Evaluate my plan, part 2

>From: Lala
>Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 10:08 PM
>Subject: Re: How do you think about my plans next step
>Hi,I am sorry for delaying.
>As for entry jobs, I can do any of the following: level design, writer, translater(localisation), programing(I know some flash)
>But I consider the most possible be the level design assistant, I might do some relative work for show. Do you think it is a good entry job plan?
>Thank you in advance.

Hello Lala,
So you're saying you'll build a level design portfolio and seek entry into the game business through level design. Fine, but I don't think the plan is complete -- I think you have to not do any of the things in FAQ 24, and do as many things as possible from FAQ 27.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
Bastille Day, 2009

Confused about Intellectual Property law, part 2

From: "silvangl"
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 11:03 AM
Subject: Re: Confused about Intellectual Property law
> Hello there!
> I'm glad to see Your response.
>> Your email was extremely wordy. I just skimmed through it looking for
> question marks.
> Sorry if that was a problem. I tend to explain things as precise as I can
> when asking a question.
> Besides Your site (and FAQ) has earned quite a reputation - people are often
> giving links to it to those who seek an advice :)
>
>> No. You're not "safe" doing much of anything. Anybody can sue you anytime,
> for anything. > Everything in business is a calculated risk. Talk to a
> lawyer.
>> I recommend you buy the Nolo Press(...)
> I undoubtly will. The reason I asked You, is that releasing a product (game)
> into public instantly makes it available via internet in all places, and
> America is quite a big market.
>
> One of my major concer is EULA, or rather what is written in such documents.
> As a person who worked in game biz, You are likely to have seen, or heard
> about issues with EULAs.
> an example quote:
> (...)You may not decompile, modify, reverse engineer, disassemble or
> otherwise reproduce the Software. You may not copy, rent, lend, lease,
> sublicense, distribute, publicly display, create derivative works based
> upon the Software (...)
> which makes activity as "modding" or creating fan site(non profit) illegall
> unless company states otherwise in EULA.
>
> as well as this:
> (...)If you Distribute, or permit others to Distribute, your Variations, you
> hereby grant back to XXX and YYY an irrevocable royalty-free right to use
> and distribute such Variations by any means, and to make such modifications
> thereto as XXX and/or YYY deem are necessary to package, combine, and
> otherwise distribute such Variations.(...)
>
> will cut the quote here, but this means, in other words, that if one makes
> some super-mod, they(company) can sell it (or do whatever they want to,
> really), because its theirs now.
> Q: Here is the actuall question - You said in Your FAQ, that one way of
> getting into business is to make mods - BUT, when You do one which is
> subject to such EULA as quoted above, it is a property of a GAME COMPANY who
> owns actuall product You made a mod for. It seems like having a great game
> idea and doing a mod with it, is a waste of this idea. Am I getting this
> right?
>
> Q: In that case, If someone has an actuall copyrighted story (his/her
> property)and will put it into a mod for some game, than who, at the very
> moment the mod was released, owns a right to that story?
>
> Q:If I'm an author of some populat books, but also a fan of a certain game,
> then by making a mod for a game with such EULA, I'm basically giving them
> FOR FREE rights to do anything they want with my copyrighted IP, they can
> sell it saying "lolz, this mod is based on a popular book 'xxx in yyy', pay
> us 15$ to play it" because it is theirs?
>
> Please clarify this if You can.
> Q: Will You call making a free mod out of Your own IP for some other company
> rather stupid, or is it still protected?
> Q: Am I giving them right to pwn my work and make profit from it just
> because they said so? Q: Or is that they can sue me for an attempt to
> promote my own IP using their property?
> Q: Did You saw anything like that happen during Your past industry
> experience?
>
> Another question which occured to me when I was reading Your FAQ was about
> that case of names for a game.
> Q: There are millions upon millions of freeware software and games relased
> into the internet - did You ever saw that a major game company had to
> re-design their title just because they've learned that someone published
> flash game with identical one?
> Q: Are these companies keeping track of actuall "names of the games" used
> throughout the world (this seems impossible)?
> Regards,
> Evander

Witaj, Evander.
Among the many words you wrote I found these questions:

You said in Your FAQ, that one way of
> getting into business is to make mods - BUT, when You do one which is
> subject to such EULA as quoted above, it is a property of a GAME COMPANY who
> owns actuall product You made a mod for. It seems like having a great game
> idea and doing a mod with it, is a waste of this idea. Am I getting this
> right?
I said that one way of getting into THE industry (to get a JOB in the industry, or to get contracts as a developer) is to make mods FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO. NOT TO TRY TO SELL THEM. Not to "get into business," like as a publisher for instance.

If someone has an actuall copyrighted story (his/her
> property)and will put it into a mod for some game, than who, at the very
> moment the mod was released, owns a right to that story?
It depends on the contracts. In general, the author of the story is the copyright owner. But the right to sell the overall work is probably subject to the contracts.

If I'm an author of some populat books, but also a fan of a certain game,
> then by making a mod for a game with such EULA, I'm basically giving them
> FOR FREE rights to do anything they want with my copyrighted IP, they can
> sell it saying "lolz, this mod is based on a popular book 'xxx in yyy', pay
> us 15$ to play it" because it is theirs?
All EULAs are different. And did you ever hear of "negotiation"?

I have to say, I get the impression that my FAQ is your first exposure to IP law. Your email yesterday sounded like you read my FAQ, did not go read anything else about IP law, got flabbergasted and disgusted by your understanding of my FAQ, and wrote me demanding explanations. I'm glad you had a night to sleep on it since your first reading of my FAQ. But I really think you need to do lots more reading. Like Mona's "Under Development Law" blog (there's a link to it in the FAQ), for instance. And that book. Even Wikipedia.

Will You call making a free mod out of Your own IP for some other company
> rather stupid, or is it still protected?
Obviously I don't think it's stupid. What would be stupid would be to try to go into business selling mods in violation of EULAs without even trying to negotiate permission to sell them. What would be stupid would be to think that a good business could be made from selling one mod. Read FAQ 29.

Am I giving them right to pwn my work and make profit from it just
> because they said so? Q: Or is that they can sue me for an attempt to
> promote my own IP using their property?
> Q: Did You saw anything like that happen during Your past industry
> experience?
I'm not answering these. I think I've already explained enough above.

There are millions upon millions of freeware software and games relased
> into the internet - did You ever saw that a major game company had to
> re-design their title just because they've learned that someone published
> flash game with identical one?
You need to read about trademarks. Go on, read about them on other websites. MY explanation of trademark is just to open the eyes of raw beginners to the game industry. To fill your brain, you need to go look on a legal website.

Are these companies keeping track of actuall "names of the games" used
> throughout the world (this seems impossible)?
Trademark offices keep track of those. Read more!

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
Bastille Day, 2009

Confused about Intellectual Property law

From: "naki"
Sent: Monday, July 13, 2009 2:01 PM
Subject: A question about IP and name of the game
> Good day,
> I'm one of many people that are chopping their way
> into the gaming industry through many bushes and cannibals on thei way.
>
> I've read most of Your FAQ sections, and - yes some are quite informative,
> but some left me with a sense of paranoia about IPs.
>
> Before I'll ask my question, here is my age: 27.
> I've been creating "intelectual contents" in mods or as a concepts for some
> companies already, but recently decided to move into indie segment and
> become my own "boss".
>
> So here is the problem (and for sake of IPs lets use an imaginatory
> examples):
> - I have a concept for a huge mmo-like game, that has been around for some
> time. Concept includes almost everything that is required for a decent game:
> skills, classes, world etc. I have also camed up with a name for that game,
> which is a name of a certain "entity" inside the game world.
>
> Lets assume I'm about to create a game, with a name "Fireman". Name of a
> game comes from a entity inside the game world, a mythical "Fireman" who
> brought fire, warm and vision to the world. Action is set in, lets say,
> cyber punk genre - space ships, lasers etc.
>
> Then, when I did a search over the internet for my 5y old niece for some
> games for small kids, I've found a game named "Fireman". A free, flash-based
> game, where You had a fireman shooting a bursts of water on incoming burning
> items. Kinda like old-school galaxy game.
>
> So there is a question:
> Am I safe to copyright, publish and make money from my own concept, from my
> own unique and elaborate product with the same name as the quite crude and
> free flash game?
>
> We assume (and not without reasons) that both game concepts were:
> - developed independly of each other,
> - have totally different gameplay, genre etc (are totally defferent games)
> - reasons for putting a name "Fireman" were different.
>
> I have been reading through Your FAQs and so far I came up with a
> conclusion, that game (movie, music etc) industry is very paranoid about
> their "intelectual" property and the way they are "copyrighting" it is
> sometimes morally questionable.
>
> Let me use some very popular example - a car.
> None of motor companies actually own an exclusive rights to make a "car".
> They sure have their brands and names, but they all do make "cars". And when
> You buy a car, You can:
> - Paint it pink, or any other color You want
> - Carry as many luggages and passengers as You want
> - Put on any tires You want
> - Change color and types of seats to any other You want.
> - Make a wood model using piece of wood and a knife of something like a car
> for your kid: 4 wheels, seats and so on (general concept, no actuall
> resemblance to the particullar car You have).
> - Rip off some parts of engine and attach them to a bike for non-profit
> actions (like riding around with that part attached)
>
> On the other hand, companies who say that games are like cars act like this:
> - You can have Your car in any color - so long as it is black
> - You can carry as many passengers as You want - so long as it is no more
> than two
> - You can put on any tires You want - as long as they are the only one
> company allows You to use.
> - You cannot use Your car without a seats (goes again EULA). And You
> absolutelly CANNOT remove seats from car and use them as a garden chairs,
> for a garden party.
> - You cannot make a wooden model of this car, unless it will be without four
> wheels, seats etc.
> - You actually cannot do anything with any part of Your car, even tho You
> bought it as a "product", other than stated in EULA.
> - And of course, every part is still a property of their manufacturer, and
> they can change Your rights to use the car at any moment.
>
> Please clarify this for me (all of us?), because from what I've red, It
> really seems like I can make a flash game named "Fireman" and than sue any
> working men and women, whose duty is to protect other people from fire, for
> using/copying/etc my COPYRIGHTED intelectuall content.
> Or even make 26 games named like a letters of alphabet and then sue eveyone
> for using my intelectual property.
>
> Is there any law, that prohibits the copyrighting of a commonly used terms,
> expressions or parts of langue as registered or licensed trademarks, brands
> etc ?
> Surerly a name of a company, like "Apple Computers" is quite a unique, but
> if they were named just "Apple", then according to what You have said in
> Your FAQs, they would be able to sue almost any apple-producing farmer for
> using their name for commercial products (which bear great similarity to
> their logo btw).
>
> Is there any common sense left in rights that regulate Intellectual
> Property?
> Regards,
> Evander
> ps.
> Oh and by the way, on the topic of using our "real-life" names:
> Some of us can be associated with some content elsewhere; while asking for
> Your help/advice we would like to separate our current problem from that
> "other" content.

Hello, Evander. Witaj.
Your email was extremely wordy. I just skimmed through it looking for question marks.

Am I safe to [deleted]?
No. You're not "safe" doing much of anything. Anybody can sue you anytime, for anything. Everything in business is a calculated risk. Talk to a lawyer.

Please clarify this for me (all of us?), because from what I've red, It
> really seems like I can make a flash game named "Fireman" and than sue any
> working men and women, whose duty is to protect other people from fire, for
> using/copying/etc my COPYRIGHTED intelectuall content.
You can sue - you can file a lawsuit - but you won't win such a frivolous suit. At least that's how it works in America. I don't know anything about the laws in Poland. Talk to an attorney.

Is there any law, that prohibits the copyrighting of a commonly used terms,
> expressions or parts of langue as registered or licensed trademarks, brands
> etc ?
I recommend you buy the Nolo Press book I recommended in FAQ 8.

Is there any common sense left in rights that regulate Intellectual
> Property?
I can't answer that. I recommend you buy that book. And if you're going to be in the business of making games, part of the cost of business is having an attorney.

I only replied to the places in your email where I found a "?" - so I probably missed a lot. But the answers I gave above surely disappoint you anyway. If you have further questions, and they are ones I really can answer, you're welcome to ask them, but please make it brief, with one or more clearly painted targets.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 13, 2009

How's programming for an entry path to game design?

>From: Ramun
>Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 8:07 AM
>Subject: Game Industry Q+A
>I understand that, in order for you to give me the best answer suited to my unique situation, you need to know that...
>My approximate age is: 17
>The level of education I've completed is: Still in high school
>My occupation (if student, enter 'student') is: student
>The type of game job I aspire to (if applicable) is: Game Designer or Programmer
>My game biz question is: Up until recently I was under the impression that to design games you had to be a programmer. I thought there was no way there would be someone who just came up with the game and had people make it(I know it's more detailed, but I'm being brief). Now, the whole reason I wanted to get into the game industry is to relay my ideas for games and maybe someday be able to see them become real. Now I believe a Game Designer is more closely what I would like to do. As you said though, you need an entry level job to get in, game testing being the most discussed way. I do not live close to any game industries, and to move to another state to get a low paying game testing job, with maybe 5 years and slim chances to become a game designer, does not sound smart to me. That is why I would want to have a more stable job I could rely on if game designing doesn't go well. What I would like to know if it is realistic to get hired as a programmer, then aspire to Game Designer? Especially since, from my knowledge, a programmer is usually paid more than the designer. As jobs are very specialized nowadays, I'm not sure if it's possible to be a programmer and help in the design of the game. What would you advise me to do?
>Also I'm sorry the question took so much text to relay, but I felt it necessary to give that amount of information for you to understand the situation fully. Thank you for your time.

Hi Ramun, you wrote:

I'm sorry the question took so much text to relay, but I felt it necessary to give that amount of information for you to understand the situation fully.
Oh yeah? How about this:

I want to become a game designer but I don't want to break in through QA. Can a game programmer move laterally into game design?
But of course! Even better! Read FAQ 14, and look at the egg diagram in FAQ 41. The FAQs are above left.

The thing you didn't mention was whether you have any passion or talent for programming. You might not think those would be important, but it's unlikely you'd be able to become a game programmer without them.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
7/11, 2009

What is interning, what's volunteering, and what's a tour

>From: M. E.
>Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 2:27 AM
>Subject: Game Industry Q+A [Re: Internships, Volunteering, and... Tours. A question from a younger Sloperama enthusiast.]
>Hello Tom,
>I am extremely passionate about becoming a video game designer when I grow up (I am currently 16), and plan on entering the industry by first becoming an intern, then a level designer (with a university education, masters/Ph.D.). I am currently studying in a program called the International Baccalaureate, and have been receiving top grades. It's just a pompous way of saying I care.
>My question for you is regarding the rediculously broad term: free experience. By that, I refer to experience one might gain by becoming an intern, or a volunteer, or even someone who takes a guided tour at a (local) video game company. As my parents might say, there is plenty to gain in either of those three activities. But, as I might say, what is that exactly?
>Now, you may have noticed that the first step in my career path was an internship (beyond education alone), but let's be honest. I don't really even understand what that means, especially what it can do for me from a political/social point of view, if anything at all. It's equivilent to a 12 year old who is singing a rap song about love.
>Ex: If I am able to get an internship while at university, why should I care? I am already aware of the fact that it shows more dedication than someone who didn't, it gets your foot in the door, and allows you to start networking, but is there anything else that I am missing here? I was given the impression (by my parents) that an internship could give me some very valuable experience or knowledge about the innerworkings of the video game biz. Were my parents wrong? The "Why should I care?" question also applies to either or all of the other two options (volunteer/tour), but I realize that since those two questions are so vague (or as FAQ #3 taught me: bad) I will probably be getting a vague (read: bad) answer. Oh well.
>My e-mail up until this point has been very brief regarding my own situation, and that's mainly because I don't know where I am headed yet. Beyond my dreams of becoming a video game designer (and I can't emphasize it enough, I will be a video game designer when I grow up), and to receive a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology, I don't have much else. What sprung this question on for me, is that I have some ties to an executive at Ubisoft (plus a couple of other, much smaller companies), and I would like to exploit that. I would also like to try for an internship there at some point as well. There might be quite a bit more to offer from said "ties to an executive," but if that is the case, I am not aware of it. Enlighten me >.<
>P.S. If you read this e-mail, but are not going to respond (incoming paradox), please respond. I would really appreciate it.

Hello, M.,
Wow, you sure are a wordy cuss! Here, let me rewrite your email, then answer your question:

Hello Tom,
I'm # years old, I'm a student in my #th year studying S. I aspire to become a game designer. I've been advised to get an internship and/or volunteer and/or take a guided tour at a local video game company. But I don't know what any of those things are. Enlighten me, please.

See? Is that so hard?

Interning - An intern is a college senior, usually, who does work in a very junior position at a company for little or no pay. This work may be temporary (like a summer job) or part-time (while continuing studies). You get an internship the same way you get a job - by applying for it.

