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Geek Culture / Why do you want to make games?

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MicroMan
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 05:43
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I'm always a bit surprised when someone, either in real life or on the net, proclaim that they want to make games. Great! So do I. But in 9.9 cases out of 10 I get the sense that people just don't know what they are getting themselves into.

Game programming is, after all, the hardest kind of programming there is by far -- even if we have great tools like DBP. Coding is just a small part of making games. What's more important is coming up with a good idea, writing a half-decent game design document, getting the team (or yourself) to work, and then setting realistic goals and keep them. These other things constitute 9.9 out of ten parts of the work process while the coding takes like 0.1 parts...

There's also the pet peeve of mine that everyone wants to make another clone of DOOM/QUAKE/DEUS EX/FillInYourPopularGame here when everyone knows it is absolutely impossible to make such a game for one man sitting in his bedroom trying to juggle a working or academic life with family life, social life and some coding thrown in here and there.

I guess this may sound a bit offensive, but I truly don't intend it to be so. I don't even strive to be controversial. However, I guess it can't be helped when you question things that people feel passionate about. But I'm truly interested in why people want to make games when they hardly can write a simple windows Aapp in Visual Basic.

But given what I said in para 2 above -- why do you want to make your games? Do you think you have what it takes? How come?
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QuothTheRaven
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 06:02
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I want to make games because I'm already actively involved in programming, web programming, 3d modeling, animation, graphic design, digital composing, web design, and an active gamer. I like putting it all together and making each part work with the next

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Preston C
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 06:02
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I want to make games because it's fun Making games is just fun, and then if the final product is good, even more things to have fun with. And if you go commercial, eh, more money to make



Hell Begins September 2nd at 7:30 AM. Yep, schools starting soon.
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Mattman
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 06:04
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$$$

Got a knack for finding secrets??? Jingot Racing --- A new brand of Racing --- Only from Nightwatch Studios
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koshi
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 06:22 Edited at: 26th Aug 2003 06:23
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money, fun to do, and i like the challenge

Famous last words -
Pull the pin and count to what?
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Inkybro
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 06:31
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The frustration is fun to handle. It is very good at creating a more patient person. It's fun to know a computer language. As said before, $$$. Seeing those weird strings of text displayed on my screen for hours puts a smile on my face at night when I close my eyes and can see DarkEdit in my head. Knowing I'm accomplishing something. Learning new things. Using it as a "well-if-you're-so-smart-what-is-the-dark-basic-command-to-position-the-camera-in-a-fps-view" thing. I could go on all night

Don't turn your back on me, I won't be ignored! Faint - Linkin Park

One minute your on top! Next you're not, watch you drop! Linkin Park- Hit the Floor
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Arrow
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 07:10
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I just like the forum


Teenage Male Geek + Female Remotly Interested in Common Geek Activities = Teenage Male Jackass
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UnderLord
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 08:00
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I'v played every type of game i could get my hands on from RTS to FPS you name it and only a few of them could satisfy my taste for a game that lets you do almost anything you'd want like exploring freely or making your own shops ingame ect...so i decided why don't i make a game that way i can put what i want in it and then give it to others maybe they'll like it as much as i do....

plus after finishing a game its so fun to play it even though you know where everything is but hey.....its still fun...

http://www.freewebs.com/ingamers
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randi
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 09:10
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I think most people make games because it is fun.
If the truth be know...
I really don't like playing computer games very much, but they are fun to make.

I like throwing a bunch of stuff together and saying, "look what I did!"

I don't ever plan on making a game and publishing it.
If anything...
I would think that comming up with a good idea for a game, making a basic version of it, then selling the concept, is a more realistic thought.

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Shadow Robert
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 16:39
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Why do you created games?
Quote: "$$$"


yeah like thats the best reason... your aware if you intend to go onto do this professionally you'd be in one of the lowest paid jobs.
Ironically too the more work you do although yeah you paycheck goes up, the less it is in comparison to others who work alot less.

and if somehow you expect to make alot from your games you make here then you've gotta be something special to begin with, because publishers mark down your payoff firstly based upon the fact your not using a considered professional language (like C/C++), so no matter how good your game is your against the odds from the begining and if you think you'll make a mint by retailing yourself - you've gotta remember you've gotta produce everything to do with the game yourself (which are costs) even for just electronic versions you still have to setup an online account or an account capable of online banking, purchase an online server capable of handling the title, hire someone to create a secure shopping system for you, pay for advertisment to get your game noticed by people so they actually know about it.

really although your game could conceivibly make millions, funning thing is it'll also cost roughly the same millions to actually get it selling well enough to make any decent profit.

