LF Game Developer/Programmer

[Hatonastick]

Who didn't get in trouble for BBS phone bills in the 80s? 

Oddly enough I didn't get in trouble for the bills, just the simple act of tying up the phone.  We already plan to bury my Dad with his as we are all convinced he cant do without it.

[ampos]

I sent you a PM here.

[Scott_AW]

There have been days I wanted to destroy 3d Studio max, yes...

[lunarstudio]

Could be wrong and I hate to say it on this forum, but it looks like I might need something more like Unity3D to get this project off the ground. Besides price, what are the pros and cons? Can GLBasic handle something such as what this engine is capable of or is it substantially more work? Has anyone tried this?

Thanks!

[MrTAToad]

With Unity, you need to use Javascript.  There is supposed to be a Windows version, but I dont think its ready yet, which means you will need a Mac.

You can develop for various mobile phones, but it costs extra.

I didn't like Unity - just didn't do what I kept asking it to do - fortunately, I got a refund...

[Slydog]

Just a quick list, may be inaccurate, haven't used Unity in a while now.

Unity3D
======
Pros:

• Advanced IDE
• Multi-Platform IDE - PC, Mac
• C# / JavaScript (could be a con!)
• Can use any Text Editor for source code, including MS Visual Studio
• Advanced material / shader handling
• Optional 3rd Party Plug Ins (Tween, Sprite, Camera, etc)
• Built-In 3D physics engine

Cons:

• Complex IDE for a beginner
• No 2D mode
• Less control, more automated (hard to know what is going to execute next)

GLBasic
=======
Pros:

• Very simple to get started
• Can do pretty much anything, maybe with more coding on your part
• 2D mode, and can be mixed with 3D mode
• Fast prototyping / development time once you learn the ropes
• Direct access to C++ Inline (Unity Pro has this feature too, but for $1500)

[Bursar]

Unity is pretty good. I was *this close* (holds fingers very close together) to buying it when they made it freely available It works perfectly under Windows.

The paid for version does have some lovely extra features, but for my personal use, they were overpriced. Things like proper realtime shadows are only in the paid for version, and the blobby shadows of the Indie version are rubbish. There are workarounds (essentially creating a sprite out of your 3D object and using that as the shadow), but I couldn't be bothered and dropped it.

With regard to the feature list below, Unity is 3D only, but you can set the camera so that it renders without perspective, effectively giving you a 2D environment.

As to the OP, it's all very well saying you have a good idea, but loads of people have those. To get others onboard, you need to have something to entice them. Even if it's only a cobbled together demo that runs on the PC. If others can see the potential in what you're trying to do, they're much more likely to want to get involved. Yes, programming it may be a hassle for you, but you'll stand a much better chance of achieving your goal.

Alternatively, get your name out there a bit. Look for projects that have a working demo but are looking for 3D artists to join their team. Submit your stuff and get your name known on a few forums. If you can come at from that angle, you might also find others are willing to work with you, simply because at the very least the game will look good!

[lunarstudio]

As to the OP, it's all very well saying you have a good idea, but loads of people have those. To get others onboard, you need to have something to entice them. Even if it's only a cobbled together demo that runs on the PC. If others can see the potential in what you're trying to do, they're much more likely to want to get involved.

I have received a few emails from interested parties so far. The main issue is that the games they have shown tend to be overly complicated (requires a 100 page manual to play), some major language barrier issues, or the examples they show are mainly 2D.

As I said before, if I see a pretty amazing portfolio that looks like it has potential to translate what I need (think 3d type of pinball game but not quite), I'd send over a NDA followed by some screenshots.

It's not the first time I've had an idea take off. In fact (and not bragging), I just happened to see one of them randomly as a national commercial for the first time last night. A lot of people have ideas, very few are good ones, and even fewer of the good ones get executed. I think the key here is proper management of crowd-sourcing and looking for others with a solid track-record.

Yes, programming it may be a hassle for you, but you'll stand a much better chance of achieving your goal.

Unfortunately, I maintain 8 websites and run a 3D company, marketing, manage gf aggro, and all the rest that entails which takes a load of time. I can spit out 3D graphics in a blink of an eye, but the programming aspect is something I'd rather leave to a professional that has already been there before instead of wasting precious time. It's not laziness but rather efficiency.

[matchy]

Oddly enough I didn't get in trouble for the bills, just the simple act of tying up the phone.

Yeah - that's how late nights started!

