10 hours ago, AlanDontAsk said:
I HATE YOU! I literally HATE people like you. If I pay yes I tell them what engine to use. Some dumb programmer wants to use crappy game engine that he can easily program in and some java crap. Plus you move my thread to here? REally? THis is not a game design question??? Really???? Well if this isn't a game design question then i don't know what is. I am asking about designing the actual levels and THAT IS DESIGNING THE ACTUAL LEVELS literally! You feel competent to talk here and to judge??? Move my thread like that? Really? And then tell me to blindly listen to some scammer programmer?? Really?????? WOW thank you Tom... thanks a lot! So helpful
I don't know what your experience is in leading any form of a team or managing projects in game development or in general, but your people skills need a major overhaul. Having the idea and the money doesn't mean you should lead with an iron fist just because they're "paid" employees. If people don't like working for you then those people will just bailout and find another opportunity. I'm only saying this because you got triggered very quickly just by Tom stating the obvious.... If you have no programming experience then you're responsible for hiring experts who have what you lack and let them materialize your end goals through their expertise and skill sets... Those end goals are going to be detailed in your GDD. Heck, if you don't even understand the technology how are you in any position to suggest the 'best' language or engine for the project and team, or even the technical approaches required in solving the various problems you'll face ahead? How will you provide guidance and support?
I've successfully managed team members by caring more about the end result and less about how we get there. Hire the right people, make the objectives clear, and trust them to utilize their skills and talents to materialize. If you have experience in the various fields within your industry then at least you're in a position in which you're able to relate to those different departments. I personally wouldn't work for someone who didn't know the industry... Heck, I wouldn't be able to respect a team lead that has minimal skills and knowledge in the various parts that keep the machine going.
10 hours ago, AlanDontAsk said:
You know Tom, if I have 5 programmers telling me different things, how can i tell them apart? Are they supposably ALL good? Maybe you need to realize you're ignorant before judging peoples questions. BYE! You can lock my account with that attitude. I never said I'd be telling them what engine to use but I'd try to remotely understand what they are telling me and which one is right and which one is not.
This is a very simple solution... You hire one lead for your programming team. That individual picks other programmers that match his or her requirements. This is why smart business people and leaders put people in positions that are able to fill the gaps that they have, and will act in the best interests of that person and the project as a whole. Your response to Tom clearly indicates you lack the proper experience and skills at this time to lead a team.
It takes a lot more than just some skills and some cash with a big dream to run a team. If you're going to treat your project as a commercial project in any sense, then you need business skills and people skills as well. Do you even having marketing experts ready to go? Do you even have a plan on how you're going to use your $500k? What is your budget plan like? What about deadlines? Are you accounting for your corporate fees, taxes, and legal fees? What about PR? Marketing? Support staff after release? On top of the wages needed to keep staff employed prior to release, ect... Plus server costs, upkeep, and infrastructure required.
This is no small task, and this is why people will suggest you start small first. I would suggest you work on building a team of experts to lead your departments and not take on things you know nothing about.
Best of luck.