-- -- --

sorry but the only reason someone should be developing games should primarily be because this is what they love to do ... you'd be surprised just how far some moxy & heart will actually get you.
No subtitute for real talent, but if your determined enough then you'll learn what you need to in order to continue.

games are a labour of love, there really is no other reason a jnr programmer would slave for 10hrs a day for only $15k/year ... if we wanted money we'd join advertisement agencies or database programming teams.

-- -- --

personally i develop games for the same reason to why i develop Cinematic Movies ... becuase there are a thousand stories to be told in a thousand different ways, and i want to be able to help tell a story will will engross a player to be able to forget they have a life for 2-3hrs ... to help them relax and forget all of thier little problems and just wonder if Trogdor the Burninator is going to come to his citidel and burn it to the ground

it is an unbelieveable feeling you can get to create something that you know that someone out there will just have hours and hours of joy from. The best feeling is to actually meet them face to face and they tell you just how much fun the title you've helped out was to them.

guess thats why i generally make games

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Dave J
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 16:44
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Raven's right, game developing isn't exactly the highest paying job and the main reason people do it is for the passion.

"Computers are useless they can only give you answers."
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lcfcfan
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 17:21
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I do it cos i like people telling me i'm great and i am!

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M00NSHiNE
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 17:46
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I like making games because Ive been playing them so long I dont know how else to use my time. I started on an Atari STE when i was about 5-ish and have experienced them onwards from wolfenstein 3d, doom (which i played when i was 5, and I assure you I am very non violent so stuff all these politicians who think games make people killers) and all the rest. And if games make me violent then why did I pass my GCSEs with flying colours?

Anyway, i make games because i like being creative, because i love them, because it mixes together so many different forms of creativity (graphics, music etc) and it passes the time when theres nothing at all to do. I can mess around making games and programming and drawing until ive made something to be proud of. Which, i'll admit, im yet to do.

"It's amazin' what you can do with a computer and access to t'internet"
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Arrow
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 17:48
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I think it's because people love to create. From books to buildings, we lover to create. Most of us here also like video games, so to create something that we also love is great. The money pipe dream is just that, but doesn't hurt to dream.


Teenage Male Geek + Female Remotly Interested in Common Geek Activities = Teenage Male Jackass
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Mattman
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 18:58
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Quote: "game developing isn't exactly the highest paying job"
It is if you are your own boss, lol.

No, i do love to make games because it makes me feel proud to say i made whatever i made.

Got a knack for finding secrets??? Jingot Racing --- A new brand of Racing --- Only from Nightwatch Studios
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Ermes
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 19:00 Edited at: 26th Aug 2003 19:05
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PASSION. merely PASSION.

who want to make $$$ using DBPRO and reselling their games.... knock knock! Wake up!

... i agree with the long post of Raven.

Free Download for a Free World
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actarus
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 19:53 Edited at: 26th Aug 2003 19:55
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I agree.

Just have a look around the forums and find a game that's gone commercial...What's even funnier is that some people advertize their games like it's the newest FF or Mgs in THIS place...If there's one place where people don't pay for games on the internet,it's probably on game devlopment forums

Not to mention that it's not here that it can get more/less popular.

Still,there's a potential with DBP to produce high quality kids games or board games...The rest of the gamers are way too picky on technology and GFX.

Everyobdy wants to be loved,But no one loves everybody...
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CattleRustler
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 21:04 Edited at: 26th Aug 2003 21:04
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LOL:
Quote: "But I'm truly interested in why people want to make games when they hardly can write a simple windows Aapp in Visual Basic."


I guess since I am a professional VB6/VB.NET developer for a huge Financial Corp I will become (deep booming echoey voice) THE GREATEST GAME PROGRAMMER EVER!!

LOL

No, it's just the passion/fascination for it/of it since I was a kid many moons ago. I am starting to think we should all be creating groups (teaming up) so each could focus on their strengths (ie modelling, animation, concept&design, coding etc) and actually produce something kick-arse (not that there aren't some wicked games made by people on these boards)

Anyway I gotta go call my russian programmer friends and get a team started. I have no doubt that I will make something wicked as soon as I get my butt in gear with DBP

Later

-RUST-
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Critters
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 21:41 Edited at: 26th Aug 2003 21:46
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I believe that game development is a great hobby. I love 2d artwork and creating 2d games, why not go a step up! (3d) + Creating them is fun and i set realistic goals, I believe that is the key.

You will never know, unless you try.

I have what it takes!! sortof

http://www.jaxteam.co.uk
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Megaton Cat
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 21:59
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making games keeps me from going insane with the annoying stupidness of the real world. Oh and also pass the time in school writing games documents with friends. (our teacher thinks we are taking down notes)

Comin soon: MegatonCreations.tk
Now all we need is an actual game!
Also: reviewing the games no one else bothered to
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Eddie Gordo
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 22:08
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^yep i do that...