[Bursar]

I have received a few emails from interested parties so far. The main issue is that the games they have shown tend to be overly complicated (requires a 100 page manual to play), some major language barrier issues, or the examples they show are mainly 2D.

As I said before, if I see a pretty amazing portfolio that looks like it has potential to translate what I need (think 3d type of pinball game but not quite), I'd send over a NDA followed by some screenshots.

I don't want to come across as overly negative here, but it sounds like you're on a bit of a fishing trip. Chuck out some bait (of fancy 3D renders - none of which are game related), and hope some programmers bite.

A lot of people have ideas, very few are good ones, and even fewer of the good ones get executed.

I'm presuming your idea is a good one then? How can anyone tell from the phrase "type of pinball game, but not quite"?

Unfortunately, I maintain 8 websites and run a 3D company, marketing, manage gf aggro, and all the rest that entails which takes a load of time.

You're not alone in being busy. Programmers aren't sitting twiddling their thumbs waiting for an artist/muscian to come along and pretty up their game. They're getting on with the job and making progress. Once they've got something to show, they can look for artists and muscians.

Seriously, I would suggest that you setup a website and create some game related 3D models in "the blink of an eye". Tanks, spaceships, buildings, characters, street furniture, anything. If you want people to send you their portfolio, at least show everyone else yours, and how it relates to games.

[Hatonastick]

Oddly enough I didn't get in trouble for the bills, just the simple act of tying up the phone.

Yeah - that's how late nights started!

I'd wondered not too long ago how mine started.  You are absolutely right! 

[Cliff3D]

I have received a few emails from interested parties so far. The main issue is that the games they have shown tend to be overly complicated (requires a 100 page manual to play), some major language barrier issues, or the examples they show are mainly 2D.
...
As I said before, if I see a pretty amazing portfolio that looks like it has potential to translate what I need (think 3d type of pinball game but not quite), I'd send over a NDA followed by some screenshots.
...
I can spit out 3D graphics in a blink of an eye, but the programming aspect is something I'd rather leave to a professional that has already been there before instead of wasting precious time. It's not laziness but rather efficiency.

I'm with the Bursar. Your initial post reminds me of one at daz3d's forums, and IMHO the problem seems to be that you want everything from your potential partners but will only pony up your side after they meet your requirements... Let me put it another way. You're not saying:

"Here's the kind of thing I'm looking for - here are some graphics and a quick animation or 5 of the kind of thing I need you to be able to code, contact me if you can actually do it to a professional level" you're saying "I'm being coy - contact me if you're good at 3D programming for the iPhone, and can prove that to me before I'll show you mine".

One is open and helpful, it need only gain correspondance from people who are intersted and able, the other is cagey and uninformative, requiring more work from everybody to try and find their partners for the dance without even knowing what style of music will be played.

Honestly - if the 3D side is so quick and easy, put together some samples and show some animations which depict the kind of thing you need doing. Make your models low poly, with a single bitmap for the texture of each model (a seperate one for a bump map if required). Treat people as equals rather than as tradesmen being asked to apply at the back door

[ketil]

Oddly enough I didn't get in trouble for the bills, just the simple act of tying up the phone.

Yeah - that's how late nights started!

I'd wondered not too long ago how mine started.  You are absolutely right! 

Bluebox and callingcards 
Well ... hopefully we are more or less grown up now.

[matchy]

Oddly enough I didn't get in trouble for the bills, just the simple act of tying up the phone.

Yeah - that's how late nights started!

I'd wondered not too long ago how mine started.  You are absolutely right! 

Bluebox and callingcards 
Well ... hopefully we are more or less grown up now.

I knew I was grown up when I learned about the breakfast cereal toy whistle was it's predecessor. 
Although now-a-days it's nice to see retro BBS telnet servers.

[Ian Price]

Whatever happened to breakfast cereal toys? Were they banned or did cereal companies worry that they might get sued if little Johnny rams it down his throat and carks it?

Anyway, back on topic. This is one of the oddest threads I've come across in a long while. A professional artists (that enjoyed promoting his site, but not showing any gaming related media) wants (others) to make a game for him, but is too busy to provide an insight in what HE actually wants, but mocks the regulars in a forum that he's only just joined. Bonkers.

Show us that YOU are worthy of the attention of the regulars here - not the other way around. The more you show and say, the more likely it is that you'll find the person (or people) that you need to get the job done.