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Microgames
by dwarfsoft on Feb.26, 2009, under Authoring, Game Development
It seems that the idea of microgames and progressive development is a little in vogue at the moment. Andrew Russell, a long time friend and colleague from the early GameDev.Net and Tiberia days, has embarked on a game development project where he is seeking to develop a game every two weeks, and produce reusable components of each to ease into the development of the next. The Origin of Sketchable explains in a little more detail how he is attempting to achieve this. Strangely enough, he is already in a race against Trapper Zoid who is working on a project called The Lab.
As it turns out, this is an idea I was contemplating starting as well. My release intervals would have to be significantly longer, however, as I am incapable of committing a lot of time due to my hectic schedule of Work and Wife. The idea I was considering was to do with the book mentioned in the last post. By developing games and documenting the entire process from start to finish, it would help aspiring young developers understand the trials and tribulations of making even the simplest of games, and how much can be learned and applied to future developments. There are a few concepts I am looking forward to exploring, such as some advanced scripting in games, as I have been re-reading the Dragon Book gleaning a lot of things about language design that could be useful, as well as my general scripting experience in a variety of languages.
In all I feel that this is an exciting time for Hobbyist and Indie developers. The outlook seems good, I recommend checking out Andrews and Davids sites from time to time to see what they are up to. I hope to keep you all informed on any developments as I come to learn of them.
Cheers, Chris.
February 26th, 2009 on 5:25 pm
In the finest traditions of the Internet, our competition is not so much about microgaming but more about who can first circumnavigate the globe by balloon. Or at least fabricate that we are until we get bored. That said, now I know Andrew Russell is attempting a similar strategy, I’ll be cracking my own mental whips when it looks like I’m slacking.
The thing about microgames is that failure becomes much less of a loss. If your idea turns out to be a stinker, or your code falls flat like a flopped soufflé, you’ve lost… a week, two weeks, not much more. So you can afford to work on riskier, more experimental ideas, as you don’t have much to lose. If instead you were to bank a couple of years on an untested idea, you’d be mad to try something you weren’t sure of, leading to “playing it safe” with your ambitions.
My “Lab” project is really just the research wing of my business plan (which will get a slightly more memorable name when I launch a new website soon). For me, it’s a way of lumping all the development risk together in one area where it can be managed, leaving product production free from the blight of experimentation. Or so goes the theory; gotta test this in action for a few months to see if I’ve got the mettle.
I am keen on following everyone else attempting a similar approach. If you’re trying some microgames I’d love to read about them. It’s inspiring to see so many Aussies attempt the indie route.
February 26th, 2009 on 11:25 pm
Yeah, well I don’t think it is in my possible future to actually get into the Games Industry in any other way. I have got myself into a Financial dependence on the Server Administration Role I am currently occupying, and no entry level Game Development Position (and probably most Senior Developer roles) can match the income.
As with most people, I have fallen into the trap of getting used to a lifestyle without the ability to naturally progress in the industry I would have chosen. This may, however, have been a blessing as now I have control over what projects I pursue and I need not get burnt out on a project due to imposed deadlines (merely self-imposed deadlines instead).
I think this form of development is the only real avenue left for many of us, as our concentration has been eroded by TV and the Internet, so we are now left with short projects as our only immediate option.
Anyway, I will be keeping a finger on the pulse of both yours and Andrews projects. All the best.
Cheers, Chris.