Hello All -
A few of the basic nuts and bolts to consider when heading into the Indie world of game development. !>
Part 1 Getting Started
Chapter One. So you want to be an independent developer.
The in’s and out’s of going it on your own
What to expect
Where to begin
Chapter 2 Legal mumbo jumbo
Know your rights, foreign and domestic
Protect your IP and your butt
Copyright resources
Trademark resources
Chapter 3 Business Plan and your killer idea
Goals
Building a Team
Product
Pricing
Chapter 4 Contracts and negotiating the split
1099 Contract
Partner Contract
One time fee
Chapter 5 Project Management
Ensure everyone on your team is on the same page
Time lines
Online PM Tools
Chapter 6 Technology
Platform
Tools
Sound (if you know me, you know my feelings on NO techno)
Chapter 7 Website
Build it and they will come, heh, ok
Metatags <<<the big joke
Part 2 – Get ready to launch
Chapter 1 Pre-launch (or re-launch)
Beta Testing
Demo
Pricing for the market (note Country & Platform Specific)
Chapter 2 Promotions
Sample Promotions Schedule
Press Releases
Sample Press Release
Online Press Release Services
Chapter 3 Reviewers
Online Review Options
How to get a professional review
Chapter 4 Put on your marketing hat and throw mathematical logic out the window
Internet Marketing
Viral Marketing
Genre specific websites/portals
Promotions
Email Newsletters
How to set up and promote
User Groups
Newsgroups
Paid Advertising
Banner exchange and bartering
Chapter 5 Distribution Channels
Think beyond the border
Negotiating the contract
Working with distribution channels
Pros and cons of your own online store
The best of both worlds
Chapter 6 OEM’s and Business Development
How to get your product in front of the decision makers
The OEM inside process
Chapter 7 Trade Events
How to make the most of them
Network, network, network
Part 3 Porting
Chapter 1 Take a look at your current product first
Chapter 2 Time to Port – where to go from here
.....as I said - these are the basic nut and bolt areas to delve into.