New PC Gaming Company

[Gecko]

Hi all,

As some of you may have seen from my earlier posts, I've toyed with the idea of starting a gaming company. I have taken the idea further and am considering it seriously now. I've got some partners involved and we're testing the waters.

This forum has members who are both passionate about PC gaming, as well as experienced and knowledgeable. Hence, I'm soliciting your opinion(s) if I may.

My main question is -

Would you be interested in (and support) a PC gaming company who built PC games ONLY for PC gamers? No consoles in sight. Games optimized for keyboards/PCs. Intelligent games, aimed at an adult crowd (M rated). Graphics good to high quality but second to gameplay, story and engine. We would focus only on PC games, likely single player.

My/our inspiration for the company is thus. We're older gamers (30+) and we think we're not alone. We're sick of console-based or ported PC games that are either mindless shooters, or poorly executed RPGs, or something in-between. We miss a serious challenge. Adult dialogues. Complex issues. Memorable characters. No hints. No auto-levelling. A game not hindered by an obvious usability slant towards consoles.

It is early days yet, but I would be interested in what you have to say on the matter.

Thank you.
Chris

[Slinky]

Although, I'm not 30+ (I'm 21), I think this sounds like a really great idea. I am also sick of console ports think better games should be available. Theres not a whole lot I could contribute other than a few bucks here and there, but I do think it would be awesome.

[Tanuki]

A new company has no reputation besides those who work for it. People will buy your product if it interests them enough to do so. If you are trying to be a successful PC-only company you are targeting a niche market or you have money to burn. Or you are Blizzard/Valve. Or you expect to make a GOTY every time.

You should research some European design companies that make games similar to what you have in mind to see the troubles they face and where they find their successes. It is not easy, look at the issues someone as large as CD Projekt have faced.

[Gecko]

If you are trying to be a successful PC-only company you are targeting a niche market...

That is the crux of it. A small, but dedicated, core customer base. Keeping overhead and production costs low to offset the lower income.

We believe you don't need a massive studio or Patrick Stewart voice-overs to make a great game. Why do people still play a game as dated as Deus Ex? I believe it's because it hit all the right targets. It looks terrible by today's standards but I recently played it and loved it. A great story will stay with you much longer than a pretty image, IMO.

[Gecko]

Although, I'm not 30+ (I'm 21), I think this sounds like a really great idea. I am also sick of console ports think better games should be available. Theres not a whole lot I could contribute other than a few bucks here and there, but I do think it would be awesome.

Thank you for the input! We're not saying 30+ is our target, just offering our backgrounds as reference. I'm sure there are younger gamers looking for more depth and challenge from a game as well.

[Tanuki]

That is the crux of it. A small, but dedicated, core customer base. Keeping overhead and production costs low to offset the lower income.

We believe you don't need a massive studio or Patrick Stewart voice-overs to make a great game. Why do people still play a game as dated as Deus Ex? I believe it's because it hit all the right targets. It looks terrible by today's standards but I recently played it and loved it. A great story will stay with you much longer than a pretty image, IMO.

Deus Ex wasn't a small project. The type of games you are talking about making have significant development costs. Especially testing. And if you are planning on making your engine things get more resource intensive.

I am not saying it cannot be done, it has. Just that people who do this tend to live game-to-game and have limited options, if any, if a project is going sour.

[Gecko]

That is the crux of it. A small, but dedicated, core customer base. Keeping overhead and production costs low to offset the lower income.

We believe you don't need a massive studio or Patrick Stewart voice-overs to make a great game. Why do people still play a game as dated as Deus Ex? I believe it's because it hit all the right targets. It looks terrible by today's standards but I recently played it and loved it. A great story will stay with you much longer than a pretty image, IMO.

Deus Ex wasn't a small project. The type of games you are talking about making have significant development costs. Especially testing. And if you are planning on making your engine things get more resource intensive.

I am not saying it cannot be done, it has. Just that people who do this tend to live game-to-game and have limited options, if any, if a project is going sour.

What I meant was that Deus Ex is still being played today, even with its limitations. Not that it was a drop-in-the-hat to produce, and not that I want to make a graphically-challenged game mind you, just underlining the power of a great story with great execution.

We're aware of the potential complexity and associated costs, and as I said, early days yet. Without getting into too many details, I'm just trying to get a feel for the community's appetite for such a potential game (as outlined above initially) at this point.

Thanks for your ongoing thoughts though...appreciated.

[Tanuki]

We're aware of the potential complexity and associated costs, and as I said, early days yet. Without getting into too many details, I'm just trying to get a feel for the community's appetite for such a potential game (as outlined above initially) at this point.

I will just say that it is impossible to gauge actual interest in a game that doesn't exist. You are asking about a genre which already has well known support.

"Would you be interested in a PC-style RPG game in the vein of older titles like the Baldur's Gate series?" I think everyone already knows the answer to that.

[Gecko]

"Would you be interested in a PC-style RPG game in the vein of older titles like the Baldur's Gate series?" I think everyone already knows the answer to that.

That's exactly what I am hoping for. :wink:

[Tanuki]

That's exactly what I am hoping for.

Now all you need to do is deliver. :mrgreen:

[DaFox]

Coop means that I am sold.

[Gecko]

That's exactly what I am hoping for.

Now all you need to do is deliver. :mrgreen:

Lol, absolutely. If I/we do this, it will be done properly and not half-arsed.

[Gecko]

Coop means that I am sold.

:D

[thales100]

Would you be interested in (and support) a PC gaming company who built PC games ONLY for PC gamers? No consoles in sight.

Absolutely. :bowdown

[Abram]

No consoles? Damned straight.

[yogibbear]

Sounds pretty similar to Frictional Games and i love all their games. Purchased and enjoyed every single one. Looking forward to what you guys can produce.

[Gecko]

Thanks again all...

[X-Warrior]

Sounds like a noble cause.

I'm still sceptic though - it's money that rules the market. Consoles and simplistic games = money. That's why there's so many of them.

A niche market can provide enough income, but you'll have to grab a large percentage of it, i.e. the game must be really good.


Alas, I can offer no more than my moral support. But you may have that. Would be great to have a non-dumbed-down game for a change :)

[Anprionsa]

Gecko, this sounds awesome.

One thing I would like to solicit though is about language (keep it on the down low, please).

Other than that I would gladly support your endeavorer. Entrepreneurs FTW!

[X-Warrior]

Good point on the language. Quality games don't need bad language to make their point. Plus it's a lot more fun to pack things in overly proper words ;)