Forums » Suggestions
Suggesting the obvious
I apologize if this has been said before, but this board doesn't have fancy features such as "search".
Did I read Tuesday's news post correctly? It seems to say that Guild Software has an "office" that requires "rent". As a small business owner that runs a business on a little less than a "shoe-string", let me say that concepts your company should become intimately familiar with are "home office" and "telecommute". I can't think of any good reason that you should have an office as a small startup unless you need a store-front. Especially in the age of the Internet. Put your servers at someone's house, or maybe a co-location facility. Have your devs code from home. I'm sure you pay a ton for rent, I think that it is a wholly unnecessary expense and endangers your company's viability.
And another thing.
<obvious> If you can't get a publisher right now, you're going to need some way to finance this thing. </obvious> Some of your users clearly want to pay. Donations to a for-profit company are unethical, also non-tax-deductible, but you do need to harness the users as a potential revenue stream. They might pay you to play this game as it is, but I wouldn't bet on it. Find a way to entice users into paying you $2 a month. I know you can figure something out. Then, actively pursue other revenue-generating schemes. I saw that in-game adverts were suggested. I know you could make it look futuristic, even if it was a Pepsi, or X10 ad. Once it's out of beta, and you're making money, can the adverts.
Ok, that's just some thoughts I had. I hope it will spark some sort of intelligent discussion.
Did I read Tuesday's news post correctly? It seems to say that Guild Software has an "office" that requires "rent". As a small business owner that runs a business on a little less than a "shoe-string", let me say that concepts your company should become intimately familiar with are "home office" and "telecommute". I can't think of any good reason that you should have an office as a small startup unless you need a store-front. Especially in the age of the Internet. Put your servers at someone's house, or maybe a co-location facility. Have your devs code from home. I'm sure you pay a ton for rent, I think that it is a wholly unnecessary expense and endangers your company's viability.
And another thing.
<obvious> If you can't get a publisher right now, you're going to need some way to finance this thing. </obvious> Some of your users clearly want to pay. Donations to a for-profit company are unethical, also non-tax-deductible, but you do need to harness the users as a potential revenue stream. They might pay you to play this game as it is, but I wouldn't bet on it. Find a way to entice users into paying you $2 a month. I know you can figure something out. Then, actively pursue other revenue-generating schemes. I saw that in-game adverts were suggested. I know you could make it look futuristic, even if it was a Pepsi, or X10 ad. Once it's out of beta, and you're making money, can the adverts.
Ok, that's just some thoughts I had. I hope it will spark some sort of intelligent discussion.
What's faster, transferring the code/graphics/ship models/sounds through the web or through a local network?
> "Donations to a for-profit company are unethical"
Why's that? The company is not currently making a profit and without the support of its userbase never will. If people want to donate, let them. From what I know, Guild Software set up the donation facility because of demand from players. Players were not asked to donate.
> "They might pay you to play this game as it is, but I wouldn't bet on it"
*rolls eyes*
Why's that? The company is not currently making a profit and without the support of its userbase never will. If people want to donate, let them. From what I know, Guild Software set up the donation facility because of demand from players. Players were not asked to donate.
> "They might pay you to play this game as it is, but I wouldn't bet on it"
*rolls eyes*
Gowron:
--
> "They might pay you to play this game as it is, but I wouldn't bet on it"
*rolls eyes*
--
OK, let me rephrase that Gowron. Although many may pay for play as it is, many more will pay if there are incentives. Would you rather have the donations of 70 or so die-hard fans, or those, plus a set marginal monthly fee from 3000 Vendetta weekend warriors?
And yes, SL, it would be a slower connection. I think the over $600/month it would likely save is going to outweigh the slower connection for a company with a "shoe-string" buget. Alternatively, if the bandwidth of the developers is a concern, set up an office in someone's basement.
Income - Overhead = Profit. Reduce overhead, increase profit. (or reduce loss as the case may be) I'm just suggesting a reduction in overhead expenses to increase Guild's viability.
--
> "They might pay you to play this game as it is, but I wouldn't bet on it"
*rolls eyes*
--
OK, let me rephrase that Gowron. Although many may pay for play as it is, many more will pay if there are incentives. Would you rather have the donations of 70 or so die-hard fans, or those, plus a set marginal monthly fee from 3000 Vendetta weekend warriors?
And yes, SL, it would be a slower connection. I think the over $600/month it would likely save is going to outweigh the slower connection for a company with a "shoe-string" buget. Alternatively, if the bandwidth of the developers is a concern, set up an office in someone's basement.
Income - Overhead = Profit. Reduce overhead, increase profit. (or reduce loss as the case may be) I'm just suggesting a reduction in overhead expenses to increase Guild's viability.
Iwas going to suggest that they actually start asking for payments per account, like $5...
By the way, could someone explain to me how giving money to GuildSoftware (IE donating to a for-profit company) is "unethical"?
I'm sorry if my post seemed harsh. Vendetta is the most exciting game I've seen in a long time and I don't like the idea that it might not get finished.
furball, give your money to whoever you want (except maybe terrorists ;). I think it is generally accepted that a for-profit company asking for donations is unethical. Obviously, Guild hasn't asked for any donations, they just put a bucket there to catch all the money that people were trying to throw at them.
Maybe Guild should be looking for partners. Partners with things they need like bandwidth, rack space and maybe publishing connections. I wonder if they could work something out with someone like speakeasy dsl, or Homelan. GameSpy maybe? I don't know. I know there's lots of companies out there selling hosting services for games like Counter-Strike. Maybe one of them would like to partner with Guild to serve this game for a cut of the business.
furball, give your money to whoever you want (except maybe terrorists ;). I think it is generally accepted that a for-profit company asking for donations is unethical. Obviously, Guild hasn't asked for any donations, they just put a bucket there to catch all the money that people were trying to throw at them.
Maybe Guild should be looking for partners. Partners with things they need like bandwidth, rack space and maybe publishing connections. I wonder if they could work something out with someone like speakeasy dsl, or Homelan. GameSpy maybe? I don't know. I know there's lots of companies out there selling hosting services for games like Counter-Strike. Maybe one of them would like to partner with Guild to serve this game for a cut of the business.
the donations are only there because we bugged them to put it there. I remember them saying b4 that they did not feel right asking for donations or payment as the game is. Its the players that asked for the donation thing so really has nothing to do with ethics.
However taking out the office imo is a good idea. It may be slower but if it keeps the game alive I am all for it.
However taking out the office imo is a good idea. It may be slower but if it keeps the game alive I am all for it.
F&(K JUBOR, I GIVE MONEY TO WHO I WANT EVEN IF THEY ARE TERRORISTS!!!
:) (just thought I might spice up this thread a little)
:) (just thought I might spice up this thread a little)
lol randomize, just don't say that too loud. You'll wake up in some dark room Cuba with a sore cornhole.
:) to return ontopic I agree that office costs must be abolished and people should work from home until better times!
What? NO!
Guildsoftware has such a nice office! With a view at the water-tower!
Guildsoftware has such a nice office! With a view at the water-tower!