Okay, this is something that I have been noticing on a low level for quite some time, but it never really registered with me… until now!
If you look around, this forum, other forums, web-sites, etc, there are a lot of people who want to be Game Developers. A lot. I’m no exception. The problem that I’ve noticed, is that everyone (including myself), seems to be guilty of a little “Ego” Streak. We all want to create a game, by ourselves, which will catch the attention of a big-time game publishing house, and land a hundred-thousand dollar a year career. Unfortunately, this rarely, if ever, happens, and this is for many reasons:
[list][]Resources - This is one of the big killers. We all start working on a project, and since none of us are wealthy, self-employed, workaholics, with lots of spare time, it won’t get more than 10% done before we are forced to drop it. It sucks, I know.
[]Skill - While anyone who tries to make their own game obviously has some kind of talent, I can nearly guarantee that none have more than 2 or 3 different skills that are needed to create an eye-catching, fun, and amazing game. I might have the best story-development skills, and great programing, but I’ll be the first to admit that as far as drawing, and doing game graphics: I SUCK! Not to mention many other things I’m not perfect at. I’ve seen games that have great graphics, a solid engine, but the story is horrible, and I say to myself: “I could do better…”
[*]Recognition - You can show your cool game to anyone you like, but the chances of it being seen, let alone land you a great job, is slim to none. Nowadays every major career-type job is requireing some type of higher education to hire anyone, and showing talent won’t do much to get your foot in the door… it’s just how life is…
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And that is, by no means a complete list… but why am I saying all this? Am I trying to discourage up-and-coming game developers? Of course not! Rather, I see an opportunity for us, as a game programming community, to unite our causes, and bring us together! Perhaps this is not feasable, but I would like to try. If we all get over our power-hungry Egos, and unite, I think it would be possible for a group of our talents could create something which would blow the socks off of any other game-developing house out there. This could be the birth of a new company, perhaps, it depends on how far we want to take it…
Like I said, I might just be dreaming of an unattainable Utopia, but i thought I should at least give it a shot… so if anyone is interested, and feels like they have something worthwhile to contribute, please let me know. I think, since right now I’m only trying to solidify an idea, anyone who has any talents, or skills that could even slightly benefit a game developing type environment, sign up here! Even if your only good at creating CD-Covers, let me know if you’re interested! Reply with a post which describes your goals, past acheivments , talent, and skills, so that I can get an idea of how attainable this goal is.