Volunteering - I don't know what your advisor(s) had in mind. But I can think of two ways one can "volunteer." No, three.
1. GDC - An excellent way to experience the Game Developers Conference (or any industry event) is to volunteer to work at the conference. The work usually isn't full-time, and you wind up getting perks - you can meet the pros and network, maybe even hear some great lectures or panel discussions.
2. Indie games - Work with other interested novices on building an indie game. You ought to do this anyway.
3. While employed or while interning, you're working on the job you were assigned to do, but you also look for opportunities to help out in extra ways - ways that do not interfere with your ability to fulfill your job assignment.

Getting a tour of a game company - It ought to be self-explanatory what this is, so I won't bother explaining that part. How to get one? Well, you could try just asking for one, but you're more likely to get one if you network. Join the local IGDA chapter. If there isn't one, form it yourself. Figure it out from there.

Any other questions for me? Please keep'em short. I'm busy!

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
7/11, 2009

Which would be cheaper, part 2

>From: donnie
>Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2009 7:52 AM
>Subject: Re: Pay someone else to create a game, or hire a team?
>Hey Tom,
>My apologizes on the poorly written question. Lets try this again. I think what I am trying to ask is:
>Is the indie approach or the professional approach better for business in the long run? Can a mix of the two be done?
>Which option requires more risk?
>Please note: I am not trying to get out of doing hard work, I don't mind doing hard work. I just don't want to wait ten years before I get to start doing the hard work on my game.

Hi Donnie,
Your questions are still not making any sense.

Is the indie approach or the professional approach better for business in the long run?
You're going to have to rephrase. I can't make sense of this question. What do you mean by "indie approach" - how does your hypothetical indie team make money? What do you mean by "professional approach"? I have no idea what that means. I wrote about professionalism in FAQ 9 - professionalism applies to individuals. And you're going to have to define "better for business" too - what is the desired goal of the business? Presumably it's to sell this one game and make a profit from it. It don't work that way. You can't make a business from one game. Did you read that September '08 column?

Which option requires more risk?
Risk is not something one "requires." Risk is something one cannot avoid. The word you want is "entails" (not "requires"). Since I don't know what your two proposed choices are, I can't answer the question.

Can a mix of the two be done?
This is Frequently Asked Question #50.

I just don't want to wait ten years before I get to start doing the hard work on my game.
Uh-huh. Okay, a couple things.
1. An action shouldn't be taken before you're ready to take it.
2. Number 1 above aside, what is stopping you from starting on it now? (Think carefully about the numerous things that the word "starting" might mean.)
3. Numbers 1 and 2 above aside, you may never get to build and complete that particular game idea.
4. You should not pin all your hopes and dreams on one game idea. You should document the idea as far as your passion will take you, then put it aside (as I wrote in that FAQ I pointed you to), then write more ideas. All the while, continue to study and to develop your skills and to prepare for your career.
5. You gotta get beyond this "I want everything and I want it now" attitude. The world doesn't cooperate readily with any individual's desire for instant gratification. You need to learn patience, Grasshopper.
6. I suspect you're looking for simple answers to complex, broad issues. Simple answers are easier to get if you ask more focused questions. I'm still not sure what you're really trying to find out - what's the context of your question, why are you asking? What is it you hope to do with the answers you get? I can't help you if I don't know these things. And you don't need to write me a book to convey it all, either. Find a way to paint me a clear target to shoot at.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 9, 2009

Which would be cheaper?

>From: donnie
>Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2009 8:42 PM
>Subject: Pay someone else to create a game, or hire a team?
>I understand that, in order for you to give me the best answer suited to my unique situation, you need to know that...
>My approximate age is: I have recently turned 17 years old.
>The level of education I've completed is: I am either a juinor or senior(I forget) highschool stuent and freshman at local community college.
>My occupation (if student, enter 'student') is: I am a student.
>The type of game job I aspire to (if applicable) is: I plan to become a game designer.
>My game biz question is:
>Hey Tom,
>I'm going to ask you a hypothetical question.
> If a person was to one day start up a business creating games. Would it be cheaper(in the long run) for them to pay a developer to create a high quality game for them for more, then after the money starts rolling in from that game(we are assuming it did well in the market). Be able to hire a team with the skills to match the first game and continue making other games, or building off of the first one(if it happens to be an online game or one that has /needs updates/patches/expansions).
>OR
> Would it be cheaper(in the long run) to start up a business, hire a mediocre team(because professionals may not want to work with someone with nothing substantial on their resume) and create a sub-par game, which happens to do well for itself, but not as well as if had been more polished with people whom knew exactly what they were doing, and continue on making better and better games, or updating their old one until they get to the level of real professionalism.
>-Dasha

Hi Dasha,
So, your question for me today is (I'm paraphrasing, and I'm omitting an unanswerable part of your question):

Which of these two is cheaper than the other:
Pay a professional developer to develop a game of high quality, OR:
Build an in-house team and develop a game of lower quality.

Number 2 would probably be cheaper, but that assumes that your team will actually succeed in making and finishing something before you burn through all the money it would have cost you to go with number 1. An inexperienced team can burn through money by dint of a long learning curve, false starts, do-overs, and morale troubles.

That was easy. Note that I omitted a lot of stuff from your question, because your question assumed a lot of stuff that's unrealistic, and/or you were asking me to suspend my disbelief and answer an unrealistic hypothetical with another unrealistic hypothetical. Also, the way you stated the two choices was so convoluted that it was difficult to sort out all the variables you were positing.

Dasha, I recommend you read these:
- FAQ 29 (the FAQs are above left)
- FAQ 60
- My September 2008 column - http://www.igda.org/games-game
- FAQ 52
- FAQ 65

After you've read those, if you want to rephrase your question, go ahead and ask. I'd be very interested to see what your REAL question is. (Because, to be truthful, I don't see how the answer to the question you asked today could be useful to you.) Standing by for your next question...

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
7/8/9

Everybody is telling me I have to study CS, part 5

>From: Juli
>Sent: Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:12 PM
>Subject: RE: University courses --> Job opportunities? (5)
>Hello again!
>Sorry for the long response but I recently came back from vacation with internet cafe's being my sole outside world communication.
>Well, no, I havent read all of your FAQ last mails. Exam season was in, and I just recently found this page. I still bothered you for quick answers as I was pressured by my advisorto conclude before vacation, so I only read the ones that seemed most important. Well, I failed, too bad for him.
>
>Now I have quite a lot of time to look and figure something out and read all the FAQ
>
>After asking my sisters friends, many who take CS, I got an answer: Heck no. The only reason I considered it was that I thought it would teach me what I needed for GD (more than a GD course which some game studios such as Blitz games told me are kind of worthless teaching a bit of program and a bit of animation). Programming is kinda fun, but only in school context I realized- the only fun is using limited code knowledge (basic commands) to find a way to create something more sophisticated. Kinda like a logic puzzle, a sudoku for example. Doesn't seem that way at a proffessional level... all the fun is out.
>Yet I found a much nicer way of breaking in. I still need to look more on it, but 'Product design and innovation' (some with marketing as well) teach many fun aspects of design and probably most of the raw design skillset needed, and in case something happens, there are still lots of fun jobs in the field. Perhaps a game related masters , but thats something for later. Ill still continue with game-related design on my time, finish my project with rpgmaker and maybe going to something more sophisticated later.
>
>Well, the reason I didn't make a grid like you recommended was that I didn't have enough knowledge as to whether factor X was actually an advantage or disadvantage. What I was looking for was not 'which is a better choice for me', but more of a 'is this actually an advantage for later making a decision or grid' (such as is the material learned in a CS course beneficial to the GD field versus a GD course)
>
>Well, uh.. bye for now, and I hope not to have any more questions
>
>(btw, the bit about I like doing everything last mail came out badly, I meant I like a job that uses many different skills, something varied where you do different things different days.... dynamic might be a better word, especially when I compare it to my dad in finance. Although in general I do like change, learning many new things without going too deeply into one... heck, I usually ask to share dishes in restaurants rather than eating only one thing)
>-Juli

Juli,
Do you have a question for me? If so, what is it? If not, could you tell me in one sentence what the point of your last email was? One of my little quirks is very long emails. You said that you "only read the ones that seemed most important," and I do something similar. I skim long emails looking for questions I can answer.
BTW, in FAQ 70 I wrote about what to do when a variable in your decision grid is an unknown.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
The Fifth of July, 2009

Parts for my Game Time watch

>From: T██████ M████ - Madison, WI
>Sent: Friday, July 03, 2009 8:37 PM
>Subject: game time watch
>Greetings,
>I was cleaning out my parent's attic last week and I came across a tin box with a few of my treasured little toys from childhood. Among them was a GCE Game Time watch that I cherished.
>A funny story about the watch; I was given the watch for Christmas and I immediately took to the amazing capabilities. I was attending a one-room school house at the time. A winning combination - Kid in a work-on-your-own church basement school + A.D.D. + Game Time watch with silent mode! I don't know how many hours I was able to survive being in a church basement staring at a wall 5 days a week with this watch.
>The reason for my question is that when I was a kid, the buttons fell/broke off and I attempted to continue to play the watch using a pencil eraser. I am looking to find a replacement for the black rubber buttons. Any ideas?
>Thank you!
>Matthew P█████
>Madison, WI - USA

Nope!
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
The 4th of July, 2009

Questions about game development, part 2

>From: Jelle
>To: tom ( Game development)
>Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 7:36 AM
>Subject: RE: Questions about game veleloping .( not in perfect English, but close to it)
>hey tom,
>tnxs for the time of your repsonce!
>Ver usefull....
>I will not bodder you why I cant studie for an other 4 years...
>I hoped it was easy'er to make a game like "Thethelastknight/travian/tribalwars/.... "(www.thelastknights.com) then games like "World of Warrcraft " => Maybe that's why you think I'm crazy or something? I know I cant make games like Assasin creed, WoWarcraft, counterstrike or anything else. But I was hoping to hear that I was able to make a game like TLK, Travian or TW,if you really work hard and ....
>Kind Regards
>Jelle

Hello Jelle, you wrote:

tnxs for the time of your repsonce!
>Ver usefull....
You're welcome.

I will not bodder you why I cant studie for an other 4 years...
I don't care why you can't get a degree. Or is it another degree? I'm only confused as to whether or not you are really a scientist, that is to say someone who has a science degree and is employed in the sciences. I have to say, your questions don't support the possibility that that's what you really are.

I hoped it was easy'er to make a game like "Thethelastknight/travian/tribalwars/.... then games like "World of Warrcraft "
Of course it's easier to make a smaller difficult thing than a larger difficult thing.
Hmm, that statement is definitely open to dispute. Forget I said that. Yesterday I likened your goal of making an MMO all by yourself to, say, making a nuclear submarine all by yourself. Or making a rocketship all by yourself.
Well, is it easier for one person to make a small one-man submarine than it is for one person to build a globe-spanning nuclear submarine? Yes. Of course. All you have to do is be a nautical engineer and have a lot of money.
Is it easier for one person to make a small one-man craft capable of exiting the earth's gravitational field than it is for one person to build a vehicle capable of putting the Hubble telescope into orbit? Sure. Of course it is. All you have to do is learn everything there is to know about building rockets, and be very rich.

(www.thelastknights.com)
www.thelastknights.com redirects to http://play-my-games.info/ - a links site, a site that exists solely to make money from clicks and ads. You meant www.lastknights.com.

Maybe that's why you think I'm crazy or something?
No, the main problem with your post yesterday was your flippant response to my list of recommended subjects of study for aspiring game designers.
For example: My suggestion that an aspiring game designer take a class in Music Appreciation does not mean that if you like the Black-Eyed Peas you "appreciate music." That's not what it means to study Music Appreciation at all.

I know I cant make games like Assasin creed, WoWarcraft, counterstrike or anything else. But I was hoping to hear that I was able to make a game like TLK, Travian or TW,if you really work hard and ....
You sound just like "DeviousX," who posted a topic "Since Im new to the business, I have one question.." at GameDev's For Beginners forum.
1. I don't care what answer you hoped to hear. Hopes are not without value, but truthful facts are important.
2. Read FAQ 50. Anything is possible.
3. But to make an MMO all by yourself is going to require not only a lot of study and work but a lot of time as well. A lot of time will be wasted in mistakes, if you don't start smaller to gain knowledge. Even better would be to join forces with other people. In numbers, collaboration, and teamwork there is power.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 30, 2009

Questions about game development

>From: Jelle V
>Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 11:43 AM
>Subject: Questions about game veleloping .( not in perfect English, but close to it)
>Hello,
>First of all I want to congratulate you with your site www.sloperama.com.
>Its very learnfull, but also a little demoralizing. ;-)
>Secandly,
>I’m Jelle V from Belgium. (1985)
>I have started playing games since I had a surgery at my knee and then an other 1 and an an other one.
>So that's 6 years ago. With my experience I was thinking of creating my own game.
>It’s a massive multiplayer online game. ( Stats and conquer game.)I'm not into 3D games.
>But only I have the ideas but not the knowledge to develop the game entirely on my own.
>So there were 2 options.
>1) a) Search for somebody to develop the game for me. => ( Still on the search)
>2) b) Learn to make the game entirely on my own. => ( Starting to think about this)
>So I started to search the web for the necessary info.
>That’s when I dropped on your site!
>First of all.
>I’m really not able to studie for an other 4 years. Need money to live and I have a girlfriend who is still on High School So 1 of the 2 needs to bring some money at home!.
>So I was thinking to learn only the necessary for developing the game!
>These are the thinks you say you must have learned before creating a game.
>· Physics => I’m scientist so that’s fine
>· Math => I’m scientist so that’s fine
>· Psychology => I’m a team player
>· History => My cousin is Historicus ( WO specialized)
>· Drawing / Painting / Sculpture (learn how to make your own art) => I have real good friends who are in that business, and for my game and don’t really needs much paintings and drawings.
>· Music Appreciation => I like Led Zepplin, Eek a Mouse and lots of different kind of stylls
>· Writing => I Read every year over 20 books
>· Literature => I Read every year over 20 books
>· Mythology => I think you can do research for the subject of the game your developing
>· Foreign language (any language that interests you; especially one from a country where there are game developers) =>, Dutch, like you see basic English, and a little French, I understand german but cant speak it.
>· Computers (even if you want to design board games) => This is my problem!
>· Acting => No Idea why you need this for game development?
>· Playwriting / Screenwriting => I have my little secret book.
>· Film Appreciation => Same like the books only more
>· Public Speaking / Debate => Couth be a problem
>· Marketing / Salesmanship => My Sister Works as Manager for Kellogg’s( Serials)
>· Management / Leadership (especially, how to inspire and manage people) => Couth be a problem, No experience in this. Although I was Captain op the soccer team ;-)!( Congratz with you final place in the Confederation Cup, to bad they lost… )
>Like you see, probably the most important thing in the list, is the one I cant do.
>So I was thinking of doing a fast curse of the most important programs for developing a game. So my question is!
>Witch programs are being used for developing a Massive online player game. It’s a stats and conquer game. Like risk. Only a little more complex.
>I heard about flash adobe? But I cant believe that’s all I need?
>My second question is about the money.( yea I know always the money , the money … )
>I was just wandering!
>I read the part about the dude that called you for developing his game! There you say "Okay, so you have an idea - do you have money too?"
>So about how much money are you talking? Is this 10k or 100k?
>thanks for reading this and hopefully you can help me.
>Other wise you can use this on your site ;-)
>Kind Regards
>Jelle V

Hello Jelle, you wrote:

... your site www.sloperama.com.
>Its very learnfull, but also a little demoralizing. ;-)... I was thinking of creating my own game.
>It’s a massive multiplayer online game.
I'm sorry Jelle but my answer cannot help but "demoralize" you even more. For you, I fear that an MMO is an impossibly huge undertaking -- like if you wanted to build a nuclear submarine, or a rocketship. You need to readjust your sights. Aim to do something else besides "make an MMO without any game industry experience." Like for instance "get game industry experience, then get rich, then make an MMO."

I’m really not able to studie for an other 4 years... So I was thinking to learn only the necessary for developing the game!
If you want to make an entire game all by yourself, you need to study programming and art and business. If you want to join with other people to make a game together, then you can focus on one discipline to study. Read about the various types of jobs in the game industry (the various types of work involved in making games) in FAQ 7. The FAQs are above left.

These are the thinks you say you must have learned before creating a game.
No. Read it more carefully. Those are the things one must study if one wants to be a game designer. "Game Designer" is just one of the functions involved in making a game.

Physics => I’m scientist so that’s fine
>· Math => I’m scientist so that’s fine
You have a degree in science? This surprises and confuses me, since you said that you are "not able to studie for an other 4 years."

Psychology => I’m a team player
>· History => My cousin is Historicus ( WO specialized)
Look, I'm stopping going through this list. You have completely missed the point of my article. I don't think I will be able to explain to you why none of this is helpful.

Witch programs are being used for developing a Massive online player game.
You should read FAQ 56, and you should go on GameDev.net and read their beginner FAQs. http://www.gamedev.net/reference/start_here/

I read the part about the dude that called you for developing his game! There you say "Okay, so you have an idea - do you have money too?"
>So about how much money are you talking? Is this 10k or 100k?
I am not going to be able to help you, Jelle. I recommend you read those articles and readjust your goals more realistically.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 29, 2009

I was wondering if you knew about game testing as a temporary job and where I could look to find one.

