2005 and Beyond Prospects?
by Gabor Borbely · in General Discussion · 06/01/2005 (1:27 pm) · 7 replies
I know that this has been addressed a few times here in the past, but with all the buzz this year going on about hard times ahead for game developers in general(including artists), can anyone give us a well-informed opinion as to how an indie can expect to make a decent living making and distributing 2D and 3D games for the casual gamer out there? I am certain I'm not the only one here who'd be interested to know - much appreciated!:)
#2
Interestingly, I don't believe that cheap middleware solutions for casual game developers (like TGE and T2D) lowers costs, it just raises quality. Which means we have our own arms-race within the casual space to deal with.
We all have our own personal el guapos...
To answer your question, there are VERY few indie game developers out there that can make a living on it. Most of the time, when an "indie" game developer starts making a living on his work, he stops being "indie".
06/01/2005 (1:54 pm)
The buzz about game developers having a harder time, rising costs, etc, is related to console/high end PC gaming. Perhaps there is a similar rise in costs for casual gaming too, but I wouldn't tie our fates to those of the console gaming world. Look instead to whether costs are rising for casual games.Interestingly, I don't believe that cheap middleware solutions for casual game developers (like TGE and T2D) lowers costs, it just raises quality. Which means we have our own arms-race within the casual space to deal with.
We all have our own personal el guapos...
To answer your question, there are VERY few indie game developers out there that can make a living on it. Most of the time, when an "indie" game developer starts making a living on his work, he stops being "indie".
#3
All I can say about it is, even though I don't like it, that'll happen.
- Ronixus
06/01/2005 (4:39 pm)
I think it's just hard times in general that the buzz is about, not just game development, but most businesses. Right now, being an American isn't too exciting. Costs are increasing and paychecks are dropping. Chaos has been consuming us these recent years and all anyone can do is sit by and idly watch it happen. The best we can do, for now I guess, is work on our projects and wait for something to go down that we can get in.All I can say about it is, even though I don't like it, that'll happen.
- Ronixus
#4
But I really don't see indie game development stagnating, I just see the competition rising and more quality games being produced, with more capable tools avaliable at a lower price, and more opportunities with things like Xbox live arcade and maybe nintendo.
Think of it more like successful tv series (good indie developer) v's hollywood (EA, Ubisoft etc)
06/01/2005 (5:41 pm)
The way I see it is quite different. More and more pro's are dropping commercial games and taking up indie development. I guess the downside for some is that the polish of Indie titles has risen considerably in the last 3 years making it harder for less experienced teams to compete. But I really don't see indie game development stagnating, I just see the competition rising and more quality games being produced, with more capable tools avaliable at a lower price, and more opportunities with things like Xbox live arcade and maybe nintendo.
Think of it more like successful tv series (good indie developer) v's hollywood (EA, Ubisoft etc)
#6
06/01/2005 (8:19 pm)
Thank you everyone for your useful input !:) 
#7
Damn hilarious!
"of course your el Guapo happens to be THE el Guapo"
LOL!
I sweat to God... someday we need a funniest moments in the GG community thingy... there are some real gems of humor hidden inside these forums and plans... I love to read the forums and plans everyday just to see what funny things are said... I ussually laugh my ass off at least once a day.
06/01/2005 (10:22 pm)
"We all have our own personal el guapos"Damn hilarious!
"of course your el Guapo happens to be THE el Guapo"
LOL!
I sweat to God... someday we need a funniest moments in the GG community thingy... there are some real gems of humor hidden inside these forums and plans... I love to read the forums and plans everyday just to see what funny things are said... I ussually laugh my ass off at least once a day.
Torque Owner Todd D. Degani