Re: Need programers

From: Ryan Johnson <dowrie@guildofblades.com>

Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 06:12:54 +0000

Hi Steve,

> Well if this is the case then I'd go as far as to say you definitely *can* afford a programmer.<

Well, yes, in theory we could afford a programmer's salary. All we would
need to do is stop paying ourselves salaries, go get day jobs again,
literarly stop production on our core game lines and risk the whole
company on the interactive game. While I am sure that would probably
work out, such an action would cause us to lose our core market built up
over the last five years. We are certainly not a huge company, but have
made some inroads in that time.

> Neither are we.  I just run a humble PBM company, but I've employed a full-time programmer for six years.<

And PBEM is your core business, correct? Presently our core business is
paper products, such as RPGs, board games, miniatures games and the
like. The move into interactive games is part of our longer term
business goals, but we won't make the move at the risk of our core
business. That just wouldn't make any sense. Ultimately if we have to
wait till the core business has grown more and tackle this and other
interactive projects two years from now, then that is what we will do.
But we are go getting and if we can make the appropriate business
relationship that benefits us and our programmer partner to get the ball
rolling 2 years earlier, that's just good business. I do realize the
critical word there was "if".

> Well, if you specify a little more about the project maybe I, or greg, or one of the other  folk on this list could advise what sort of skills your programmer might need, to give you a clue.<

We intend to have a client program that players download (well, the
Premier edition will be sold commercial on CD). This will comprise the
map program. It will display the game map, have the game rules and help
sections, plus be the method for players to conduct their turn. Ideally
click and drop functions by mouse commands and drop down menu options
for game moves.

But the actual game database will need to be hosted online. So players
will login to an online game network to upload game turns, and after
designated update periods, to get the updated game database downloaded
into thier map viewer.

> You'd think so, except thats the route *everybody* tries to take.<

There is a good reason for that.

> There are no end of wannabee games designers, crying out for programmers to work for nothing as a "partner" who will be "cut in on the long term success".<

This is true. Potential program partners will this have to decide if we
should be included in the classification of "waanabeed game designers"
or if our 5 1/2 year company history, existing infrastructure, and track
record for profitable publications (more than 60 game releases in our
company history, each one turning at least a nominal profit) puts into a
different classification for consideration. The question any programmer
would need to decide is, can the person/company they are partnering
deliver with their sales and revenue projections? Obviously we think we
can, or else we wouldn't be pursuing this venture. Though to be fair, I
am sure every "wannabe" probably thinks so to. Ultimately it is not up
to us to decide, nor you, but rather than potential programmers.

> Well, good luck.<

Thanks,

Ryan S. Johnson
CEO, Guild of Blades Publishing Group
http://www.guildofblades.com

References

Re: Need programers
Ryan Johnson <dowrie@guildofblades.com>
Tue, 21 May 2002 06:43:20 +0000
Re: Need programers
madcentral@aol.com (MadCentral)
Tue, 21 May 2002 09:33:53 +0000