Poll: Opinions Wanted

[Log Lady]

Hey,

So I'm starting a project, and I'd like to hear you folks input before I start really putting some hours in. So, you know how everyone has an opinion about where exactly the game industry should be going, and what it's doing right or wrong at present? In my experience, the conversation goes like this: "You know what they should stop doing ____; or they should do it in way ____ like they did in ____; in fact, I'd like to see a game that _____." Also, I think everyone walks around with a handful of game ideas and no where to pitch them.

Here's my idea: I'm thinking about setting up a user generated content site for video game ideas. You'll get a special page for each idea. On that page, there will be tabs for things like: brief summary, plot synopsis, characters, puzzles, levels, storyboards, control schemes, themes, economic viability, and artistic purpose. Then, there would be an owner-editable wall for comments as well as a survey asking "would you like to see a game like this." Posting/voting would require registration, which should generate demographic info. Each submission would require a two sentence summary and a genre. There would be an "other" genre for games like Katamari and what not, and you could make genre suggestions.

Anyhow, it sounds like a ton of work, but I've got a chunk of free time headed my way in a little bit. That being said, I don't especially want to throw away a couple weeks on a site that goes nowhere. What do you think?

 

[Log Lady]

Sorry bout the bump - I'd also be interesting in hearing why folks think it wouldn't work.

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

It's not a BAD idea, but people are always worried about their ideas being stolen and that becomes quite a risk in the copyright devoid mess that is the internet. You'll need some good legalese for idea protection and the like to even get STARTED on this sort of thing.

I wouldn't be totally averse to posting on it since I have some "Give Away" ideas, games/stories that I'd rather Read or Play than create myself, but I don't think I'd put up any of my "special" ideas.

 

[Log Lady]

Legalese is actually something I've got in spades, but I'm no expert. Tell you what, I'll consult with an expert tomorrow and get back to you w/ case citations.

 

[bad rider]

Sounds good, but it is a maybe as to wether it will work. It all depends who joins it, and whether alot of people cluster there. Which is very hit or miss.

 

[Zippy1313]

Truthfully, even if you had an idea copyrighted, companies would change just enough so they could use it and not pay you. I would still post and just not worry about it and have a game that I would truly love if it works out.

 

[Log Lady]

Zippy, I'll check this, too. There's something called a derivative work, which expands Copyright protection to similar ideas provided yours is on paper. Anyhow, isn't there anyone who would like to influence what games get made even if they don't make money off it? What about using feedback as a sign of your creative merit while applying for design jobs?

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

You've thought about this more than I gave you credit for. I revise my statement, assuming you DO know all the Legal Mumbo Jumbo surrounding these kinds of things, I think it's a great idea and I would certainly post on it.

 

[mills_330]

The first response has a good point. Any decent ideas will be snapped up by real game developers. Your idea about this website is already probably being stolen right now....BY ME...well not me, but im sure someone will probably theif your idea and try and start something. Next time you have an idea like this i would keep it to yourself and just go with it rather then try and justify it with a bunch of people on a survery. It is a very good idea and would be a great place for people to express them selves. If you know of any small game engines for example AGS(Adventure game studio) these usually have their own forum where the public post game ideas for people to create, or create them their selves and have other people rate them. So its not an original idea but would work.

A suggestion; To create a game you need a large team, artists, developers, programmers, writers etc. It would be interesting if you had a section for people to group together. For example, someone has an idea with plot, synopsis whatever, but they suck at drawing, then an artist comes along who cant thing of an idea. Put them together, what have you got. You get the idea. Anyway please kep me up to date if you go along with this, im at uni doing games design myself so i would definatley sign up and get involved, i know a lot of my lecture's would send there students to your site too!

THANKS

 

[Resin213]

^ My thoughts exactly. I have thought of trying to set up a blog/webpage just to pitch my own armchair designer ideas, but never got around to it.

A few things to include if you do this:

-Ability to load images, I like to draw most of my ideas come with some visual aids

-An opening 'game idea profile' - this should include:
game genre,
but even more specificly a game engine with descriptions of what different engines are capable of with of course the option to always select 'new' or 'other'

-setting-hi fantasy, low-fantasy, historical, sci-fi, abstract, etc.

