whoah thats soo like a  free suckup to Game Institute

Hi guys, can i join?? I've just found this thread.

Okay let's put it this way...I'm a bit like Hunt...too old to be changing careers(actually for Hunt, 24 is NOT TOO OLD!!!)....but i DID dabble in the industry for a short period and actually make some working demos.

But now, all my C++ and DX is but a distant memories...still i like to see u young guys to succeed, where i did not.

U know, if u guys are really serious, you really should start a simple project to get the ball rolling. Even a simple space invader game is good enough. Don't be over ambitious, start simple and progress from there.

I can contribute where possible, if only as a hobby, but I doubt i can do much now...too old and not enough time!!! LOL.

As for game designer vs game programming, i believe both are quite different. However, it's the people with the tech skill that is most lacking now.

In this age, a single person hiding in the basement to work on a project for 5 years (something mentioned by Cheese i think) doesn't works anymore. Time to market is very important. That is why many companies are taking the easy route by buying license for game engines. I fully agree to this...no point in re-inventing the wheel unless your wheel can fly!!

Unfortunately, these license cost millions(USD) and unless you've a solid team with experience, it is a very high risk.

For noobs, with no experience, no exposure and NO MONEY (LOL!), this is definitely a no-solution.

Okay, enough for now, later guys.

sometimes u don need to have a team of 50 - 100 people to create a good game... who knows one freelancer working on a game by himself (maybe with the help of some other ppl) may create a hit game..., sometimes big corporations know nothing about the fun in games

Where do u guys get the info for these sites? game magazines?
Well thanks for the comment matrix. IMO working in your basement can be hard but the results it wields can sometimes be fantastic (given if youre working expert in gaming) for example: project offset.

Another market that  small timer can go for is mobile phone games. They're 2D and easy to make. But you've to find a way to distribute and sell the game via those mobile service provider.

Sorry. What is project offset? Care to point a link?

Another market that small timer can go for is mobile phone games. They're 2D and easy to make.

is there any future for our local game programmers in malaysia?
as far as i m concern we can't compare to EA games, blizzard, westwood, etc

Good question.

The Answer is: Not much. Unless you intend to go overseas and start your carreer there. Otherwise....tough luck dude.

btw, i believe there were two Penang guys who was involved in the development of one of the Need for Speed games from EA.

Also, local game soft house GameBrains(probably THE game soft house in Malaysia) also a developer for EA and has publish some Gameboy games. No console game yet i believed.

I'll say the prospect is very, very bright. since there are no real big players over here (SEA region) it's easier to break through than over in the US. although surviving is another thing lah. I was reading an interview with one of the australian indie game companies here in Brisbane and he said something like it is hard to persuade publishers to come all the way to australia when they can just get games over there, cheaper and faster.

as for the NFS thing, yeah I noticed one Msian guy (I think he's in the US) worked on the NFS game where they have polices and all... the first one. But yeah I'm not surprised if he doesn't work there anymore.. EA's a sweatshop if you don't know. Read ea_spouse's blog if you haven't, this situation is pretty much common nowadays in the gaming industry. So think twice what you are getting into

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