>From: Morgan _____
>Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 8:35 PM
>Subject: Game Testing question
>Hello, my name is Morgan _____. I am 20 years old and a Junior Information Technology student at Abilene Christian University. I have a concentration in animation/game design. I plan to become a Game Designer, an Animator, or just about anything in between. I have a couple months left of summer left and I was looking for a job. I was wondering if you knew about game testing as a temporary job and where I could look to find one. I am currently living in Frisco, Texas with my parents (It is north of Dallas near Plano). I'm about to go look for "regular" jobs if this is not possible.
>Thanks ahead,
>Morgan _____

Hi Morgan, you wrote:

I was wondering if you knew about game testing as a temporary job
You were? Well, if you have already stopped wondering, I guess you've already read FAQ 5.

and where I could look to find one
Of course I do. You look for game jobs at... game companies!

I am currently living in Frisco, Texas with my parents (It is north of Dallas near Plano).
I have spent less time in Texas than I have spent in England or China (two places that I have not spent a lot of time in). I have probably never been in your part of Texas. I've driven across the northern part via the Interstate highway. And I've been to Austin once or twice. Look, if you want to research game companies' locations, do what I do -- use the game listings sites in my Game Biz Links page. You can access my FAQs and links page through the site links above left.

I'm about to go look for "regular" jobs if this is not possible.
You might want to pursue both options simultaneously. Good luck! Times is tough right now.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 25, 2009

Evaluate my plan

>From: Lala
>Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 7:16 AM
>Subject: How do you think about my plans next step
>Hi.
>My name is L.A.(weired name?), 22 years old in 3rd year for a BA on English Chinese translation in China. I am planning to get into
>I am planning to be a game designer, then a thoerist on game design, a game critics and a educator on game design in later years. I treat game design as an art in the most serious degree and plan to get it back to deserved position as a fine art among literature and painting and music.(Am i crazy?)
>I am going to get into this industry, I had read your wedsite but got more confused about education, you stressed on the importance of general education over any technological school, I agree on this, a man needs to be a developed man before being anything else. However, I think that game design requires a lot of knowledge on many fields for both inspration and developing the details of certain projects. So I think it would not be sufficent to have only one degree no matter for general knowledge or of so-called game design degree. It would be logical for me to persue another degree on literautre or philosophy or psychology. Do you agree with me? This is the first question.
>On the other side I am planning some solid preparation for the career. I am projecting the followings for a better Portfolio:
>a webstie where i publish my analyse and deconstruction for the existing games
>several games to writen down into decoments
>finish and publish several games(on my own)
>write an game design thoery article
>Do you find any problems with my plans, or others should new comers do?
>Thank you in advance.
>Yours,
>L.A.

Hello L.A., you wrote:

I am planning to be a game designer
And what is your entry plan? Since game design is not an entry level position, you need a way to break in to the industry. You haven't said what your breaking in plan is.

I had read your wedsite but got more confused about education, you stressed on the importance of general education over any technological school... I think that game design requires a lot of knowledge on many fields ...
You don't sound confused to me. That's what I said in FAQ 3. If you're confused about my stance on education for designers, re-read FAQs 3, 34, and 44 -- and my most recent IGDA column -- and next month's IGDA column, which I'm writing now.

I think it would not be sufficent to have only one degree no matter for general knowledge or of so-called game design degree.
If you want to go for a second degree, and you can, then go for it. You won't find me saying you shouldn't, if you want to and are able to.

It would be logical for me to persue another degree on literautre or philosophy or psychology. Do you agree with me?
Those are perfectly wonderful degrees for a designer to have, for either a second or a first degree. Your first degree is English, I think that's great too.

I am projecting the followings for a better Portfolio:
Sure. Sounds good.

To summarize: your plan to get a second degree is fine. Your plan for making a portfolio is good. But you don't have a breaking in plan. How do you plan to gain your entry into the game industry?
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 23, 2009

P.S. You said on IGDA.org that there are broken links on my website. But I can't find them. Please post again on IGDA.org so the world doesn't think I don't maintain my website properly.

Some changes I think you should make to WWE, part 2

>From: LESLEY
>Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 5:18 AM
>Subject: Re: wwe playstation 2 and 3 games
>I looked at the WWE website and worked my way to developers.Do you know who we should send this to? Many Thanks.

Look at this logically, Lesley.
If you wanted to make suggestions about a movie franchise, you would write to the movie's director. You wouldn't just write to a random film studio.
If you wanted to make suggestions about a novel series, you would write to the author. You wouldn't just write to a random writer you find on the Internet.
So since you're talking about a game, you can look in the game's credits. There you'll see the names of all the people who worked on the game and what their job was on the game project. Makes sense, no? Sometimes the game's credits are given in the instruction manual. Sometimes you can access them through the in-game menu system. If you want to know more about how the game industry works, read FAQs 10 and 7 at http://www.sloperama.com/advice.html

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 22, 2009

Some changes I think you should make to WWE

>From: LESLEY
>Sent: Sunday, June 21, 2009 11:00 AM
>Subject: wwe playstation 2 and 3 games
>Dear Tom,
>I do not think there should be any old Wrestlers on the new games. I think you should give the new ones a chance such as David Hart Smith, Vladimir Koslov, Natalia. Tyson Kid.There is too much of one person being shown .Also there should be more commentators.I would like to see Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibaise on the tag team stable.
>When you are in Career mode I think there should be interrupting matches from enemy apponents.
>I am 17 years old and buy all the WWE Playstaion Games. I love Wrestling as do a lot of my friends.
>Thank you very much.
>Sean

That's nice Sean,
But why are you telling me all this? Where did you get the idea that I work for THQ?
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
Summer Solstice, 2009

The first Elvis impersonator? Really?

>[Private Message through GameDev.Net]
>From: Griffin_Kemp [ Add to Buddies ]
>Subject: Elvis
>Date: 6/18/2009 10:51:32 PM
>So I have a question....
>On your profile on your website, it says you were the first Elvis impersonator, starting in 1956.
>So...were you prior to Jim Smith of the same year?
>http://www.cybercloud.com/elvis/jim/jim.html
>I just find it all fascinating stuff.
>Jayson

Hi Jayson,
I don't share your fascination. If Jim Smith impersonated Elvis before I did, then that's fine by me. So here's the deal: Elvis appeared on the Ed Sullivan show, on whatever night Elvis appeared on the Ed Sullivan show. Then, the very next day at grade school, teacher instructed us all to do a Show And Tell. I hadn't put any thought into it, so I just told everybody about seeing Elvis on TV the night before. I can't say what time this was - I don't know if it was morning, or afternoon. And afterwards everybody thought I was a weirdo for standing up there and doing a piss-poor rendition of "I ain't nothin' but a hound dog." (That was it. I just did that one line, and it wasn't very musical.)
But hey, thanks for asking! (^_^)
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 18, 2009

You vexed me! Thanks!

>From: Jesse
>Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 8:46 PM
>Subject: Darn it Mr. Sloper, you vexed be again... but seriously, thanks
>Hello Tom,
>My name is Jesse. I am 28 years old (I feel 40 and act 20). I am currently halfway through my Bachelor of Science in Game Art and Design at Westwood College Online. The school is great, My personal focus is game art. I think it's a little funny that they lump "design" in with "art". No worries though. More knowledge never hurt me.
>I have read your FAQs multiple times. It has been a great help for me, and completely changed my way of thinking about the games industry. For that I want to thank you. If I get the chance, I'll shake your hand at the next GDC.
>Here's my ...um... problem. Because I took all of your advice seriously, I don't seem to have the ability to ask a question anymore. Your FAQ about asking questions actually made me realize that I don't actually need to ask questions to find the answer. Logical thinking combined with the internet seem to work every time. I'll be on a forum, and think of something to ask the knowledgable people who frequent said forum, and my brain instantly switches to "Wait a minute! I bet I can find the answer over -here-". Sure enough... there it is.
>It is very difficult to engage in conversation over these forums when I don't have quite enough knowledge to give advice, and I don't need to ask any questions.
>I am afraid that when I go to GDC for the first time I will be so awestruck by the event that I won't say anything to anybody (remember I am an introverted artist). That, or I will be responding to everyone with the help of pre-made cue cards. Like Adrian Monk on a date.
>Oh well... I'll get over it. I just wanted to thank you for all your great advice.
>TTFN,
>-Jesse

Hi Jesse, you wrote:

I think it's a little funny that they lump "design" in with "art".
Two reasons, I guess: one, because it doesn't hurt to know, and two, because that way they can call the degree "game design."

Here's my ...um... problem. Because I took all of your advice seriously, I don't seem to have the ability to ask a question anymore. Your FAQ about asking questions actually made me realize that I don't actually need to ask questions to find the answer. Logical thinking combined with the internet seem to work every time. I'll be on a forum, and think of something to ask the knowledgable people who frequent said forum, and my brain instantly switches to "Wait a minute! I bet I can find the answer over -here-". Sure enough... there it is.
ROTFL!!! That's brilliant, and hilarious at the same time. Jesse, you are one bright person. I like you.

I don't have quite enough knowledge to give advice, and I don't need to ask any questions.
I've noticed that it often happens that I'll give a guy advice one day, and the next day he's turned around and is giving advice to the guy who's one day newer than him. Just goes to show ya, you don't really know who you're getting your advice from - or how much it's really worth.

or I will be responding to everyone with the help of pre-made cue cards. Like Adrian Monk on a date.
I did that once. I was invited to a party at Pandemic, but I had laryngitis. So I made cue cards beforehand. They actually worked. But I looked (like you said) like Adrian Monk on a date. (Well put, Jesse.)

If I get the chance, I'll shake your hand at the next GDC.
I hope you will! Just make sure to remind me, "I'm the guy who was 'vexed'." I'll look at you with a blank stare. "I'm Adrian Monk on a date, with cue cards." I'll look askance at you and seek a safe place to retreat to. But stand your ground, grab my hand. Shake it. And it'll all be cool. (^_^) Thanks for writing, Jesse. This has been most enjoyable.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 18, 2009

I got in. Now... how do I stay in?

>From: Hélder
>Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 8:14 PM
>Subject: I... Got in?
>Hello Tom Sloper
>It is me again, Maurício.
>I just got a job as Game Designer and programmer on a feature movie and TV ad company that is now using the surplus money to start-up a game division. So now seemly I am in, what can I do to ensure that I stay huh... in?
>I ask that mainly because this is surely not a known company, and I don't know how companies behave when someone show-up with a game degree (the one that I am getting) and work in unknown companies...
>Also, what to do with the huge network that I ended creating? I know in person the owner of several companies already, and I have no idea of the advantage of that...
>Thank you for your always helpfull advice!

Héllo, Maurício.
Congratulations on your new job. I knew you could do it. You have asked (or implied) 3, no... 4 questions. I'm paraphrasing them.

How do I stay in?
You stay in by working VERY hard and doing an EXCELLENT job, in a disciplined and professional manner.

What if my current company fails?
It might. Your job is to do your very BEST work, to try to make your current company successful. If you do that, and the company still fails, then nobody can say it was your fault.

Does a "no-name" company look bad on the résumé?
No. Don't be silly! That was a silly question, Maurício. Your assignment: tell me why you think I said that was a silly question.

Now that I have a job, all those contacts I built up before I got in are no longer of use... aren't they?
No. That, too, was a silly question. Tell me why.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 17, 2009

Thanks to the slow-par teacher, she survived.

>From: Jessica
>Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 2:06:37 PM
>Subject: You are the Reset Button on my Nintendo of Life
>Hi, Tom;
>Just wanted to say "Thanks, pardner!", for the awesome, lucid advice. I'm switching careers at 25, though it might be more accurate to say that I'm trying to find a career, since my last two jobs were both disastrous.
>In college, I always had a vague idea of what I wanted to do with myself- some kind of design, but what? I wanted to be the gal that designs 80's British television logos, but there was a slight problem with that (being that it would require either a time machine or total destruction of the time/space continuum as we know it). I studied TV production, advertising history and film. While interesting, they were "close, but not it". My internships were fun, but went nowhere. I graduated with great grades, but no direction.
>Now that I was too old to be a Rockette...what was I to do? It took several swift kicks in the pants and an awful lot of soul searching to realize that I want my future to be in video games. Specifically, level design. Now, I don't want to make it rain. I don't have the "next big idea"...but I did program a tomato simulator once. I'm fascinated with the concept of telling stories in small spaces with few words (unlike this email), and for me, designing levels has allowed me to do just that.
>Your candid advice was a huge reality check for me, but it also gave me a lot of direction and confidence. I've gone back to school. It's a so-called "game school", but the curriculum is quite practical. I'm now learning programming and 3D modeling (and soon, hardware hacking! But that's really more for fun...or an excuse to melt holes through things with a soldering iron.). I'm going to join up with the IGDA soon and hopefully meet some like-minded folks.
>To make a long-winded email short, your advice is golden and it really helped me. I can't believe I'm actually looking forward to my future now. スローパー先生のおかげで、助かったわね。
>-Jessica

こんいちは、 Jessica.
That's great! I'm glad my site has been helpful to you. I like your attitude. And I'm glad you wrote to tell me your story.
Just one thing - I fully approve of game school as postgrad study. Too many kids think they should go to game school instead of regular school, and I don't approve of that for everybody. がんばってください！
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 10, 2009

I have a game idea id like to see made into a game

[Private message through gamedev.net's private messaging system]
>From: milenko23 [ Add to Buddies ]
>Subject: Game idea
>Date: 6/9/2009 9:29:33 PM
>Im sorry if this annoys you, But I have a game idea id like to see made into a game .... maybe you can help me. I am asking you for help with this because yours was the first name I saw when I joined this Sight. To get you hooked heres a little info about my idea its a zombie game from a different perspective . Its different than anything that is out there I look forward to hereing from you :D

Hi there, Milenko.
I have this website where I provide a lot of information for folks like you, and I answer questions on forums like gamedev, because I like to think that I'm being helpful. And I give all my help on public forums. I don't give private advice unless it's professional paid consulting work. On gamedev.net, my sig says "PLEASE do not PM me using this website's PM feature" because when folks private-message me, they usually think they're going to get a private answer. But as I've just explained, and as you can see above and below, I don't do that.

Interesting. I just went back on gamedev so I could copy and paste the exact wording of my sig, and I found that you've sent me a second PM:

>From: milenko23 [ Add to Buddies ]
>Subject: Please point me in the right direction
>Date: 6/9/2009 9:55:32 PM
>if you are not the person I should address this idea with. Could please point me in the right direction? But if you are the right person for this please let me know .....

Yes, I was just about to do that. The right direction is for you to do some reading. You're full of questions and you want answers. Well, I've already written the answers, even before you asked them. Just read my FAQs 1, 2, 11, 21, 31, & 35. You can access the FAQs above left.

Then, after you've read all those, if you want to ask me more questions, email me directly (not via gamedev's PM, please). And tell me the things I need to know in order to give you the best possible answer for your unique situation:

How old are you?
What's your level of education?
What's your current occupation?
Which game job, if any, do you aspire to or plan to study for?
What is your REAL question? What is it you really want to know, and why?

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 9, 2009

I have an aspiration to become a video game writer, part 2

>From: blindl
>Sent: Sunday, June 07, 2009 10:39 PM
>Subject: Concerning your answer,
>Tom,
> I was relatively unclear with my previous e-mail and for that I apologize. I'm taking Computer Science with Emphasis Design at a Community College because I live with my mother and me aiding in helping with bills means I cannot go to a large university right out of high school ( much like OU or OSU ). This class I'm taking is about level design, not programming. I'm no good with C++ and Java, not my forté.
> As I understand, a majority of companies employ game designers to do their writing on the side, the exception being larger companies like Blizzard Entertainment ( they were actively recruiting for a Writer position for StarCraft II for some time. Epic games, Bungie, idSoftware, and a few select others have not ever advertised for such a position ). I want to be a video game writer, but I have the inner fear that after my associates, after my bachelors, what if I didn't network enough, what if I didn't get the right contracts and I have a portfolio and then I have nothing to run with. What's my next plan.
> I would like to attend the Game Writers Conference in Austin, Texas but I'm not certain if it's open to the public. I do volunteer work for a video game review website.
> So like I was saying, since most of the writing is done by Level Designers, Quest Designers, et cetera -- would it seem obvious I would have to jump into one of those positions to inevitably fill my desire to write while also having to design.
> A perfect example of what I would like to do however, is Drew Karpyshyn. He's a writer, and he was recruited for BioWare, how exactly he got such a position is beyond me -- but that same road would very much be one I'd like to traverse. Let me say again a thousand thank you's for being honest, that's what I need, and a thousand thank you's for answering me promptly. I hope to hear back from you.
> -- Therran.

Hi Therran, you wrote:

I'm [going to] Community College
That's fine. Anything is fine, actually. CC is better than online, IMO.

because I live with my mother and me aiding in helping with bills means I cannot go to a large university
I don't need to know all this stuff. Nobody does. You don't have to go around justifying your decisions to other people.

I'm taking Computer Science with Emphasis Design ... This class I'm taking is about level design, not programming.
Very misleading name that program has! Level design sounds right up your alley, given what you wrote before. I approve.

