6 replies to this topic

[chemjul2005]

I am making a business-plan for developing a profitable online game. I am thinking about 2 options: the first one being an RPG-game and the second one FPS. I have money to invest, but to attract more investors I need to know exactly what and who one would need, and an estimation of the costs involved. I have recently sold a succesful hosting-company, took a *long* break and am looking for a new challenge

Thanks in advance!

chem

[Sol_HSA]

I'd try to contact some actual game development companies, and asking them for guidance, or alternatively contact your local IGDA chapter.

[kulik]

Team of dedicated people:
programmers, artists (depending on the genre, I guess 3D modellers and concept artists at least ...), game designers, musicians.

Tools:
You can develop it in the Microsoft world or open source world, either way you can achieve portability for many operating systems. The MS tools are a bit more expensive (Express isn't for commercial use), while open source tools are free (g++, code blocks, ...).

Having an office helps, because people concentrate on development, if they work at home, they tend to be slower ...

Tip: Having the main plot outlined in a document with decent formating and having some quality concept art helps attract the investors ;)

[Frank Skilton]

kulik said:

The MS tools are a bit more expensive (Express isn't for commercial use)

If you're referring to Visual Studio Express Edition, it's FREE for commercial use.

From the Visual Studio Express Edition FAQ:

Quote

7. Can I use Express Editions for commercial use?

Yes, there are no licensing restrictions for applications built using Visual Studio Express Editions.

[kulik]

Sweet, didn't know that, I am not concerned about MS products that much, as I work on Linux most the time. I recall I read that Express wasn't for commercial use, thanks for clarification.

[OGI]

Are you realy sure that you want to start with MMO game? Its realy not so simple for companies that have some experiences in game bussiness and developement and to create realy great MMO that can attract enough players to be profitable is not fun for anyone. I think that much more better idea is to start with some ofline game and make it realy great and full of details here you can see what your people can do and if this game is successfull you also can make realy good money with it and than you can create MMO game based on this game and world and lot of people will play it becose they played also your first game and they liked it, liked the world and enviroment, some characters and so.. you will build comunity around your first project and than attract them to pay every month for MMO based on dheir loved game. That is my point of wiew for rhis....

[timothyinspa]

Here's a suggestion.... from my pass experiences as a gamer.
I found that Fps tend to be more attractive than more rpg.
Since for some reason... it takes time to build a strong rpg character, from that you can make the user play the game longer..... but the thing is.... rpg games will soon get bored easily. For example Runescape....... I bet a lot of people have heard of it..... When I was in primary school I loved to play runescape.... but the thing is no matter how long I play....... I still can't get to a really high rank.... and for a rpg game... it doesn't take a lot of skill. Just time. For fps games you need skills, so it means it doesnt matter how long you play it. but it matters on your skill. Such as listening to enemies' foot step and etc etc etc..... So i prefer you to make a fps more than a rpg.
And there are are competitors for a rpg game than fps games...
since WoW 's release....And to make a profit from rpg games is harder than fps games.
Just my personal comments.... gd luck on your game developing.....
btw does your company have a site on-line?