Poll: Why are you here?

[anon_30664357]

Whilst working thru some lengthy technical issues in a project, the Sociologist within has been thinking up a storm. (No, I’m not Schizophrenic. And it doesn’t matter, since we all get along.)

I have a few questions for a little informal/curiosity survey I’m working on… If you’ll humor me.
(I’m interested in this kinda stuff, it fascinates me, and I know that’s weird to some but I don’t really care.)
I want to know:

• Why do you want to make video games?

• How do you generally go about doing it? i.e.

• How deeply involved are you in it, and how often?

• What is the most important aspect of it to you?

• Do you like to look at the big picture/main ideas first, and worry about the details later? Or do you prefer to focus on one little piece at a time and then put it all together?

• Do you like taking it from one end (i.e. the beginning/end), and working sequentially; or doing random pieces in no particular order?

• Do you generally like to do it alone, or do you prefer to do it in a group? How big do you like the group to be? (or does it not matter to you/depend?)

• If you are in a group, do you like working in a group with like-minded personalities/motivations; or do you like working in a group with a even mix or spread? What kind of mix do you think is best overall?

Not that I’m a pro researcher, I’m just asking this (1) because I’m curious and bored and this stuff fascinates me, (B) I have a sneaking suspicion the results might be very similar to this study, based on MUD’s. (In my opinion, it’s hilarious but at the same time ponderously deep in its possible application), and (Delta) I’m working on my own little theories of ‘classifying’ people based on how involved they are in gaming (or whatever) and why, and how people think in relation to games/production/etc., among other things. Still working out the specifics.
Oh, and also I’m a sucker for comparing myself to others. Hehe.

Cheers!

[anon_30664357]

(If you do post, don’t worry about the length/shortness btw. I personally tend to write novels.)
As for me:

• Motive - I do it because it’s fun; for the sake of it; ‘because it’s cool’; for the satisfaction of making a game I actually like to play, or the dissatisfaction of improving the idea a game I don’t; to learn, and explore - anything and everything about anything and everything involved.

• Method -

• I’m a sporadic worker; I work all or nothing, and no in-between. If I start losing steam, I have to do something else and let it marinate for a while; if I get an awesome idea, I work on it until I have the whole idea fleshed out, or I start to lose inspiration. I like it if I can find an easy way, but I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of doing something new, unorthodox, and/or difficult. (or, at least, I like to think and theorize about it… i.e. It might be the case I prefer the mental challenge of figuring it out versus the tedious challenge of actually doing it.)

• The most important aspect of the process to me is the concepts that build the game; I have to do it the right way, or I won’t do it at all. If it’s a game I wouldn’t play (because it’s built stupid and/or a marketing hash; both of which usually happen at the same time) it’s a game I won’t make. I never sacrifice this for politics, ease, whiners, or business sense. (If you can’t tell, my opinion is that games should be made by gamers, for gamers; much like Unity was made by programmers/developers, for p/g.)

• This depends on the mood, weather and the day… or rather, what you’re talking about. On the whole, I have a very broad fixation; I look at the big picture, and I gauge whether a game is ‘right’ by imagining and ‘feeling’ what it would be like to play it; and then analyze to change necessarily. However, I’m capable of focusing and obsessing over a particular detail until it’s sufficiently fleshed out to work with the main concept.

• Like I mentioned above, I prefer the ‘big to little’ approach to the ‘beginning to end’ approach.

• My first instinct is to do everything by myself. I’m a 'do-it-yourself’er, though, partially 'cause I like to be in control of how things are put together. I do enjoy working in a group, but only as long as I’m allowed to do my thing, and everybody’s role is clearly defined. I like smaller groups; this allows me to do more stuff, and have more control over what and how I’m doing it; though I guess a bigger group might be easier in some ways… Meh.

• • It obviously bothers me when somebody isn’t in it for the enjoyment, fulfillment, and obsession of it; but that’s just because I don’t agree with them, and I realize that. To each his own… So I guess I would be OK with the group being mixed, as long as we allow each other to get what we want out of it. (thus a possible application for this ‘study’, at least for me - so I can understand what other people want, and know how to get what I want from them.) I suppose somebody obsessed with money instead might be better at the business side of things than me.

