welcome.to/inspiration-productions
#2
Christ!, ZERO help wanted ads for Director, Production Assistant, or Producer... WAKE UP! Look at the credits for a production... you won't see Art by: Boobhead and Code by: RadDude
Video game production is an intricate process that requires _real_ coordination... otherwise, it's just thrashing around making "stuff"...
People are social animals... I work day in and day out with my co-developers... I go out to eat with them.. I go to their house for a birthday picnic... we laugh, we joke... maybe take a movie break... we also WORK OUR ASSES OFF to make video games AND A VIDEO GAME COMPANY... this includes the management
Some ways to find people in your area could help... I made a post about making marketplace items searchable by location... may work... may not...
I really doubt the necessary bonds can be formed thru email and personal messaging... I mean really:
"lol" is a poor replacement for the real thing...
-J
05/13/2002 (2:29 am)
There is a lot to making games... I wouldn't cut it into such discrete pieces as art and code... how about a little thing called management?Christ!, ZERO help wanted ads for Director, Production Assistant, or Producer... WAKE UP! Look at the credits for a production... you won't see Art by: Boobhead and Code by: RadDude
Video game production is an intricate process that requires _real_ coordination... otherwise, it's just thrashing around making "stuff"...
People are social animals... I work day in and day out with my co-developers... I go out to eat with them.. I go to their house for a birthday picnic... we laugh, we joke... maybe take a movie break... we also WORK OUR ASSES OFF to make video games AND A VIDEO GAME COMPANY... this includes the management
Some ways to find people in your area could help... I made a post about making marketplace items searchable by location... may work... may not...
I really doubt the necessary bonds can be formed thru email and personal messaging... I mean really:
"lol" is a poor replacement for the real thing...
-J
#3
I mean really... "lol" is a poor replacement for the real thing...
True, it's also a bad pickup line :)
Sorry, back on topic.
// Clocks out
05/13/2002 (2:55 am)
Heh...I mean really... "lol" is a poor replacement for the real thing...
True, it's also a bad pickup line :)
Sorry, back on topic.
// Clocks out
#4
While theoretically it would be a lot more productive to join projects that are already getting somewhere everybody thinks he has the best idea of all and starts a two man show. I don't say that they couldn't be right (maybe they all have a good idea) but you still need a big team to create a whole game. Valhalla Entertainment- the team working on ChronosV has about 40 active members...and we are looking for more!!
True - the creation of some ideas/games need less work than others but let this be a reminder that even the most gifted individuals will find it impossible to create a big game by themselves.
I don't say people shouldn't be creative or that the number of games in development shouldn't increase BUT maybe some of us should take a closer look at existing projects to see whether they might be interested to join those.
05/13/2002 (6:25 am)
Well, I'm with you on this thing. The number of games in production is too large- thus reducing the number of talents working on each of them.While theoretically it would be a lot more productive to join projects that are already getting somewhere everybody thinks he has the best idea of all and starts a two man show. I don't say that they couldn't be right (maybe they all have a good idea) but you still need a big team to create a whole game. Valhalla Entertainment- the team working on ChronosV has about 40 active members...and we are looking for more!!
True - the creation of some ideas/games need less work than others but let this be a reminder that even the most gifted individuals will find it impossible to create a big game by themselves.
I don't say people shouldn't be creative or that the number of games in development shouldn't increase BUT maybe some of us should take a closer look at existing projects to see whether they might be interested to join those.
#5
So maybe you think there are too many projects, or that no one's idea is as good as yours - and they should be helping you, or that other projects are too ambitious, or not creative enough, or too creative. None of that matters. No matter how right or wrong you may be - you are entitled to your opinion; as is everyone else to theirs. The nice thing is that you can do what you have to do, while leaving the rest of us do what we have to do.
05/13/2002 (6:52 am)
One of the nice things about being an independent developer is independence. At the end of the day, you've listened to your own drummer, and not someone else's.So maybe you think there are too many projects, or that no one's idea is as good as yours - and they should be helping you, or that other projects are too ambitious, or not creative enough, or too creative. None of that matters. No matter how right or wrong you may be - you are entitled to your opinion; as is everyone else to theirs. The nice thing is that you can do what you have to do, while leaving the rest of us do what we have to do.
#6
@Chris: You're right, it would be nice to trim the fat of the projects listing for those whose projects are no more. The problem is that you can't figure out what one's are going and what aren't.
@Joshua: You're right, management is a big part of game development, provided the "team" making the game is more than one member!! I can't speak for everyone here, but I'm sure there are lots of people working on their own, myself included. But your point is valid, it is important, (I'm seeing the effects of some poor management in a University assignment at the moment!)
Just to conclude, I think that it would be nice if people don't publish "screenshots" in the daily screenshots section until they are certain, (or very positive, things can go wrong,) that their game will be completed. It just gets the hopes up of everyone viewing them!! :)
05/13/2002 (5:45 pm)
@Ken: True, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I was merely making my opinion public! :)@Chris: You're right, it would be nice to trim the fat of the projects listing for those whose projects are no more. The problem is that you can't figure out what one's are going and what aren't.
@Joshua: You're right, management is a big part of game development, provided the "team" making the game is more than one member!! I can't speak for everyone here, but I'm sure there are lots of people working on their own, myself included. But your point is valid, it is important, (I'm seeing the effects of some poor management in a University assignment at the moment!)
Just to conclude, I think that it would be nice if people don't publish "screenshots" in the daily screenshots section until they are certain, (or very positive, things can go wrong,) that their game will be completed. It just gets the hopes up of everyone viewing them!! :)
Chris B.