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Don't Fear the Economy

by Jeff Tunnell · 10/17/2008 (9:51 am) · 6 comments

I have recently posted a new article on www.makeitbigingames.com about why starting your game company in a down economy is probably the best time to do it. Here is a quote:

Quote:As the chart below shows, every company I have started was in a recession, and I think that is the best time to start. Computertutor (which was sold to eventually become Dynamix) was started in 1981, a recession year. Sierra bought Dynamix in 1990, also a recession year. GarageGames started in 1999, but did not get going until the end of 2000, which was the collapse of Web 1.0, leading to recession. Now we are starting Push Button Labs in 2008, now a recession year. I find that to be a good omen:)
picasaweb.google.com/jeff.tunnell/BlogPostPics#5257128685098411346
Click the link above for the full article, plus a bunch of new posts about making it in the games business.

-Jeff Tunnell
Co-Founder GarageGames
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Torque Owner Jules
Something2Play
#1
10/17/2008 (11:19 am)
Good read. The entertainment industry should still be strong through the recession, as people are spending more time at home instead of going out. Downloading or buying games, using on-demand services such as pay per view films. There is meant to be a 20% increase in game studios starting up in the recession, but probably only 5% or less will last.

Torque 3D Owner Michael Cozzolino
Big Monk Games
#2
10/17/2008 (1:24 pm)
Ugh my post was eaten cuz I was idle too long and was logged out. I totally agree with ya Jeff. This is a great time to start a business. Less competition. Big companies hunker down and innovate even less. Perfect for an indie with a niche idea don't you think? A good time to buy blue chip stocks too like GE that are under $20 a share. That is pretty much a guarantee to at least double when things turn around.

Associate Orion Elenzil
Real Life Plus
#3
10/17/2008 (1:25 pm)
i don't have the numbers, but i believe historically the various entertainment industries have done well in recessions.

Torque Owner Glenn Thomas
#4
10/17/2008 (11:36 pm)
Entertainment did well in the great depression also. When people are down they need something to lift there spirits or escape reality if even only a brief moment.

Torque Owner Steven Peterson
#5
10/18/2008 (5:38 pm)
Great idea Jeff, I think I'll jump on this one and start a software company right now. In fact, I think I'll call it: Dragonfly Software, and make cool environmental effects for Torque! ;-)

Thanks for the words of encouragement - this was exactly what I needed to hear this week.

Torque Owner Leroy Frederick
#6
10/19/2008 (7:52 pm)
Couldn't agree more, there's some good posts there that I missed so I think it's time to add a new subscription to google :)