Re: Need programers

From: madcentral@aol.com (MadCentral)

Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 09:24:27 +0000

>>If there are expenses that are to be incurred in the development, such
as us needed to contract out additional art contracts and other
expenses, then those sort of expenses we would "front" as well.<<

First of all, Ryan, please don't take any of these answers as a pop at you.  I
think both Greg and I are just using your mail as a starting point for a
discussion, so its nothing personal.  (Hopefully, Im not making an assumption
that'll bug Greg by saying this.)   ; )

>>The "zero" cash only applies to we are not paying the programmer up
front for their programming. If we were willing to do that, then it
would make absolutely zero business sense to establish a "partnership"<<

Ryan, you've got a thing or two to learn about business if you think its as
black and white as that.  If you were to pay a programmer and also give them a
cut of the action, as it were, you'd probably find you'd get a better rate,
better work and much more enthusiasm.  Nothing is more important that that in
games design and/or programming.

>>In the partnership we are seeking, the programmer commits their time
(weather that is full time, or their spare time...we don't care. <<

But *why* would a programmer choose to devote their time, with no guarantee of
any cash, to *your* project.  Why not to any one of the hundreds of other
design outfits out there who are looking for basically the same thing?  Because
your games are good?  How does the programmer know they're good, compared to
others?   Without wanting to be negative, Im just trying to show you why you've
had problems so far, and why you'll continue to have problems unless you think
this through.

>>So, its not no cash to get the game on the market. Just no cash to the
programmer up front.<<

But programmers hear this sort of thing all the time, and are often wary of it.

>> Once completed our company steps in to handle
server and network infrastructure, marketing, production, warehouse,
distribution, etc, etc. <<

All the stuff that hundreds of other companies can do too, you mean.  Think
about it... if you want to get your game programmed you are going to need to
either pay somebody, or offer very good terms... or find somebody very green to
the business (who wont necessarily be able to DO the task they think they can
do.)

>>  If that were our
business model, we wouldn't bother. It wouldn't be worth our time nor
the programmers.<<

But the business model you seem to be proposing isn't a whole lot more
reliable.  Online Games are a dime a dozen.  Online games which have a free
version and then charge for a commercial version are also not entirely
uncommon.  Theres nothing new here that I can see.  Im sure theres great stuff
under the surface, but unless you show some of it, you're not going to tempt a
programmer in.

I could, of course, be entirely wrong.  Just trying to offer one take on it.

Steve T.

References

Re: Need programers
Ryan Johnson <dowrie@guildofblades.com>
Wed, 22 May 2002 06:24:43 +0000

Referenced By

Re: Need programers
Ryan Johnson <dowrie@guildofblades.com>
Wed, 22 May 2002 06:24:43 +0000