Valve Boss: Let Fans Fund Games Development

[mookiemookie]

I would certainly be behind an idea like this with a Silent Hunter title.

Originally Posted by Gabe Newell

What I think would be much better would be if the community could finance the games. In other words, ‘Hey, I really like this idea you have. I'll be an early investor in that and, as a result, at a later point I may make a return on that product, but I'll also get a copy of that game.

http://kotaku.com/5318368/valve-let-...es-development

[SteamWake]

So now they want the money up front?

Yea thatll work.

Its simple make a good game that Im interested in and I will buy it. Thats how I 'fund' game developers.

But come to think of it in some ways with unfinished products being sold we are putting money up front

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

So now they want the money up front?

Yea thatll work.

Its simple make a good game that Im interested in and I will buy it. Thats how I 'fund' game developers.

But come to think of it in some ways with unfinished products being sold we are putting money up front

also true...

i think it could get interesting, you would obviously have to get a lawyer to represent the fan base as a group of investors.

there would need to be some sort of contract which states

1. you have X years to produce the game and distribute it

2. if the game dies on the operating table we get 100% refund of our cash investment back

(number 2 would serve as incentive for them to get the game produced... as it would cost them much more to table the game or to shut the project down than it would be to simply finish it.

[Zachstar]

Im sure gabe knows just how frakkin much game development costs these days. I sort of doubt the fans can upfront THAT much investment.

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by Zachstar

Im sure gabe knows just how frakkin much game development costs these days. I sort of doubt the fans can upfront THAT much investment.

On a major major title, you're right, I doubt it. But on a small one like a Silent Hunter, Destroyer Command, or Dangerous Waters title? It could work...

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

On a major major title, you're right, I doubt it. But on a small one like a Silent Hunter, Destroyer Command, or Dangerous Waters title? It could work...

not only that but your fan base would only have to front a small percentage of the initial investment.

you get in return a free game, and a royalty percentage on the sales commensurate with your investment amount.

EDIT:

if i came to your house and offered you a deal wherein - if you invest $5,000 into the development of Silent Hunter 5 i would give you .25% of the total worldwide sales profits would you invest yoru 5 thousand bucks?

worst case scenario... the game falls through and by contract you get your $5,000 back in full

Best case scenario... worldwide sales profit tops $5 Million... and you get a check for... $12,500 - almost triple your money

[GoldenRivet]

HMMMmmmmmm

that DOES sound interesting