• Thus, theoretically, a mixed group of any size could potentially be much more successful than a ‘pure’ group; provided everybody (1) has mutual trust, respect, and understanding; and acts based on it; and therefore everyone (2) gets what they want and (3) does what they are best suited for/like to do (usually the same thing). But that’s just the sociologist in me again. (He’s a talkative fellow)

[Vert]

• Why do you want to make video games?
  ~Because I have been facinated with and playing games since I was 4 years old. I was truely amazed I could control the guy on the TV screen. Years later, even though I found out more about technology and computers I wanted to make my own. Why? I guess because I wanted to make my own experience for others to play through. More importantly, of late its because there aren’t any games that can satisfy my like they did back in the day. The only way to get something done right is to do it yourself? Also, I have got some ideas on what I think would make a great game and want to make it for myself and publish it to see if others like it as well.

• How do you generally go about doing it? i.e.

• How deeply involved are you in it, and how often?
  ~Very often I am thinking about it, actual development time in front of a pc is very low, only around 12 hours per month give or take 5 hours. I am still heavily enveloped in research and design theory, so most of my time I spend reading articles and dissecting play experiences I have had.

• What is the most important aspect of it to you?
  ~The most important aspect of development to me is theory and making it all work in my head before trying to implement it. I am close to a one man team, so I need to know things will work before taking up too much of my time.

• Do you like to look at the big picture/main ideas first, and worry about the details later? Or do you prefer to focus on one little piece at a time and then put it all together?
  ~I focus on random things. Sometimes the big picture of story and characters and locations but other times I try and figure out how to do particle effects for things such as dust from footsteps and sound design of what sound would combine to make an awesome gunshot noise?

• Do you like taking it from one end (i.e. the beginning/end), and working sequentially; or doing random pieces in no particular order?

~As above, random pieces for now.

• Do you generally like to do it alone, or do you prefer to do it in a group? How big do you like the group to be? (or does it not matter to you/depend?)
  ~I like to do most of the work alone, but as soon as I think I have a good concept I need one person to bounce ideas and theory off of.

• If you are in a group, do you like working in a group with like-minded personalities/motivations; or do you like working in a group with a even mix or spread? What kind of mix do you think is best overall?
  I like a mix. People with similar game tastes are nice, but I if they have other ideas or likes/motives I take the time to try and sell them my game or idea. I know my idea is a winner if I can convince the “non-believers”.

[anon_30664357]

You sound a lot like me… except more developed/in the future.

[Artimese]

It would be easier to create an actual poll, im too lazy to write out paragraphs, and im sure everyone else is

[anon_30664357]

LOL true. Bear with me, I’m working out a couple ‘variables’ I want to look into… Then I can build a form people can use.

Right now I’m trying to look at what variables actually are important or affect what kinds of games are made, what kind of people play those games, for what reasons, and why they interact, etc. I’m pretty close though.

P.S. Can you post an actual poll as a reply to a non-poll such as this? I guess it doesn’t matter, since I can always just link it and I probably won’t need any more than that. Meh.

[anon_58592029]

1.) Why do you want to make video games?
Because its something different. Its no ordinary desk job, you put the hard work in and get something that you’re can be truly proud of. I also enjoy doing it heaps, and they say the best job is one that you’re willing to do for free (which is what I’m doing right now :P).

2.) How do you generally go about doing it? i.e.

* How deeply involved are you in it, and how often?
I try to put in a couple of hours a day, but I’m constantly thinking about it. How I can improve it, what can be changed for the better and also optional ideas. Its a good idea to write them down instantly, or I forget.

* What is the most important aspect of it to you?
Just to make something and call it my own, the satisfaction of work completed.
On the technical side its the art, more importantly the 3D side of it. I can do this stuff easily, its the damn scripting skills in which I really have to work on. I know the art isn’t everything in a game, but its certainly my favourite thing to create.

