Garden of Liberty
After being unsuccessful in gaining a role with a games studio for over 2 years I began to realize that the pro active option in this situation was to create a role for my self and to do that I would have to create a studio. This Is what I am presently attempting to do and I will share with you what I have done, what I am doing and how the process is developing.
Firstly I Asked professional contacts within the games industry that I had gained through job applications whether my plan to create a studioand develop for the iOS was a reasonable venture to undertake and also whether they could offer me any professional advice. Their responses were encouraging, they confirmed to me that they too thought that the iOS market place is a good option for those lookingto enter the industry. I received lots of helpful tips and from the feedback in general received the message that creating a studio to develop for iOS and Android is a great idea.
From their I did a lot of research into what it takes to start my own business which was something I had little knowledge of. I found a lot of useful books which were detrimental in gaining business knowledge. I also found books orientated specifically towards iOS development very useful.
After being unsuccessful in gaining a role with a games studio for over 2 years I began to realize that the pro active option in this situation was to create a role for my self and to do that I would have to create a studio. This Is what I am presently attempting to do and I will share with you what I have done, what I am doing and how the process is developing.
Firstly I Asked professional contacts within the games industry that I had gained through job applications whether my plan to create a studioand develop for the iOS was a reasonable venture to undertake and also whether they could offer me any professional advice. Their responses were encouraging, they confirmed to me that they too thought that the iOS market place is a good option for those lookingto enter the industry. I received lots of helpful tips and from the feedback in general received the message that creating a studio to develop for iOS and Android is a great idea.
From their I did a lot of research into what it takes to start my own business which was something I had little knowledge of. I found a lot of useful books which were detrimental in gaining business knowledge. I also found books orientated specifically towards iOS development very useful.
While researching the market and putting together a business plan I was also trying to find a source of funding and put together a development team. I found a Grant funding opportunity that I have since applied for named the prototype fund.After contacting those involved with this fund, explaining my situation and reading about the fund it was apparent that it was ideal for my needs and had been set up in order to allow fledgling studios to get off the ground. I'm still awaiting a response from this application. I’m also pursuing other sources of funding to get the studio through the first few months including bank loans, government funded business start up funding and sponsorship from corporations in return for unique advertisement opportunities.
I discovered while searching on the Gamesindustry.biz website a Linked in group named clearing for games.After speaking to the creator of the group, a recruitment specialist I was able to post a discussion with others regarding my plans to create a new studio. The group consisted of industry professionals who had recently been made redundant. Through this I was able to meet Michele Evens and his business partner Steve Hatchard who were also attempting to create a studio to develop for iOS.
I discovered while searching on the Gamesindustry.biz website a Linked in group named clearing for games.After speaking to the creator of the group, a recruitment specialist I was able to post a discussion with others regarding my plans to create a new studio. The group consisted of industry professionals who had recently been made redundant. Through this I was able to meet Michele Evens and his business partner Steve Hatchard who were also attempting to create a studio to develop for iOS.
Our skill sets complemented each other and we all seemed to be on the same page in regards to what we wanted from this studio so we teamed up as equal partners. Between us we had the majority of the skills necessary to start development but still needed a sound designer and an animator.
I had been doing a lot of concepting before this whole processes started and throughout this process, as a designer its what I feel most comfortable doing and I just cant help exploring new ideas.Summaries of a few of my concepts are are available to be viewed here on Behance. The concept we chose for our first project was well suited to a short development cycle and a new team. It was original, Instantly fun and playable, with the right art direction it would have broad appeal and most importantly it was mechanically simple and easily achievable. In all it was a good project for the team to cut their teeth on.
I had also been doing some concept logo designs for proposed studio names which included Garden of Liberty and Raging Turtle.
I had been doing a lot of concepting before this whole processes started and throughout this process, as a designer its what I feel most comfortable doing and I just cant help exploring new ideas.Summaries of a few of my concepts are are available to be viewed here on Behance. The concept we chose for our first project was well suited to a short development cycle and a new team. It was original, Instantly fun and playable, with the right art direction it would have broad appeal and most importantly it was mechanically simple and easily achievable. In all it was a good project for the team to cut their teeth on.
I had also been doing some concept logo designs for proposed studio names which included Garden of Liberty and Raging Turtle.
In the last few weeks I have mainly been concertinaing on finalising a new comprehensive business plan, researching into the legalities of limited liability partnerships, drafting a partnership agreement and Attending business seminars.
I still have many difficulties to over come at present, even while the studio is being created. One of the three partners, Michele has left the partnership. He was offered his dream role as a designer with one of the UK's leading Studios, Fronter. I am over the moon that he was offered what he has always wanted. He is a great guy and deservers it. This does however put our studio in a precarious position and if I am unable to acquire the funding and build up the rest of the development team my efforts may have been in vain.
If any one has any advice, offers or proposals please feel free to leave a comment or message me through Linkedin.
If any one has any advice, offers or proposals please feel free to leave a comment or message me through Linkedin.