As I understand, a majority of...
We already discussed this yesterday. Why are you rehashing this? I'm getting bored and am moving on:

I have the inner fear...
Read FAQ 47. There's a whole section on fear. Many wiser people than me have said many wise things on this topic.

...what if I didn't network enough...
Well, duh. Just network enough.

... what if I didn't get the right contracts...
I'm confused. Unless you meant to say "contacts," in which case the same answer applies. Just network enough. (But, to add needlessly to your fears, you can never network "enough." Read FAQ 49.)

... and I have a portfolio and then I have nothing to run with.
You lost me again, Mr. Writer.

I would like to attend the Game Writers Conference in Austin, Texas but I'm not certain if it's open to the public.
Well, duh. Just find out.

...would it seem obvious I would have to jump into one of those positions to inevitably fill my desire to write while also having to design.
Your question is whether it would "seem obvious." I guess the answer to this question is "yes. It does seem that way." But is that answer really useful to you? Can you think of a way to word the question so that you could get a more useful answer, Mr. Writer?

By all means pursue the education you want and are able to get. But keep polishing your writing skills, too. When you write, you have to look at your words not only from your own POV but also that of the reader. Don't assume that the reader sees the world the same way you do, that the reader has the same knowledge you do. If your words might possibly be misconstrued or might raise a question in the mind of the reader, then clarify the words and/or answer the question in your writing. This is a tip I got in graduate school that has stood me in good stead for all my life since then.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 8, 2009

Broken link

>From: "King Kostas"
>Sent: Sunday, June 07, 2009 7:43 PM
>Subject: Kingkostas(report link misfunction)
>> Hello again Mr.Tom and sorry for disturbing.
>> I made a check-up in your "DESIGN & JOB HUNTING RESOURCES" to check
>> about Game maker, as i would like to use it for making some rough game
>> ideas of mine.
>> Anyway thats not the matter.
>> The problem is that by clicking these links ( Game Maker is a
>> program you can use to try your hand at creating your own game. For
>> those who aren't ready to learn C++ just yet! (^_^) Go to
>> http://www.cs.uu.nl/people/markov/gmaker/ or also downloadable at
>> pcgameworld.com ) the hyperlink goes us nowhere.(actually it
>> redirecting me to YoYo games on a error screen)
>> Sorry for disturbing again and sorry for my english(not my native)
>> Thanks
>> kingkostas
>
>From: "King Kostas"
>Sent: Sunday, June 07, 2009 7:50 PM
>Subject: Re: Kingkostas(report link misfunction)
>found a working link here
>brothersoft.com
>http://www.brothersoft.com/game-maker-download-65966.html
>Thanks
> Kingkostas

Hi King,
Thanks for reporting that broken link. Kudos 2U. Actually, since FAQ 56 lists that sort of thing, I just deleted the link entirely from the Links page, and made sure the link in FAQ 56 is up to date. And when I tried the YoYo link, it worked OK for me. FAQ 56 now includes about 4 places where one can download Game Maker.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 8, 2009

Should I get a Masters degree

From: [Master Chief]
Sent: Sunday, June 07, 2009 6:03 PM
Subject: Bulletin Board Query: Should I opt for a Game Programming masters
> Hello Tom,
> I am a 21 year old student from India, I am currently pursuing my B.E.
> (Bachelor of Engineering) in Computer Sc. and Engineering which will be
> over in about 10 days from now. I wish to pursue a career as a Game
> Programmer in the future , Currently, I have made 2 small games using a
> 3D engine called "Irrlicht" and One big one using XNA Game studio (By
> big I mean from the standards of a 5 man team, most of which are students)
> First , I would like to thank you for the wonderful gems of (no BS)
> advice on your website, i read through a lot (but not all) of the
> articles. My basic predicament is, weather , after completing my
> graduate studies, I should go for a specific Game Programming degree or
> not (I am considering a Masters from SMU Guildhall)//.
> I was pretty convinced that this was the right way to go, until I
> read a host of articles which stated otherwise.There is a lot of
> confusing advice and opinions floating out there, such as :
> 1. If one has Professional experience of Programing in any field ,
> he may (in many cases) skip the "require X published games" : Does this
> mean that If i get into a Software development firm now, the credentials
> i gather will be enough to help me "break in" (This is very relevant to
> my current situation!)
> 2. I have yet to read "any" article that wholeheartedly praises game
> dev programs (except on the websites of the colleges offering them),
> most seem to caution the reader that these are mostly shams but end up
> saying that /"I don't think it's worth it, but hey .... if you do , then
> go for it"/ (like this one where Sony's VP made a very daunting
> statement
> http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2008/08/why-your-gaming-degree-may-be-a-waste-of-time.ars)
> 3. There are a lot of articles saying that "/Well ... you can go
> there if you want to , but if you ask me, it would be better to just do
> it as a hobby till you get really good at it"/
> Theres more , but i guess you get my point, basically a lot of
> people are saying that there are other ways to get in , be it
> professional experience , self teaching or perseverance.
> The basic reason why I wish to go to SMU is that most of the
> knowledge that i have is self taught and I know that there are gaps in
> my knowledge (as a game programmer),i believe that a concentrated and
> specialized curriculum will help me overcome this problem, but what use
> is knowledge if at the end of the day, I never land a job as a game
> programmer (I know that there are never any guarantees but, I would
> certainly not want to hurt my chances by just getting admitted into a
> game programing school)
> My situation is made complex by these facts :
> if I choose to go to SMU , I would be leaving behind a full time
> employment opportunity at a reputed software firm (i don't know if
> you've heard of Infosys), a potential position at a smaller game dev
> studio (This is not confirmed yet, but I don't really want to join them
> as they make games for cellphones and i am not really interested in
> working with devices with limited capabilities, however I realize that
> this might also give me the "break in"), other than that I will also be
> turning my back to a Masters in computer science, all of which, it seems
> are perfectly valid routes for getting into the industry.
> I know that this is my life and I have to make this decision, but, I
> would very much like your guidance in mapping out a grid for these
> options, as in how do my chances of actually landing a good job at a
> good studio increase or decrease with each.
> Also, If you could , please do not post my name or e-mail anywhere
> on the bulletin board (just call me Old_Noob), its nothing personal , I
> am just wary of future employers searching through my online posting
> history and finding something that they don't want to read.
> Lastly, I saw the pics of your trip to Mumbai ! Nice !
> Thanks
> Hoping I don't get Bashed
> Old_Noob

Hi Master Chief,
Your email was really long. I dislike reading so many words, so I've cherrypicked my way through it to find the things I think need responding to. If I miss stuff, you're welcome to come back and write me shorter follow-up questions.

Should I opt for a Game Programming masters
I think that's a fine idea. If you want to do it and you can do it, I don't even know why you'd ask some stranger if you should. It's your life. Go for the gusto!

I read a host of articles which stated otherwise.
Oh. That's why. By your logic, then, wouldn't you need a "host" of guys like me arguing the opposite view, so that you could negate all that conflicting stuff and remain free to do the thing you thought best in the first place? (I guess the point I'm making is the same as my previous point - you're just asking for one more conflicting opinion - which makes my opinion now nothing more than just a little more noise in the already loud space. And that the decision is still really yours and yours alone to make, regardless of what I or anyone else says.)

a lot of
> people are saying that there are other ways to get in , be it
> professional experience , self teaching or perseverance.
A lot of lemmings jump off cliffs, too! One of the forums I hang out on is gamedev.net - a lot of the guys there are lone wolf types, they're very anti-education, anti-mainstream. Another forum I hang out on is igda.org - where they're much more education- and mainstream-oriented. I give the same advice on both those forums that I give here.

The basic reason why I wish to go to SMU is...
I don't care. If you want to go, and you can, then go already!

My situation is made complex by these facts :
Yes, yes. So make a decision grid. See FAQ 70. You're an engineer. Approach the problem from an engineering methodology.

Also, If you could , please do not post my name or e-mail anywhere
> on the bulletin board (just call me Old_Noob)
I prefer to call you "Master Chief." Your decision is whether or not to go for a Masters. And you're an Indian.

I saw the pics of your trip to Mumbai ! Nice !
Thanks! (^_^)

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 8, 2009

I have an aspiration to become a video game writer

>From: blindl ...
>Sent: Saturday, June 06, 2009 11:17 PM
>Subject: Dear Tom,
>Dear Tom,
> Hello! My name is Therran and I'm an eighteen year old freshman currently attending college for an Associate's degree in Computer Science with Emphasis on Game Design. Here is my question, I have an aspiration to become a video game writer -- whether it's for manuals, dialogue, narrative, it doesn't really concern me. Words are my specialty.
> My concern however is this, most companies employ developers themselves to do the writing and I feel that, while I can do that if truly necessary ( that's what I'm going to school for, and I've got experience with the UnrealEditor ), I'd rather just write. So I am planning ahead by going into the design field, I wanted to know your suggestion for my dilemma.
>Blizzard Entertainment for example, hires writers especially for what I'm looking for but require experience, other places like THQ have the writing job put into the various design jobs. So should I aspire to become a designer and do a double-deal; design and writing, which sounds the best. Or, when I go for my Bachelors ( which I plan to do regardless ) get a degree in Philosophy ( or perhaps Writing or World History ) and just aspire to fetch an entirely devoted writing position?
>Thank you,
> Therran.

Hi Therran,
When I got your email this morning I was in a hurry to rush off somewhere, so I emailed you: "Read FAQ 32 (http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson32.htm) and then if you still have a question, ask me again."

So just now I was getting ready to post this on the BB and I saw more in your email than just that. So. To answer some specific things you said:

freshman ... Associate's degree
I don't recommend associates degrees. The industry standard is a 4-year degree, a bachelors.

in Computer Science with Emphasis on Game Design.
I'm assuming this is a game school, maybe an online school? And I also assume that you're very good at programming, and really enjoy programming? Because only those who enjoy and are good at programming ought to pursue this sort of degree.

I have an aspiration to become a video game writer
So, this aspiration became known to you after you started the programming school, I guess.

Words are my specialty.
Um... look, I need you to steel yourself. My next words will seem harsh. But take it like a man. If words are your specialty, I think you ought to be able to come up with a better subject line than "Dear Tom." In fact, when I saw your email subject line I figured it was probably a spam. Take this as a challenge to always write good subject lines for all your emails. A good writer considers the reader, and comes up with words appropriate for the situation. You can have "Dear Tom" as the first two words of the body of an email, that's perfectly fine. But not for a subject line.

most companies employ developers themselves to do the writing
I disagree. In my experience, we hire writers to do our writing. Not programmers.

while I can do that if truly necessary ( that's what I'm going to school for, and I've got experience with the UnrealEditor )
Okay, this could have been said much more clearly. I think you're saying that you're studying programming, not because you enjoy programming, but so that you can get a job at a game company, and hopefully then find serendipitous occasions to write as well? That's kind of a roundabout way of pursuing your aspiration.

So I am planning ahead by going into the design field
I'm still not following you. This isn't making sense to me. You're taking a computer science program.

Blizzard Entertainment... hires writers ... but require experience
Yes. All the big companies want experienced writers, people they trust to do the job right.

other places like THQ have the writing job [as part of a] design job...
Every company does things differently, and every employee is different. Maybe THQ is used to requiring that their designers be talented writers. Most designers are decent writers anyway. Or maybe they are seeking people for a project in which the writing isn't particularly tricky. Most companies, though, if they're doing a project that requires voice acting, for instance, would prefer to hire experienced script writers. Like I wrote in the FAQ I asked you to read earlier.

So should I aspire to become a designer
You can't just change your aspiration. You aspire to what you aspire to. Perhaps you meant to say "attempt" rather than "aspire"?

and do a double-deal; design and writing
You have lost me, Mr. Writer. I don't know what it means to "do a double deal." You're not communicating clearly.

Or, when I go for my Bachelors ( which I plan to do regardless )
Oh good! Yes, a bachelors degree for sure.

get a degree in Philosophy ( or perhaps Writing or World History )
Those are all wonderful majors. I love those to pieces. But read fAQ 40 - you have to choose one. And you have to choose it based on your passions and your interests.

and just aspire to fetch an entirely devoted writing position?
The word "aspire" doesn't work that way. A parallel. Let's say Girl A loves Boy B. Well, a fortune teller tells her that she won't live happily ever after with Boy B and she should love Boy C instead. Can she just switch who she loves just like that? I don't think so.

The word "aspire" is kind of like the word "love" in that way. Your aspirations are your hopes and dreams. There's a way to proceed so that you can pursue your aspirations, no matter what they are. You don't change your aspiration - you may never be able to do that. But you can change your plan of attack.

to fetch an entirely devoted writing position?
If you want to become a writer, does it not make sense that you'd get a writing degree? You might not necessarily get to do all your writing for the game industry, and certainly not right away. I assume you've read FAQ 32 by now. I'm standing by for follow-up questions after you've absorbed all of this.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 7, 2009

Got Idea; Now All I Need Is Money, part 3

>From: Scott W.
>Sent: Friday, June 05, 2009 7:10 PM
>Subject: Sorry to bother you
>Tom,
>Could you give me a rough break down percentage-wise of what the major parts of a video game development are monetarily?
>Example: Cinematics & animation = 25%
>Level, character & object designing= 25%
>Actual production of dvd disc and distribution= 20%
>The reason why I ask is that my game Idea is radically different from all of what I see in production. It would lack many common elements that may produce huge portions of the cost of development. I know I'm driving you crazy but you have been such a huge help. You tell us exactly what you think and don't pull punches. Keep up the good work. I'm sorry if this is already one of your topics, but I don't seem to see it.
>Thanks a million,
>Scott

Hi Scott,
No, it doesn't work like that. Manufacturing cost depends entirely on how many units you're manufacturing -- it has no relationship whatsoever with how much you spent on development. You have to break down your costs into phases, not percentages.

I can't give you a breakdown of percentages of "this department" versus "that department," either. Especially since you say your game is so radically different from the norm. Since you have no experience in games, you're probably going to have to hire a consultant to help you write your business plan. There's a saying: "it takes money to make money." It's not going to be free to write your business plan -- you're going to have to start spending money even before you apply for the loan. Welcome to the world of speculative business.

You say your intended platform is Xbox Live. But you still haven't said how you intend to get the game published. Is your plan to become a licensed publisher with Microsoft, and publish the game yourself? Or is your plan to sell your finished game to an already licensed publisher? You need to figure that stuff out ASAP (and I recommend you do that well before spending any money).

And what about yourself? After you've finished this game, is your plan to stay in the game industry and make more games? (Is your idea to make just this one game, or to make a career for yourself in games?)

And one little correction. Before, I said that you get to choose your role since you "originated" the project - lest any readers think they get to choose their role if they just get a game idea, what I should've said is "you get to choose your role since you're the guy who's taking out the loan to fund the project. But your lenders might not agree with that plan."

Have you really read all those FAQs? I also recommend you buy and read the books "Introduction to Game Development" and "Secrets of the Game Business" (see FAQ 8).
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 5, 2009

Got Idea; Now All I Need Is Money, part 2

>From: Scott W.
>Sent: Friday, June 05, 2009 5:42 PM
>Subject: RE: Quick Question
>Tom,
>Sorry I wasn't clear enough about my idea. Here's the answers to your questions:
>1. I am 24 years old
>2. Bachelor's in accounting and another in business management
>3. I am the general manager of my family business
>4. I was hoping for the job of Project manager or something of that nature. I am creative and artistic and planned to guide the whole creative process.
>5. I have $30,000 (about a year's salary) in my savings and own a $300,000 house and property. I know this is nothing compared to production costs, but my family has resources that would help me with this endeavor also. My wife makes about $40,000 a year as well.
>6. Because my idea is so unique, the production costs would be far less than your average video game. But unfortunately I don't know how much that usually is. My plan was for Xbox360 as a platform. Possibly as a downloadable content game. This game is designed for multiple expansion packs.
>7. And I am sorry for mispeaking last time. When I said that it was fully thought out, I meant to say that it was fully written out. Everything from menu layouts to levels and stats. I have spent a great deal of time thinking about this.
>8. Finally, you laughed when I said I was willing to put my money where my mouth is by getting a loan. But ultimately if I could get a loan and the game bombs or doesn't see the light of day, I'm stuck paying for a mammoth loan the rest of my life. That type of huge personal risk still qualifies as my mouth where my mouth is in my book. :)
>Thanks again,
>Scott W.

Hi Scott,
Okay. Take two.

I have $30,000 (about a year's salary) in my savings and own a $300,000 house and property. I know this is nothing compared to production costs, but my family has resources that would help me with this endeavor also. My wife makes about $40,000 a year as well.
Okay, but that still doesn't answer my question. Are you able to inject 25% of the necessary capital? Because lenders expect that.

My plan was for Xbox360 as a platform. Possibly as a downloadable content game.
Okay. That is doable for under a million. Except...

I was hoping for the job of Project manager or something of that nature. I am creative and artistic and planned to guide the whole creative process.
Since you're originating the project, you get to take on whatever role you want. BUT, if you're going to be the project manager, I think a million isn't enough. There'll probably be a lot of time wasted due to inexperience in the ways of the game industry. Recommend you read FAQ 29.

