Getting to Know...

...

I am nobody :(

Hi, Nobody!

I'm No One Important.

Actually, I'm not sure how many "representatives from all over the gaming industry" there actually are in here - there are a few small publishers present (Dancing Eggplant and Z-Man and the one XXOOCC runs which I can't remember), and a few self-publishers (Yekrats & others), but unless I've missed them (entirely possible), no one from the mid-size to major US firms (such as Mayfair, Uberplay, Out Of The Box, Hasbro, Mattel) or European firms (such as Amigo, Alea, Kosmos, Ravensburger, etc.).

May I propose a more general introduction thread for everyone to say something about themselves - maybe starting with the moderators (so a new member can learn who these people are quickly) and then _everyone_ else? (Well, OK, all those that choose to participate.)

If we (and I use this term very loosely) manage to get the other wiki/blog/content managment system running that will offer a very natural place for this sort of info.

In addition to participating in the forums users will be able to maintain development blogs, sort of like the current game journals, but more friendly. Users will also be able to construct a wiki page to contain their bio if they so choose.

Perhaps this thread does suggest some higher level organization which we can add to the wiki. I'll try to keep tabs on this as we move forward.

peace,
Tom

Joe, actually Out of the Box is represented here (gamemaker), but other than that, your point stands, we don't really have a significant presence from the "big publishers" here. On the other hand, what's interesting is that the majority of questions people seem to post related to publication center WAY more on "how do I produce/sell my game" than "how do I get my game published." Personally, I find this very surprising given how difficult, expensive and time-consuming self-publishing seems to be; my surprise isn't so much that people decide to self-publish, as that it's almost reflexive that people decide to do so. But in any event, it seems like the small publishers here are probably actually more able to answer the kind of questions that people are asking. However, one does tend to find that most of the questions raised by the group are answered by non-experts. That's absolutely fine, since the publishers are presumably busy trying to publish and sell games!

Anyway, I agree with Tom, that the Wiki would be the easiest place for Steve's idea to come to fruition, and anyone who wanted to introduce himself could do so very easily, be he a publisher or hobbyist. What I think would be really great, though, is if a "Common publication questions" area could be created, with the answers provided by the "experts", so that the "How do I protect my idea?" folks could go and get their answers without having to ask everyone else, and without having to wade through a lot of company bios. The company bios would exist more for people who are genuinely interested in learning about what other people in the industry are up to. For people who just want to know how to sell their games, my experience in this board suggests that they couldn't care less.

Either way, I hope some kind of "bio" information can be created so people who want to share, or want to browse, can do so!

-Jeff