|
Kinda weird question, I know, but besides Swift, we(Xelu and I) where working on a separate project (initially started as "a game in 8 hours challenge"), that could easily go commercial. The reason we are looking for an investor is because we need some money to pay a 3D Artist to work on some organic models for us. Xelu is a genius when it comes to static 3D models (levels, environments, objects, vehicles), but he can't do organic modeling (humanoids, creatures). So I was thinking of contracting a separate artist to design and model us 3 models (dragon-like, and 2 humanoid-like models) based on some designs I came up with. I did a search on turbosquid to get a general idea on how much someone would ask for something like this, and I realized it's way over my budget(18-year old, still in Highschool, living with my parents). So, do you have any tips? I never though of searching for one this soon, but the project is looking good until now, and who knows |
Submitted by zapakitul
Sat, 06/06/2009 - 15:21
|
Not easy finding an
Not easy finding an investor, games are risky business. Not that I have any real experience (Spell of Play is self funded) but I guess you must provide an upside for the investor that makes the risk worth it. That is the investor gives you x $ and you pay the investor y * x $ (y > 1) according to some "payment" plan when the game is finished.
Using a scheme like this you can even approach banks with your idea as it works like a general bank loan)
The risk the investor takes is 1. you don't finish the game and 2. the game is not that successful. Imho no. 2. is the worst since it's very hard to predict and assess, even for game business experts.
Anyway, to reduce risk my suggestion is that you finish the game with placeholder/free content. After that and you can verify that the game is good enough (and will be event better with "real" content) you can take some financial decisions.
Kiff, we have a conundrum.
I'm not sure how to attract investors. But there are other means of attracting funds. For investors I only have a few suggestions however.
You can compete in competitions, although the odds there are low of winning money, but someone might spot you and want to invest. You can attend the Nordic Game Conference, some schools have free passes to deal out, there you could meet someone willing to invest also. But with the current economic situation, it will probably be difficult to find investors anywhere, since games are a high risk investment.
I'd suggest trying other routes, you might find art/gfx students looking for something to work on in their free time, or perhaps someone willing to make you art as their thesis. This is the most likely place to find someone I'd gather.. I might actually know some people up in Stockholm that could be interested. Me and a few others from Karlskrona were supposed to help them with an UT-mod, but the project leader was kept so busy it ran out in the sand. I know they had quite a few artists up there who seemed to want to be a part of something, maybe some of them still have the time. I will check.
Another way to raise money could be to look for different subsidies from your government or the EU. You can also apply for... err... I forgot the name of it... I had a friend in college who applied to all kinds of fund-thingies to get money for studying. He got like 7'000 just for being from Gothenburg, and another 4'000 just because he was studying at the naval school. You might not want to use that money for something like this, but it is a way to get money nonetheless. I think there are even companies out there that for a small fee apply you to all of the ones you are applicable for, but if you are unlucky you might end up losing money on that kind of venture.
Anyway, that's all I can think of. I'll get back to you about those 08:s.
______________________________________________________________
There's no kill like an overkill!
Post new comment