Maybe I’ll Start My Own Studio

I’m noticing a pattern. Whenever I’m unemployed, I always think the same thing:

“Maybe I’ll start my own studio.”

When I say “start a studio,” I don’t mean make an indie game. I love making indie games for fun and low-to-no profit. That’s what Equip Story is all about! What I mean is starting a company to create indie games. Plural. Instead of looking for an open position at a studio, I would join the legion of solo devs in this industry, using my savings from Doborog as runway to create multiple games in a short period of time to release on Steam. Hopefully I would generate enough revenue from one of those games to continue making games and hire people to join my studio.

Let’s see if starting my own studio makes sense right now with a classic pros and cons list.

I’d Call the Shots

Pro: I would be my own boss! If my company succeeds, I’d never have to look for work again, which would be awesome. I could decide which games to develop and have creative control over what I make.

Con: I would be my own boss! I’ve been my own boss before, so I know the downsides intimately. The hours are long. There’s a lot of work I’d have to do that’s not creative or fulfilling for me, like writing contracts, bookkeeping, and marketing. (Being a “boss” would theoretically put me in conflict with my union, but in this scenario I’m imagining starting a co-op studio, which is allowed.)

No Code Programming

Pro: I can make games now! I’ve made several games using GDevelop. If I pick narrative driven games that are light on programming, I’m certain I can ship with the tools I have now, and that’s empowering.

Con: I’d be programming a lot! The most frustrating part of making games for me is the programming, even with a no-code engine. As a solo dev, I wouldn’t just be responsible for making the games work, but also debugging them, because bugs are inevitable.

I Want My FMV

Pro: I could make FMV games! That’s been on my bucket list for a while now. Titles like Road to Empress and Sam Barlow’s work prove there’s a market for games that are filmed, rather than using 3D graphics. I live in Los Angeles and could take advantage of the wealth of talent and resources here.

Con: My data on FMV game sales is murky! After examining a full year of titles, I can see a market for glossy, high production games in Asian markets. The English market is mixed. FMV games made in America often look bad and sell worse, lol. My titles would have a low budget, which will hinder my ability to compete with games in the Asian markets.

Top Title

Pro: I would be the creative director! As a narrative designer, it’s rare that I would ascend to the creative director position at a studio. NDs are typically contract hires. If I started my own studio, the games would have my creative vision.

Con: I already have a lot of creative influence! In movies and TV, everyone has a hand in the story. Screenplays are rewritten constantly. In games, I’m often the only writer on staff, so my words and story end up in the game. I don’t need a new title for that.

Experience Points

Pro: I have a lot of experience! I’ve worked in the industry for 20 years. I know how to steer the ship at this point. So it’s time I take the wheel, and I have fun when I’m commanding the ship.

Con: I have enough experience to know that being in charge isn’t all it’s cracked up to be! It’s fun in some ways, but it’s also a lot of additional time, stress, and pressure. Not necessarily a happier life.

$$$

Pro: I would profit from my work! As the owner of the company, I get to control the revenue. If I make a hit game, I won’t just earn a paycheck. I’ll potentially pay off my mortgage.

Con: It’s a risky bet! As the owner of the company, I take on all the financial responsibility. Even if I make games on tight budgets, that’s coming out of my savings. If my games do poorly, I’m back to looking for work, only in a much worse position financially.

A Dry Well

Pro: There is less work out there! I’ve been applying for weeks. Many of the overseas remote gigs I used to apply for are now listed as European or Asian candidates only. Despite LA being an entertainment hub, I’m not seeing that many job openings here.

Con: There is some work out there! I’m still applying to new listings every week for game writers and narrative designers. For most of the jobs I’ve gotten in the past, I was one in several hundred applicants. If I’m patient, I’m certain I can land something again. It just might take more time this go round.

Adapt or Die

Pro: Recently, I went to a game industry networking event and it seemed like everyone there was a former studio employee turned solo dev. My colleagues are adapting to market conditions and so should I.

Con: There’s no way to know if these developers are working on a project to fill time as they apply for steady jobs, or if they’ve given up the job search entirely to become entrepreneurs. Those are different things!

Artistic Practice

Pro: I can do what I love for a living! I’ve been making games professionally for years, but on shaky ground. At the largess of others. If I have my own successful studio, I can ensure I’m always making games.

Con: I will need a new artistic practice! It will be hard to spend hours and hours making games, under the capitalist pressures of keeping a studio afloat, then make more games in my spare time. I would need to find a new outlet, which makes me a bit sad.

9-9. Tied. And no “overtime,” since I’m currently unemployed. So it’s stasis for now. I’ll keep applying for gigs and pursue small game projects for fun.

But I don’t think the matter is fully settled for me. There’s definitely a part of me that wants to get studio owner right this time. However, business is about identifying customers and figuring out what they need. I think that’s still missing. What niche would my studio serve in the industry? What would make my games undeniable for a player base? Until I know that, I don’t have a business. I have a pipe dream. And I dream more comfortably with a little bit of savings in the bank.

🎲 Your Turn: Do you have a scheme you keep thinking about? Do you own a creative business? How’s it going? Have you thought about starting one? What’s your idea? Do you share my strange obsession with FMV? I’d love to hear from you! Reply directly to this email or leave a comment by hitting the big orange button below.