Self-Cloning: Lazy or Good Business?
by Chris Jorgensen · in General Discussion · 10/11/2006 (12:59 pm) · 4 replies
Hi all,
I've been working on a game for the past 5-6 months or so in my spare time. It's been a blast and I'm excited to finish it off in the months ahead. As I continue on my quest to become a real indie, I often think about strategies to make a little money. Now I should note that I'm not making games to make money --I just have fun making games-- but at the same time, since I've spent a small sum of money (under $500 at this point), it'd be fun to try and earn it back.
Now, my (forthcoming) website, xenoclone.com, will be home to my first (and hopefully future) games. And my philosophy is, more or less, to make "xenoclone" games. That is, my idea is to "clone" a basic successful game (in my first case, Star Control), and then make it "xeno" i.e. different. I have recently, however, thought about another "clone" strategy that I could use... clone my own games!
Say for example I finish of my space combat game, which should have a nice manga theme when done. (You can see dev shots on my profile's latest .plan.) Would it behoove me to, say, replace the content with another theme for another audience? Perhaps one iteration could be kids in boats shooting water guns, and in another a very gothic, dark, adult theme? Then, in theory, I advertise each each clone on sites appropriate for the respective target demographic?
This is all just musing at the moment. I have no plan to do this. But has anyone tried? Does it succesfully expand your audience? Do you manage to get 2 or 3 games out of 99% the same code? Or does it water down your credibility and make you look lazy?
I've been working on a game for the past 5-6 months or so in my spare time. It's been a blast and I'm excited to finish it off in the months ahead. As I continue on my quest to become a real indie, I often think about strategies to make a little money. Now I should note that I'm not making games to make money --I just have fun making games-- but at the same time, since I've spent a small sum of money (under $500 at this point), it'd be fun to try and earn it back.
Now, my (forthcoming) website, xenoclone.com, will be home to my first (and hopefully future) games. And my philosophy is, more or less, to make "xenoclone" games. That is, my idea is to "clone" a basic successful game (in my first case, Star Control), and then make it "xeno" i.e. different. I have recently, however, thought about another "clone" strategy that I could use... clone my own games!
Say for example I finish of my space combat game, which should have a nice manga theme when done. (You can see dev shots on my profile's latest .plan.) Would it behoove me to, say, replace the content with another theme for another audience? Perhaps one iteration could be kids in boats shooting water guns, and in another a very gothic, dark, adult theme? Then, in theory, I advertise each each clone on sites appropriate for the respective target demographic?
This is all just musing at the moment. I have no plan to do this. But has anyone tried? Does it succesfully expand your audience? Do you manage to get 2 or 3 games out of 99% the same code? Or does it water down your credibility and make you look lazy?
About the author
Owner of Cascadia Games LLC
#2
I think it's a clever way to use your resources more efficiently. It would be no different than buying the source code to another game and altering the theme. If you are really concerned with looking lazy, then don't display any direct connection to the other games. Definately create seperate web presence for each of the games. The only people who need to know that you created all of the games are yourself and anyone you are trying to impress. Good luck :]
10/12/2006 (7:17 am)
I'm currently working on a web-based game. I am considering doing something similar when I am finished. This would effectively create me two games with 90% of the work for the second one already in place. I think it's a clever way to use your resources more efficiently. It would be no different than buying the source code to another game and altering the theme. If you are really concerned with looking lazy, then don't display any direct connection to the other games. Definately create seperate web presence for each of the games. The only people who need to know that you created all of the games are yourself and anyone you are trying to impress. Good luck :]
#3
If they like your first game, you are pretty sure they gone like next to. Maybe place some links to some other games in same genre on your webpage. (Including link to your number 2 game offcourse). *s*
10/12/2006 (12:34 pm)
Seperate webpages yes, but maybe somehow make sure they find your other game to? If they like your first game, you are pretty sure they gone like next to. Maybe place some links to some other games in same genre on your webpage. (Including link to your number 2 game offcourse). *s*
#4
People like the familiar. In fact, the rallying cry could be, "The same, but different."
Though if you go forward with Unsung Zero's idea, and the games are in any way popular, I think it might be amusing to hear people claim that you should sue yourself (not realizing you made all of the games).
10/13/2006 (9:38 am)
There's a reason sequels to good games often sell better than the original.People like the familiar. In fact, the rallying cry could be, "The same, but different."
Though if you go forward with Unsung Zero's idea, and the games are in any way popular, I think it might be amusing to hear people claim that you should sue yourself (not realizing you made all of the games).
Torque 3D Owner Sean H.