I meant to say that it was fully written out.
If only people would say what they "meant to say"!

That type of huge personal risk still qualifies as my mouth where my mouth is in my book. :)
Okay. It was still funny, though, the way you phrased it the first time, you gotta admit. (^_^)

So, after you read those FAQs, I'm always here to answer follow-up questions.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 5, 2009

Got Idea; Now All I Need Is Money

>From: Scott W.
>Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 4:19 PM
>Subject: Quick Question
>Hi Tom,
>I know you've heard this a million times, but I HAVE THE ULTIMATE GAME IDEA. And I am willing to put my money where my mouth is. I do not have any game design or production experience, but this idea is so great that I was wondering if I could get a business loan for several hundred-thousand dollars and hire a developer and/or producer to make my game. This game will revolutionize the industry and I am dead serious about this. I know I am really trudging up-hill on this one, but could you give me any advice on how I could go about this? I have the entire idea completely thought out, I just don't know how to apply it. Thanks.
>Scott W.

Hello Scott,
Quick answer: read FAQs 1, 11, 21, 31, 35, 43, 60, & 62. The FAQs are above left.

Long answer (o ye and your so-called "Quick Question"):

First off, in order to give you the very best answer that's perfect for you and your individual life situation (if by chance you wanted to discuss this further after reading all those FAQs), I would need to know:
How old are you?
What's your level of education?
What's your current occupation?
Which game job, if any, do you aspire to or plan to study for? (I struck that one out because you already told me... hmmm. No, wait. I do need to know...
Let's say you did manage to find funding for your project. What role would you play during the creation of your game? Would you be in charge of it (would you be the project manager)? Or would you just be its designer and tester? Or what exactly?

You also wrote:

I am willing to put my money where my mouth is... I was wondering if I could get a business loan
ROTFL! So... you are willing to put other people's money where your mouth is? Because see, when you said "my money" I thought you were saying you were a multimillionaire. If the venture capitalists who loaned you the money for this project required you to provide some of your own money, could you provide 25%?

for several hundred-thousand dollars and hire a developer and/or producer
Let's just say that "several" equals "nine" for a moment. What the heck kind of a game do you plan on making that costs less than a million dollars? Doesn't sound like much of an "ultimate" game to me! Is it a mobile phone game, iPhone or Facebook app, or what? Just curious: if not, what platform are you thinking?

a developer and/or producer
The project does need both. The development team to create the game; the producer to manage the project for you. You might want to read FAQ 10.

This game will revolutionize the industry and I am dead serious about this.
I believe you. I've just spent three days at E3, listening to major game publishers who all said their games will revolutionize the industry. So why not yours too. Only problem is, those guys are major game publishers. Speaking of which, what's your plan once the game is made? What's your plan for getting it published?

could you give me any advice on how I could go about this?
Well, see, if it was as easy as you think it is, and I could tell you how to do it, I would be living on a Hawaiian island and have a lot more money in the bank!

I have the entire idea completely thought out
Then you've got nothing. Zero, zilch, nada. Read FAQs 2 & 13. An idea in your head? Write it down. If you can completely think it out, you can completely write it out. After you've got it completely written out, then you've got something. (What you've got depends on the answers to the 4 questions I started off with.)

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 4, 2009

Thank you for an informative website

>From: Jesse
>Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 4:04 PM
>Subject: Thank you for an imformative website.
>My name is Jesse. I am 19 and have been aspiring to be in the game industry for several years now. I have worked as a QA Tester for a video game company for almost a year now and am enjoying the game industry very much. Although my I do want to be part of the creative part of creating games one day, I also enjoy programming very much and am on my way to becoming an accomplished software engineer and I am looking forward to a bright future in the games industry. I just wanted to say thanks for the helpful information on your website which helped motivate me and keep me on the best path towards my goals, especially your information about college degrees. I originally wanted to go to Full Sail University but I have instead decided to stick to a regular university to become more of a well rounded person and a well rounded programmer. Your website has been extremely helpful.
>Thank you.
>Jesse

Cool, Jesse!
Sounds like you have a good plan and a good attitude. Thanks for writing. All the best to you.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 2, 2009

Looking for a QA degree

>From: "James
>Sent: Monday, June 01, 2009 11:56 AM
>Subject: QA related studies?
>Greetings Sloperama,
>My name is James. I am currently a student at ______ University finishing up my last semester of a completely unrelated Bachelors degree in Psychology/East Asian Studies with an Advanced Minor in Chinese. I've been researching the gaming industry for a while now and your site has to be the most honest and informative that I've found in my hunt for information. I've checked out your list of Game Design schools and multiple other site databases for any information on possible QA programs at any colleges or universities, to no avail. I realize most of what testers have to learn is taught on site during training. Furthermore, I assume any program in Game Design is appropriate as well. Just as a curious party, i was wondering if you knew of any such places which offer programs with a gaming QA based nature instead of a design based one? Or, in your experience, do you think a bacherlores degree in general should be fine to start a job hunt by searching out Pubs and Devs?
>Thank you,
>- James

Hello James,
My name is Tom. And I do not work in the gaming business. To address your question:

I've checked out your list of Game Design schools
I have a list of game design schools??? That's news to me! Where is it? I want to delete it.

for any information on possible QA programs
I teach a class on quality assurance for video games, but my university does not have anything beyond that. There are majors in software quality assurance - but you won't find that at any video game school. You'd have to look at technical schools for that. And you probably wouldn't be studying game-specific subjects. Software quality assurance is indeed a serious subject; you just haven't been looking in the right places.

I assume any program in Game Design is appropriate as well.
For working in QA in games? It's not required.

do you think a bacherlores degree in general should be fine to start a job hunt
For working in QA in games? It's not required, but I do recommend it, if you want to ever move up from QA. Have you read my article 5 yet?

finishing up my last semester of a completely unrelated Bachelors degree in Psychology/East Asian Studies with an Advanced Minor in Chinese.
Awesome! I think that's a perfectly wonderful education. What do you need more schooling for? Have you read any of my articles yet?

Tom Sloper 湯姆 斯洛珀
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 1, 2009

Sometimes the path is unclear, part 2

>From: __ Yan rui
>Sent: Monday, June 01, 2009 9:03 AM
>Subject: My Journey
>I am really glad that you had replied in such a short time! I had seriously considered your answers and analysis them properly to understand the meanings of it and yes it was clear.
>I am now on my jorney of making a good game and did many studies on what a game is and kept asking myself this. "What is the elements of fun game?", eventually I was stuck because it was not easy. I will be checking out more lessons when I have the time...
>Like I said before, I failed a couple of times and what keeps me going is sheer perserverence and fightning spirits that I invented for myself. It is positive and unique that I feel it should be followed by most people and I feel that tom, you are the role model man!
>That's why I like to email some troublesome things to you so you can give me guidiance.
>The main things are actually quite simple, I am having the idea of the game on my palms(for example). I want to form these idea into a working game. I have in mind, to make my own game creator, set up my own company, set up my own game engine. (Please recommend everything that is needed for a game to be a reality) I am lost because making this 3 things are actually hard and perserverence alone might not be enough, because these are actual advanced programming...
>Questions in summary:
>What are the key things needed for a game idea to be a reality? (Sorry if it's stated, please indicate the lesson)
>What are your recommendations if I want to play a soleman for a game creation?
>Lastly, do I need every program to be done myself as a soleman game company?
>I am really thankful to you that you answered both my questions before, this is a really good chance for me to learn about games...I think this is the first ever website that I think is best for me =)

Hello Yan Rui, you wrote:

What are the key things needed for a game idea to be a reality?
I cannot answer this question. It's much too broad and far-reaching. I need narrower questions.

What are your recommendations if I want to play a soleman for a game creation?
I can't advise you if you're going to go the lone wolf path. You have to figure it all out, all by yourself. I wrote an article on this topic on the IGDA website. Go to http://www.igda.org/games-game/ and click Archives. Read the August 2004 column.

do I need every program to be done myself as a soleman game company?
You have to decide this. Personally, I think you'll find that it will take too much time if you create every tool all by yourself. But it's something you have to figure out for yourself.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 1, 2009

Thinking about transferring

>From: Anthony
>Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2009 8:48 PM
>Subject: What to do with my life
>Dear Tom,
>My name is Anthony, I'm 21 and I'm currently a fourth-year student working on my Bachelor's at a University. For the past year, I've been seriously considering a career in the video game industry. My first three years at my University were spent studying for a degree in Psychology. At the end of that time, I knew that I wanted to change to Computer Science. Unfortunately, the department wouldn't accept me. They wouldn't accept me because none of my Psychology classes would transfer and I would have to stay till my 6th year in order to finish the CS degree. My second choice was Statistics, which is what I am studying now. After nearly a year of studying Statistics wishing that I was studying Computer Science, my grades have slipped enough that I may not be able to continue at my University. I remember how naturally programming came to me in the one CS course that I took and I remember how passionate I was for it. Knowing what I want to study and not studying it is the worst feeling in the world. I'm considering transferring to a school like Westwood College (Game Software Development) or DeVry (Game & Simulation Programming) to studying programming, since I have little knowledge about it. I'm doing my best to try and research these colleges before I make a decision and the conclusion I've come to is that your education is what you make it. Even though there is a lot of controversy surrounding these schools, I am confident that, with my passion for this area of study, I can succeed. I would like to know your opinion of the schools I mentioned, my situation, and any advice you might have that will help point me in the right direction.
>Thank you for your time,
>- Anthony

Hi Anthony,
It's a shame that you've let your grades drop. If not for that, I'd recommend sticking it out with your current degree program, so as not to incur additional expense or lose any credits. If you flunk out of your current school, though, that's not going to be an option. Personally, I think a Psychology degree would've been great. But let's look at some specific things you wrote:

My second choice was Statistics, which is what I am studying now.
That could've been good for breaking into the game industry through marketing. Too bad you're flunking it.

Knowing what I want to study and not studying it is the worst feeling in the world.
I'm fairly certain there are worse feelings.

I'm considering transferring to a [game] school ... to studying programming
I have to wonder if you're considering those particular schools because they're less expensive than a mainstream Computer Science course.

I would like to know your opinion of the schools I mentioned
Sorry. I don't do that. My recommendation is that you consider numerous schools, including mainstream (non-game-specific) computer science programs, and make a decision grid (see FAQs 25 & 70).

I would like to know your opinion of ...my situation
I think it's a real shame that you switched from psychology to statistics and are now flunking out. But what's past is past. You have to play the cards you're holding as well as you can - they're the cards you are holding! Consider options. Make decision grid. Make an informed decision.
Good luck!
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 31, 2009

Sometimes the path is unclear

>From: __ Yan rui
>Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2009 5:51:15 AM
>Subject: Reguarding Lesson 24
>Hey there, you can address me as Yan Rui, actually I had sent an email quite long ago and read on your helpful reply on the site and here's another one after reading your Lesson 24. I found out that it all focuses on 1 point and that is to be positive and walking the right path. I had come to realise what I had been doing was actually floating around in the air because I had made so many mistakes. But right now those mistakes reflect to me and that the path is now very clear to me.
>Like what my lecturer said, "It's not what you think you can, it's what you do!". I am glad that you took the time to type out these tutorials and guides for us on the same line of buz.
>Those are what I feel, I actually wanted to ask about how we get around being so positive, you know, there will always be people around us blocking the way, just how do we actually be positive all the time. Take for example, when you are so enlighten on the path to success, then comes friends asking you out and family problems and many things comes into place, how do we handle such problematic stuff in life? It relates to how we are going to follow this trend... you see.
>Last of all, I am a gamer for quite a long time now, an experienced guy who created alot of mini-game with the world editor of warcraft the frozen throne, I had fell and got up on my foot so many times, from friends to critizers online and now I am critizing my own game and making it better each time I do a release. Now, any suggestions about what I can do? I am actually planning to start learning a game engine and develop something, I am aware that I must be in the game biz before making a successful game.. but I am coming to realise something that is missing through the experience I had with map making in world editor for a few years. I had a certain amount of confidence on my game idea that I had designed a few months ago. Is it the right time to learn an engine. I am sorry about the long post, this is a final problem, I am a Singaporean and I will need to go for my National Service which will take around 2 years of my life in it for my countries' defences. Now I would be taking 2 years of a long break.... the National Service will start in 1 year's time and I am still schooling right now, is it the right time to get my hand's on to those game engines out there?

Hi Yan Rui, you wrote:

I found out that it all focuses on 1 point and that is to be positive and walking the right path.
Well, I just re-read article 24 and I didn't get that from what I'd written there. If you read a lot of my articles, you'll see that I believe there isn't one "right path." That each person has to blaze his own path, guided by his interests, his passions.

my lecturer said, "It's not what you think you can, it's what you do!"
That's brilliant! (^_^) I think I'll add that to FAQ 47.

I actually wanted to ask about how we get around being so positive, you know, there will always be people around us blocking the way, just how do we actually be positive all the time.
By remembering that there's always a way. I don't know what kind of blocking you're referring to, but in general, when something is blocking your way, you can find a way past it. You can fly over, go around, dig under, blast through, get somebody on the other side to remove the block... or maybe even build a teleportation device. You just have to think.

friends asking you out and family problems and many things comes into place, how do we handle such problematic stuff in life?
When friends ask you out, you get to decide whether or not you want to go with them today. When you have family problems you have to focus on those and work to solving them. When you think there are many problematic things getting in your way, address those on a case-by-case basis. Some of them have to be dealt with; some can be put off until later; some can be ignored entirely.

I am critizing my own game and making it better each time I do a release. Now, any suggestions about what I can do?
Sorry -- the question is far too vague.

I am aware that I must be in the game biz before making a successful game..
That is not true.

Is it the right time to learn an engine... is it the right time to get my hand's on to those game engines out there?
Sure. Why not.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 31, 2009

Am I screwing myself, part 2

>From: Austin
>Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2009 2:34:19 AM
>Subject: Re: Am I screwing myself if I go to a game school?
>Thanks for the quick response to my questions!
>>I have heard (from several places) that several employers have a near >policy of *not* hiring anyone from a game development school.
>>>That is stupid beyond belief. Whoever has told you that is an idiot. You >>can tell him I said so.
>I'm glad to hear that! Unfortunately, the first I heard of this bias was in an article quoting a manager at Sony. Sorry, I couldn't find the URL of the original article.
>The next instance was when my faculty adviser warned me about game schools and gave me that "games better taught to a physicist" quote. He worked with a researcher who started a small game company and was later bought out by a larger one. Apparently, the larger company passed on a negative attitude towards game schools as well.
>Still, I'm glad you think they are idiots. I think so too. It's silly to bias against a little extra knowledge and experience.
>As for my questions:
>>Career-wise, would I be better served...in game school...or writing games?
>>>That's a stupid question. It tells me you think you should only do stuff >>that'll impress some imaginary future employer...
>That is not so. In both of the two choices, I would be doing what I love -- I just also want to succeed at it too. I'm just anxious about future risk... hence the stupid questions. But you're not a psychic, I have to make that risk on my own. And even if I fail at making money, at least I'll have a darn good time writing games.
>Anyhow, this is a bit more soul-bearing than I am used to on the internet. Would you mind removing my email user-id and location from this and my previous post? I prefer to remain semi-anonymous.
>Thanks,
>- Austin

Hi Austin, you wrote:

a manager at Sony.... my faculty adviser ... a researcher who started a small game company and was later bought out by a larger one...
>Still, I'm glad you think they are idiots. I think so too.
Those idiots are welcome to write me and defend their positions anytime.

Would you mind removing my email user-id and location from this and my previous post?
[Sigh!!] I should've known better in this paranoid day and age than to have revealed it in the first place. There. It's blacked out.

and location from this and my previous post?
You volunteered that information (I never asked for it) knowing full well that your answer would be given on this bulletin board. Now you want me to retroactively paranoia-ize your question? No. You're welcome for the answer I gave you. I regret that the exchange was soured with this kind of thing.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 31, 2009

Morse code spelling error

From: "Joe
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 7:51 PM
Subject: A tiny spelling correction
> Dear Tom:
> The morse code on FAQ 54 reads "do not wear a nektie". You missed the
> "c" on the last word.
> Just thought I'd tell you.
> Cheers!
> - Joe
> (aspiring, but shy to admit it, game designer, who decided to read your
> FAQs and adjust his approach to getting a job based on what he's read.)

Hi Joe,
Actually, no. It was missing the K. The C was there.
What it said was -.. ---    -. --- -    .-- . .- .-.    .-    -. . -.-. - .. . (DO NOT WEAR A NECTIE) but now I've fixed it, thanks to you.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 29, 2009

Am I screwing myself if I go to a game school?

