Sup gamers! Not sure if there is anyone here that can answer these questions but i'll try my luck anyways.

Recently, I've been playing so many PC and console games and started thinking how the gaming industry has evolved to such great extents, so much so that games are being pushed out so fast and the quality and story of a game is comparable to even that of movies and TV series. There are so many great game developers now and some new ones are coming up in the indie scene. Which leaves me thinking, when is Malaysia ever gonna reach that level?

With that in mind, how does one actually start out? What do you need? How much will it cost to run a game company?
And if we already have local game developers, why have they not earn a place alongside big names like Obsidian Entertainment, Visceral Games, Naughty Dog, and so on. Don't get me wrong, developing a game involves tremendous amount of hard work and patience. But I think Malaysia has some brilliant minds and if given the opportunity, could reach that level some day, if not sooner. Not to mention that some of our colleges and universities are already offering courses in game designing, 3D development and what not.

Anywho, just thinking out loud. Would appreciate the opinions shared here. And who knows, maybe opportunities might be made here and that one day, a game development company could be formed, and we'd come up with an awesome game that the whole world will know of. Just sayin'

RM2 million cash wil be enough to start a company designing games.

Call me if u hv the cash.


Tx

This post has been edited by rattan: Jan 10 2011, 12:45 AM

we do have a local codemaster team here, but they focus on the art side

and local devs would need to start small with indie games before they join the big boys

I program iPhone games for a small company. Always wanted to work in the games industry.

If you want to go Indie (one or few developers) you can save a lot of money. But it's also tough, you need to be talented and make an original interesting game to make money.

And how long does it take for you to develop an iPhone game generally? I know the duration and scope of work depends on the game itself. But just need an estimate. I too have wanted to work in the games industry. Perhaps now is a good time.

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Added on January 10, 2011, 2:17 amYeah I do see that trend going on. And that's probably the most practical way. Considering that path at the moment.

This post has been edited by Dogma18: Jan 10 2011, 02:17 AM

I'm trying my luck too.. I already have a company..kinda..

For mobile gaming, devs usually have to have a shorter turn around time. They probably develop games in a month or so the most. The games are sold at a very low price point hence they have to keep development costs low and development times short. It's just the nature of the mobile gaming market.

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Added on January 10, 2011, 2:32 amThere is a reason why the west has so many good game designer. They make games. End of story. By the time they think about setting up their own studio they would have got a lot of experience and know how. It is extremely vital to just start making games. And no...it's not that difficult. As long as you have some basic programming knowledge you can pick up some pretty easy to use tools to make games. What's difficult is... well, you'll see for yourself when you start making them. I don't want to spoil it for you.

This post has been edited by frags: Jan 10 2011, 02:32 AM

Here's the thing, you can't start up a games development house just by thinking "I want to make games". You gotta have a plan beyond just the idea of just making games.

You gotta have direction, purpose and proper management to make sure that you can develop a game because it IS a serious undertaking.

So far, I think the only local studios that have done anything original was Phoenix Studios (Of Fung Wan Online) and they have since long closed shop.

I hear so many people say they want to make games but when asked for details and other pertinent information, they just come out blank.

All it needs is an idea and the desire to execute that idea. If you don't have that then your brand new Malaysian games studio will just be destined to do kiddie ports for big games or asset production.

So, the obvious route would be, the indie route. Plan out the game you intend to make. Think of the tools and platform you're going to be using and then see if you can do it yourself or hire someone if need be. The point is TAKE INITIATIVE. Nobody's going to hold your hand to make a game and if you want to be a proper games development house, you HAVE to start at the individual level first. Just look at notch (Minecraft) and Chris Park (AI War). Both these fellas started out solo, but once they became established, then sought to expand their efforts into a proper business.

Alternatively, there's always the modding method (Which is very high risk with little reward). Start a mod team. Again you'll need to have a game in mind to make before embarking on this as well... Except that since you're building a mod, its a lot easier and cheaper since you don't have to pay anyone. Make one that's successful enough and then you've got a shot at commercializing it. Just ask Tripwire (Red Orchestra, Killing Floor) and Black Cat Games (Alien Swarm).

Wanting a game studio for the sake of having a game studio to your name just sounds foolish... You'll need far more than that... Get that, then you've got a good headstart over everyone else.

heh, H@H@ may sound harsh, but its the truth buddy

alot famous game maker start their game merely as hobby
Game like indy doesnt need to be graphic wise, just need "unique-ness"

Only them I think, bless them. Ubisoft went to Singapore. So close, yet so far.

Around 3 months from proposal, testing then conception. Do you have any programming experience by the way?

This post has been edited by Andrew Lim: Jan 10 2011, 09:20 AM

I always wanted to do game programming but got stucked with normal software programming. Normally I work alone on my projects but for game project, I can code but I cant draw so its pretty much nothing as well..even the coding part, I think I can make 2D games only especially I'm still stuck with VB.NET(actually it also can make quite good game) and now my 1st year degree, only I started to learn C++.