* Do you like to look at the big picture/main ideas first, and worry about the details later? Or do you prefer to focus on one little piece at a time and then put it all together?
I like to know where I’m going from the start, so the whole picture. There is plenty of time for the small details later, I just hate putting in heaps of work when the whole plan for the game isn’t worked out yet. Makes me feel like I’m wasting time as I could end up changing it later.

* Do you like taking it from one end (i.e. the beginning/end), and working sequentially; or doing random pieces in no particular order?
I do like taking it from the beginning to the end, gives me a better sense of how much of the overall project is complete.

3.) Do you generally like to do it alone, or do you prefer to do it in a group? How big do you like the group to be? (or does it not matter to you/depend?)
So far I’ve only done projects by myself, and while I am a bit of a loner I do like working in groups. But they must be small and with people who I know well. Having groups that are too big can be a pain in the ass, you will always get so many different opinions which causes the progress to slow down and then there is the problem of people not pulling their weight. You don’t have these problems with groups who are 3 to 4 people in size, so much easier to collaborate.
If you are in a group, do you like working in a group with like-minded personalities/motivations; or do you like working in a group with a even mix or spread? What kind of mix do you think is best overall?
Like minded certainly. Makes the project go a lot more smoothly and everyone gets what they want, which makes it more fun. Although sometimes it is better to mix up the opinions, then the project will be more varied. I think its important to get an even balance.

[MrDude]

Why do you want to make video games?
Because I live in my own little fantasy world and usually speak to myself to the amusement of others. This way I can bring my fantasy to life and others can join in and go: “Oh, thaaaaaat is what is going on”

How do you generally go about doing it? i.e.
How deeply involved are you in it, and how often?
All the way in as often as I have a minute available to spend on it.

What is the most important aspect of it to you?
How close it is to my vision.

Do you like to look at the big picture/main ideas first, and worry about the details later? Or do you prefer to focus on one little piece at a time and then put it all together?
I look at the big picture, break it down into levels of repetitiveness (i.e. the same battle mechanic occurring every few minutes, walking around 90% of the time, collecting items, etc.). I then turn each classifiable element into a"module" of sorts and work towards getting that working on it’s own then move on to the next one. So, working only on walking code, I can complete all the level’s walking as “one piece at a time”, then work on how to collect items as another “one piece at a time” but for all future levels. Thus, b the time I am done with level 1, the rest of the game is completed automatically. Then I just have to worry about art assets and story.

Do you like taking it from one end (i.e. the beginning/end), and working sequentially; or doing random pieces in no particular order?
Not sequentualy per se, but not really random either. I do one piece then another piece that gives the quickest possible additional game experience. For instance, it doesn’t help starting with the battle system because I can’t move around the map to start battles. So movement code first. Battles would be rather pointless if your items get depleted or you only have the same items all the time, so pickups next. This leaves me with a gamewhere I can walk around and find/collect stuff. If you ask my wife, the game is ready to publish right here LOL :P. Then the shop, then the graphical inventory and configurables, then the dialogue system then the battle system… This is how my mind works…

Do you generally like to do it alone, or do you prefer to do it in a group? How big do you like the group to be? (or does it not matter to you/depend?)
As long as my vision is realised I don’t care who helps how much with what part(s).I find that people I meet already have ideas of their own and feel the same way about their, thus I tend to work alone mostly. I have seen posts along the lines of “I need people to help me realise my vision” and I have seen posts along the lines of “I want to join a team who can help me realise my vision”. So wether ‘can I join you’ or ‘please join me’ it still boils down to ‘Let’s make MY vision’. It is easier to just buy what you need from other people and then do it alone.

**If you are in a group, do you like working in a group with like-minded personalities/motivations; or do you like working in a group with a even mix or spread? What kind of mix do you think is best overall?**I only work with people who drink their coffee black and who watches Anime in their break times… Nah, the times I have worked in groups it was with people who are passionate about getting that project done. As long as we are all working towards the same goal I couldn’t care less if the guy has a home office where he sits up straight at night wearing a suit, drinking tea with his pinkie all stiff while he works or wether he is a white teenag rapper wannabe-black guy wearing t-shirts that are 5 sizes to large and goes to up any black person on the streets going “wuzzup mah niggah? Word!”
Personality is worthless to me. Motivation is key

[BlankBlank5454]

@anon_30664357

• Why do you want to make video games?

