AGS Stats -- Productivity

[Scid]

My theory is that it's all totally random.

And I'm on Will's side in this. As far as I can tell, he said nothing wrong.

[DGMacphee]

I'm not trying to point fingers and say anyone is wrong.

Nor am I trying to make people pick sides.

I do, however, question his statement, especially considering he hasn't posted any games in the announcement forum yet.

[Scid]

I think we all knew his statement was bullshit. That's why I don't think it was all that insulting.

And, I do not think it is relevant, at all, whether or not he's been around as long as Helm has, or whether he's a newbie. He deserves to be treated just like everybody else.

[DGMacphee]

I agree, he should be treated like everyone else.

However, I still find his comment hypocritical, rather than insulting.

To be honest, it didn't offend me -- I just think he's being a typical smartarse who hasn't got a shred of credibility to back up his comments, and thus I pointed it out.

If I see a hypocritical statement, I will challenge it -- whether it be a newbie or an oldbie.

I'd expect the same of someone else when I make hypocritical statements -- and such has happened in the past, and I'm glad for it.

[LL Notorious B.I.G. Will C-H]

my theory is that in the months where more games were being produced people were spending less time gathering statistics on the number of games being produced and more time making games, y`dig?

Uh huh.

And instead of trying to be a smartarse, why don't you say something useful.

Y'dig?

As for my record, pal, I've made two games, several mini games, working on one big game project, plus ran two AGS Awards ceremonies, started the MAGS competition, ran a photoshop competition, plus moderated a forum here

And I even managed to compile some stats for produced games.

Now, who the hell are you to question my contribution to the AGS Community?

Where's your perfect track record, Will?

Y'dig?

calm yourself down i wasnt trying to be rude, just a joke! sorry if i offended you, obviously smilies arent infallable.

edit: aaaaaaand ive just read the rest of the topic, and oh deary me i do indeed apologise for daring to post on your own personal forum mr mcgee, i shall not intrude on your territory again

[BOYD1981]

maybe people are spending more time on making their games so productivity may still be high but actual number of full game releases are low, plus how many of those 22 games were made by newcomers as first releases and how many are by people that have made other games?

[Squinky]

I think the mature thing would be to just let this goofy little argument drop. Neither one of you guys have to prove your point...Lets get back to the stats thing...I'm all for productivity, but I think the good kind of productivity, y'know, inspired work that we'll all remember for years, cant' be forced. And thats truley what I'm here for, to see the truley creative stuff, y'konw the stuff the author just couldn't stop working on because he loved it so much...

[rodekill]

My god those knives are so frightening and alluring all at the same time.

[m0ds]

The fall in productivity could actually be a rise tho - everyone is working hard on bigger, better games.

Maybe, just maybe.


m0ds

[Ben]

That's right. Just because games aren't being released doesn't mean they're not being worked on. This could even be a good sign- people are working on bigger, better games.

Or it could be meaningless. That's as good a theory as any..

[DGMacphee]

Big Will C-H: no problems


As for the stats and responses: these are all very good theories.

I think people are just working on a bigger projects.

I am, and it's taking ages because I have other reall life commitments (such as upcoming exams).

[miguel]

hello to all,
just want to confirm what most of you have been saying, I first started with AGS in december last and made a lousy game (The Ugly Files) in a month just because I could do a game!
  After that and after playing most of the AGS classics I decided on learning scripting and make games with at least the same qualitty.
  Since then I droped two projects on the way and I'm working on a game (Star Battles) every day.
 So, from a beguiner point-of-view I think that maybe in some weeks you'll see more games coming up,

happy coding

[MillsJROSS]

Statistics are nice and fun, but does is this a recuring pattern from previous years? And if you think about it, 7 for June, considering the month is only half done, shows that plenty more might be on there way.

It probably has something to do with people getting free time, like Spring break and Winter break, and all other forms of breaks. Perhaps we should also the ratio of posts in a month to that of the games, just to see if they relate.

Tons of games are also being created. It's a question of how many will be finished, eventually. I expect we'll see a good deal come in soon, now that summer is upon us. I, personally, have been working on my game when free time comes around, after a month or longer of doing dittly (well, I was trying to do well in my classes).

-MillsJROSS

[DGMacphee]

Mills: I do agree -- the amount for June is a 'pending' value.

And I can't really judge the previous years because I would also have to compile stats from Ezboards.

And there are a LOT of entries there!

[Sylpher]

More then likely a combonation of things. Finals, less time off work (more time off school. younger crowed although I don't hate you seem to be less productive. Prove me wrong though! Please.) But, yeah. I work at a bank and during the holiday seasons I got what felt like a day or two off almost every other week. since then the past six months I have had two. I am not sure if this is how it is for others but I know I am much more productive after I have been able to be lazy at home for a little while and get bored rather then trying to squeeze in a half hour here and a few minutes there.

As well if alot of games were made only a few months ago many of those people are now probobly taking a break. Look at march. If 22 people made a game those same 22 people probobly are not gonna release a game in April or May...Now we are a community of 1000 now but half of that is probobly only active and half of the half is probobly only working on games and half of half of half of that is probobly only seriously working on games at a heavy steady pace so that leaves what?

125 people or so...Divide that up by 12 and you got. about 11 games a month. So throw in inflation and deflation..as well when people started there games and when people have free time to work and boom. You got some months with more games and some months with less.

Now just let me get out the pie charts...

[plasticman]

this is just a small thought about these stats :
maybe i'm wrong, but it seems to me that the making of a game usually takes more than just one month. unless it's your first creation or a mags game, you need a lot more time to create a decent game, especially if you're doing all the work on your own.
so if i'm correct, the number of releases per month would not be very relevant.

[Sylpher]

True, but! It isn't looking at how long games are being made just breaking down releases from a month to month basis. The only other option that would work well I suppose is quarterly but if you took yearly or weekly then it is harder to understand.

Hm, that is confusing. Even though it takes much longer then a month to make most games we aren't looking at development time. Everyone starts there games at different points and some spend longer some spend shorter. Either way games get released at a fairly decent rate irregardless of when they were started. DG was just looking at the release and comparing one moth from the other.

Though you bring a point maybe more people start there games now during the summer and finally finish them up come winter...

[plasticman]

yeah, i understand what you're saying. it's just that if i started working on a game today, i could hardly tell whether it would be released during next fall or spring...
of course these stats are interesting, but i'd rather not draw hasty conclusions.
also, from what i understand the amount of users is growing steadily, so taking this in account would make sense.
in the end, i'd rather play one quality game once in a while instead of getting flooded with a dozen of rushed crappy games.

[MillsJROSS]

The reason one might release this games is because they might not be free to work on them until free time comes. Yes, it does take longer than a couple of weeks to make a game. But people aren't going ot finish a game when their too busy. They'll do it during those free weeks/days/months.

-MillsJROSS

[DGMacphee]

This is just a guess (i.e. I can't back it up), but I'd say on average it takes somewhere between a month to two months to make a game.

Some take only a week.

Others take a year.

From the space of time between a lot of game announcements to their release, I'd say on average it takes 2 months.

But like I said, it's just a guess.