[] Newbie that looked for MMO's developers in London but got advice instead.

Business and Project Management Discussions
#1

Hi,

I’m a Software Engineer student at the first year, I’m studying Java and I only have a grasp of it as I’m at the first year.

I like to make up projects however, I never get anything done as I always lack in some areas. Thats why I’d like to have a team that can develop one.

I’d like to start an MMO RPG/Hack’n’slash from scratches, I have the concept and I’m writing it down for my team to read in the future. For the time being however I’d like at least two members; a graphic artist and a programmer.

Graphics: I first would like to have sketches of what the game will look like and after that I will need 1 animated character + basic enviroment. The style will be like Diablo.

Programmer: You have to be able to make a game style that resemble Diablo and Minecraft, and be able to make it working online.

I’m sorry for the poor language used and low information. Feel free to ask more about it.

Payment: I cannot pay by hour, as would result extremely expensive for my budget, but I can pay by project. I can pay £50 a month each for the time spent on the project. I will eventually pay more depending of the progress done and other agreements.

I’m looking for a serious commitment in this project.

#2

How much are you willing to invest in the project? Diablo took tens of people several years to create (full time). And adding an MMO aspect to that is a huge undertaking.

Also, if you will be the game designer it is always good if you can provide some referemces to previous games that you have designed so that prospective team members can see your skills.

#3

I’m aware that is a big project and I have a little to no-experience, and I have got no background in game designing. I have ideas, I can invest time on it, but I need someone else to do the development for me, that is why I am willing to pay. How much can I invest economically? So far a £1000, however I need to speak with whomever is going to code for me, and see what is feasible and what not, and how long will take.
I believe I can start something up from scratches, and sure for now I am not aiming at Diablo’s high standards but something more simple, and then have iteration to implement feature on it.

For the graphic side, I really, really need some sketches - this I reckon at the moment has the highest priority to present my product.

#4

If you’re going to be the sole owner of the finished product and you “only” pay 50 a month then I guess that’s for 1-2 hours of work per month :wink:

Mike

#5

I’m a programmer, just wanted to give my thoughts on reading this. Now I’m obviously biased so take these opinions with a grain of salt. Everybody has plenty of ideas for games (that’s why we are here!). But it’s the implementation of them that matters (programming and graphics). Unless you have proven yourself as a dedicated game designer with a track record you will have a hard time finding someone to work for free.

Spend your money on some programming books instead. Its not that hard to get started and you will have a ton of fun!

#6

I appreciate your comments.

I am currently studying programming in my own time and at uni. I had previous experiences in gathering people - for free, mostly friends - and do smaller projects and none has ever been finished. Everyone is off to a great start, but commitment always seem to lack in the end. That’s why I made this post offering money, even if is a small amount I hope would have been a motivation for whom is not a senior programmer but commit on doing it. Apparently I was wrong again.

But I am not discouraged. Eventually I will finish my projects and I will be able to provide some documentation for people to actually get interested in my projects. Until then - I will build up my skills.

Thanks again.

#7

There is this theory I came up with and it goes a little something like this:

Let’s say you’re playing a fancy AAA game 3 hours on an evening. If I were to say that I’d pay you $0.12 per hour, you’d probably not even launch that game, feeling ripped off, your time is worth more than that.

Sometimes it’s much better not to offer any money than to offer such a ridiculous low amount.

#8

I don’t think £50 is a ridiculus amount for a junior programmer or artist to spend a bunch of hours a week on a side project, but hey - that’s me.

#9

An MMO is not just a side project - bunch of hours a week. You’d be done in 50 years then.

There is a saying: Friends don’t let friends make MMOs

The programming part of an MMO is probably less than 5% of the total project time.

#10

Then what’s the other 95%? Resources (graphics/sounds)? Planning?

#11

Support. Password resets, complaints about people selling gold on eBay, etc.

#12

ROFL!

#13

content content content!

  • some management :slight_smile:
#14

[quote]There is a saying: Friends don’t let friends make MMOs
[/quote]
This.

#15

Make it fun to play and balancing.

#16

Frann as someone who’s been a project manager for a MMO nearly 3 years, you probably not going to get any luck. The best way to start a MMO without the start up cash is to start it yourself. Get a small playable demo out(even if its crappy) and a place for a community to hang out, then start recruiting people who want to help in the project.

#17

But even with this aproach there is a problem. If game/demo is crappy or even little worser than others free mmo’s wich are pretty high quality nowadays you can’t get players. If you don’t have players no one will help with project.

#18

Don’t give up :slight_smile:

There are many niche-gamers out there. Cater those! Try reducing your scope to something that seems possible. Focus on being unique. Forget the conventions of the AAA MMO’s. Of course it shouldn’t be crappy, but it doesn’t have to be awesome in every aspect to garner interest.

I’ve run a couple of muds, and it continues to amaze me that in 2011 there are still “new mudders” out there.

So to summarize: Figure out THE cool thing about your game concept. Focus on it. Make that part good. If YOU think it’s awesome, chances are someone else will too. And imho, that’s step one to finding dedicated people to join your project.

And last but not least, good luck! You’ll probably need it :wink:

#19

Well the idea behind this post was indeed to make the crappy demo - but I guess everyone else thought I wanted to make WoW in a month.

Thanks again for the advice.

#20

I think the main problem here is that most of community members are grown up folks who have their own projects and do not need 50 bucks anyway . As I could tell from observing people at JGO, most of us have a “real” job and we make our own games for fun . So I don’t think anyone will be intersted in making other people’s game .
For me the most enjoyable part is writing what I want, the way I want, and having somebody telling me what should be done would spoil all the pleasure .
And for the people who do not make it for pleasure, but for the money, won’t accept 50 bucks .

So unfortunately I guess you’re on your own … but that’s not a bad thing . Start coding stuff, you’ll learn A LOT and it will benefit greatly your carreer .
I have myself failed an online game (check tactics pompster on my signature), and yet learned lots of things, and I must confess right now I’m working on another online RPG :persecutioncomplex: .