One Crazy Idea

This is by far the most interesting game dev idea I''ve seen in a while. Do you expect team members to pitch in financially, or are you planning to pick up all the bills yourself?

There''s a lot of practical questions you should probably consider before jumping into this..But like I said, it''s a cool idea, and maybe if you throw in some webcams you can make some cash on the side

where abouts are you planning to do this? If it''s somewhere near Toronto, or maybe down in the NY state I might be interested in joining as a 3d modeler.

>>john

Very good idea, that''s I think the best way to make games.
I would have loved to be a part of it but I live in France and moving to US is quite hard for me

Good luck !

If I just graduated college I would definitaly do something like that - talk about a garage company =)

This sounds really cool. I''d love to get involved with something like this. However I''m not graduating until early May, but I am looking for something to do with my BS in CS. You can find my contact info on my website (you''ll have to excuse the major remodeling that''s been going on). Let me know what your ideas are.

Nanovox.com

I''m sorry this would never work. A ''Real World'' type experience would turn out just like most Real World episodes. Everyone would hate each other by week 2.

Why not just move to the same geographic area and rent an office. That way you could leave and go home if you needed to.

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Original post by ironpoint

I''m sorry this would never work. A ''Real World'' type experience would turn out just like most Real World episodes. Everyone would hate each other by week 2.

Why not just move to the same geographic area and rent an office. That way you could leave and go home if you needed to.

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Throughout college, I''ve have roomed with CS majors. We always had the same classes and would partner up when possible. We never have any major problems and to this day are the best of friends.

I''m a fairly friendly person. I get along well with others. If there are differences, I''m man enough to settle them and move on. I don''t see living and working together being a major problem.

I do expect members to pitch in when and if they can but I value their effort and dedication much more then what they can provide financially.

Wolftrap, even though that sounds nice, you might want to think about landing a job in the programming field to make some money. I would suggest finding a non-game related programming position where you would be making things that could be applicable to a certain area of games programming. Then, let the resumes flow, flow, flow.... flow. Don''t just send resumes out to big-name companies. Send them to small development houses that pay decent. Scoure the internet job listings, and locate obscure companies. Once you get in with a company, try to stay there for a couple of years. If you hit the 5 year mark, then large companies will probably think of you as a great prospect.

If you''re the right man to head this up, and if you get the right talent, with the right personalities, add in some part time jobs for everyone to support the commune, a good idea and a whole lot of luck, this would be an awesome thing.
Think reasonable, but don''t discount the idea. Just know it would take a special group of people to make it work without killing each other and wasting time.

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Original post by Zefrieg
Wolftrap, even though that sounds nice, you might want to think about landing a job in the programming field to make some money. I would suggest finding a non-game related programming position where you would be making things that could be applicable to a certain area of games programming. Then, let the resumes flow, flow, flow.... flow. Don''t just send resumes out to big-name companies. Send them to small development houses that pay decent. Scoure the internet job listings, and locate obscure companies. Once you get in with a company, try to stay there for a couple of years. If you hit the 5 year mark, then large companies will probably think of you as a great prospect.

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I appreciate your advice. Do you speak from experience or just your personal advice?

Also, I''ve applied to alot of companies both big and small (i bet I''ve applied to some that no one on this site have ever heard of, haha). But each reply is same, you have no industry experience. Even jobs that are titled "Junior Game Programmer" that state no industry experience required. I understand the development of video games and each component necessary (some areas I have plenty of personal experience, with example code to prove it), I just need a chance. The economy is in terrible state and jobs aren''t plentiful, so all I can do now is cross my fingers.

Anyway, thanks for the reply.

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Original post by krikkit
If you''re the right man to head this up, and if you get the right talent, with the right personalities, add in some part time jobs for everyone to support the commune, a good idea and a whole lot of luck, this would be an awesome thing.
Think reasonable, but don''t discount the idea. Just know it would take a special group of people to make it work without killing each other and wasting time.

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I agree. It would take a special group of people. I alot of people would write this one off. I understand that. This is definitely risky. But for people who would enjoy the risk and the chance, it might be worth it. You don''t know until you try.

Did I miss something here or is it just me? What location (city/state) is this team going to be in? Wolftrap, what is your location? I''m just curious.

WikedGamer

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Original post by wikedgamer
Did I miss something here or is it just me? What location (city/state) is this team going to be in? Wolftrap, what is your location? I''m just curious.

WikedGamer

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I''m currently in Virginia but I''m open to moving somewhere else. My only objection is to an area where the cost of living is high.

sounds like a really cool idea, and if I had a car right now I would be all about it. how soon are you looking to do this? and what areas are you considering? I am currently in dallas.

wolftrap, as others have mentioned, you''ll need a great game idea to make this work. Can I ask what sort of game you have in mind? What will set it apart from all the other games on the market and in development? A fully 3d MMORPG is a very hard project to pull off for an inexperienced team. Also, it will probably take some time to develop the engine, so the would artists have to sit there twiddling their thumbs for a few weeks, or can they just come in later than the programmers?

Again, the reason I''m asking these questions is because I''m interested in the idea.

>>john

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Also, I''ve applied to alot of companies both big and small (i bet I''ve applied to some that no one on this site have ever heard of, haha). But each reply is same, you have no industry experience. Even jobs that are titled "Junior Game Programmer" that state no industry experience required. I understand the development of video games and each component necessary (some areas I have plenty of personal experience, with example code to prove it), I just need a chance. The economy is in terrible state and jobs aren''t plentiful, so all I can do now is cross my fingers.

