Hi all. I am currently about to start my 3rd (of 4) year of a computer science degree and want to go into computer games programming. Assume that I have the programming knowledge and skills to do so. After my course I would like to spend a year (maybe 2) working in the industry and then start my own company with people I know. What do you think the potential is these days for new companies to start up on their own, writing their own engines etc?

With zero experience, zero chance. By experience I mean previously published titles. This isn''t always the case, though. For example, none of the original developers of Asheron''s Call 1 had any game development experience. On the other hand they also had one of the most well balanced and motivated teams you could find. But in general you''re not going to get your feet off the ground without experience. Even John Romero who has more experience than most of anybody, didn''t do so well staking out his own claim.

On a positive note: I''m sure you''ll find a team which works well together, you''ll have some experience within the industry, and you''ll be motivated.

The problem is with funding. If you can get private/VC funding then great. You can develop the game to a certain point (3 working levels, say) and take it to the publishers for them to agree to publish.

If you are going to take a concept around the publishers in order to get funding then, realistically, it won''t happen. Publishers are in a very strong position at the moment. There are relatively few of them compared to the number of developers and so they can be choosy. Also, they are not going to risk $2m+ with a start-up. They have been bitten too many times.

So, I would advise looking at other funding options as publishers very rarely fund start-up developers any more.

Cheers,
John

ok. but what if you set your sights pretty low at the start. Made some very simplistic (though still sell-able) titles such as puzzle games etc. Very un-impressive in comparision to the latest and greatest but may sell for small amounts of money. Then after a few of those have sold well, work up to bigger things?

"But in general you''re not going to get your feet off the ground without experience. Even John Romero who has more experience than most of anybody, didn''t do so well staking out his own claim. "

All the industry experience in the world won''t help you if you have shitty games. John Romero showed us this. SO just make good games and laugh at bigger companies who can''t.

One years is probably too little.

Good team that stays together is crucial.

The question is funding: people usually have rent to pay, kids to feed, etc.

As with almost everything, it's what you make of it. The fact you have programming skills is a great help, but you will need business planning, project management and marketing skills also. I consider this more difficult than selling screenplays, and it took me 16 years in that business to make the kind of money even worth mentioning in public.

However, I do consider this business will become much bigger and much more important than we all expect. A lot of people will be surprised, imo. It's a smart, long ball strategy market you've chosen.

[edited by - adventuredesign on July 16, 2003 8:12:53 PM]