I got a few Questions I would love some answers to

Community Community & Industry Discussion
1

1: Can I hire a team to make a game for me, If I lack knowledge in either Art(Graphics), Sound(Sound and Music) or Programming?

  1. Assuming one were to start off small, and decided to make an expansion pack(In the form of a mod) for a game already released, What would I be required to do PRIOR to development, and what would I have to do AFTER development?

  2. Assuming I wanted to make a game that is realistic in EVERY way(Textures, Sound, Physics, etc) and was designed to run on hardware that has not been released or announced(Much like what ID Softwares early games did), on a rough number, how much would a game like that cost to make(On a rough number)?

  3. How long would it take for one guy with no programming knowledge, no art knowledge, some barebones basic audio knowledge, to make even a small mobile game?

2

  1. Yes, but depending on the game you will needs lots of money or lots and lots of money.

  2. Get permissions from the IP holder and then depending on the deal, perhaps have to give the IP holder a percentage of all profits.

  3. If we’re talking AAA style, millions to hundreds of millions.
    Non-AAA, thousands to hundreds of thousands.

  4. Month to learn editor, month to make something??
    Really depends on the individual :expressionless:

3

I am in a very similar situation as you, although i am a 2d artist. Im learning blender as well as UE4. Having some art skill helps, but there is alot of learning in both programs.
You can save alot of money, if you purchase some items from marketplace, this wont give you a finished game but it will solve your no art knowledge.

4

Using marketplace assets is just fine, provided you don’t just make an asset flip of a game.

Stitching together X, Y and Z does not a game make :expressionless:

5
  1. Here is a good starting point.
    GwenFreyTheTA - YouTube
    If you take the time to watch all of Gwen’s videos you will have all your questions answered as to what it takes and how much it costs to Indy a game.
  2. Making a mod is a great way to learn but where things will go is a a gamble. For example Portal was a Love For the Game project but Valve hired on the entire team which is usually the plan A of starting out as a mod team.
  3. Depends. Are you time rich or money rich? If it’s all about the $$ time does = dollars so if you amortize the cost the finished project is expensive either way. My advice is to start out small and work towards the larger project. It’s easier to find help on a game with a 2 month development cycle than a 2 year project.
  4. Been doing this stuff for about 20 years and everyday is still a learning experience Advice wise don’t learn software but look for solutions that solves a problem. Be it you just started today or been doing art and crafts for years there will always be the where you will have a problem looking for a solution .
6

Your plan needs to be thought in number of years not months/weeks. Even for a smaller mobile project with high quality graphics.