Bungie.net Community
This topic has moved here: Subject: Can Bungie give me some advice on starting my own game studio?
  • Subject: Can Bungie give me some advice on starting my own game studio?
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • of 3
Subject: Can Bungie give me some advice on starting my own game studio?

I'm just here to check the meters.

I just got a large inheritance from my grandpa and before he died he told me to "do something successful" with it so I'm going to do what I've always wanted and start up a gaming studio.
I already have a small empty building now all I need is just equipment and designers/programmers.
I'm not a programmer myself but I have big ideas and just need the right foundation to get started. I'd like to start off with making a game for smart phones then PC and hopefully something for xbox.
So if the community or Bungie has any advice for me I'd much appreciate it.

  • 09.25.2011 8:55 AM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

I have spent the last ten years lost in deep space. If you are reading this message then please send a signal beacon.

Before starting your own studio, pursue a college degree.

  • 09.25.2011 8:57 AM PDT

If you're interested in the actual programming, check out App Hub. It's this developers' site (by Microsoft) that gives sample code, tools, etc.

Otherwise, I don't know what to tell you. PM hdubya or Honeydew.

  • 09.25.2011 8:57 AM PDT

I'm just here to check the meters.


Posted by: Mercury Spaceman
Before starting your own studio, pursue a college degree.

I already am in school but this is something I want to go ahead and get on track since it is going to take a long time to get finished.

  • 09.25.2011 8:58 AM PDT

I'm just here to check the meters.


Posted by: ctjl96
If you're interested in the actual programming, check out App Hub. It's this developers' site (by Microsoft) that gives sample code, tools, etc.

Otherwise, I don't know what to tell you. PM hdubya or Honeydew.

Thanks!:) but I really would like to hire my own programmers and create everything ourselves. I just am having trouble finding programmers that I can hire.

  • 09.25.2011 9:01 AM PDT

I'm not sure... Usually when threads like this pop up, an Employee posts -- usually Honeydew. Maybe urk or someone will help you out. PM him, too.
Posted by: ABungieFan

Posted by: ctjl96
If you're interested in the actual programming, check out App Hub. It's this developers' site (by Microsoft) that gives sample code, tools, etc.

Otherwise, I don't know what to tell you. PM hdubya or Honeydew.

Thanks!:) but I really would like to hire my own programmers and create everything ourselves. I just am having trouble finding programmers that I can hire.

  • 09.25.2011 9:02 AM PDT

Five years older and wiser
The fires are burning, I'm fire, never tire
Slay warriors in the forests, and on hire

Find a student programmer and find a student artist. That is all you need.

Run along.

[Edited on 09.25.2011 9:03 AM PDT]

  • 09.25.2011 9:03 AM PDT

I'm just here to check the meters.

Some of my biggest concerns are

1. Should I go ahead and make the outline for the game before I even talk to any of my programmers to see if my ideas are even possible?

2. What kind of equipment do I need?

3. Are there any permits I need before I can design a game and how do you get your game published?

  • 09.25.2011 9:05 AM PDT

Posted by: ICEMAN ASSASS1N
Oh, and Boost Deuce is > ALL


STOP SENDING ME GROUP INVITES

I don't see the point in jumping into it with your own studio

Most smart people would get experience in the field working for someone else, while gathering knowledge of what it takes to run a studio, then branch off and make their own

Seems like a waste of a lot of money to start your own so soon.

  • 09.25.2011 9:12 AM PDT

Half Man.
Half Horse.
Half Machine.
All "Jerk Who's Really Bad at Math."

PS
No, I do not want to join your clan/group.

Posted by: ApocalypeX
Find a student programmer and find a student artist. That is all you need.

This.

If you're already taking courses to learn programming/game development, then look around at your classmates and peers; find a handful who share your dream and are dedicated to the idea of forming the core of a successful game studio and make friends with them.

Keep in mind that if you have to hire people, you'll need to pay them and that will burn through your money pretty fast. Once that money is gone, someone who is just an employee will probably leave to find another job that actually pays. If you find people around you who share your passion and want the same thing, money becomes less of an issue and they're more likely to hang with the project just to see it through.

