I have an idea for a game that has never been done before...I think it could create a whole new genre...The thing is I have no computer knowledge what-so-ever and could never develop a demo of the game. I could write out a detailed concept and take that to some of the big names in the industry, right? I am thinking maybe I could be hired on as a adviser (I know, but I shoot for the stars), or at least sell the idea with some type of royalties. I'm afraid I may leave with nothing and see my idea on a store shelf later on with nothing to show for it. Is there anything I can do to protect my idea from being stolen from me? I know that clones a hard to stop, but what if it's a whole new concept?

First off, I am not a lawyer and this does not constitute legal advice.

Now, ideas are not copyrightable. Also, ideas are fairly common. You may also not be in a good position to assess the uniqueness of your idea. Without something tangible, chances are nobody is even going to look at your proposal. We've all got enough of our own unique and world-shaking ideas to bother stealing someone else's ;-)

If you want to protect the idea, you probably should make a prototype of the game, and try to pitch that. Since you said you lack the technical expertise, your best bet is to throw together a very detailed design doc and try to put together a team. You could try to get your teammates to sign an NDA, but you will probably have to expose the idea to the public if you want to find any help.

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There are hundreds of other places and they'll all tell you the same thing: Ideas are easy to come by. Profound, ultimate, money-making ideas are also easy to come by.

You don't need to protect your idea, yet. Until it is turned in to a game, the idea itself is not worth the cost of the electricity needed to type it in to the computer.

Obviously I am not hoping I can just walk into someones office with an idea and walk out a rich man (though I know I wrote the topic in that manner). I appreciate the replies, but I still concerned. I have been a gamer all my life, since Atari came out and I was about 3 years old. I know what makes a good game and whats makes a bad game, they are kind of like movies in a sense, but with games its the level of fun which creates the level of entertainment.

I understand everything about the amount of work it would take to put the concept in writing and pictures. Can I do this myself? Absolutley, I think I could personally develop every phase of the concept outside of any type of playable demo...Is there any game design program out there which I could buy that could teach me this? What type of computer/memory would I need to support the program? What if I wanted to make it for the playstation 3, X-box 360, or Nintendo Wii, is there any way to do that without being affliated with a game making company?

Once again, thank you for all your help, I appreciate it...

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I know what makes a good game and whats makes a bad game, they are kind of like movies in a sense, but with games its the level of fun which creates the level of entertainment.

I would avoid making statements like this unless (at least) you have finished games under your belt. It makes you sound full of yourself; it is akin to me saying, "I've driven cars all my life since age sixteen, and I have a great idea for a new kind of car, and I know all about what goes into making a car, so somebody should work with me to make this car."

If you've never done it, you likely don't really know everything that is involved.

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Is there any game design program out there which I could buy that could teach me this?

No. There are off-the-shelf, point-and-click, non-programmer-friendly game development tools, but such tools are generally very, very restrictive and if your idea is even half as groundbreaking as you think it is -- which is highly, highly unlikely, by the way -- you won't be able to express it with such a limited tool.

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What if I wanted to make it for the playstation 3, X-box 360, or Nintendo Wii, is there any way to do that without being affliated with a game making company?

If you were a programmer and knew C#, you could use XNA, which will eventually allow you to target the 360 in a limited fashion. Beyond that, no.

Reading through all of the material in the links frob posted is very highly recommended.

Frequently Asked Question #56:
How Do I Make My Own Video Game?

Sorry if I sound full of myself, it's only because I am full of myself. I do know a thing or two about games and like any newbie who has a business mind, I am looking for shortcuts into the business and ways to ride to the top. I am in college so the computer knowledge is only a matter of time. I thank you again for your help.

As you can imagine, with this being a game development forum, and a regular hang-out for many talented programmers, designers, as well as quite a number of industry professionals, we also know a thing or two about games. :)

Unfortunately, just having played a couple of thousand games doesn't cut it. With no industry experience and nothing tangible to show (read: demo/prototype), forget about pitching, you are not even likely to make it past the front desk. That's just common sense speaking, too. But nevertheless, I honestly wish you good luck.

Now if you have a business mind, then what you can do is flesh out a concrete business plan in addition to the game design documents, then start looking for credit or venture capital. You might have to mortgage your house and you are very likely to go bankrupt, but that's probably the fastest way "to the top".

elm wrote:

>I'm afraid I may leave with nothing and see my idea on a store shelf later on with nothing to show for it. Is there anything I can do to protect my idea from being stolen from me?

Yes. Copyright your design doc, and don't bypass the submission process (don't just send your idea without first establishing that you are submitting an idea with expectation of compensation, and that the recipient understands and acknowledges this expectation).

there are no shortcuts to getting a game made.

Either start learning how to make it yourself, become friends with people who can, or spend a lot of money and pay professionals to make it for you.