• How do you generally go about doing it? i.e.

• How deeply involved are you in it, and how often?

• What is the most important aspect of it to you?

• Do you like to look at the big picture/main ideas first, and worry about the details later? Or do you prefer to focus on one little piece at a time and then put it all together?

• Do you like taking it from one end (i.e. the beginning/end), and working sequentially; or doing random pieces in no particular order?

• Do you generally like to do it alone, or do you prefer to do it in a group? How big do you like the group to be? (or does it not matter to you/depend?)

• If you are in a group, do you like working in a group with like-minded personalities/motivations; or do you like working in a group with a even mix or spread? What kind of mix do you think is best overall?

1: Why? 'Cos it’s something that’s fascinated me since i was small, being able to make your own world and have complete freedom.
2 a: Pretty deep, takes up a fair amount of my time.
b: Getting it finished to a good degree.
c: The big picture. I’ll tackle obstacles when I get to them.
d: Starting from the start of the game, otherwise the story wouldn’t make sense to me.
3: Generally alone, but if I need anyone’s help I’ll ask for it.
4: I think a lot of people with similar mindsets work best, so they each understand the moves the other people make.

Well, there you go.

[anon_10153730]

• Why do you want to make video games?
  Simple, cause i love video games, it’s my dream job

• How do you generally go about doing it? i.e.

• How deeply involved are you in it, and how often?
  24 hours a day!

• What is the most important aspect of it to you?
  The Story and Gameplay is the most important aspect of it for me

• Do you like to look at the big picture/main ideas first, and worry about the details later? Or do you prefer to focus on one little piece at a time and then put it all together?
  I prefer to focus on one little piece at a time and then put it all together most of the time

• Do you like taking it from one end (i.e. the beginning/end), and working sequentially; or doing random pieces in no particular order?
  Yea i like to take it from one end

• Do you generally like to do it alone, or do you prefer to do it in a group? How big do you like the group to be? (or does it not matter to you/depend?)
  It depends how professional the members are if they are expert i prefer to work with them

• If you are in a group, do you like working in a group with like-minded personalities/motivations; or do you like working in a group with a even mix or spread? What kind of mix do you think is best overall?
  I like to see new things, creativity games, Sci_Fiction games are good starts

[Pelajesh]

1.) Why do you want to make video games?
I have always loved playing games. At some point I realized that games are made by someone… I started learning how its done and Now I love both playing and making games.

2.) How do you generally go about doing it? i.e.

• How deeply involved are you in it, and how often?
  Really depends. Usually I divide the project into parts that need to be done and focus on one thing at a time, then I finish it (usually I don’t like to quit when I have something in progress) and maybe work on something else too or just call it a day.

• What is the most important aspect of it to you?
  I must like the game I make. If I don’t like the game then I don’t want to make it.

• Do you like to look at the big picture/main ideas first, and worry about the details later? Or do you prefer to focus on one little piece at a time and then put it all together?
  Usually I think of the general idea and then make the small parts.

• Do you like taking it from one end (i.e. the beginning/end), and working sequentially; or doing random pieces in no particular order?
  I do random pieces. I think of the stuff and when I know how I will do something then I will do it, when It is ready (at least in some way, I can make changes later) then I will do another thing and so on.

3.) Do you generally like to do it alone, or do you prefer to do it in a group? How big do you like the group to be? (or does it not matter to you/depend?)
Well I like if I only have to depend on myself when I do something, that means if I won’t finish in schedule then it is my problem and it won’t cause problems to others. And then I don’t have to wait for someone else. Tho I am a programmer mostly and I am not too artistic, so sometimes I have to work in a group because I am not skilled enough to do everything.

If you are in a group, do you like working in a group with like-minded personalities/motivations; or do you like working in a group with a even mix or spread? What kind of mix do you think is best overall?
Well being like minded is helpful, then the project goes without major problems etc. But there have to be some neutral people, who tell you if something is really uncomfortable or disturbing.