I desperately want to break into indy gamedev and I'm in the common, and difficult position of managing family, work and "the dream". I've been watching these boards for some time and I'm here looking for (as the title says) some feedback from my peers -- Yes! You guys!! :)

I haven't got my pet project into the beta stage just yet, but I have just posted some info on devimg.net: http://www.devimg.net/index.php?Post=245

So I'm asking the pro's; Does that product look and/or feel like the sort of thing the shareware game world needs or wants? Don't be afraid of hitting me hard with reality. I know it's hard to judge anything from simple screen shots and brief descriptions, so go with your gut instinct and tell me what you can summise from the information given.

You see, I'm tempted to go all for it and make myself unemployed-- I should also point out that what you're looking at was coded from scratch in around 2 months (mostly)part-time, thanks to a previous proto and a strong ang growing codebase. I've been passively learning from the range of info these boards have to offer and I'm certain I'm not falling into any of the major shareware dev pitfalls- except one, and that's best expained by Steve P's analogy of knowing when to gamble.

I say "mostly" part-time because I have used my christmas holidays and even taken a weeks unpaid absence in order to get the work done, making me realise more than ever that some things work best when you have 100% of your time to devote to them.

Your support and encouragement is most welcome :)

Well it's hard to say but it looks like a game people might be interested in although I can't see it generating enough excitement to become a runaway smash hit. I suggest you keep the day job for now, and get the game out and selling, and see for yourself how it does.

In game screen shot. Oh, BTW, this project is using 100% programmer art :/
Definitively you should improve THAT if you want to sell :-)

From looking that those 3 screenshots at the link, i can tell you this:

1. menu looks really nice and polished. nice font and i really liked the backdrop. looks like you're in the right direction, since most forget the polish the "grey" things like menu - thumbs up for that!

2. Graphics looks pretty good for this kind of game (as far as i got it). I don't see a reason to complain about the graphics, but there's always room for improvement.

3. It looks far better than most 1st-timer games i've seen, keep it going and you'll have a nice product on your hands.

Reminds me of Sophistry (sp?). Back in the old 8-bit days Sophistry was a smash success. Your game is similar, but not quite the same. Maybe you should google for the name and (cough) be inspired by it's ideas :)

I suggest you keep the day job for now, and get the game out and selling, and see for yourself how it does.

Thanks Anthony. That is what I plan on doing, but somedays work is a real grind and it makes me consider quitting no matter what the cost. Still, I have a very open contract so I'll probably get by working 2,3 or 4 days a week and see how long I can get away with that :D

This is not the only product/project in the pipe-line so the aim of having several selling products this year is not unrealistic. (Although it would help if I put the small matter of the day job behind me :p ).


CoLSoN: I'm not so sure (see later comments too).

gilzu: Very positive and reassuring, thankyou :) Some of the art is still place-holders, but everyone will have a much better chance to judge when I get to the beta.

damocles: I found a review of Sophistry. Although I'd never heard of it I was into 8-bit gaming at that time. I was a fan of Head Over Heels, Molecule Man, Spin Dizzy etc and even did some ISO stuff myself. I might just try and get a speccy emu and a copy of Sophistry but from what I've read from the review it was a very different game.


Thanks!