Making a PC game / starting a game company?

[LDiCesare]

I spent a few years programming a game ( http://clash.apolyton.net ). I quit working on it because I started working in a game company, and didn't resume after quitting that madmen firm.
From my experience, it's very easy to find anything between 1000 and 1 million would-be game designers. But you really only need one.
It's much harder to find programmers, although it's possible. Even them, they're not always reliable, as you can't do anything if one decides to quit, falls ill or whatever.
Artists are also problematic if you want a 3d game. Even going 2d you have some problems finding them, but 3d art requires a lot of work, and indeed you're unlikely to get a lot done easily.

After leaving the project for one year, considering there was noone else left, I decided it was not worth cgoing back to it (particularly considering Civ IV was excellent in the same genre). I started another project to check, but stopped short when I started needing 3d artists.
I think I'll stick to 2d art (the way Dom is done) if I decide to start something again.
Not that 3d brings much to anything in most of the cases.

[Zeldor]

LDiCesare:

Heh, I remember that project. Project lead looked like he knows what he is doing and that he will get the job finished. I hoped they finish that game as Civ4 really sucks and next Civs will be probably even worse. Sad to see that project dead.

[Ironhawk]

I make games for a living and I'm also working on one of my own at the moment. IMO, the biggest hurdle is, as others have said, that making a game is not fun. Don't get me wrong, its rewarding - definitely so! But to make a game takes serious discipline and hard work. Both of those qualities are in short supply when you consider that all this must be done in someone's free time that they might otherwise be filling with wine, women, and song.

[chrispedersen]

I was a partner in the game Suzerainty, which won best PBM game .. years ago. Was partner in another venture called Western Kingdoms.

Lost my shirt on both. Had fun. YMMV.

[Gandalf Parker]

Zeldor said:
Many people try open-source games and have great and really nice plans. But there come obstacles. They are divided into 2 groups:

I could make a case arguing most of that. At least as absolutes.

As far as the money thing, thats part of what I do all day. I make internet recommendations. I often pitch how people can do "domains, hosting, creating company, doing all registrations, paying for artists" with no layout of funds. Often in the area of creating other businesses on the net but it applies to this one also. It takes abit longer and more hands-on of course but its possible if someone really wants it.

And, Ive even seen projects share the responsibilities of item 2 successfully. Not many, but some.

[DonCorazon]

I think I will stick to working on a board game. Sadly I cannot deny that I prefer the wine, women and song to more work in front of a computer in my free time.

[Leif_-]

DonCorazon said:
I think I will stick to working on a board game. Sadly I cannot deny that I prefer the wine, women and song to more work in front of a computer in my free time.

Somehow I don't think board games are the route to wine, women and song either.

[Sombre]

Well he didn't specify the quality of the wine, women or song he was after. In my experience just about anything can be a route to crap wine, cheap women and bad songs.

[DonCorazon]

I'd say I like bad women, cheap wine, and crap songs.