Behind most AGS games there is a "company" of sorts. Behind every unfinished game, there are probably two or three. In a vast majority of the cases, the point of these is to make the game seem professional. However, to be perfectly frank, do they?
You set up a team, you design a crazy rox0rs game. And then you try to nail a professional or goofy company name. In my opinion, this seems more amatuerish than not having one to begin with. With large organizations, dozens of employees and actual money involved, company names are quite necessary. But with one man shows and small teams, what do they do? Why not just say "A game made by _ and _"? I understand that company names are necessary for things like the ATC - and that's for keeping it organized and less confusing. But when user 'X' makes a game by himself, and comes up with a name like "Some Guy Entertainment", it does neither. Arguably, it's more confusing and doesn't really boast of professionalism. Perhaps people tend to get sucked in by the whole "I'm making a game" idea and they really run with it.
Still, in most cases, a player does not remember an amatuer company name at all, but rather the creators of it. Or so I believe. So what do they do? What's their affect... positve, negative?
So, give me your thoughts. Should "companies" be discouraged? Ignored? Fueled?
Eh, I don't think it really makes a difference. It's not like you'd mistake most amateur adventure games for professional products if it wasn't for the corny company name. Since it's all in fun: sure,Ã, go ahead and stick the logo you just made up on the introduction screen.
This made me think, though. Is there any use for an amateur game publisher? A "company" that would take titles developed by others, slap their logo on it and release it in a (hopefully) competent fashion? It seems like many AGS game releases are pretty haphazard affairs, with a zip file posted on some free webhost that instantly collapses, and a half-hearted post on the Completed Games forum, often without any screenshots or other enticement to actually get the game. Apparently, many developers are so sick of the whole thing by the time the game is finished that they just want to get it out there, and aren't willing to put in the extra effort to ensure a smooth, "professional" release.
If someone could offer webspace to host the files, to write up a release announcement with screenshots and post it to a few forums, maybe even set up a simple web page, they'd surely have earned a logo as the game starts up. If they were really dedicated, they could even set up a system for betatest releases.
This service would be an endorsement not every game would qualify for. If the publisher exercised good judgement picking up games, titles released under their banner would gain a reputation for quality, and would increase their exposure even more.
In return, the publisher would get:
- Community status and respect for providing a useful service
- The satisfaction of being involved with the production of good adventure games, without actually having to perform all the work of making them
- Influence and power over which games get the most attention
- Money to cover the costs through Google ads on the website (optional)
- A good basis for turning it into a for-profit company
QuoteApparently, many developers are so sick of the whole thing by the time the game is finished that they just want to get it out there, and aren't willing to put in the extra effort to ensure a smooth, "professional" release.
Yep .so true .
I think that's a great idea, Snarky. There is a lot more people can be doing to market AGS games. Personally all I did was make a post on the completed games forum---I bet that's all most people do. If some dedicated people got together, put together goals and guidelines for the kind of games they want to back, they could really help bring AGS games to a new level.
And btw, this whole business of making up a game company that doesn't really exist does tend to waterdown the effect. Sure it's fun and all, but it's practically a joke at this point.
Snarky, I have been considering doing something quite similar for some time.
I own my own company; Twin Design Group, Inc.
twindesign is the web development part of the company.
I have been, when time permits, developing twin design entertainment. Which I intend to focus on amateur adventure games. I plan on providing the webspace for each game's downloads (demo, full, sound/voice, etc) as well as an individual section specifically for the game information (screenshots, story, development diary, etc).
I would provide all of this for free (as far as money is concerned) but would require a "produced by twin design entertainment" somewhere in the credits/splash screen area(s). And would, of course, have Google Ads in there!
But at least Darth's company name makes sense, seeing as how he's one of those creepy clone-people.
For those without artistic skill, scripting muscle or dialog-writing ability, it might not be bad to form a team with a pseudo-publisher. It wouldn't necessarily have to be pimping the game on every website known to man but more of an organizer/deadline-setter and, perhaps, someone capable of making sure everything in the game matches its overall feel. Then again, it sounds more like a easy cop-out for those that don't feel like putting a lot of work into things.
Maybe a better idea is publisher/sponsor - those that've released 2 or more games kind of guiding and prodding a team of newbies (or just apathetic persons) in the right directions.
Well, the benefit of using a "Company" name is that it can be much more memorable that your real name is. If you have a boring or hard to pronounce name, for example, people probably won't remember it; so in that case, using a made-up company name instead (especially if it has a logo), can lead more people to remember who made the game.
The little I have set up is less a company and more just a website with a name and a logo... I was part of Dima Software, as long as it existed, which wasn't a company, but a game making group. About everyone had own project, and we made one team project, which succeeded rather well (concidering my story writing abilities ¬¬).
Since Dima has ceased, I want to have something where to pimp my projects, though nobody ever reads them. Also, when the time comes that I have finished a game or two, people might even find their way onto the website, and if knowing themselves to be skilled in something that I am not, and being sortof alone out there, might join the group, so we could get something a bit better done together. Passive recruiting, might I say?
Hrgrfrmmmble... I used the name "Dawning Brilliance Productions" because I made ESPER under the auspices of a group called the Dawning Brilliance society, which in turn is the "master group" for the real ESPER the game is based on... So I'm safe!!!
But I must agree. I would like to know why Grundislav had Ben Jordan change companies in the fourth game... Is it because the game had a new look and was a little more mature, and thus he wanted to promote it with a less IMmature name than "Monkey... whateveritwas?"
