Hello all, My name is Dan (of 76), I've been videogaming since I can quite literally remember, and since I'd first been asked "What do you want to do for a living?" the answer has always remained; "Videogames." I'm an adult and I figure it's high time I get things done. I've come up with many videogame ideas I like to think of as original and there's one that I am most passionate about that I would want to get done first. As is I am chalking up an extensive proposal for this videogame. Extensive as it encompasses a whole story arc, character designs, dialogue script, story board, and most importantly a new gameplay design. I think that with what I am coming up with I will have something strong enough that I could show it to a developer (probably in Austin, Texas where I am moving to, currently residing in San Antonio, Texas) and possibly get them to make the game for me on a console system. Of course I have feelings of trepidation that they will refuse me, but that should be expected from someone with literally no videogame design experience. My alternative to that is to see if I can get it made here, among independent developers. While a development studio sounds really nice, I have apprehensions about it, and there's something in me that wants it to be made independently, regardless of whether or not I could get a dev. studio to say 'Yes' (there's just something in me that likes the idea of having my first game made be an independent one). The benefits I see to this are that my vision would not be skewed, and not only could I use it as a stepping stone in the videogame industry, but others working with me could as well. I want to know what you people think, I'm torn on which I'd rather do, and in the meantime I'm still putting together my presentation for either choice. I also have my concerns about trying to get it made independently: could I find people with the proper experience to effectivly execute my design? Or moreover, could I find people that would even want to be lead by a guy that knows almost nothing about programming (although I am an artist)? Another concern being, would I be the only one that actually sticks to the project? To give you an idea of the level of game I'd like to make I'd best compare it to 'Brave Fencer Musashi' for the PSX or 'The Legend of Zelda: the Ocarina of Time' for N64 (it's an action/RPG with an environment you can roam around in). I can't even imagine that the gameplay would even be that difficult to code for what I want to do. And quite frankly graphics aren't even that big a deal to me, so long as I have a game that plays well. Heck, it could even be feasible on the Super Nintendo if need be (although need not want it to be). So what do you people think? Should I forgo knocking door-to-door with professional developers? Or should I try to get it made independently?

So you are a writer/artist/would-be game designer? You feel that you have enough talent in all these areas to put together a professional-quality script/storyboard and basic game design doc? If so, great. If your concept is good and you put together a high-quality proposal you have a decent shot at selling your concept to a game development company.

If, on the other hand, this is going to be a learning project for you, indie design might be a better way to go. Especially if you have a spare few thousand $$$ to hire staff with. Working with partners can help you refine and expand your ideas, teach each other, and make up for each others' shortcomings.

So either way you will have to invest a lot of time and effort to create your game's design, the question is do you have a clear, complete vision, and are you happier working by yourself or as part of a team?

@sunandshadow: Great answer. *thumbs up*

@OP: I think sunandshadow means that maybe the choice is up to you. Gather information about what it takes to make games by your own, and what it takes to work for gamedev companies. choose and then plan.

I agree, Sunandshadow's reply was real good.

Another thing that i thought I would mention is that EVERYONE thinks they're a designer. Everyone wants to ehad a game project. Regardless of your skill and knowledge intimacy on design, you will still probably be seen as an idealist with a dream, but arent willing to work towards that dream.

You might want to start doing some Mods with a few people. Find an artist and a programmer, and build some basic games. That'll give you more of an idea of some of the finer details of building a game, such as resource management.

When you've got a few playable games done, you'll be able to slam together a portfolio. Since you'll be trying to express your abilities in game design as opposed to programming, it doenst really matter if you Mod an exsisting game or use a devkit. If the game is fun, thats your selling key.

Personally, I have two or three 'dream projects' that i would like to complete at some point in my life, but i currently dont ahve the skills or means to get them done at this point. Im sure you have the same. But that doesnt mean you cant make a few games that you're not particularily interested in as long as you love what you're doing with the design elements. It doesnt really matter the theme or setting or any of that as long as the core gameplay is solid and has alot of it has youre unique style in it.

In anycase, dont expect to pitch your dream idea to a bunch of people and expect them to bite. Start out with some little projects and COMPLETE them.

Goodluck.

sunshadow: I agree 100%!

But i must say, there can NEVER be too many indie studios. The more of there are, the more attention we'll get. By convention, we could all pump out more quality, ORIGINAL games than publishers will allow.

I've been studying design for a long time now, and as a programmer, it's difficult to come up with *fun* (read: addictive) games. I highly suggest picking your "forte" and making your mark with it. (I personally plan to develop tons of coop games). Stay away from "mass market" genres (don't try to roll your own HL2/Doom3 unless it's beyond grand) and avoid engine writing, no matter how toasted you feel ;-) But that's just me on my horse.

Follow your dreams man.

I would go the indie route as posters' here have said. You will find it unbelievably hard to get a developer to take your design off you and make it into a game I'm afraid. Games development companies tend to have a whole array of ideas to keep them working for the next 2/3+ years - so it's highly unlikely they will shelve their own ideas to work on someone else's, particularly from someone with no prior game design experience. Our situation was the same at the start - great game ideas with no tech/art skills, so we eventually set-up a company with excellent people to grow our game ideas into reality...no easy task as we are only now just getting our first game out (mobile). So, keep persevering, as you will know yourself what you want to acheive once you have all the facts at your disposal. Good luck!

I'd say try making it with whoever you can find here first. There's some great ppl on this site, and if they're interested in your game you can get far. A lot of people here seem to assume that if you can't program, you have no business making a game. I don't happen to agree, but I DO agree that a lot of so-called designers go "here's my 1337 idea, now you guys all make it and give me the credit", when his idea is really just an unoriginal bunch of zombies or something.

If your idea is genuinely cool and you don't automatically assume you can produce the next Halo or Fable without much effort, the people here can be really helpful, if only to make you think. Just be aware that a lot of the best designers/programmers are already working on their own games and won't be able to help you with yours other than bouncing ideas off you.

Quote:

Original post by sunandshadow If your concept is good and you put together a high-quality proposal you have a decent shot at selling your concept to a game development company.

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree. It's virtually impossible for an industry outsider to sell a game concept to a professional dev studio.

If you want to see your game made you basically have two options:

1. Start your own company.

2. Get a job in the industry, and work your way up the ladder until you have creative clout.

(Note that #2 can take a very long time. I've been in the business almost ten years. I'm a senior designer at Sony with a track record of hit games. And I still don't have enough clout to get a game greenlighted without a struggle ... .)