Drew! Off my thread!

I just thought maybe you could respond to these nice people more than once every TWO WEEKS!!!!

I don't understand. At the top of the thread you asked for help with your business plan but in Drew's thread he said it has already been done.

http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=306834

Quote: We have a business plan that is being refined and polished by our financial contacts at ING bank and at several Venture Capital firms.

So what help is it you need exactly?

Well, it is. Sort of...
I did write one some time ago when we first incorporated using MS small business software BP tools (similar to Palo Alto). I now feel that it is woefully inadequate after the feedback we've recieved from sources like those listed in my help wanted post, and now Linternet and I are writing a new plan using the advice and feedback we gained from the GDC's VC course and some other professional resources. Specifically, we are having trouble finding hard numbers to support our market research, as most sites charge 3000$+ for this information.
We do greatly appreciate the feedback from other professionals on this site.
I'm a big fan of your site Obscure. Any feedback you and the others in this forum are willing to give is greatly appreciated.

[Edited by - DrewCaliburClark on March 28, 2005 7:12:29 PM]

Quote: Original post by DrewCaliburClark
Specifically, we are having trouble finding hard numbers to support our market research, as most sites charge 3000$+ for this information.

Unfortunately gathering reasonably accurate data takes time and costs money. Given that people want to use the data in order to make money the companies who have the data aren't likely to go to all the trouble and then give it away.

However there are "headline" facts that are published in news stories. Searching game news sites and industry orgs sites for "Industry passed $8 billion" mark can often be a good idea.

Game studios are media companies. Media companies are a hit-driven business. Venture capitalists dislike hit-driven businesses, because they certainly don't have the chops to tell up-front what's going to be a hit or not (and, IMO, nobody does 100% of the time).

Ergo: VCs don't like funding game companies, unless they're not a production studio, but something like a cell phone portal aggregator (and at that point, they'll want to see that you already have carrier access).

Original post by Obscure

Quote: However there are "headline" facts that are published in news stories. Searching game news sites and industry orgs sites for "Industry passed $8 billion" mark can often be a good idea.

This is great advice, and it is how we've been approaching it so far. We should have something reasonably complete within the next couple days.

I know the VC route is a difficult one, but after hearing the VC speech at the GDC, it further convinced me that a good business plan is something Reactor Interactive LLC needs to have, regardless of whether or not we are currently pursuing VC, investors, or just forming partnerships with other companies in the industry.

Oh, and the "pressure" I mentioned above is mostly internal - Linternet can attest to the fact that I'm just like that - not a very patient person and put a lot of pressure on myself to respond to people quickly. We have made many contacts at financial institutions and companies in the industry who have offered their advice on our business plan, which I want to take them up on, but I also want it to be as good as we can get it internally before allowing others to help us revise. I hope that makes sense...

Again, thanks to everyone who PM'd me, and everyone on this thread for your help.

I do want to echo Drew's thanks to everyone. The advice given here has been invaluable (and I bought the Palo Alto software before the generous offer was made to donate it :-( ).

Linternet can attest to the fact that I'm just like that - not a very patient person and put a lot of pressure on myself to respond to people quickly.


Drew doesn't show a "lack of patience", he just continually vitalizes a critical sense of urgency that accounts for a good portion of the game's success.

Quote: Original post by frankgoertzen
If you're interested in Palo Alto I still have some copies to give away, no warez or anything like that Palo Alto was kind enough to donate some copies for a contest that fell through...so it's still an unofficial give away to those most in need... I know that there is a great game developer business plan included that may be of use to you..

i sent you a PM.