General Discussion

Hi folks.

I am currently looking for some independent experts that can give some solid feedback on MMO plans that we like to develop. Preferable living in The Netherlands. Reactions, advice or information can be send bij PM. I then contact you from there. "expert" is the key word here, pls so not i have played WOW ... 

We intend to create real games for gamers and therefore seek contact with the community rather then make the game only with our narrow developers point of view. So in post-production fases we will ask/need more community input.

For now its just the first steps in creating game structure(s).

Yours Xrux

Hi - what company do you work for?

Here is my expertely advice as another person working for an independant mmo company.  Don't make mmos at first make something different to generate money. 

If you do make an mmo at first, make sure the design bible is done and fully articulated.  Make sure you explain how to program a feature, the design styles you are aiming for, and all the assets you want done for release and extras that can be done afterwords.  Doing this can cost you days of planning, but it beats years of redoing work because you changed your mind or hit the wall on technical limitations.  Its also good to refer with a programmer to understand technical limitations.  Alpha Engine Programmers will understand this the best.

@ Prae   The company is currently in sort of "founding" status.. Pre-seed capital.

@ Cleffy   Yes the bible... thanks for your advice. We donot intend to start and make a big MMO and struggle with it for years. I have seen too many in that contex and fail. Good concepts. The bible = digital document as i work with, is our first objective. I have started to write it and there is a max of 6 months planned for it.

Backup is there and the "group" intends to make a first nice playeble game (sort of MMO) to show tot he community and investors that we can make good games, we understand the MMO gamer. From there on we decide to try a bigger MMO game or continue the path we are on.

What we need is some input from independent experts that can honestly "judge" our plans and do or donot see a enjoyeble game(s) pieces, for MMO community to play.

Originally posted by Xrux

Hi folks.

I am currently looking for some independent experts that can give some solid feedback on MMO plans that we like to develop. Preferable living in The Netherlands. Reactions, advice or information can be send bij PM. I then contact you from there. "expert" is the key word here, pls so not i have played WOW ... 

We intend to create real games for gamers and therefore seek contact with the community rather then make the game only with our narrow developers point of view. So in post-production fases we will ask/need more community input.

For now its just the first steps in creating game structure(s).

Yours Xrux

 

 

So you want to completly ignore the opinions of player that have played wow.. you want to ignore the largest gaming community in the genre... and you talk about narrow mindness.... you sir are a joke, and doomed to failure.

We see these posts all the time over at indiegamer and gamedev.  People post "I have an idea for the best MMO ever" who have not coded a line in their lives, have no money yet expect experts to jump on board LOL.

Originally posted by coffee

Originally posted by Xrux

Hi folks.

I am currently looking for some independent experts that can give some solid feedback on MMO plans that we like to develop. Preferable living in The Netherlands. Reactions, advice or information can be send bij PM. I then contact you from there. "expert" is the key word here, pls so not i have played WOW ... 

We intend to create real games for gamers and therefore seek contact with the community rather then make the game only with our narrow developers point of view. So in post-production fases we will ask/need more community input.

For now its just the first steps in creating game structure(s).

Yours Xrux

 

 

 

So you want to completly ignore the opinions of player that have played wow.. you want to ignore the largest gaming community in the genre... and you talk about narrow mindness.... you sir are a joke, and doomed to failure.

We see these posts all the time over at indiegamer and gamedev.  People post "I have an idea for the best MMO ever" who have not coded a line in their lives, have no money yet expect experts to jump on board LOL.

I think you need to re-read his post what he is saying is that he would prefer replies from people who have some background know how on how MMO's are created. What he doesant want is some person who just because he/she has played a single MMO [for example WoW or WAR] consider themselves 'Experts' on MMO's.

lol @ raging wow player.

I've played most mmos on the market but still wouldn't consider myself an expert.

Originally posted by HYPERI0N

Originally posted by coffee

Originally posted by Xrux

Hi folks.

I am currently looking for some independent experts that can give some solid feedback on MMO plans that we like to develop. Preferable living in The Netherlands. Reactions, advice or information can be send bij PM. I then contact you from there. "expert" is the key word here, pls so not i have played WOW ... 

We intend to create real games for gamers and therefore seek contact with the community rather then make the game only with our narrow developers point of view. So in post-production fases we will ask/need more community input.

For now its just the first steps in creating game structure(s).

Yours Xrux

 

 

 

So you want to completly ignore the opinions of player that have played wow.. you want to ignore the largest gaming community in the genre... and you talk about narrow mindness.... you sir are a joke, and doomed to failure.

We see these posts all the time over at indiegamer and gamedev.  People post "I have an idea for the best MMO ever" who have not coded a line in their lives, have no money yet expect experts to jump on board LOL.

I think you need to re-read his post what he is saying is that he would prefer replies from people who have some background know how on how MMO's are created. What he doesant want is some person who just because he/she has played a single MMO [for example WoW or WAR] consider themselves 'Experts' on MMO's.

Thanks for your response.

yes we seek rather people whom have been there since uo en now in wow for example..lol

Thanks all for your responses and pm.  We work with that for now. Glad to announce we just have signed  another investor into our project. And no we not gonne make another WOW game.

cheers and stand by as this website is my favourite and only one i communciate with for now.

I've been part of 5 Startup MMO companies, 2 of which never even became public and one of which folded a week after the gamelaunch.  One axed half the staff after squandering the startup money in a few months (we designers got axed because they could "do that on their own").  And this one seems far more likely to work.

I've done consulting for 1 startup MMO companies... they weren't prepared at all and were looking to make a quick buck.  They closed up shop last I heard.

And for a few months I ran my own company (albeit NOT MMO) to make games.  The reason was because after seeing all these MMO companies failing (quickly at that), I didn't want to get involved, and I didn't want to spend the time/money that MMOs require if I couldn't finish.

If you want some advice:
Make a game or 2 that's NOT a MMO before you delve into MMO Development... MMOs are *the hardest* games to create, on any level.  Perhaps a Single/Multi RPG, test out some of your concepts.  Rack up some of your experience from within your team, earn a little bit of namesake, establish some good company credit.

This will also help to get you more Investment money in the long run, a good company name and reputation will go a long way.  In addition if you can show that the company has already been profitable, which will help you partially fund your bigger, MMO, project.

If you're still bent on a MMO:
there's much to learn that, if you have never been in development, you're going to learn the hard way.  MMO Development is a multi-year project, and not for the faint of heart.  If you'd like me to look at your plans (be it business, timeline, or expectations), I'd be happy to give you my advice.