Creating a Game

I have an idea for a game that I would like to see made. However, I have no knowledge of programming or skill with graphic art. Essentially, making games is not my field, I just happened to have a decent idea.

What I’m looking for is someone to let me know how feasible it would be to get a game created (it’s not a simple game). Also, how profitable it is to put games on this site. I’d appreciate any kind of input, even if you’re just pointing me to another thread where this is discussed.

If it seems possible and profitable to make this game, then I’ll be looking for some partners.

you’re going to have to give us all a little help and actually tell us the idea. Then we can tell you if its possible/profitable/complicated. :D

Well aside from some gamer’s code of honor, what would be keeping someone from taking my idea if I were to post it here?

just gotta risk it. lol. what type of genre does the game fall under?

It’s mostly RPG/Strategy.

From experience: No one cares about your idea. It’s okay to share it.

Originally posted by TheFodi:

It’s mostly RPG/Strategy.

well the thing is, since you wont be helping with the process of making the game, you’re going to have to explain the game so they can consider whether they should put the work in and make this game for you or not. your game might be so good that they’ll actually do it or maybe it wont. you have to let them decide.

Ok, thanks so far for the information (even though I haven’t returned the favor). I understand that you guys can’t tell me how long it will take to make a game that I haven’t even described or how profitable it could possibly be.

I still would like to know what the profits from a game on this site that becomes very popular are, if anyone could bllpark that for me. Also, what (if there is one) is the standard payment procedure for this scenario: where I state my idea and come up with the plot, characters, and game design then enlist the help of a programmer and artist? Do we split a percentage or am a paying a fee for their services? Also, am I wrong in assuming that all I would need is a programmer and artist?

Like I said, this is not my field and any information is welcome.

1) Well for starters, there isnt much profit in any game unless it is popular enough to go onto the “hot new games” list, and if so they usually rake in around 2-4 thousand dollars, but there is no definite way to know if a game will go on that list or not.

2) Yes all you need is an artist and programmer, but some programmers can double as artists if they are good enough (I do most of my own art) Music is optional, but highly recommended.

3) Payment is up to you to decide, most people would opt for a fee rather than a percentage cut, because it’s less confusing. As to how much a freelancer would charge ranges from nothing to beyond.

umm dude if its your idea but you dont make it you shouldnt get paid

Thank you Chad for answering all of my questions and being so clear.

Sour, people get paid for their ideas every day. That isn’t to say that all ideas get paid for or even that all ideas should get paid for, but people make money purely on having good ideas and selling them. That being said, I did mention that I would be writing the plot, creating the characters, and designing the game; which goes a little further than saying, “I have an idea for a game where people shoot zombies.”

i dont get the zombie thing but if your writing the plot and all that stuff its different but you should hurry before someone steals your idea. ;)

Originally posted by TheFodi:

Sour, people get paid for their ideas every day. That isn’t to say that all ideas get paid for or even that all ideas should get paid for, but people make money purely on having good ideas and selling them.

Please cite your sources, because I can’t seem to think of a single example of this.

If you can write a decent story and create decent characters, you might be able to pull this off. It isn’t the most important part of a game, but you are at least contributing something.
However, given that you have no game design experience, I would suggest letting the programmer handle the design. It’ll turn out better that way.

In response to Chad90, just getting on the “hot new games” list will not make you $2000. You might make $1000 in the initial burst, but money comes in much slower after that. (Well, okay, you might eventually make $2000, but the point is that you’ll want to aim higher than that.)

Originally posted by player_03:

Originally posted by TheFodi:

Sour, people get paid for their ideas every day. That isn’t to say that all ideas get paid for or even that all ideas should get paid for, but people make money purely on having good ideas and selling them.

Please cite your sources, because I can’t seem to think of a single example of this.

Plenty of stuff…Like the url claim site, where you can post interesting site names, and you get paid if a company wants to use the domain that came up with. Another is writing essays. Ideas are plentiful, except the market where they can be payed is pretty full and not worth the effort in most cases.

Originally posted by player_03:

In response to Chad90, just getting on the “hot new games” list will not make you $2000. You might make $1000 in the initial burst, but money comes in much slower after that. (Well, okay, you might eventually make $2000, but the point is that you’ll want to aim higher than that.)

In the programming world $2,000 isn’t that much. The mere chance of winning the contests is not worth it, as my friend LongAnimals pointed out on FGL, while the only thing that counts is a sponsor and a rating.

You get paid for making a game?

around $3.50 per 1000 views, assuming it has API and exclusivitey, otherwise make that $1.75

I’m going to abbreviate exactly what I just posted in another thread. Everyone wants to sell their ideas without doing any of the work of putting them together.

OP needs to man up. Learning to program your own ideas is realistically the only way they’ll see fruition.

Originally posted by Ringer:

I’m going to abbreviate exactly what I just posted in another thread. Everyone wants to sell their ideas without doing any of the work of putting them together.

OP needs to man up. Learning to program your own ideas is realistically the only way they’ll see fruition.

ringer, you seem to be THE voice of reason within the collabs forum.