From: nikki AT gameboutique DOT co (nikki)
Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.djgpp,rec.games.programmer,alt.comp.shareware.for-kids
Subject: Re: Publishing a game
Date: 11 Feb 1997 10:08:40 GMT
Organization: GameBoutique Ltd.
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> But then again, most programmers aren't in the business for the money.
> If they are then their programs are way crap most of the time as all
> commercial stuff is, like music. If you don't code with love for your
> final product, but just for the money, then it's just another stupid job
> which results in just another stupid product.

there's sort of an ironic truth in this. companies have to meet deadlines
as such the programmers dont tend to care very much about the code, they
want to produce it fast and get it over and done with. this tends to lead
to sloppy, bloated, slow code (written under windows as often as not)
the trouble is, people have to make money to live :)

> Also, most games are not hits and the software producer loses money
> on them. So to stay in the business they have to make a lot of money
> from the big sellers. They are not going to cut their own salaries, so
> it's the programmers who lose out in the end. And there are enough
> coders who would do anything to get their game publised, so there is
> enough material available...

actually that's not entirely true. they all lose out, it's mainly the fault
of the advertising department however. recently there's been a big change
in advertising, as a result most companies haven't caught up and are still
going it the old tried and tested way. as a result they made a huge financial
loss this year, wait and hear what they have to say come april ;) only 2
out of the hundreds of big companies actually will declare a profit.

> Besides, it's not quality that sells big titles. It's the fact that you
> make people think that the game has quality. Big difference.

this is the new change in advertising i spoke of. this *used* to be the case
but its far less so now. rather than slap posters on every billboard around
declaring how wonderful your game is, people are demanding to have it
proved to them first. the 'shove it down your throat' mass hype method has
worn off.

> Anyway, does this still have anything to do with this thread :))

probably not, but oh well :)

regards,
nik

-- 
Graham Tootell           
nikki AT gameboutique DOT com