From: "Austin" (███████)
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 12:23 PM
Subject: Game Career Advice: Bias against Game Dev. schools?
> Age: 27
> Education: B.S. in C.S. (1 semester remaining)
> Occupation: Student
> Aspiration: Game Programmer
> Location: Silicon Valley
> I have a dilemma.
> From what I gather, employers in the game industry have a knack for truly quantifying any candidate developer's ability. Accordingly, I think the best strategy here is to simply work on your skills, develop more games, and get better. Essentially, that's my plan: become better at creating games by creating games (preferably in teams).
> Truthfully, I come from on of those universities that focus on LISP and theory rather than what is more practical and used in the industry. Most of what I know (regarding game dev.) is self-taught... I feel I need more practical experience creating games before I start spreading my resume around.
> So, after I graduate, I plan to get an M.S. from Guildhall at SMU to help prepare me for breaking into the game industry. It is a program that focuses heavily on interdisciplinary game projects... which is, I believe, the best start on the path to mastery.
> However, I have heard (from several places) that several employers have a near policy of *not* hiring anyone from a game development school. In their words, "You can't teach physics to a gamer, but you can teach games to a physicist."
> My questions are...
> Am I actually hurting my chances in the game industry by attending this school? Career-wise, would I be better served spending those two years writing Xbox-Live games with the folks from my local IGDA group? Or is there a better strategy for someone in my situation?
> Thanks for your advice!
> - Austin

Hi Austin, you wrote:

my plan: become better at creating games by creating games (preferably in teams).
Sounds good to me.

after I graduate, I plan to get an M.S. from Guildhall at SMU
Sounds good to me.

I have heard (from several places) that several employers have a near policy of *not* hiring anyone from a game development school.
That is stupid beyond belief. Whoever has told you that is an idiot. You can tell him I said so.

Am I actually hurting my chances in the game industry by attending this school?
Don't go asking me stupid questions now! You don't want to get me going! (^_^)

Career-wise, would I be better served
That's a stupid question. It tells me you think you should only do stuff that'll impress some imaginary future employer. Read my November 2005 IGDA column, "The Games Game." Find the link above left, then click Archives. What you should be doing is stuff that you're passionate about. Stuff you want to do. Read FAQ 40.

spending those two years writing Xbox-Live games with the folks from my local IGDA group?
You could do that too. Maybe you should make a decision grid between those two choices. In fact, I just started writing a new article about decision grids this morning. Then I got sidetracked by calls from potential clients (in other words, this has been a GOOD day!). You can learn about decision grids in FAQ 25 if I don't get my new article (#70) finished soon enough to suit you, and you can learn about two-choices questions in FAQ 52. The FAQs are above left, of course.

Or is there a better strategy for someone in my situation?
Hey. YOU are the only person in your situation. YOU have to decide this. So what other strategies do you THINK might be good? Add that to your decision grid. Only YOU can make this decision... it's YOUR life.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 29, 2009

Vectrex / Cosmic Chasm, parts 2 & 3

>From: ████
>Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 8:49 PM
>Subject: Re: Vectrex / Cosmic Chasm
> Can you please remove my email from your message board. I'd appreciate it.
> ████

>From: ████
>Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 8:51 PM
>Subject: Re: Vectrex / Cosmic Chasm
>I found your email address...and did not make it to this page obviously before I dropped you a line.

Vectrex / Cosmic Chasm

>From: ████
>Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 4:08:29 PM
>Subject: Vectrex / Cosmic Chasm
>Mr. Sloper,
>My name is ████ █████. I am a classic arcade game enthusiast. I found this email address through the Vectrex usenet group, and [1] thought I would see if it still works....
>[2] I am trying to figure out who the individuals were that worked on Cosmic Chasm at Cinematronics, and I thought 'Who better might know that information, than one of the original developers'....I know Bill Hawkins and Jeff Corsiglia worked on Cosmic Chasm...[3] I haven't been able to locate contact information for Bill...and think I might have found Jeff, if I have the right one...currently up in Toronto...
>[4] I hope this email finds you well. [5] I am sure you get a ton of email, and a lot of this sort of fan mail all the time. If you don't have time to respond, I understand.
>Sincerely,
>████ █████
>--
>█████████ ████████████
>████ ████.com - ███████ ██████ ████ ████
>████ ████ ██████ ███████ - http://www.███████████.com

Hi ████,
It still works.
Sorry, I have no idea.
Sounds like you're angling for email addresses. Sorry, I don't do that.
Yes, thanks.
Yep, sure do.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
Memorial Day, 2009

Everybody is telling me I have to study CS, part 4

>From: Juli
>Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 9:26:54 AM
>Subject: Job concerns
>Hello again, Sloper.
>My biggest fear about this is the job. I dont want to be stuck in programming forever so some of my biggest concerns is actually getting the job.
>When a course is called game design, that should probably be the best thing if you plan to follow that, but I want to know how interchageable these skills are just in case anything happens, I don't get the job, few free positions, efor as I hear, its not a very starting position job.
>I seem to hear a lot on the importance of knowing the graphcial and program part of gaming, so would it be better to start off somewhere here to first gain experience and later expand, or concentrate on design and do individual portfolio projects, or start as level designer/editor?
>I am the kind of person who, rather than being passionate about one thing, is assionate about everything and nothing. I want everything in a job, but not a huge concentration in one aspect. One thing I would like o do is to actualy visit a gaming company and interview and follow around someone to trusly see what it is like, bu there is none of that here in the middle east.
>What is learnt in game design courses are, by my criteria, interesting and fun, but I'm not sure if thats enough in terms of getting the job. Woud a course like this be too specialized and not be worth much in other jobs, also non-gaming jobs?
>Thanks again, Julian :)

Julian,
Have you made a decision grid yet? I have told you repeatedly that you should make one. I recommended the decision grid to you the first time you wrote me; I recommended it again on our most recent exchange. You're considering all the pluses and minuses, but you're doing it in an unscientific way, and you're just making yourself confused and frustrated. The way to sort all this out is to examine it from all angles the way an engineer would.

Make a list of the options available to you.

For each of the options, make a list of pros and cons and unknowns.

Then turn it into a grid, just like the example I laid out in FAQ 25. By examining the matter analytically, you eliminate confusion and make it easier to decide.

Some of the things you asked today qualify as unknowns, so to address those:

My biggest fear about this is the job.
The only thing to fear is fear itself. I mean that! When you operate based on fears, you make bad choices. Read what General Stonewall Jackson and other famous people have said about fear - read FAQ 47. You know where the FAQs are.

I dont want to be stuck in programming forever so some of my biggest concerns is actually getting the job.
In our very first communication, I recommended that you not pursue programming as your entryway to game design. I made an alternate recommendation. I think you need to scroll down and re-read everything I've said to you before.

When a course is called game design, that should probably be the best thing if you plan to follow that,
You would think so -- but just because a course is called "game design" doesn't mean that it really is.

but I want to know how interchageable these skills are just in case anything happens, I don't get the job
Right. Which is one of the reasons I give for game aspirants to take traditional degree programs. This can be one of the cells in your decision grid.

efor as I hear, its not a very starting position job.
Okay, now I have to make sure we're talking about the same thing. "It" is "game design," is that right? If so, then yes, it's not.

I seem to hear a lot on the importance of knowing the graphcial and program part
You "seem" to hear this a lot? Where? From whom? I'm the one you're talking to right now. If you're saying "a game designer has to be an artist and a programmer," then what you're saying is wrong.

of gaming
Please don't use the word "gaming" unless you're talking about casinos and gambling. See FAQ 28.

would it be better to start off somewhere here to first gain experience and later expand, or concentrate on design and do individual portfolio projects, or start as level designer/editor?
These are the options you want to make your decision grid about.

I am the kind of person who, rather than being passionate about one thing, is assionate about everything and nothing. I want everything
Then perhaps you are not the kind of person who's suitable for joining a game team. You may need to go the "lone wolf" route, and do everything yourself.

One thing I would like o do is to actualy visit a gaming company and interview and follow around someone to trusly see what it is like
Everybody would like to do that. Nobody gets to do that. Sorry!

What is learnt in game design courses are... interesting and fun, but I'm not sure if thats enough in terms of getting the job.
Then become sure. Read FAQ 49. Have you read any of my articles??

Woud a course like this be too specialized
A course like what? You keep on flitting this way and that way and it's hard to follow you.

and not be worth much in other jobs, also non-gaming jobs?
This is the same question already asked and answered in #4 above.

Julian, please read those FAQs, then make a decision grid. I'm here to answer more questions after you've done your homework.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 25, 2009

Got idea. Now what? Part 2

>From: Mario
>Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 12:54:40 AM
>Subject: RE: A question about games.
>Wow, thanks for the quick response. I read your reply, and i want to thank you for advising me. I WILL keep on doing what i am doing and what i LOVE to do!

That's the spirit, Mario. Ciao.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 25, 2009

Got idea. Now what?

>From: Mario
>Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 4:19:57 PM
>Subject: A question about games.
>Hello there,
>My name is Mario. I'm currently a student, I'm 14, and I'm just finishing Middle School. I was reading some of your articles from links i found on the onrpg.com forum. Now, i still haven't read all of the articles, so forgive me if you have this question covered in one of your articles. I'm working on a table top game called Rota Fighters. In short, it's a game where the player uses coins to 'fight' his opponent, combining cards and strategy with skill. Now, without taking up your time with explanations, I'll just go to the point. I have the game all figured out. I've started writing the story, i have designs for the cards and coins, i started making some 3d models(using CB Pro on my PC). BUT, what do i do next?There are no game companies in my country(Not that i know off. I live in Macedonia by the way.)So do i 'Google' a company that makes board games and try to convince them that this idea is worth their time? Do i start making it myself(which i don't think is going to happen, as i don't have the money or the staff to do such a thing). Or do i do something else? Please tell me, because i really think that Rota Fighters can be the next Toy of the Year(like bakugan, if not better). I'm also working on a game idea for a game called R.U.N.E(link to the thread i made: http://www.onrpg.com/boards/129693.html ) Feel free to read it and tell me I'm just another "idea man" like you said. But i think that if someone read that thread carefully and realized the potential of such a game, and maybe even talked to me on MSN, I'd convince them that it's worth their money. Furthermore, i read that Game Spec Article( http://www.sloperama.com/advice/specs.html ) and I'm already working on the e-mail which if you agree, I shall send to you. I know you said you're a professional and work for professionals, so please, if you don't want me to do so, just say so.
>Yours Trully,
>Mario
>P.S:Sorry if you find any grammar mistakes, because like i said I'm Macedonian and English isn't my native language.

Hello Mario, you wrote:

I'm working on a table top game ... BUT, what do i do next?
What you should do depends entirely on what you want to accomplish. You didn't tell me what you are trying to accomplish, so I can't tell you what you should do next. In my opinion, you're doing the stuff in my article 12, and building up your learning. In my opinion, what you should do next is "more." Keep on coming up with game ideas, and designing them. Keep on coming up with stories, and writing them. That's what I think you should do next.

do i 'Google' a company that makes board games and try to convince them that this idea is worth their time?
I don't think that's going to accomplish very much, but if you want to do that, go ahead. Have you read article 20 yet?

i really think that Rota Fighters can be the next Toy of the Year
I'm sure it is. The problem is convincing others of that fact. Read article 31.

I'm also working on a game idea for a game called R.U.N.E
Good for you. Keep on doing that. Keep on coming up with game ideas.

link to the thread i made: http://www.onrpg.com/boards/129693.html ) Feel free to read it
Sorry, I don't do that.

i read that Game Spec Article( http://www.sloperama.com/advice/specs.html ) and I'm already working on the e-mail which if you agree, I shall send to you. I know you said you're a professional and work for professionals, so please, if you don't want me to do so, just say so.
Sorry, I don't do that. Keep on designing games, Mario. Best of luck to you!

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 24, 2009

I want to design but... Part 2

From: wilko
Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 11:50:40 AM
Subject: Thank you.
Hi
Thank you very much for the advice. I will take it to heart.
And no, I had not read Article 64. I will make sure to completely read and re-read all your articles now, before I return with any questions.
Thanks!
Wilko

No problem, Wilko.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 24, 2009

I want to design but...

>From: wilko
>Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 9:38:11 AM
>Subject: Pursuing 'Game Design' by studing Theology/Communication Science/Journalism?
>Hi Mr Sloper
>First of all I want to thank you for your amazing website. It has been an eye opener for me, and I might have just found something that I would enjoy doing for the rest of my life.
>My name is Wilko _____, I am 17 years old and currently a student (Grade 12.). I would like to become a Game Designer.
>I have read many of your articles (Still in the process of reading several) and they have answered many of my questions. However, I have one more quesiton that I couldn't find an answer to, because it's too specifc I guess.
>In your guide you explain that we should study what we are passionate about, but that several subjects are a must have. (Step 3)
>My problem: I currently live in Namibia (Southern Africa), and our schooling system does not work the same way the one in the states does. Our courses usually include the material needed for the specific course, nothing more. So Math would not be included in a Journalism course for instance (It might be, this is just an example).
>So I would have to 'specialise' during my studies. I am definitely the most passionate about reading and writing, and my faith too. So I was thinking of combining a course of Communicative Science and/or Journalim, with a degree in Theology (Not full-time ministry theology, just the research side of it.)
>Would this still enable me to be accepted at a game design company? I understand that you will not be able to give me a yes or a no, but especially concerning a degree in Theology, could that possibly be counter productive for a job in game design? In terms of creating First Person Shooters for example, and me having a degree in Theology? Would a game company still regard such a degree as a bonus, or would chances be more likely that I would receive a swift 'No'?
>My only option right now is to study right here in Namibia, possibly by mail, while earning money so that I can eventually move to the states to pursue my dream career of being a game designer.
>Once again, thank you very much for your help.
>Kind Regards
>Wilko

Hello, Wilko, you wrote:

I was thinking of combining a course of Communicative Science and/or Journalim, with a degree in Theology (Not full-time ministry theology, just the research side of it.)
>Would this still enable me to be accepted at a game design company?
I repeatedly said that a game designer can major in any topic that interests him, did I not?

Therefore: you can major in any topic that interests you. And you should. Because your interests are the key to your life.

But to get a job at a game company you'll need skills that are useful to a game company. You have to supplement your education with activities that can provide material for your portfolio.

What degree you have is unimportant. Nobody will look at your résumé and say, "Journalism? Theology? Get out of here." You can major in any topic that interests you. And you should.

concerning a degree in Theology, could that possibly be counter productive for a job in game design?
What degree you have is unimportant. Nobody will look at your résumé and say, "Journalism? Theology? Get out of here." You can major in any topic that interests you. And you should. What degree you have is unimportant. Nobody will look at your résumé and say, "Journalism? Theology? Get out of here." You can major in any topic that interests you. And you should. What degree you have is unimportant. Nobody will look at your résumé and say, "Journalism? Theology? Get out of here." You can major in any topic that interests you. And you should. Have I said that enough times yet? (^_^)

My only option right now is to study right here in Namibia, possibly by mail,
You can only do what you can only do.

eventually move to the states to pursue my dream career of being a game designer.
The United States is not the only place in the world where you can pursue that dream. Have you read article 64?

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 24, 2009

I have a great game idea, but it’s a bit like banging my head on the wall. (FAQ #1)

>From: simon
>Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2009 5:15:29 AM
>Subject: Game idea
>I understand that, in order for you to give me the best answer suited to my unique situation, you need to know that...
>My approximate age is: _ 43
>The level of education I've completed is: higher
>My occupation (if student, enter 'student') is: not in gaming
>The type of game job I aspire to (if applicable) is: game developer
>My game biz question is: I have a great game idea I have written the GDD and contacted many, many game companies, but it’s a bit like banging my head on the wall.
>So could you tell me where is he best place to talk to others with the same problem, plus I would like to put a call out to games people who would like to bunch together and produce a game.
>Simon

Hi Simon, you says:

I have a great game idea I have written the GDD and contacted many, many game companies, but it’s a bit like banging my head on the wall.
OK, well, you need to read some of my FAQs. Like FAQs 1, 11, 21, 31, & 35 (look for the blue and yellow flashing arrow, emblazoned "READ 1ST," like this , beside the words PLEASE READ THE FAQs BEFORE YOU ASK!!!).

could you tell me where is he best place to talk to others with the same problem, plus I would like to put a call out to games people who would like to bunch together and produce a game.
Other amateurs like you gather and chat with one another on the gamedev forums. Look above left for Tom's Game Biz LINKS Page, then click DISCUSSION FORUMS. Good luck with that!