Quote from: Darth Mandarb on Sat 03/09/2005 04:02:55
I would provide all of this for free (as far as money is concerned) but would require a "produced by twin design entertainment" somewhere in the credits/splash screen area(s).Ã, And would, of course, have Google Ads in there!
would this mean that every ags game out there will have "twin design entertainment" in their credits? no thanks.
Quotewould this mean that every ags game out there will have "twin design entertainment" in their credits? no thanks.
No it doesn't mean that. It means the games Twin Design support with all that free stuff Darth would give you would mean it'd be nice for you to put that it's produced by them. I operate the same way, for people where I or others on the team lend a hand, or if someone just wants webspace or a webpage for their game, they include a Screen 7 logo. No-ones complained about that since, so I find your comment quite tight :-\
most of the old-timers did it for a lark, not to appear 'professional'. How professional is 'Electronic Farts'?
I think that there should be companies. But more in a style of say, someone starts a team of a few people specialising an a certain area (much like with ATC) and after that keep those people working together and get more people on the team. And if someone posts an GIP thread and has an interesting looking game you could PM them and see if they are interested in developing it with the team.
Just my 2 cents.
Whelp, that kills my idea to start "I Can't Remember My Name Games" :'(
Really, who cares? If it entertains you to put another splash screen at the start of your game, do it. I don't see how you're going to be "discouraged".
Now, something that looks very amateurish is a slow credit scroll like so:
Game design by:
Tiki
Programming by:
Tiki
Scripting by:
Tiki
Background art by:
Tiki
Sprites by:
Tiki
Animation by:
Tiki
Sound effects by:
Tiki
Music by:
m0ds
I think it would only work if the production company had, like, 5-6 teams, (People/group), maxium that it produced. That would give a more professional feel to it. You'd know what to expect from this company, or that company, etc.
If the company published any AGS game that comes down the pipe, it would just feel like a messy POGO.com
Title screens with credits altogether are kind of old-fashioned anyway. Who do you think you are putting your name in the front of the game and making the player wait to play the game. The reason why they put credits in front of movies is because the Director's Guild demands/used to demand it.
QuoteApparently, many developers are so sick of the whole thing by the time the game is finished that they just want to get it out there, and aren't willing to put in the extra effort to ensure a smooth, "professional" release.
True, but I think it's also because they don't want any help from anybody in developing the game. I was thinking that adventure games need to have a "second unit" director to sort of fill all the gaps in, like say when you use a key on every lock available in the game, instead of not having any actions (grr!) you could have someone just putting custom messages and such, you know? By the time you're done with such a big game, you don't want to go back and add all that crap.
In addition, some people don't like to be told what to do... and this is where a company usually fails. Maybe there should be some kind of guild, where people summit their pre-release and it's judged. But they have to be really into it if they're willing to change the game after the evaluation.
If you have four or five people working together in a porject then a company name does make sense, as the following people :x y z g h sd and a made this game, sounds much much worse than the x ltd. or entertainment or whatever.
Now the fact that sometimes, you remember the creators more than the company name, has maybe to do with the fact that this forums are so busy sometimes, and with the critics lounge you get to meet the creators in person. But if the creators persist on using the company name, like Herculean Efforts, this might be worth the effort...
And anyway it depends on what the game is. If it's a crapy small game that somebody did just to have fun, then definately no company. But if on the other hand, a lot of people met and worked on a project, then?
PS. I do remember both Roberta and Sierra...
Honestly, what's the big deal? Does it really matter that much? Most likely, it's not going to make or break someone's career. The content of the game itself is far more important.
Quote from: nikolasideris on Sun 04/09/2005 19:12:19
If it's a crapy small game that somebody did just to have fun, then definately no company.
But if it's just for fun, then why not make up a phony company for a bit of additional fun?
Yeah, I don't think it's a big deal either. I'm personally using the name "Strange Visitor" for my one-person "company", because (well, partly because it's a Superman reference, and I'm a hero nut) I've got about three more original game ideas being plotted out right now that I can hardly wait to start, and I want them all to be Strange Visitor productions. I think it's just something fun to have, and I like my logo screen. I know I'm only one guy, but these games are going to be long and well-developed, take up months to over a year of my personal time slaving away in front of my computer for each game, so I think I'd be earning it. I'm hoping eventually people will think, "Awesome, another Strange Visitor game is coming out soon!" ;D
Quote from: Pumaman on Sat 03/09/2005 12:38:24
Well, the benefit of using a "Company" name is that it can be much more memorable that your real name is. If you have a boring or hard to pronounce name, for example, people probably won't remember it; so in that case, using a made-up company name instead (especially if it has a logo), can lead more people to remember who made the game.
Bingo! This is exactly the reason I want my `Mushroom republic` logo at the front of my games. Hopefully when I have a few done, it'll start to become somewhat memorable. My name is pretty boring, I wouldn't expect anyone to remember that.
If I were to release a game, I'd probably just brand it with my forum avatar and nick. That way, identifying me with the game would be extremely easy, and I wouldn't have to worry about people remembering my real name (in a good way or in a bad way).
The games I've so far got done have included my (at the time current) forum nick, and Dima Software's name somewhere on the main menu or so. I've had no splash screens of advertisery sort, which I tend to dislike.
Also, about the movie credits being in the beginning, in The Return Of The Mummy there were no opening credits of any kind, or atleast aren't on the VHS release of it.
Hmm... my game has turned out to be a logo-rama, but all the logos are actual organisations involved in the production: the publisher, the artist group I'm in and my own design bureu. I am not sure I like it.