Indie Start-Up MMOs: For Love of the Game

Posted Sep 9, 2006 at 11:49AM EST by QJ Staff

Listed in: News, Off Topic Tags: Iron Will Games, Near Death Studios, Rapid Reality

One of the discussion panels at the Austin Game Conference talked about a rather interesting topic: starting up your very own MMORPG. Quite a dream indeed, but definitely not an easy task, as the personal experiences of the panel members demonstrate. To all those with similar dreams, you may want to take notes.

"The Joy of Running Your Very Own RPG" panel included moderator Bill Money of Iron Will Games, and panelists David Reese (also of Iron Will), Brian Green from Near Death Studios, and Adam Ghetti of Rapid Reality. Iron Will is responsible for Ashen Empires, while Rapid Reality developed The Chronicle.

It's easy to be surprised by the unexpected when you're setting out on your own in the world of MMO business. Especially if you're a game developer with minimal busines experience. After purchasing Ashen Empires, Reese received a surprising - and nasty - education in busines economics when he discovered that half of the game's subscribers weren't paying the monthly fee!

One thing that all the panel members shared in common, and which ultimately drew them to setting up their very own shops, was a love of MMORPGs. All the panel members had ample experience working in other development studios. In Green's case, that's how he acquired the game that his studio's handling, Meridian 59. He was part of the development team that created the game, but with its original publisher deciding to cancel it, Green went on to form Near Death and purchase the rights to the game.

There is no denying the passion that goes into running an independent, start-up MMORPG business. It's definitely a different ballgame than a big-studio, big-company release like WoW. Smaller staff, longer hours, greater risks, going up against the big boys - but all of it with a personal touch, the touch of a gamer who loves the game. No denying the passion, indeed.

Via mmorpg.com

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Indie Start-Up MMOs: For Love of the Game

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