Any more questions? Ask anytime; I'm always here to answer them.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 23, 2009

Maybe somehow I can repay you, part 3

>From: gabriel
>Sent: Friday, May 22, 2009 7:44 AM
>Subject: Looking for game industry work is alot like breaking your arm...
>... you can anticipate the experience (e.g. know it hurts to break your arm without ever breaking it / know it would be difficult to find gaming work before actually trying), but until it happens, you'll never really know what it's like. =P
>It's kind of like you have to do something amazing before you get the chance to do something amazing.
>This reminds me of that Will Smith movie "The Pursuit of Happiness." Smith's character had to do some amazing things before he got his shot at being amazing.
>Anyways, back to my journey to be amazing. Enjoy your weekend, Mr. S!
>~Gabe

Hi Gabe,
I like and agree with your "Pursuit of Happyness" parallel. And what you said, "you have to do something amazing before you get the chance to do something amazing." I always say, "you have to do the job before you can get the job."
But I have to nitpick with your use of the word "gaming." Please look at the #1 definition of "gaming" at dictionary.yahoo.com, and read my definition in FAQ 28. Keep on journeying on.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 22, 2009

Everybody is telling me I have to study CS, part 3

>From: Juli
>Sent: Friday, May 22, 2009 4:06 AM
>Subject: Misconceptionssssss
>My, that came out kinda wrong. My fault though, I have to be clearer with what I say. What I wanted to say was, after some thinking, CS with some special treatment/ extra classes, does not seem such a bad option for working towards my ultimate goal, which after all remains unchanged.
>By your advice, rather than 'I don't know man, what should I do?', I meant 'You who has more experience and know-how of the field, what are the neutral advantages and disadvantages so I have more to consider when deciding'
>Better now than really messing it up when it counts...
>Thanks though ;)

Hello Juli, you wrote:

what are the neutral advantages and disadvantages so I have more to consider when deciding'
That's for you to figure out. Make a decision grid. Figure out what decision criteria you ought to be considering, and go from there. Also, your question is very vague - I don't know what you're asking me to tell you that you can't figure out on your own by making a decision grid. If you're still asking me "should I go with the plan I described in my latest email," I already answered it with my very best and sincerest wisdom. If you're asking me "what are the pluses and minuses of my plan," you're asking me to do your thinking for you. What do you THINK the pluses and minuses MIGHT BE?

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 22, 2009

Everybody is telling me I have to study CS except you but now I'm thinking maybe I will

>From: Juli
>Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 12:27:55 PM
>Subject: Mixing it up
>I've been thinking a bit about it, and it doesn't seem that bad of an idea to take CS. I could take a combined course with maybe graphics, having less of the duller stuff, but still a strong IT base. the knowledge can only come in handy. Top it off with a creative/humanities masters (if its allowed). Once of college, take random classes in other related skills, like the ones you mentioned, which can only be fun. Some part of the dullness probably came from the fact that I thought them useless.
>With my lack of experience point of view, that looks like it might cost a bit more, take a little more time, but provides extra skills that can only come in handy, especially if dealing wth progammers/artists, and the security to have all the options open and switch whenever.
>I guess I'd just like your professional idea on the matter, see whether you wake me up or pat my back

Hello Juli,
My "professional idea on the matter" is that if that's what you want to do, then that's what you should do.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 20, 2009

Everybody is telling me I have to study CS

>From: Juli
>Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 6:41:19 AM
>Subject: University courses --> Job opportunities?
>Hello Tom, right now i'm 17 finishing 11th grade and apiring to be a game designer :)
>I chose this path because, well, at first, when I had no idea wat to follow, without even considering gaming or technology, I made a list of things I wanted in my dream job, which I later realized most of them fit in with the general idea of creative computing.
>
>After researching specific jobs, I came accross game design, which, lucky for me, fits all of them. The more I look into it, the more fun it seems. Besides, I have enjoyed the use of RPGMaker these last two years, and am proud of my latest game.
>
>Game design is now my main goal, and when looking at how to go about it, I came accross various points of view. My family, includng my sister doing a doctorate, say that I should take a CS course and cover all the information, keeping a broad area of study so I can get a job I want and switch if needed. They say that takin a specialized course like game design will get me nowhere unless I manage to get that particular job, with no safety guarantee. My CS teacher does not want to giveme much advice no matter how much I ask. I don't think he likes the fact that he thinks he's deciding my future, but I don't see it that way. MY counselor knows little on the subject.
>
>Another thing is, the CS courses I've been seeing are, except for a few classes, kinda dull, and don't have many non-IT skills embedded, and instead has some dull modules I don't plan on following, therefore in my mind being a waste of time. Most of the game design courses actually appeal a lot to me, especially the different fields and its non-repetitivity.
>
>I don't have much time to decide and I'm kinda stumped. Take a more boring course at a better uni for the title, range of IT skills, gain experience with that, maybe take a master's in a creative field, or taking a fun, yet specialized course where there is less IT, more creativity, at not as good unis, with, according to everyone I know who is willing to help, bad job opportunities.
>
>Whoa, sorry for sending such a long mail with more commas than my english assessment, but I would really appreciate any help you have to offer :)

Hello Juli,
You should not take a course of study that you consider boring. You are getting the wrong advice from these people who are telling you to study computer science. You should make a short list of feasible degree programs - degree programs that interest you, that are available within your parameters, and that you can afford. Then make a decision grid and decide which one to take. Then work like hell to get that degree despite the classes that are required that you don't enjoy (because even though the overall program is one you enjoy, there will be some not-so-fun classes).

Why do I say CS is wrong for you? Two things: you say you want to be a game designer (you don't say you want to be a programmer), and you have already described the programs as boring or dull. Read articles 3, 14, & 40.

You say you've been doing stuff with RPG Maker. In my opinion, your entry pathway could be level design. Read my article 69.

Any more questions?
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 20, 2009

Contract question

From: "King Kostas"
Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 2:50 PM
Subject: Kingkostas(question about contract)
> Hello Mr.Tom
> Sorry for distrurbing you again from your hard work.
> I am in need of a quick direction about some needed contract.(it will
> also be good if this appears in the Bulletin because someone else with
> the same question will have it answered :D)
> Question:
> A programmer wants me to be a 50% partner on a game project he
> designed.I will be the Art director and we will start adding more
> people to the team.
> He asked me to tell him if we must sign any important contract.Is
> there a certain contract that we must sign(for example about what will
> happen after we finish the project, financial etc.)?
> Simplify question:
> Type of contract in this case? :P
> I hope this is understandable.(This will be a great experience for me
> and my journey to step into game industry and becoming a game
> designer)
> Thank you again for the info you provide
> kingkostas

Hi King,
Please understand that I don't remember your details from before. It helps if I know:

How old are you?
What's your level of education?
What's your current occupation?

You didn't tell me the purpose of this project the two of you would work on (whether it's for the experience and to build a portfolio, or to fulfill his fantasy, or to try to sell the game and make money). But anyway, what you are talking about is a "collaboration agreement."

I see that I didn't discuss collaboration agreements in either FAQ 58 or FAQ 28. I'll fix that later.

These agreements clarify:

Google "video game quality assurance companies" and do research on your competition.

Mayank, YOU have to figure out HOW, if you want to start a company. You can't just ask me to tell you what to do. I don't know India that well (I've only been there one time), and I've never started a QA company. The Internet is a POWERFUL resource that you need to use more wisely.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 13, 2009

---

Can you help me start a Game Testing company in Delhi, part 4

>From: mayank
>Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 1:08 AM
>Subject: Re: Game Testing
>Hi Tom,
>Sorry for the late reply. I read advice to Keith that was really very helpful but to be very frank at this point of time I can not travel abroad so if there is some opportunity like this in India only please let me know. I have Game Testing experience but don't know anything about Publishing House. So, would like your help for the same.
>Thanks and Regards,
>Mayank

Hi Mayank,

I read advice to Keith that was really very helpful
Good, I'm glad.

at this point of time I can not travel abroad so if there is some opportunity like this in India only please let me know.
Some opportunity like what? YOU have to find your own opportunities, Mayank. You have to familiarize yourself with everything going on in games in India. YOU have to become an activist in the Indian game community. Don't sit back and wait for me to tell you how to do that.

I have Game Testing experience but don't know anything about Publishing House.
And your point is...?

would like your help for the same.
What are you looking for from me? You haven't given me a clear assignment.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 13, 2009

---

Shoutout to Sloperama

>From: Martin
>Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 3:37:44 AM
>Subject: Shoutout to Sloperama
>Hey,
>You can disregard and close this mail right away, because I have no actual question.
>The reason I'm typing this is to say one big "thanks" for the hard work you've put into your site. It's great you took the effort to help those of us who are, in a way, lost and confused about our future.
>I'm 24 and from Eastern Europe - Bulgaria. For the past couple of months I've been applying for the position of Game tester, but without success. It's a tough cookie, 'cause there are only 2 companies that develop games so you don't exactly have much of a choice. But not gonna whine about it. I'm saving up so I can move to UK. My only concern is that I might get there and not land a job which would suck to cosmic prortions, but hey... nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?
>Enough about me.
>Again - thanks. I found some great advices in your article and I intend to put them into good use.
>Takes care.
>Regards,
>Marty

Hi Marty,
No way would I disregard a nice note like that. Good to hear from you. Best of luck to you in your endeavor.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 11, 2009

---

The job of game designer, part 2

>From: Connor
>Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2009 5:03:57 AM
>Subject: Re: Questions.
>Actually, biz[deleted] is my cousin, I told her of your site.. Why would I email you again with a different address? I'm far too lazy for something like that and it also seems far too sketch. You seem angry, which is understandable, but you got your point across, I will read those faqs and come back.

Cousins! Both interested in working in games. Very cool. Sorry for seeming angry, Connor. Glad the point made sense. Standing by to fill in the gaps...
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
5/7/9

---

The job of game designer

>From: Connor
>Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 7:13 PM
>Subject: Questions.
>Age: 17
>Education: Junior in high school
>Occupation: Unemployed
>Desired Job: Game designer
>Dear Tom,
>I have been reading some of these past questions, along with your facts and have a couple questions. I have read your site in the past, and decided that I needed them to be answered
>1. As a game designer, you said that he/she tells the artists what type of character he is? Would you kindly go into more detail? Do you mean he gives descriptions of the character and through that, artists draw up some sketches and the designer comes back and chooses one out of the few?
>2. I know you said its not common for people to bring portfolio, but considering I like keeping samples of things I do and already have written some reviews and pros/cons about games, what else do you think would be good to have in a portfolio?
>3. I have read through most of the lessons you've pointed out to previous posters on the bulliten board, but if you could, in a better way for me to understand, could you list some of the things game designers do daily and some important duties they have to handle? I know you'll tell me to read "FAQ #", but I know you're a game designer and I would just like to hear it from you, if thats not too hard.
>Thanks in advance.

Hi Connor,
You have the same last name as "Elizabeth." Are you sure you're not the same person (maybe you were using your mom's or sister's email before)? (^_^) Anyway, now you've asked:

As a game designer, you said that he/she tells the artists what type of character he is? Would you kindly go into more detail? Do you mean he gives descriptions of the character and through that, artists draw up some sketches and the designer comes back and chooses one out of the few?
Yes. Precisely (the designer, together with the art director and the producer, as I told Elizabeth-with-the-same-last-name-as-you, two days ago, below). See, you didn't need more explanation on that at all.

I know you said its not common for people to bring portfolio
What?? When the heck did I ever say any such thing? We're talking about a job interview? Of course you have to take a portfolio to a job interview. (Assuming you have a portfolio.) You are totally misquoting me here, miscomprehending what I said.

considering I like keeping samples of things I do and already have written some reviews and pros/cons about games, what else do you think would be good to have in a portfolio?
Read FAQ 12.

in a better way for me to understand, could you list some of the things game designers do daily and some important duties they have to handle?
Only if, and after, you list for me all the things I said designers do in FAQs 7, 10, 14, 28, 37, 18, 19, 9, 21, 20, 55, 57, 69, and any other FAQ (or answer given below) where I discussed game design (actually, more than 90% of the FAQs were slanted more towards aspiring designers than any other game job). Prove to me that you fully comprehended what I've already said, and prove to me that what I've written about the job heretofore is insufficient. This is going to require work on your part. I put a lot of work into writing the FAQs. You should put some work into understanding and comprehending them fully.

I would just like to hear it from you, if thats not too hard.
You've already heard it from me. Show me that you've heard what I've said. One of the reasons I wrote the FAQs and posted them online is so that I wouldn't have to constantly repeat myself. I believe that I've explained the occupation of game designer pretty much as well as it can be explained. Show me exactly where the gaps are. Ask me specific questions. Don't just ask me to repeat myself.

You also wrote about yourself:

Occupation: Unemployed
No, no, no. You are NOT "unemployed." Your occupation is "student."

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 6, 2009

---

How can I maintain a good team morale and cohesion, part 2

From: "Samuel
Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 6:43 PM
Subject: How can I maintain a good team morale and cohesion? (cont.)
> Hello Tom, it's Sam again, thanks for the honest advice. I knew
> something was wrong, but I think I just needed a little bump to do
> something about it. Since the last email I've done some serious attitude
> adjustment. I think I was afraid that the team wouldn't understand my
> vision so I was pressuring them to follow my direction. I wasn't being a
> team player, and I realized if I kept my attitude everything would go to
> waste. Since then I took a step back and listened, I listened to the
> suggestions of everyone and our game has benefited greatly from the
> group wisdom. This is not my game, it's the Teams game. My job in the
> development process is to make sure the game is fun, not to decide what
> makes it into the game or not.
> Thanks again Tom, your advice has allowed me to become a better team player.
> Samuel

Awesome, Sam!
I'm really glad to hear that you pulled it together. Thanks very much for coming back and letting me know how it went.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 6, 2009

---

Can you help me start a Game Testing company in Delhi, part 3

>From: mayank
>Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2009 7:26:24 AM
>Subject: Re: Game Testing
>Hi Tom,
>Actually earlier I was working as a Game Tester but now I want to start my own company. So, I want your advice and help for a new startup. I may start from very basic and small games but vision is high and want to achieve my goal which I have in my mind. Hope you can be of some help to me.
>Regards,
>Mayank

Mayank,
Did you see the three pieces of advice I gave on May the Fourth to Keith, who's also in India, below? If you didn't read my exchange with Keith, you should. To slightly modify what I told him, my advice to you is:
Join forces with one or more other Indian game companies. (See my Game Biz Links page and research on what other Indian game companies, including QA labs, already exist.)  Maybe you should get in touch with Keith, and with other Indians who have asked for my advice (see below).
Read my articles, any that seem apropos. Read my IGDA column (click "Archives" and go read older columns too). Buy the books Introduction to Game Development and Secrets of the Game Business (see FAQ 8). Subscribe to Game Developer magazine.
Network. Read FAQs 54, 46, & 6.
If you have a need for more advice after doing that reading and research, just ask specific focused questions.
Namaste
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
Cinco de Mayo, 2009

---

Still trying to figure out what I want to do with my life, part 6

>From: Elizabeth
>Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2009 4:39:59 AM
>Subject: (No subject)
> I didn't really mean "stuck" to writing, I know its what most of the job was, I was just trying to get a grasp of what else they do in the industry. Until I graduate from college, what do you think I should do? I've read that you told people to start doing mods, or a little programming. I bought this book from Borders last week about programming, and its really small stuff like 3-D shapes and such. If I start doing mods and little programming of games and add them to a portfolio it'll help me for when I look for a job?

Good morning, Elizabeth. You wrote:

I didn't really mean "stuck" to writing
You shouldn't say things you don't mean. You should be careful when you put your sentences together so that your meaning is clearly understood. You need to be aware of the nuanced impact of words you choose.

Until I graduate from college, what do you think I should do?
Take the classes listed in FAQ 3 and do things listed in FAQ 12. What's the use of having FAQs if you're not going to read them?

If I start doing mods and little programming of games and add them to a portfolio it'll help me for when I look for a job?
I can't foretell your future! You keep asking me to foretell your future, and nobody can do that. (There's a way to ask the questions you've been asking, without asking somebody to foretell the future.) When you build a portfolio, you can only put really good stuff in it. If you program a little program that shows an elephant climbing up a giraffe's neck, nobody's going to be impressed unless the giraffe looks like it's genuinely straining under the massive weight of the elephant and the elephant looks like it's genuinely straining to not fall off the giraffe's skinny neck--and there's something for the user of the program to do in the meanwhile. What I'm saying is, if you know a little about how to write code in some language, you can list the language in your cover letter, but the program you made while learning that language probably isn't portfolio worthy.

You're still missing my biggest point: that you should be doing stuff because you WANT to, not because some imaginary potential future employer would be impressed. You gotta go with your passions--not with some imaginary "one true path" to your stated end goal (which maybe you have chosen, so the title of this thread may no longer apply).
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
Cinco de Mayo, 2009

---

Level design aspirations

>From: Ricky
>Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 4:00 PM
>Subject: Hello
>Hello. I have been reading your website in my free time. I am a sophomore in highschool and planning on working with video games for my career. Video games are my one true passion in the world and inspire me. I started by taking Computer programming my freshman year. I did pretty good in the class. I decided at the beginning of this year that I wanted to become a designer, although I am not an artist, and for that matter I believe I am not that much creative. Upon reading your website I decided that Level Design sounds like the job for me. You described level designing as "part game designer, part 3D artist, part programmer, part architect. " This really excited me. I have been looking at colleges, trying to find 'the perfect' college that will teach me everything I need to know. So far I have just been looking at technical schools Full Sail, Savannah College of art and design, and DigiPen. Digipen is looking the best to me (Bachelor's of Science in game Design). I have a few questions that I have been iching to get answered and was hoping that you could set things clear for me.
>Being a level designer, is being a great artist important, or would being just okay cut it for me?
>If I am not creative, is there anything I can do that would help me? Because I feel that this is Very important for any Game job.
>Finally, What do you think about Full Sail and Digipen? I have heard some bad rumors about these colleges and my research isn't boosting my confidence in the colleges.
>I hope to hear from you soon, and I hope I wasn't a bother or asked any stupid questions.
>Thanks again,
> Richard.

