I would like to ask an advice. Me and my fellow putting together gamedev studio. I live in US he lives in New Zealand. He is coding technology for all our projects (4 small and one big at this moment). I came up with new IP for all of this projects. 3 projects - family oriented games, 1 is for teens and adults and the big project is going to be M rated (hope to cut violence down to T-rated). The issue is that I want to design things and do some art work (some concept, 3d, animation). But at this moment I have to be a manager, PR person, web master, business man, artist, etc. And I can't make things done. Web-site has 1% of content, art work is 1%, business plan 1% here and 2% there, etc. I am full time graphic designer/sign maker in local sign shop and I have no time. Should I concentrate only on finishing des docs for all of those projects, making at least basic concept work done and then try to find help and finish it up. And only after we have everything done (at least one small project) find business manager (college student) who can help me with business plan.? Or should I find business manager right now, find artists and do all things at once but with team? I have found person (local CPA) who knows people willing to invest money. He liked the idea and he was going to introduce me to that people. But I have said "no" because I don't have business plan. And I dont have even concept to show (which is less interesting for investors). No concept equals no business plan IMHO. So Im stuck. HElp me out please. I know that alot of people think that it's another "scam" project, because they don't see any progress. At the same time I need a team, at least business manager and one artist. What should I do? Thanks!

I suggest you finish the smallest project first...there's no point having lots of stuff worked upon at different stages.

For any investment, a strong biz plan and everything that entails is required but, imo, you're nowhere near that stage as you have nothing to show anyone.

Quote: I have found person (local CPA) who knows people willing to invest money. He liked the idea and he was going to introduce me to that people.

I'm afraid I find this incredulous based on just an idea - but you can prove me wrong when you get the cheque!

When you eliminate the impossible. What remains, no matter how improbable, must be the answer.

You are finding it impossible to do four projects, plus working full time, plus doing all the business stuff. So the answer is not to do four projects. Focus on just one, the smallest. Get that to prototype stage so it can be shown to investors. These investors the CPA knows will almost certainly want to see a demo as well as a biz plan.

Why the smallest? Because the odds of getting investment are actually tiny. If they don't invest it is far more likely that you can keep on part-time and get the small game finished then build from there.

Thanks guys!

2 Evelyn: It's quite possible to get investment here, in San Antonio, TX. Alot of people comes to town from Mexico. And they want to invest money to technology. They go to CPA, brokers, etc. and ask them how can they invest their money. And if you have solid business plan with something done already you might get money. Maybe not $1 mill. but from $10,000 to $300,000. There is invetment group in Austin, TX who invest from $1 mill to $1.5 mill. And CPA guy know them too (they r not frieds for sure :). The issue is to have things done.

2Dan: So should I try to get other artists involved or it's better to keep on working by myself on the first project and then try to find help for other projects?

Quote: Original post by motorsep
2 Evelyn: It's quite possible to get investment here, in San Antonio, TX. Alot of people comes to town from Mexico. And they want to invest money to technology. They go to CPA, brokers, etc. and ask them how can they invest their money. And if you have solid business plan with something done already you might get money.

Just because investment is available it doesn't mean you will get it. You need a lot more than just a plan and something done (unless these investors are really stupid). Investors almost always require a good idea, a good business plan PLUS you have to have a proven track record in the tarhet industry and proven experience managing a business.

VC investors invest in high risk businesses... that doesn't mean they take high risks - its not the same. The game industry is high risk even if you do everything right and even if you have experience. If you don't have experience that add a lot of *unnecessary* risk. Investors will expect to reduce the risk to minimum by making sure everything will be done right and you have the necessary experience otherwise they wont invest.

Quote: 2Dan: So should I try to get other artists involved or it's better to keep on working by myself on the first project and then try to find help for other projects?

Your still learning. If you have one project then any mistakes you make while learning will affect that one project. If you have four projects then you damage all four. Stick to one... start small build from there.

Can't disagree with it. I might, I might not. That people is not VC, they are angel investors. "Angel" :) Which is mean they can ask me for 90% of share in the company. Here in San Antonio, South Texas we have alot of mexican and hispanic people who investing here and there. Not alot of money but more then I can invest. Austin group is VC. Im not even thinking of them :) But as you said I might get investment or I might not get it.
Anyway, point taken. I have to roll up my sleeves and get down to work :)
Thanks!

Pretty much the only difference between Angel investors and VC is that an Angel is often an individual (and so they invest smaller amounts), whereas VC is an investment firm. Other than that they have virtually the same methods of opperation give or take a little.

The important point is that you have to create a plan that can continue even if you don't manage to get investment. That is why focusing on one smaller game is better. It won't collapse if the investors turn you down. It just continues at a slower rate.

[Edited by - Obscure on May 2, 2005 4:36:04 AM]

Yes, I agree with Obscure. I mean, what are you doing to do with $100,000 anyway? You can probably do anything that you would WANT to with a few thousand dollars. Finish a product, get it out there, and then you will have something generating profit to begin to expand. Hopefully, since you already have a job, you can come up with a few thousand to fund development, then you hold no obligations to others, in case you fail.

Oh man. You killing me. :) If only it would be so easy. I have couple of thousand only at the end of the year (income tax) and by that time like any average american I have some debt to pay (if I would have house I would be paying tax for the house which is about $3,000 to $5,000). All I can afford is to upgrade PC, buy cheap thechnology like Torque, etc. I can't pay people to work for me. That's why I feel that the only right way is to finish first project, polish it and sell it. And then look put team together, solve business issues, go to investor (or better use profit from sales), etc.

You can use outsource workers in your development.
Some thousands of dollars is big money in my city.