Choose what’s most important for you, because I fail to see how these three goals converge. Game development has awful ROI. Look at venture capitalists: who is backing game startups? Noone. Game development, like show business, is very hit-or miss and the fact that many successful studios have trouble finding the funding for their next title should tell you how bad of a business it is. Majority of game developers are unprofitable, programmers are paid ones of the lowest rates in their profession and are expected to work crazy hours. Many programming practices used in game development are nothing to be proud of outside of game development.
Why do so many people want to make games then? Because they crave making games. Because they feel that more is possible, that they caught a glimpse of some future potential that might just show itself. Maybe they are delusional. There’s no rational reason to believe otherwise.
One renowned game designer wrote in his profile: “Making games. Since way back. Doesn’t let go.” At least, he’s honest with himself.
Okay, first of all let me say that I agree with your argument, but I think you misunderstand a couple of things. The only goal I have is to reduce x-risk. Now, it seems that the best way to do that is to make money, and it seems that, given my skill set, the best way to make money is to start a game company. I’ve carefully thought about this, and this is the decision I’ve reached not because I want to make games (in fact, the games I would be making for money are not at all the ones I would want to make for any other reason), but because that’s what I do best.
Outside of the gaming world it might seem like it’s a tiny niche, but, trust me, on the inside there is a lot of funding to go around, and the field is much bigger and wider than you think. Anyway, I don’t want to tear apart every point you made. Just know that I appreciate your concern, and I’ve thought these things through.
Please re-read _Purchase Fuzzies and Utilons Separately_.
If you want to reduce X-Risk, go for it.
If you want to make games, go for it.
If you want to make lots of money, great! Go for it, it’s great doing what you love and you can always buy some of the other two later.
Choose what’s most important for you, because I fail to see how these three goals converge. Game development has awful ROI. Look at venture capitalists: who is backing game startups? Noone. Game development, like show business, is very hit-or miss and the fact that many successful studios have trouble finding the funding for their next title should tell you how bad of a business it is. Majority of game developers are unprofitable, programmers are paid ones of the lowest rates in their profession and are expected to work crazy hours. Many programming practices used in game development are nothing to be proud of outside of game development.
Why do so many people want to make games then? Because they crave making games. Because they feel that more is possible, that they caught a glimpse of some future potential that might just show itself. Maybe they are delusional. There’s no rational reason to believe otherwise.
One renowned game designer wrote in his profile: “Making games. Since way back. Doesn’t let go.” At least, he’s honest with himself.
Okay, first of all let me say that I agree with your argument, but I think you misunderstand a couple of things. The only goal I have is to reduce x-risk. Now, it seems that the best way to do that is to make money, and it seems that, given my skill set, the best way to make money is to start a game company. I’ve carefully thought about this, and this is the decision I’ve reached not because I want to make games (in fact, the games I would be making for money are not at all the ones I would want to make for any other reason), but because that’s what I do best.
Outside of the gaming world it might seem like it’s a tiny niche, but, trust me, on the inside there is a lot of funding to go around, and the field is much bigger and wider than you think. Anyway, I don’t want to tear apart every point you made. Just know that I appreciate your concern, and I’ve thought these things through.