  • 09.25.2011 9:13 AM PDT

I'm just here to check the meters.


Posted by: Boost Deuce
I don't see the point in jumping into it with your own studio

Most smart people would get experience in the field working for someone else, while gathering knowledge of what it takes to run a studio, then branch off and make their own

Seems like a waste of a lot of money to start your own so soon.

Well I really don't see myself getting on at a game studio anywhere since the nearest one to my location is about 1,000 miles away. Also I don't think they hire people based on their ideas.
I honestly feel my ideas can be successful if I have the right people to help me put it into a game. This is why I'd like some advice on how to get started.

  • 09.25.2011 9:15 AM PDT

Half Man.
Half Horse.
Half Machine.
All "Jerk Who's Really Bad at Math."

PS
No, I do not want to join your clan/group.

As to your questions, I can't speak to any but the first one:

1. Should I go ahead and make the outline for the game before I even talk to any of my programmers to see if my ideas are even possible?
No. Keep your grand game idea in the oven a while longer and let it bake. For your first game (or first few games), definitely have a dialogue with your crew and find an idea you can all agree on; starting up a game company will be hard and it'll be harder still if your first project isn't one that everyone is enthused about working on.

  • 09.25.2011 9:17 AM PDT

"Look guys, i got the fla-"

hey, i also have an interest in starting my own studio. Im currently studying computer science, and have a friend with some big ideas, all i really need is an artist but i dont have any connections in that area. any advice on how to find an artist?

  • 09.25.2011 9:18 AM PDT

I'm just here to check the meters.


Posted by: Centauratron
Posted by: ApocalypeX
Find a student programmer and find a student artist. That is all you need.

This.

If you're already taking courses to learn programming/game development, then look around at your classmates and peers; find a handful who share your dream and are dedicated to the idea of forming the core of a successful game studio and make friends with them.

Keep in mind that if you have to hire people, you'll need to pay them and that will burn through your money pretty fast. Once that money is gone, someone who is just an employee will probably leave to find another job that actually pays. If you find people around you who share your passion and want the same thing, money becomes less of an issue and they're more likely to hang with the project just to see it through.

I don't take programming classes, I'm going for a degree in information and communication sciences.
Also the school I go to (University of Alabama) doesn't have a very good computer programming courses so I'm gong to have to look elsewhere.
The money I have should last long enough to pay employees all the way through the launch for our first game and I'm hoping that game brings in some money.


[Edited on 09.25.2011 9:23 AM PDT]

  • 09.25.2011 9:19 AM PDT
  •  | 
  • Fabled Legendary Member

Hopefully you'll have a good company that I can apply for a job at when I graduate. Good luck :).

[Edited on 09.25.2011 9:29 AM PDT]

  • 09.25.2011 9:21 AM PDT
  •  | 
  • Fabled Mythic Member
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Make good games, not games you think will sell well.

The Bungie.net forums are not going to be able to help you (except for the few people who know what they're talking about).
Go check out Gamasutra.com and similar sites.

Look at different tools you can develop with. For example, I'm using Unity and I think it's great.

Learn something, be it scripting/programming, art (2D and/or 3D) or game design. You need to have something to bring to the table and a solid knowledge of game development.
Project management is very important!

Do a lot of research. Prepare to work hard. It's not all going to just fall into place.

[Edited on 09.25.2011 9:36 AM PDT]

  • 09.25.2011 9:27 AM PDT

This. I'm sure much of the Community would be glad to order your games to help you.
Posted by: Skibur
Make good games, not games you think will sell well.

  • 09.25.2011 9:28 AM PDT

HACK THE PLANET!

Posted by: ABungieFan
Some of my biggest concerns are

1. Should I go ahead and make the outline for the game before I even talk to any of my programmers to see if my ideas are even possible?

