Well let me start by saying this game is not actually a game in the strictest sense. Its more of a video game based medical equipment simulator. Now that everyone is asleep or gone it also doesn’t exist yet. The reason I’m here is I’m doing some initial research on the work involved to complete such a project and maybe an opinion or two one the best system i.e. pc. Xbox , PS3 game system (my favorite) As you may have already figured out by now, I know nothing about programming or animation. Total newbie. The actual graphics of this game will look much like that of an x-ray. I know it doesn’t sound like much fun but it would fill a large gap in training of new personnel. I have contacted local gamming companies and gotten quotes but in the spirit of being prudent im here and would like some ideas on cost from other knowledgeable people. Thanks and im sure you guys will be brutally honest.

With tools like C#/XNA it can be possible to get non-commercial content onto consoles, at least in some limited fashion...

But this is really the wrong place to ask about the costs involved in commissioning software. This forum deals with the creative aspect of game design - deciding on the content of the game and the way in which the player interacts with it.

Having said that, it is impossible to get a remotely realistic idea of the cost of producing a game or training software without some knowledge of the way it will function - and I'm sure you'll find many people here willing to discuss the mechanics of the game, as well as how to maximize engagement and learning, as these are common topics here. Do you have a firm idea of how it will play yet? If you are making a straight-laced simulation, how will you be scoring players or rewarding progress?

You must also consider the way you want to map the real-world controls you are simulating to those of a console controller - again, there is no shortage of people here happy to discuss this aspect in great depth, with regards to Human-Computer Interaction theory and the like.

Lastly, costing a software development project is a black art - a large majority of software projects come in over budget and behind schedule, if at all. Not to dishearten you - the better and more thorough a vision you have of exactly what the software will actually do, the more accurate a time/cost estimation can be made.

>would like some ideas on cost from other knowledgeable people. Thanks and im sure you guys will be brutally honest.

Like the first guy said, first write your GDD. Then write your TDD. Then you can figure out cost. Check this:
http://www.sloperama.com/advice/finances.htm

Thanks for your reply. I do have many detailed ideas on how the real world controls with translate to the controls on the console. As well as the how the “players” will interact with the software. I also have actual video and still images of what the image on the video game will be. Thanks again for your reply. Also, as I said I am a total newbie and apologize for asking asking pricing questions, I as not aware that that kind of thing was frowned upon.

You might search for radiology and surgical simulators to get a feel for the systems that already exist. In surgical simulation, much of the research is in haptics, to realistically model the interaction with tissue. Training in radiology can involve correctly identifying lesions or other abnormalities in known images.

You might look at these for ideas:
Spring (has links to other work)
Laparoscopy simulator

Quote:

Original post by aarratia I am a total newbie and apologize for asking asking pricing questions, I [w]as not aware that that kind of thing was frowned upon.

What are you talking about? Nobody "frowned upon" your question.

Asking about pricing might be more appropriate in our Business forum, but it's not so much that it's frowned upon as that no one is likely to have good answers for you.

Quote:

Original post by aarratia Also, as I said I am a total newbie and apologize for asking asking pricing questions, I as not aware that that kind of thing was frowned upon.

A training game, is still a game. There is a market of games called "Serious Games". These are games designed for training, education, art or other non entertainment purposes (but can still be designed to be entertaining).

When talking about your game, I think that if you use the term "Serious Game" you will find it easier for people to understand what you are trying to do and the purpose of the final product. This will help in finding people to work on your game and also to help fund and even produce your game.