Hi Richard, you wrote:

Video games are my one true passion in the world and inspire me.
I hear that line ten times every day. Save it for people who do not work in the video game industry, okay? (^_^)

I have been looking at colleges, trying to find 'the perfect' college that will teach me everything I need to know.
There's no such thing. No college will be perfect. Read FAQ 25.

would being just [an] okay [artist] cut it for me?
I can't foretell your future. But the level designers I know are not great artists.

is there anything I can do that would help me [be more creative]?
I recommend the "Kick in the Seat of the Pants" series of books and cards. See FAQ 8.

What do you think about Full Sail and Digipen? I have heard some bad rumors about these colleges and my research isn't boosting my confidence in the colleges.
This is a boring question. I have no idea what bad things you've heard and I don't care. Just make a decision grid per FAQ 25.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May the Fourth be with you, 2009

---

something touched me to contact you

>From: mery bugiba
>Email: merybugiba@gmail.com
>Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 7:15 PM
>Subject: HELLO
>Hello,
> it give me a great pleassure to write you i was browsing when i came across your email contact and something touched me to contact you ,i will be very happy to be in communication with you if you will have the desire with me so that we can get to know each other and see what happened in future.
>i will be very happy if you can write me so that i will tell you more about my self and give you my pictures for a good start.
>i will be waiting to hear from you.
>have a blessed day.
>from Miss mery

Errr... yeah... sure.
May the Fourth be with you. (It would be even better if this was April First.)
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
May the Fourth, 2009

---

My Indian game development startup plan, part 2

>From: Keith
>Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 11:58 AM
>Subject: Re: Stuck with my business plan!!!
>Hi Tom
>Thank you very much for your inputs with regard to my mail. Will definitely take it into consideration. Hopefully I'll be able to make it some day cos I'm sure that this is what I wanna do for the rest of my life . Cheers!
>Regards
>Keith

Namaste, Keith.
Desire and ambition aren't enough. See you at E3. Maybe.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May the Fourth be with you (2009)

---

My Indian game development startup plan

>From: Keith
>Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 5:17 AM
>Subject: Stuck with my business plan!!!
>Hi Tom
>My name’s Keith [deleted] and I’m from India. I’m 27 years old and have an MBA in Marketing. I need your advice on a business plan that I have.
>I intend to start a game development company here in India. As of now my model is based upon the tried, tested and much spoken about game development outsourcing model. As of now, India is very new to the game development industry. But there are skills in India which I plan to leverage to build a successful business.
>I plan on starting a game development company which will cater to the bigger publishers who make the games. Initially I plan on entering into developing games for the PC and Console segments. This is mainly to maintain cash flows in the company and also to build a sizable game development skill set in the company. Once this is done I plan on building game engines for the Game development market, which I intend to license out interested parties. I would ultimately like to move from a developer role to a publisher role building in house titles.
>I see success in this model due to the following reasons –
>1. Low input costs by way of labor
>2. A highly skilled workforce which is a available in plenty
>As of now my main problem is that I do not have a technical person (at the level of a producer) and I don’t have any contacts in the gaming industry. Hence I’m stuck. As of now I have 1 investor who is willing to invest about 45% of the total investment requirements.
>I’m looking for you inputs with regards the following questions
>1. What is the best way to proceed with the business plan (next step)?
>2. What are the skill sets that I will require to get started (Who do I need to hire)?
>3. How can I get orders at least for basic development contracts?
>I would be much obliged if you could help me out.
>Regards
>Keith

Namaste, Keith. You wrote:

I... have an MBA in Marketing... I intend to start a game development company
This is crazy! You have no experience in the game industry, and you want to make your step #1 the creation of a company?? Read FAQ 29 and read why I think you shouldn't do this. The FAQs are above left.

Initially I plan on entering into developing games for the PC and Console segments.
A lot of new developers start out doing art, localizations, ports, and small games (iPhone, mobile phone, Flash games, etc.). If you want to work on the console platforms, you're going to need to get licensed with the platform holders. And there's a bit of a chicken-and-egg thing there.

Once this is done I plan on building game engines for the Game development market, which I intend to license out interested parties.
I don't recommend that. Being a middleware provider entails a LOT of technical support for the licensees. First things first. Start small. If your folks do eventually create something marketable to game developers, then you can decide what to do. In the meantime, I recommend you start reading a lot about the engine middleware scene. Get up to date on what's going on with the big engine companies, see what they deal with. Are you subscribed to Game Biz Daily and GamaDaily yet? Those are the two I like best. There's also an English-language game biz newsletter from China, you should definitely subscribe to that since you're in the neighborhood so to speak.

I would ultimately like to move from a developer role to a publisher role
First things first. I think it's a great idea to become a publisher in India (there's definitely a need), but you have a LOT of stuff to do along the way. You should get familiar with all the other Indian game companies, see what they're up to. Get to know the people. For starters, you should join the local IGDA chapter (if there isn't one, start it yourself), start going to every Asian game conference. You should come to L.A. next month for E3, too. See for yourself what publishers go through. At least get a little taste.

I see success in this model due to the following reasons –
Yeah, yeah. Those are the obvious and well-known trite yet true facts. I see failure in this plan due to the following reasons:
You have not worked in the game industry. You have no idea what you're getting into.
You have not worked in the game industry. You don't have any contacts. Nobody knows you, trusts you, sees that you know what you're doing. It's going to be difficult to build a team.
You have not worked in the game industry. You don't have any contacts. Nobody knows you, trusts you, sees that you know what you're doing. It's going to be impossible to get development work.
You have not worked in the game industry. It's going to be impossible to get a console development license.
You have never started or run a business before.

What is the best way to proceed with the business plan (next step)?
Join forces with one of the other Indian game companies. (See my Game Biz Links page.) Your marketing knowledge may be your leverage for getting in. You'll need to subjugate your ambitions for a while. Work to improve your boss's business while you learn the game industry from the inside. Maybe after a few years of that, if you still want to, you can branch off and start your own company.

What are the skill sets that I will require to get started (Who do I need to hire)?
Read FAQs 7 & 10 for starters (then read my other articles, any that seem apropos). Read my IGDA column (click "Archives" and go read older columns too). Buy the books Introduction to Game Development and Secrets of the Game Business (see FAQ 8). Subscribe to Game Developer magazine.

How can I get orders at least for basic development contracts?
Networking. Read FAQs 54, 46, & 6.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May the Fourth be with you (2009)

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Still trying to figure out what I want to do with my life, parts 4 & 5

>From: Elizabeth
>Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 5:02 AM
>Subject: Advice would be helpful sir. PART 3
>Dear Tom,
>I have no problem with writing, sir. As I type this email, I am actually in journalism class which I have been the last three years. I am used to writing and things of the sort. I was just trying to get a feel of the job from an actual designers perspective. A game designer is what I want to shoot for and I know its going to take awhile and some experience, but I'm up for that. Thanks.

>From: Elizabeth Dunbar
>To: Tom Sloper
>Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 5:11 AM
>Subject: And another...sorry.
>Do game designers draw the characters? I'm guessing that graphic artists and such do that, but you say designers help with characters and levels. Would a game designer just write the technical stuff? Like how the character should look, how they should move, how fast, and stuff like that? Or would they go into detail about characters and levels and have to draw them out. Thanks for the fourth time, sorry.

Good morning, Elizabeth. You wrote:

I have no problem with writing
Mm-hmm. Sure sounded like it when you wrote, "would I be stuck to writing the whole time?" You seemed so concerned that you would "be stuck there writing plots and things like that."

Do game designers draw the characters? I'm guessing that graphic artists and such do that, but you say designers help with characters
The game designer has to say who the characters are. How are the artists supposed to know what to draw if they don't know what the game is, and what's supposed to be in it?

and levels.
You haven't read FAQ 69 yet. I pointed it to you previously.

Would a game designer just write the technical stuff? Like how the character should look
How the character should look is kind of an art director decision. The designer and the art director meet (did you notice how in FAQ 14 I said that meetings were a big part of the designer's job?) and they discuss (remember that in part 3 of this thread I said that the designer would "be around other people"?), and reach agreement on the overall style of the game. The art director whips up some concept sketches of the character, or supervises a concept artist in doing so. Then the designer, the art director, and the producer decide on the final one. It's not just one guy who gets to dictate everything to the rest of the team. You have to stop thinking like an entitled empowered individualistic artiste and start thinking like a collaborative team member whose position is tenuous, subject to removal if she doesn't perform or succeed in keeping everyone's trust.

how they should move, how fast, and stuff like that?
How the character should move is kind of an animator decision (probably in discussions with the lead designer and the art director). How fast is going to be figured out once the character has been created and is controllable. (It's a little hard to write a technical specification for the speed of a character's movements - that's kind of intangible.)

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May the Fourth be with you (2009)

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Still trying to figure out what I want to do with my life, part 3

>From: Elizabeth
>Sent: Sunday, May 03, 2009 5:50 PM
>Subject: (No subject)
>Hi Tom, I have another question. What job do you think is more fun, bein a programmer, or being a designer? Also, if I were to become a designer, would I be stuck to writing the whole time? Or would I be around other people, helping design characters and levels, because from your lessons, I feel that if you join the business, you'll be stuck there writing plots and things like that. Thanks again.

Hi Elizabeth, you wrote:

What job do you think is more fun, bein a programmer, or being a designer?
What difference does it make to you which one I think is more "fun"? What should matter to you is which one YOU would enjoy more. You haven't understood FAQ 40, or you haven't read it. Some people enjoy football more than playing tabletop RPGs. Some people enjoy cooking more than sewing. Some people enjoy using computer programming to solve problems, and some people enjoy working with people.

Everybody is different. You gotta be you. Read FAQ 34 while you're re-reading FAQ 40.

if I were to become a designer, would I be stuck to writing the whole time?
This question tells me you should not study to become a game designer. Read FAQ 30.

would I be around other people, helping design characters and levels
Of course you would. AND you would be doing a LOT of writing.

I feel
Do not trust your feelings, Luke. You must make decisions based on facts, not "feelings." I talked about feelings in FAQ 40, so when you read that you'll see.

that if you join the business, you'll be stuck there writing plots and things like that.
You haven't read FAQs 14 & 32 very carefully. Writing "plots" is the job of the writer, not the game designer. But again, your apparent dislike of writing indicates that you should not go for jobs in game design or writing.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 3, 2009

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Can you help me start a Game Testing company in Delhi, part 2

>From: mayank
> Sent: Sunday, May 03, 2009 11:00 AM
>Subject: Re: Game Testing
>Hi Tom,
>Thanks for the reply. Actually until now I was working for a company in Noida actually for Game Testing but now I would like to start up my own Game Testing venture which will include a lot of other things including Game Testing. So, just wanted to know if I can get any work? We can start form very basic level and depending on the work done the level can be increased. Can you help me in this field?
>Regards,
>Mayank

Namaste Mayank,
I'm confused. First you said you wanted a testing job. Now you say you want to start a testing company?
And what kind of help do you think I can give you? What kind of advice are you looking for? Please be more specific.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 3, 2009

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Can you help me get Game Testing jobs in Delhi?

>From: mayank
>Sent: Sunday, May 3, 2009 1:15:20 AM
>Subject: Game Testing
>Hello,
>I came to know about you form some blogs. Actually, I am into the field of Testing for around three years and tested few games on PC and different Platforms also like XOX 360, PS2, PS3, PSP etc. and few big titles of a big Publisher also. So, can you help me in getting Game Testing jobs? I am located in India in Delhi. Please do reply.
>Regards,
>Mayank

Namaste Mayank,
I'm confused. You say you've been testing for the past 3 years, but you need help getting testing work?? This doesn't make sense to me. Were you fired from your previous testing job? Did your employer go out of business?
I assume you were working for Mindfire, since that's the only New Delhi game company that shows up on any of the game industry map mashups.
How about this: read FAQs 5, 17, 24, & 28, and use the game industry maps on my Game Biz Links page. You can link to the FAQs and my Links page above left. After you've read those articles and looked up game companies in your region, come on back and ask me any follow-up questions you want.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 3, 2009

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Still trying to figure out what I want to do with my life, part 2

>From: Elizabeth
>Sent: Saturday, May 02, 2009 8:53 PM
>Subject: ALSO, sorry forgot a question..
>You say that a game designer is largely writing, I have no problem with writing, I've been in journalism all three years of my high school career, but what do they write about?
>Also, If I want to be a person that helps design a story for a game, and characters and levels, what job would I be shooting for in the gaming industry?
>I know you'll tell me to read up on some lessons, and I respect that. You're a good man.
>Once again, thank you.

Hi Elizabeth, you wrote:

what do they write about?
It's called "game design." Read FAQs 2 & 13.

If I want to be a person that helps design a story for a game, and characters ... what job would I be shooting for in the gaming industry?
Writing. Read FAQ 32.

If I want to be a person that helps design ... levels, what job would I be shooting for in the gaming industry?
Level design. Read FAQ 69.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 2, 2009

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Still trying to figure out what I want to do with my life.

>From: Elizabeth
>Sent: Saturday, May 02, 2009 8:21 PM
>Subject: Advice would be helpful sir.
>Good Day, Tom.
>I am a 17 year old, junior in high school, still trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. I know I want to be in the video game business, though. I am still stuck on a decision. I have read through more that half of your lessons, (very helpful by the way). You said that a game designer isn't an game artist, or programmer correct? Which is not what I want to do, by the way. Well as a game designer, could you tell me some of the duties that would come with that job? Also, I know you said get a major in anything I want at college aslong as I take those classes you listed. Do you think majoring in business is a wise decision? Or should I shoot for something else. It would be much appreciated, thank you.

Hi Elizabeth, you wrote:

still trying to figure out what I want to do with my life.
When I was your age, I didn't know either. This is something you'll figure out eventually, by taking a variety of classes and trying different things.

You said that a game designer isn't an game artist, or programmer correct?
No, I was lying when I said that. [Retroactive sarcasm][/Retroactive sarcasm]

Which is not what I want to do, by the way. Well as a game designer, could you tell me some of the duties that would come with that job?
Read FAQs 7 & 14. But why are you asking about a job you don't want to do? I'm a little confused by your words.

Do you think majoring in business is a wise decision?
Only if you want to. Read FAQs 40, 34, 29, 42.

Or should I shoot for something else.
Something else besides game design, which you said is not what you want to do? Yes. You should only shoot for something you want to do. Read FAQ 40.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May 2, 2009

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School interview project #1,234,569

>From: Antti
>Sent: Friday, May 1, 2009 12:21:23 AM
>Subject: Game Industry Q+A
>I understand that, in order for you to give me the best answer suited to my unique situation, you need to know that...
>My approximate age is: 14, almost 15
>The level of education I've completed is: I'm on 8th grade on Finnish school system.
>My occupation (if student, enter 'student') is: student
>The type of game job I aspire to (if applicable) is: game designer
>My game biz question is:
>Hello! My name is Antti [deleted] and I'm from Finland. I have a school project to interview a game designer.
>I would love to ask you some questions, thought my english might be bad:
>1. Studying the occupation.
>1.1. What and how to study?
>1.2. What kind of subjects/study success is needed for high school?
>1.3. How long does the education take?
>- Any good sources for becoming a game designer?
>2. Pretensions for the job.
>2.1. What subjects "matter" when you're studying to become a game designer?
>2.2. What kind of qualities should someone have that wants to become a game designer?
>3. The job.
>3.1. How is the working like?
>3.2. What are you supposed to do as a game designer?
>3.3. How much do you get paid? (averege game designer payment is enough.)
>3.4. Is there any benefits you get as a game designer?
>4. Working.
>4.1. How many locations are there for a game designer? (companies to work at, etc)
>4.2. Who could hire a game designer?
>4.3. What kind of qualities does the game industry expect from a game designer?
>That should be all, thank you.
>Antti Lohtaja
>Uudessa IE8 selaimessa on uudet pikatoiminnot. Lataa.

Hi Antti,
1.1.a. Read FAQ 3 on my website: http://sloperama.com/advice.html
1.1.b. I can’t teach you how to study. Ask your teachers and parents.
1.2. I can’t tell you about your high school’s requirements.
1.3. You need a four-year degree.
1.4. Yes.
2.1. I don’t see a difference between this question and your question 1.1.a. You’ll need to rephrase the question.
2.2. Read FAQs 7 & 14.
3.1. Read FAQ 14.
3.2. Read FAQ 14.
3.3. Read FAQ 14.
3.4. It depends.
4.1. Go to my Game Biz Links page and use the listings of game companies.
4.2. Game companies (publishers and developers; see FAQ 28).
4.3. Read FAQ 14.

Also, read FAQ 37.

Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
May Day, 2009

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FINALLY! I've posted my photos from my Mumbai trip last month. Click here if you wanna see'em. (Hint: if you don't wanna see, just don't click there.)

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Color key


Blue = an FAQ, a question that's been asked frequently or is answered with a frequently given answer.
Purple = an angry email from a disgruntled reader.
Green = a happy email from a grateful reader.
Red = a career interview from a student (usually but not always high school).
Orange = a weird or off-topic email.
Black = none of the above. Regular question or comment.

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CLICK HERE to read older Q&A postings!

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