2. What kind of equipment do I need?

3. Are there any permits I need before I can design a game and how do you get your game published?
Those are all great questions. What you should do while in school, before you rent office space or hire employees, is "stage" yourself. Figure out the logistics behind the industry, get a name trademarked and an EIN. Basically do research and plan.

[Edited on 09.25.2011 9:42 AM PDT]

  • 09.25.2011 9:41 AM PDT

and "pro" is a term used for people who make money at what they do like a professional baseball player like albert pujols

i <3 science cookies

I highly doubt that they will come and comment here. Even though they are very awesome people they have been known to be a tiny bit greedy. They probably would see you as a mere threat to the 7 steps.
Also if you are not in the direct line of education for being a graphic design artist and such then you would mainly make only a good CFO to the company. You need to find a college like University of Science and Technology(Rolla) in Missouri or University of Seattle. They both seem to be very decent for producing these kinds of brilliant minds. Find a few good ones(Be like Zuckerberg and scan carefully) hire them and a few good storywriters and let it play out. The money will pull in rather easily if you produce well.

  • 09.25.2011 9:45 AM PDT
  •  | 
  • Fabled Mythic Member
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Posted by: ABungieFan
The money I have should last long enough to pay employees all the way through the launch for our first game and I'm hoping that game brings in some money.
This is worrying...

Have you looked into how much you should pay/people would be expected to be paid? Do you know how long it's going to take to develop a game? Do you know how many people you will need?
Do you think your first game is going to make a profit?

These are some daunting questions, but you need to seriously work all this out, and much more, before you start.

  • 09.25.2011 9:47 AM PDT
  •  | 
  • Fabled Legendary Member

Yeah how much money do you have?

  • 09.25.2011 9:53 AM PDT

Posted by: ABungieFan
1. Should I go ahead and make the outline for the game before I even talk to any of my programmers to see if my ideas are even possible?

I don't see why not. But I would start small. Bungie started with Gnop! Do something reasonable given what few people you start off with. Console Gaming might be out of your reach when you start off as well, I'd start with apps.

  • 09.25.2011 10:00 AM PDT

Posted by: ICEMAN ASSASS1N
Oh, and Boost Deuce is > ALL


STOP SENDING ME GROUP INVITES


Posted by: ABungieFan
The money I have should last long enough to pay employees all the way through the launch for our first game and I'm hoping that game brings in some money.


so he left you a few million

  • 09.25.2011 10:02 AM PDT
  •  | 
  • Exalted Mythic Member
  • gamertag: Rokitz
  • user homepage:

Want to know more about me? Check out my Community Joes interview.

Trying something once will increace your chances of success, because you tried it. Try someting twice, and your chances increase yet again - seeing as you've done it. Try something a few thousand times, and your chances of success is exponentially increased; this increase would likely provide success every time

Posted by: Skibur
Posted by: ABungieFan
The money I have should last long enough to pay employees all the way through the launch for our first game and I'm hoping that game brings in some money.
This is worrying...

Have you looked into how much you should pay/people would be expected to be paid? Do you know how long it's going to take to develop a game? Do you know how many people you will need?
Do you think your first game is going to make a profit?

These are some daunting questions, but you need to seriously work all this out, and much more, before you start.

This. Skibs knows a little about this sort of thing.

While you have the obvious variable, money, you seem to be forgetting the most important of all, time. Since you're looking for employee's, as Apoc said, look for a programming and art student. If you can, make it a project instead of a company at first.

Game companies rarely make their big hits their first few times out of the gate. Personlly, if I were in your shoes, I would save the majority of the money for distribution. Mainly because the hardest part is getting your name out.

You obviously have the drive and the dream. Just make sure you plan carefully, spend wisely, and make a game that you enjoy - a game you would be more than willing to pay for.

May personal rule of game making: Don't look to cut a profit, look to have fun.

  • 09.25.2011 10:15 AM PDT

Five years older and wiser
The fires are burning, I'm fire, never tire
Slay warriors in the forests, and on hire

yo gimmie some of dat money and i'll give you something to "release" bro

  • 09.25.2011 10:19 AM PDT

  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • of 3