Game Development Giant

A very special idea?

Hearing what Jester said, Mark Saini was a little confused as to what Jester meant.

Seeing the confused expression on Mark Saini's face, Jester smiled: I just got a very special idea from what you just said, which is very suitable for me to use as a speech at GDC this time, but before releasing this This needs to be planned out before the speech, and it’s best to make actual preparations.”

Jester talked for a long time without saying what this special idea was. Mark Saini was extremely curious, so he asked directly.

But, Jace, what on earth did you think of that made you so excited?

A very interesting idea, just like what you said before. Jester said calmly, he put the empty coffee cup on the table, and then continued, Mark, you said it before Many designers have some excellent ideas, but we cannot satisfy them at the same time because we cannot start so many projects at the same time due to lack of funds or manpower. Therefore, an idea suddenly flashed in my mind.

“Crowdfunding!”

When Jester said these two words, Mark Saini understood what he meant.

You mean, let these people speak out their ideas, and then attract people who are interested in investing? However, what Mark Saini thinks is obviously different from what Jester wants to say. , after he said this, before Jester could answer, he frowned, and then continued with some hesitation.

But, Jess, what's the difference between your idea and those of venture capital? It's not easy to collect funds from those venture capital. Moreover, the development funds of a game cannot be spent How much money, then venture capital is not interested in this, unless you are willing to lure them with our real big production, then it is possible...

Before Mark Saini could finish speaking, Jester interrupted him directly.

Mark, you don't understand what I mean. When I talk about crowdfunding, I don't mean asking these designers to find venture capital. There is a big difference between crowdfunding and venture capital. To be more specific...

Jester explained to Mark Saini. While thinking about how to use plain and simple language, Mark Saini understands what he means by crowdfunding. After all, the concept of crowdfunding will be very important in the future, even in China where there has never been such an atmosphere. You already know what the name is. After all, I have never seen a pig run away, and I have eaten pork before.

But in this era. There is still some distance between the birth of the concept of crowdfunding.

“Crowdfunding is not venture capital, but a kind of crowd investment.”

Jester thought for a few minutes. He began to explain, and Mark Saini was also listening quietly.

Let me give you an example so that you can understand it better. Let's use an analogy. In our company, there is a designer who has a very good game plan, but the projects we are currently working on are already full. And this Designers don’t have the power like you and me to directly ignore the review committee and directly approve a game, so I can provide him with such an opportunity...

...The opportunity is like this. He will briefly introduce his idea for this game on the website we specially prepared for this crowdfunding project. Then, about this game, it can be reviewed by our internal review team. It is rated, and then players who are interested in this game can invest in it...

...To be precise, this should not be an investment, it is a group purchase.

When Mark Saini heard another new word from Jester's mouth, group buying, he frowned again, and Jester was always paying attention to Mark Saini's expression. He saw Mark Saini frowned, knowing that he must have some doubts.

Jester immediately thought about what he just said, and then he knew where Mark Saini was confused.

Let me explain the group buying. The reason why I say it is not an investment is because the people participating in the crowdfunding do not have the decision-making power on this project. They are not so much involved in the investment in this game. If you purchase the game in advance or purchase some peripheral products of the game, for example, when conducting crowdfunding, you can set some reward standards for raising funds.

Feedback standard? Hearing what Jester said, Mark Saini asked curiously.

Yes, feedback standards.

Jester nodded firmly and then continued to explain.

Mark, it's unrealistic to get people to invest money with empty words. Therefore, there must be safeguard measures. For example, we, Mars Entertainment, are the guarantor of the project. We guarantee everything. All investments will be used in game development, which is the most critical point, and then it’s about giving back to players who participate in crowdfunding.”

If we want them to participate in giving back and make them feel that the money they spent in advance is worth it, we can set several return standards based on the crowdfunding funds.

“The minimum crowdfunding amount is one dollar. Naturally, it is impossible for everyone who participates in such crowdfunding to get our feedback. However, everyone is lucky. If we set a standard, for example, participation For every 100 people who raise one dollar, or for every 1,000 people, one person will be selected to win a prize for the next level of fundraising, and then many people will try their luck.

“Prizes for the next fundraising tier?”

Mark Saini continued to ask, while Jester continued to explain.

Well, the standard for fundraising return is not linear. For example, after we raise one dollar, we will raise forty dollars. Of course, thirty dollars is also acceptable. This organization relies entirely on crowdfunding. For example, if we are conducting crowdfunding for a game, then those who participate in this level of crowdfunding can obtain an official version of the game after the game is completed. You must know that the current game has several None of them are less than fifty dollars, and some are even as high as sixty dollars.”

“On top of this, you can also have a higher crowdfunding goal, for example, one hundred and fifty US dollars. People who participate in this level of crowdfunding can not only get the prizes of all the previous crowdfunding goals, but also get things like It’s said to be a collection of original paintings for the game.”

For another example, you can have a crowdfunding goal of five hundred dollars, and you can give participants game figures and other peripherals. Our amiibo is also planning to have a home console version, and it can completely come with an exclusive amiibo. The figures will have exclusive content to unlock...

We can even set a crowdfunding goal of 10,000 US dollars. Such standard quotas should be set to very few, such as three or five, and the prizes that can be obtained must also be unique, such as , an opportunity to have a meal with members of the development team, and during the meal, you can chat about game development.”

Jester talked a lot, but after thinking about it for a while, Mark Saini still felt that his idea was a bit unreliable.

Jace, do you really think that your idea can come true? Do you really think that someone will make the kind of investment or group purchase you mentioned in some illusory projects? Mark Saini said The disbelief is obvious.

When Jester heard Mark Saini's doubts, he didn't know how to convince him.

Because after all, this concept was proposed relatively early, and the crowdfunding he planned to do this time was just a game, and it was not exactly the same as the crowdfunding twenty years later.

It will definitely be difficult to launch at the beginning, so at the beginning, this crowdfunding plan must get our full support. We must make the games participating in this crowdfunding plan successful. Only in this way can we As more and more players participate, more and more producers can share their ideas with players and gain financial support that they do not have.

Hearing what Jester said, Mark Saini nodded. Although he didn't completely believe it, he also understood what Jester was thinking.

I have to say, this idea is indeed excellent.

However, he quickly thought of another question: Well, Jess, I also want to ask, how is the fundraising for this crowdfunding project carried out? How to protect these people who participate in the crowdfunding? What about the interests?”

With that said, Mark Saini explained the reason why he asked.

Jace, you know, if there is no suitable guarantee plan, at least for the players who are willing to participate in this crowdfunding plan, then I am afraid that not many people will be willing to participate. If there is, I believe there will be There are a lot of people willing to participate, at least much more than without a guaranteed plan.”

indeed.

Jester also nodded after hearing this: I have considered what you said just now, but it is not perfect, but these can be improved later, I believe this.

Here's my plan.

“When a game is crowdfunded, at the beginning, it is necessary to set a crowdfunding standard, such as $50,000, and a crowdfunding period, such as one month. That is to say, within one month, Within this period, $50,000 needs to be raised before the project can be launched, otherwise, the project will be canceled and the funds raised will be returned to the accounts of those who participated in the crowdfunding.”

What if it succeeds?

Mark Saini continued to ask. (To be continued...)