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Actually, I really have no experience to relate to you at all. Though, I am the type of person who learns from the mistakes of others. To tell you the truth, getting a job is the same in just about every setting. The fact is, people just want the best person they can find for the job. If you have never worked at a programming job for an extended amount of time, then I doubt anyone will really give you a chance.

This is why you merely need to start in other areas of programming. If you have had experience developing software with a team, meeting deadlines, and were able to produce great results, then who wouldn''t want you to work for them? As it stands now, you are a risk. Not because you don''t have the skill to do what you want, but because of all the other recent CS graduates out there. If it is anything like my college, there are alot of BAD programmers, and maybe four or five good ones.

There are actually some people who have post about this fact from time to time. They work for a game company, and they find that alot of their recent graduates just can''t produce the results they need. Is it the fact they are new graduates? Not at all. They made a bad choice when hiring them. Some graduates are skilled enough to do the job well, but I would say that over 95% are not.

Another thing I would like to point out is your possible age. I am guessing you are in your early 20''s. You need to look at the long run. Your career will be able to span 40 years. Does it really hurt so much to have spent a couple of years in a non-game related programming position? I mean, a game encompasses many programming fields. You can easily find one that will offer a game-related experience.

Just one more thing. Have you tried getting a job at development houses that produce cell-phone games? I mean, those guys usually have contracts with cell-phone developers and providers to make games. It is garunteed pay, and the stuff you will program is easy 2d stuff. I''m pretty sure most use Java to program them. Be sure to look into it. I know for a fact their requirments are pretty low. I''m sure they would hire a graduate who knows his stuff.

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Original post by visualsiege
sounds like a really cool idea, and if I had a car right now I would be all about it. how soon are you looking to do this? and what areas are you considering? I am currently in dallas.

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As interest seems to be gaining, I think a good time would be April, May or June. One of those months but again, I''m open to suggestions. As more people commit, we''ll discuss the starting date as a group.

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Original post by plectrum
wolftrap, as others have mentioned, you''ll need a great game idea to make this work. Can I ask what sort of game you have in mind? What will set it apart from all the other games on the market and in development? A fully 3d MMORPG is a very hard project to pull off for an inexperienced team. Also, it will probably take some time to develop the engine, so the would artists have to sit there twiddling their thumbs for a few weeks, or can they just come in later than the programmers?

Again, the reason I''m asking these questions is because I''m interested in the idea.

>>john

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As ever one is finding out, I''m very open to suggestions and ideas.

What specific area our group chooses is very important. Any relatively inexperienced group trying to tackle an overcrowded market (3D shooter, MMORPG, etc.) isn''t smart and likely to fail. I would like to do a game that has elements/features that all games have but on a lower level. If you would like to find out more, please email me at wolftrap1@yahoo.com and I''ll be happy to tell you much more.

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Original post by Zefrieg
[quote]
Also, I''ve applied to alot of companies both big and small (i bet I''ve applied to some that no one on this site have ever heard of, haha). But each reply is same, you have no industry experience. Even jobs that are titled "Junior Game Programmer" that state no industry experience required. I understand the development of video games and each component necessary (some areas I have plenty of personal experience, with example code to prove it), I just need a chance. The economy is in terrible state and jobs aren''t plentiful, so all I can do now is cross my fingers.

---

Actually, I really have no experience to relate to you at all. Though, I am the type of person who learns from the mistakes of others. To tell you the truth, getting a job is the same in just about every setting. The fact is, people just want the best person they can find for the job. If you have never worked at a programming job for an extended amount of time, then I doubt anyone will really give you a chance.

This is why you merely need to start in other areas of programming. If you have had experience developing software with a team, meeting deadlines, and were able to produce great results, then who wouldn''t want you to work for them? As it stands now, you are a risk. Not because you don''t have the skill to do what you want, but because of all the other recent CS graduates out there. If it is anything like my college, there are alot of BAD programmers, and maybe four or five good ones.

There are actually some people who have post about this fact from time to time. They work for a game company, and they find that alot of their recent graduates just can''t produce the results they need. Is it the fact they are new graduates? Not at all. They made a bad choice when hiring them. Some graduates are skilled enough to do the job well, but I would say that over 95% are not.

Another thing I would like to point out is your possible age. I am guessing you are in your early 20''s. You need to look at the long run. Your career will be able to span 40 years. Does it really hurt so much to have spent a couple of years in a non-game related programming position? I mean, a game encompasses many programming fields. You can easily find one that will offer a game-related experience.

Just one more thing. Have you tried getting a job at development houses that produce cell-phone games? I mean, those guys usually have contracts with cell-phone developers and providers to make games. It is garunteed pay, and the stuff you will program is easy 2d stuff. I''m pretty sure most use Java to program them. Be sure to look into it. I know for a fact their requirments are pretty low. I''m sure they would hire a graduate who knows his stuff.

I agree.

I just worry that if I take a non-game programming job that could get stuck in that field. I wrote databases professionally for small organizations (Habitat for Humanity, etc.) and didn''t enjoy the work that much. It was very challenging (which I like) but no reward. The pay was lousy and I was working in a 3 person group (a lot of work). Writing databases are very tedious, long and bug prone. I just fear working three years in a non-game related field and missing my window of opportunity.

I applied to the only cell-phone game opportunity I found but was denied. NO work experience even though I''m Java certified with alot of experience with Java2D and Java3D API.