What do game developers look for when joining a team that's just starting out?

Ryan Smith · 2012-10-30T23:57:35

I'm in that place most gamers are where I have an idea for a game, but no team to help produce it. I know that convincing an entire group of people to join someone's team is easier said than done, but I am looking for advice on the matter on how to convince people to help form a team so we can lay out a plan to get stuff done. I have a few questions about what game developers are interested to know before they decide to commit their time and skills to a game project: 1: What do they consider a "good" idea for a game? I already have a game idea, but how should I present it? I currently have no game design document; just some gameplay concepts in my head. I am prepared to write one, but not before I learn what it takes to make a great game design document which will grab and keep the reader's attention. 2: How do people from a strong team with plenty of manpower when they first start out, having every essential role covered? Forming a team is the most important step to me. I actually work with another game development team, but they're occupied with their game currently, and we're in pre-alpha so it's going to be a very long time before we finish it. I have an idea of my own, and I want to at least start working on something soon, rather than wait a few years before I get another chance. 3: What kind of problems can I expect to occur during the entire game development process, and what kind of solutions are available to overcome them? I would much rather learn from someone else's mistakes than my own. There are two things I'm particularly concerned about for the simple reason that I'm inexperienced with them - legal matters and creating a secure website, suited for e-commerce. Any advice on gaining the necessary funding for all expenses involved in making a game would be much appreciated as well. 4: What advice can I make use of when trying to secure the loyalty and reliablilty of people who join a team? What are some good tips to get people genuinely interested in making a game, especially for a project that has no budget? A lot of the best people out there only join projects because there is a guarantee of payment, far beyond what most aspiring game developers can afford. Now, I am fortunate enough to have an existing team (suited for 2D art and audio) who are genuinely interested in a different idea I have and want to contribute, but for something like game design, that takes a lot more people with different talents and a lot more time, and I want to make sure that whoever joins the team actually wants to see this game idea through to the end. That's about all I have to ask for now, any advice for any of these questions would be very much appreciated.

Games Business and Law Business

Started by Blinn October 27, 2012 05:36 PM

9 comments, last by Tom Sloper 12 years, 2 months ago

Tom Sloper

17,264

October 30, 2012 11:57 PM

Since this thread is degenerating into an "I'll join your team" thing, I'm closing it. All you guys who are looking for teams or recruits, please use the Classifieds.

-- Tom Sloper -- sloperama.com

What do game developers look for when joining a team that's just starting out?

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What do game developers look for when joining a team that's just starting out?

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