Is it possible to break into the indie market?
by David Snelson-Smith · in General Discussion · 11/04/2006 (3:15 pm) · 25 replies
Hello:
I, like a lot of people, am trying to break into the indie market. The big problem is "time" (which often equates to money) As a software engineer, I know how long it takes to develop a marketable application. By the time you are finished, someone else has something better already out there.
A professional, polished game requires more than a typical application. There are many more talents involved (not counting the business side): programmers, artists, composers, and musicians. Then, let's say you have the money to support this kind of group -- you still need to market it or find a company willing to publish it.
But, what if there was a way to pull these talents together to create a game and a business model in place where everyone shares in the profits. This, of course, assumes there's a great marketing plan in place -- which is the driving force behind the sales.
I have an idea for the marketing plan, but wonder if anyone has heard of such groups being formed? If so, are any of them successful? If not, would anyone be interested in discussing the possibilities?
I, like a lot of people, am trying to break into the indie market. The big problem is "time" (which often equates to money) As a software engineer, I know how long it takes to develop a marketable application. By the time you are finished, someone else has something better already out there.
A professional, polished game requires more than a typical application. There are many more talents involved (not counting the business side): programmers, artists, composers, and musicians. Then, let's say you have the money to support this kind of group -- you still need to market it or find a company willing to publish it.
But, what if there was a way to pull these talents together to create a game and a business model in place where everyone shares in the profits. This, of course, assumes there's a great marketing plan in place -- which is the driving force behind the sales.
I have an idea for the marketing plan, but wonder if anyone has heard of such groups being formed? If so, are any of them successful? If not, would anyone be interested in discussing the possibilities?
#22
-Levan
http://www.dreamlandscheme.com/music/Demo.mp3
04/22/2007 (11:45 am)
Hey guys. I have been recently researching the independent gaming world, because I am a composition student at NYU trying break in to the scene. I just wanted to put an idea out there, I'm sure this isn't anything overly creative but if you're just getting started with a team and are low on budget why not exchange service instead of money. For example, as a composer Id be willing to get webdesign upgrade for my music contributions. I feel like there are a thousand possible exchanges that can be done that dont necessarily have to involve cash. Also, I do realize that I don't have to pay bills like some of you, but in a lot of cases I think the idea can work. -Levan
http://www.dreamlandscheme.com/music/Demo.mp3
#23
04/23/2007 (11:15 am)
If you know the people well enough I don't think that would be a bad idea, the problem comes with strangers who don't ever return the favor or who lie about what they're capable of and you get a crap product in return. But among a group of people who know each other it wouldn't be the worst idea.
#24
07/02/2007 (10:09 pm)
Hey David, send me an email at bfogerty at gmail dot com.
#25
07/16/2007 (8:40 pm)
I've noticed indie companies that start with people already working/knowing each other really pan out. id was already mentioned (doom) but splash damage was a bunch of modders who wanted to do more (made a CTF mod for Q3A initially) & would up making Quake Wars, introversion (darwinia, defcon), the behemoth (alien hominid). There are (of course) tons of other "success" stories of indy dev's (success in quotes because some people have different versions of success).
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