Monday, March 10

Gulp! This is Scary!

The last few days I've been off work sick, and as a result I've had plenty of time at home alone to think. As a result I handed in my notice today to start up Reiver Games as a full-time outfit. Man, that's scary.

My reasoning was thus:

  • Firstly, I can afford not to earn for a while to try it out, if it doesn't work, I'll just have to find another job.
  • I think it might work!
  • I'd love to do it - it's been a pipe-dream for ages now.
  • The Wife is 100% behind it.
  • I'm way too busy with a full-time job that involves a lot of travel to devote the time I need to Reiver Games.
  • I've been in IT now professionally for eight years, and did six years in IT at University, time for a change.

So what does this mean for Reiver Games? I'm going to move into making professional runs, predominantly sold through shops & distributors, so my time will be spent doing the graphic design and trying to flog copies to shops and I'll obviously have much more time for playtesting, designing and developing games. I'm aiming for three professional runs by next April (not this April!), with maybe a hand-made run thrown in as a bonus.

I'll also have more time for blogging, so hopefully you'll be hearing more from me too.

What are the downsides? I've given up a well-paid job for no financial security whatsoever. I've enough money squirrelled away to last me a year, but there's every chance I could end up having pissed it all up the wall in a year's time, with nothing to show for it but a flat full of unwanted games. Professional runs means cheaper production, so I can afford to sell to shops and distributors, but it also means much more risk, and if I choose badly I could end up throwing lots of money after a game which no-one wants. I've got to be damn sure a game is excellent before I publish it, and I've got to make sure the production is right, as fixing problems could drive me under. So anally-retentive checking of everything before it goes to the printer is required.

Good decision? I'll not know for a while yet, but feel free to call me an idiot, commend my bravery or offer me spare change when I'm destitute in the comments below...

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wish I had your courage. Good luck.

runehardt said...

I wish you much luck.
If there is anything I can help you out with on this side of the world just let me know.
You've got at least one guaranteed sale for all your upcoming releases!
I can't wait to see what you have in store for us!

Jackson Pope said...

Hiya guys,

Thanks very much for your support :-) So far most people think I have cojones, and/or think it's a good idea, but I can't help wondering if I'm an idiot.

Cheers,

Jack

Yehuda Berlinger said...

Good luck.

Yehuda

Mal said...

LIV TEH DRAEM!!!!!!!!1!

;-)

JeffK-homage aside, this is seriously exciting news. I had a feeling it was coming, but wasn't expecting it so soon. Just think how great it's gonna feel to wake up in the morning knowing you've got a whole day of gaming-related shenanigans ahead of you. Man, if I could wake up knowing I was going out on track every day, I'd be the happiest guy on the planet. I bet you can't wait to get started. :)

So pleased for you.

(Get well soon, btw.)

Dave said...

Wow! Big decision fella. I'm sure you've made the right decision and I'm glad that RG will now be going big time.

All the best.

Colin said...

Christ on a Bike...

I mean I admire your balls... from afar.

Jackson Pope said...

Yehuda:
Thanks! More time to concentrate on publicising It's Alive! now :-)

Mal:
Yeah, I've been leaning towards it for ages, but the week off gave me time to consider it. Added bonuses, no more getting up at 6am, and I don't have to go to Australia :-)

Dave:
Thanks! Only a few weeks ago you were telling me to delay it, and I concurred, but give me a week without your sensibility to rein me in and look what happens!

Colin:
Hi! Long time no speak :-) There's definitely some messiah/bicycle action involved - it's terrifying.

Thanks everyone for your support, now if your don't mind convincing 500 people each to buy everything I publish, I might just be able to keep at it.

Cheers,

Jack

Dave said...

Hmm, I can see that you're already doing twice as much posting as before... ;)

Jackson Pope said...

Ooops. Don't try and post on the train - the connection is soooo slow, you end up posting twice.

Cheers,

Jack

Steve said...

Wow that's a lot of comments :-)

May I also commend your bravery and offer to spend some of my very limited disposable income with you?

(Oh, and if you change your mind and want to move north again, let me know ;-)))

Steve

Jackson Pope said...

Hey Steve,

Thanks, and all offers for disposable income gladly accepted ;-)

No plans as yet to move, but we might move for The Wife's job, now that I'm not tied to a location.

Cheers,

Jack

Philip said...

Wow, good luck on your new venture. You seem to be thinking about all the right things to make this happen. I look forward to future game trades!

Gavin Hope said...

Sick!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the new course of action. I hope it goes well for you.

Jackson Pope said...

Hiya Neil,

Thanks! I'll just have to do my best, and hope that's enough!

Cheers,

Jack