Another thing was the idea. I happen to came out with a idea of making multiplayer minesweeper. Not just people fight for score. Its like turn based. In a game, you can choose to bring like 4 special skill to the better ground. You can plant new bomb where enemy duno it but you know where is it. So its like see who make the wrong step 1st etc. It was built with multiplayer in mind so I finished the login and game lobby part(with the server console as well. It actually running with ability to retrieve current game, chat in game lobby and login with correct user/pass) and no more than that (Was thinking how to make the minesweeper game with so many picture boxes I need to put). It is my 1st time trying to program game and finally I failed. Dream too big, maybe had to start with single player game with online scoreboard.

This post has been edited by sasaug: Jan 10 2011, 10:27 AM

Yeah game programming is hard. It's not easy to create a fun game with good graphics.

It's good to start out with simple games. I started out with Tic-Tac-Toe then progressed to making an AI to play Minesweeper Flags. Although these projects were small, they helped buff up my resume and nail a game programming job.

But now I want to do my own indie game because working for a company has a lot of disadvantages.

currently I'm working on my coursework project creating games for directX 9 , hell so many things need to learn about this API =.=! not yet dx11 lol.

my alpha build screenshot lol..



This post has been edited by Mr.Botz: Jan 10 2011, 10:57 AM

Well said. And I fully agree, so this isn't just some passing statement. I wanna research as much as I can and what is needed. Hence the topic.

I unfortunately, don't have the skills to program a game. What I do have is an idea. A few actually. That's why I need a team.
But it's the intricacies of starting out a game company that I'm ignorant about. And I'm not afraid to admit that. Which is why I'd be grateful for any advice given.

I only have one thing to say ...

Don't try it in Malaysia.

No I don't. I'm planning to source out some.

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Added on January 10, 2011, 11:05 amWhile I appreciate your participation in this thread, I would rather you explain to me why I shouldn't try it in Malaysia and not just simply saying it.

This post has been edited by Dogma18: Jan 10 2011, 11:05 AM

haha generally malaysia workforce still way lack of the knowledge in game designing n 2 make matters worse,,,job opportunity 4 graduates with game development degree is very slim here...that is also the reason y we dont c malaysian representative in CES bcoz we just dont have the skill set 2 develop new gadgets while competing with the big boys...if only we can make high quality local made cellphone,,,i long ago ardy throw my nokia phone 2 the dustbin dy shows u y there is no nokia phones in japan n korea bcoz their local phone is way better than foreign phones n their people r big supporter of their local made cellphone...this also apply 2 games haha my 2 sens

This post has been edited by skylinegtr34rule4life: Jan 10 2011, 11:40 AM

What problems have you faced so far? And how long have you been doing it?

Then, get some programming, artistic or management skills. You cant just run a development team, as you have no skills at all. I worked with mod teams before (in DoW1 community), every single leader(compiler in IDH mod, thudmeizer in AI Mod,mastrorobertus in SL Mod) in the community have some amazing skills like programming, hacking, modelling or something. If you dont have any skills, how you gonna lead the team if you dont even know how things works.

Developing a game isnt as easy as you think and it is not the same as playing a game. Playing a game is fun, but developing isnt the same, as you are looking at that small aspect almost everyday, trying to debug it or code new features. I was with AI testing, where i have to play a race(which was Imperial Guard, as it's AI is very broken, and i was good with them in multiplayer) daily, just to figure out what build orders to implement for the AI. If not, i usually just run a script that force the Player 1 of the game, to be run by the AI, where technically im watching how the AI play to find how many face palming actions the AI is doing like the AI decides to spend the rest of the day building infinite bunkers for some weird reasons. So that another Polish guy, Larkin can code or debug the AI.

I have almost no programming skills, which means i cant code lua scripts, where i just stuck as a AI tester, sucks in a way, but it gives me an eye opener where game development isnt for me. It's not that fun coding the AI, as it's pretty tedious due to the amount of probabilities and the amount of time needed for testing. At the end, you got a pretty similar to human AI, where it micros, retreat dying units, have multiple build order, uses every single thing in the game and so on. It feels damn natural and it wipes typical players all over the floor. It does feel damn good, but im not keen about having game development as my future career. Thats why i say, games are fun to play, but developing it isnt the same as playing in almost every way.

Also, the way you write the post, it makes me feel as if you just woke up one day and say:" OH YEH, im gonna make a game. lulz". Seriously, the way you are now, i think i'll salute you if you have some sort of semi working alpha as i really have no confidence that you will achieve anything, without any skills at all. Ideas alone wont get you anywhere, as you can see in various modding community(not just DoW, also applies in UT, Total War and so on), where people with ideas only, but no skills, they wont get anywhere. You need skills, to bring your ideas into code.

I think, what you should do now is, get some programming skills and start the work yourself as an indie or better, join a mod team, as they always need people with skills. Then, slowly build whatever you are thinking to do, at the same time, decide whether this is for you or not.

Btw, long live, Imperial Guard!!!!