"Mr. Clay whats the purpose of the phrase (insert english related phrase here) ?"

"Wha...um...37...DeoxyRiboNeuclaicAcid..."

Unfortunatly this happened...

Why do i attemp to write games...i wanna learn more about computers...oh, and cause i like to make games more than play them...i havent played a game in so long...i also like the business side of the industry...

Visual Programming Studio ORANGE
Replacement IDE for Dark Basic Professional...
(Will Be Availeable When This is Removed)
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Damokles
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Posted: 26th Aug 2003 23:31
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First thing to say : I make more apps than games.
(But I don't get them all on my site, because, they are mostly for school)

But when I create games, it's because I want to see things, like I want them to be ... Nobody can control the world, but we can control almost everything in our games (if we are good enough).
And there is the word, which I allready heard here : Passion

"Begin at the beginning, and go on till you come to the end: then stop." - Lewis Carroll
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Fallout
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Posted: 27th Aug 2003 01:34
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Btw, military missile ballistics is generally more complicated then games programming.

That's why, on the weekends, I develop intercontinental nuclear missile programming languages for the up and coming arabic nations. It really is the ultimate in rewarding enterprise!!!!!

Insiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide!
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Dave J
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Posted: 27th Aug 2003 10:21 Edited at: 27th Aug 2003 10:22
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Quote: "It is if you are your own boss, lol."


Well in that case you won't be selling games for $80 - $100. Instead you'll probably be lucky to sell it for $40, then if you get it published you'll probably get $4 off every sale and if you have more then one team member then you split it again. If you just sell it online then you'll probably get $20 at the most. Believe me, you aint going to get rich making games.

The only exception are games like Quake and Doom and even then a programmer will only get paid around $70,000 a year which isn't very high at all.

"Computers are useless they can only give you answers."
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Mattman
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Posted: 27th Aug 2003 18:06
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No, I didn't mean it as if i was a one-man team! I run Nightwatch Studios

Got a knack for finding secrets??? Jingot Racing --- A new brand of Racing --- Only from Nightwatch Studios
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Yian
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Posted: 28th Aug 2003 00:03
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When I look back on the games I've played and all the fun I had with them,I realise how much the game indusrty has given me..and it's about time I gave something back...Another sad reason is that messing around with computers seems to be one of the two the things I'm at least a bit good at so I'd better not sotp..

-john D.
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minkus
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Posted: 28th Aug 2003 02:57
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I like 2 make games so i can say that i made them even if the game sucks, and almost no games other than the ea sports fifa series fit my personalized genre - either a good football game or some comical fighting game

They say I'm crazy
but theyre wrong
I'm actually REALLY crazy
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Dave J
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Posted: 28th Aug 2003 16:46
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Quote: "No, I didn't mean it as if i was a one-man team! I run Nightwatch Studios"


Sorry buddy but that makes absolutely no difference to what I just said.

"Computers are useless they can only give you answers."
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MicroMan
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Posted: 28th Aug 2003 18:04
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It's been quite interesting reading the responses to my little question. Most of us love to do this strange antisocial thing when we really should be out with the mates.

I'm just left wondering about the money. People say they want to make money off this. I'm wondering how that can be achieved. Let's be reasonable. The game part of DBP is what we'll sell ourselves online or to our mates. They'll never be any shelf-killers selling platinum in fifty countries. Not as long as there's just a few guys in a garage without money.

Isn't passion enough? Aren't we learning something every day? Won't we prepare ourselves for a lowly real job at the bottom of the barrel in the gaming industry when we get off our backsides and learn C++?


-----
They SAID that given enough time a million monkeys with typewriters could recreate the collected works of William Shakespeare... Internet sure proved them wrong.
-----
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Damokles
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Posted: 28th Aug 2003 19:44
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Quote: "It's been quite interesting reading the responses to my little question. Most of us love to do this strange antisocial thing when we really should be out with the mates"


antisocial ? you exagerate ! you can do it with somebody or for somebody (never created a personnal game for your GF ?)
when we really should be out with friends ? During this vacation, I was more with my friends, than on this computer.

"Begin at the beginning, and go on till you come to the end: then stop." - Lewis Carroll
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codeFusion
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Posted: 28th Aug 2003 21:38
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"..to satisfy an inner creative need.." - codeFusion.

also, from the poor quality of most commercially produced PC / PS2 games i've played of recent, I think that some serious potential will emerge from the DBPro phenomena..

where logic meets imagination, a fusion occurs; a harmony emerges
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Critters
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Posted: 29th Aug 2003 00:52
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yar, impressive stuff will arrise from dbp.

http://www.jaxteam.co.uk
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