-IDK what else -probably contact info for posters

I think that the profile fields should each be searchable so that you could browse by genre, setting, or author.
I would also include general discussions for each of these areas as well.

It sounds like a great idea to me.
When it's all done you could try to sell it to an established high traffic site like the escapist

good luck - be sure to post an URL

Something to look at perhaps just for reference are different mod communities like moddb.com- a section of help wanted (paid and unpaid) and a section for looking for work in each position would be a good idea conceptart.com is another good example of a direction you could take.

You would still need to tailor your site so that it has something these sites don't though. A whole game idea focus seems to be it.

 

[Larenxis]

I'd use it, I think it sounds great. I think it would be neat if their was a more co-operative element, where you can help people design what the characters would be like, and stuff like that.

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

I actually really like the idea of an idea sharing game design community. Though you should make sure you're not doing something that's not already being done. If that's the case unless you can do it better, you probably shouldn't.

 

[Erana]

Did your log tell you to do this?
May I ask it what else it has to say?
'Cause I'd so be into a site like that.

(Sorry, I'm still spazming over the joy of a Twin Peaks reference)

 

[Good morning blues]

It would be a nice outlet for fans, but as an amateur game developer, I know that I'd certainly never search the site for suggestions. I DO wish there was some sort of site out there where I could look for help - a sort of "amateur developer personals" site, so that I could find people to do some music or character animation or whatever for my games, but finding a concept is not a problem for any game developer in the world. Everybody with no idea whatsoever about how to go about actually making a game has an idea, and so does everybody who is actually capable of making one.

 

[Log Lady]

Okay... Updates:
Suggestions: I think adding collaboration options is a great idea. I'm pitching the site to a web designer who has experience creating networking sites for independent musicians to connect up with venues. I'll let you know how it goes.

On copyright (US): I can't confer additional copyright protection on submissions beyond what the law already gives you. I can't prevent people from trying to copy stuff. I can use contract to make folks agree to not steal ideas and make them liable to breach of contract suits for $$ if they do. I can keep track of the things that different accounts view. Also, I can suggest or require that all submissions be officially copyrighted before posting and make a little FAQ about what you can do to avoid idea theft. Even if things aren't officially copyrighted, you still get some protection I think. I can make you agree not to sue me over this stuff as a condition of posting.
Additionally, for similar works, copyright protection actually gets stronger if the work is published publicly. It helps you show that the infringer had access to the work. See Gal v. Viacom, 518 F.Supp.2d 526, 547 (S.D.N.Y. 2007) (unpublished script similar to Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story wasn't publicly available and so had to be "strikingly similar" to the movie for a finding of infringement; it wasn't).
For folks who want to use this as a place to store their portfolios, I'm going to create optional password protection.

On people stealing my idea: Well, I've got a head start, and that's enough. Frankly I'm doing this in order to reduce the cost of admission (even indie stuff costs time and money) to an industry that seems to be stagnating a bit creatively, to spark public interest in new ideas, and give people an outlet. I don't intend to make money off it, and I'd be happy if anyone else wants to help. While we're on the subject of purpose, I think I might make similar sections for screenplays for film, tv and theater. We need more perspectives than folks with the resources to take a stab at industry. Ever noticed how movies about poverty all come off flat?

PS. I couldn't find a similar site. If you can, please message me.
Disclaimer: this isn't legal advice, and you shouldn't rely on it.

 

[cuddly_tomato]

I don't think it would work for legal reasons. Every single post on there would become copyrighted material, and developers wouldn't be able to use it without buying the rights too it from whoever put that particular idea forward.

 

[Starnerf]

That sounds kind of similar to Microsoft's XNA Developers site, which is of course focused more on XNA related stuff (i.e. C# and XBox development). I think it's a good idea to expand that to a wider variety of methods and media. I don't know if I'd use it or not (since I don't know if any of my ideas are really worth building), but it's an interesting idea.

 

[Resin213]

Perhaps you could create posted options like: "this is copyrighted do not steal" or "take my idea please, just be sure to invite me to Beta"