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[jprogman]

I am in a dilemma for about a year now, debating on what line of work I should excel on.

Having developed freeware Windows video games for over 10 years now (considering that I'm only 24), I've made developing video games my career goal. While I'm eager to start developing games for online marketing, I don't have an actual job lately to pay some expenses associated with the development such as utilities, contracting, copyrighting, and more. However, even I were to make the game solely, there will be expenses to pay that I currently cannot afford; which is copyrighting. Although, I am considering on building up by starting small and then take the next steps up along the way.

My original idea was accepting donations as I continue to solely develop freeware games (offline or online). The donations will be strictly for business purposes. It's probably a lengthy or an ineffective suggestion, unless there are stories with donations being helpful to support independent developers.

I'm guessing the obvious solution to lack of funding is to get a job. Yeah... I've been searching for any jobs for about a year now without avail. Having go though countless employment agencies, job fairs, and resume/letter writing services, I still couldn't score at least an interview. By the way, I live in a city of Winnipeg in Manitoba.

Overall, here's my problem: I have no job and I'm undecided on whether to...
A) Find a job related to video games.
B) Find a job related to anything computers.
C) Find ANY job.
D) Start working on video games alone for a profit.

Just a little about me...

• I had graduated from college about 1 year ago in computer programming and analysis.
• My only recent job was 2 years ago doing a mix of web designing, database management, and software designing.
• I'm proficient on many major programming languages including Java, C++, Visual Basic. If there's a language that I haven't used, it'll take me a few days to fully understand it.
• Developed video games with Multimedia Fusion, BlitzMax. Just started on using Flash to create online games.
• Can compose audio files (for music or sound), and develop 2D & 3D images.
• Even though I'm fluent in English, I do have some difficulties in writing effective sentences. My main weakness is verb tenses.

So the bottom line: should I find work or start my own work?

[airman4]

Well

Art and video gaming industry is a very tricky world , probably the most tricky in jobs aera.
It's all about contacts and people talk about you .
Don't be surprised to find people who can't write hello world at a very good place in the industry for example.

It's just Normal.

For the question , i don't know , try to do both ?
Me , i tried to find some jobs here and here and when i discover the true nature of the "thing" i decided to work alone and do my business.
At least no one will stabb me once i turn back...

[idmadj]

If you've been making games for 10 years, I'm pretty sure there are many studio out there willing to work with you. CanDevs lists all video games companies in Winnipeg, maybe there's one or two new ones for you to consider: http://www.candevs.ca/prairies.html#mb

Also, if you are open to relocate, there are a lot (*A LOT*) of studios that are constantly looking for fresh talent in the major cities like Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto.

Working in a video game studio is an amazing learning experience, which will definitely help you should you decide to fly solo. Obviously, it will also help you gather the necessary funds to start a solid business.

[James Coote]

With getting any job (games job included), don't let a 2 year hole sit on your resume. If you spent that time developing games, that was still a job of sorts. You need to have it there on your resume and have lots of positive talking points about what you did in that time lined up

[nico]

What do you mean by "copyrighting"? Copyrights are free and automatic. You don't have to register them anywhere. Sounds to me like some lawyer is trying to pull one over on you.

Also, 10 Reasons You Should Never Get a Job.

Sounds to me like you already have what you need. You are already making games. You should just upgrade your already existing game production into a game business. Or am I missing something?

Making money on the internet is easy. Making GOOD money takes work and experience, but making small money is easy. And you won't lose much from trying.

[jprogman]

First off: thank you all for your help. 

I was unsure about the whole idea of copyrighting to begin with. What I do know is that it allows you to keep your work "your work" and if someone profits that, that's not legit. What I don't know is what I should do to keep my work "my work" under some circumstances. (That would be my next topic on the forums.) Actually, copyrighting is my main reason on not following my career goal.

Indeed that I got the stuff to make games, I just needed to make sure that there won't be any expenses along the way.

Re-locating? I actually heard that a lot from many people. I'm considering, but I wanted to give Winnipeg a chance to find work; still a big step to move.

[Moczan]

I was unsure about the whole idea of copyrighting to begin with. What I do know is that it allows you to keep your work "your work" and if someone profits that, that's not legit. What I don't know is what I should do to keep my work "my work" under some circumstances. (That would be my next topic on the forums.) Actually, copyrighting is my main reason on not following my career goal.

You own copyrights automatically after creating anything and it's enough to legally protect you. Trademark is something you have to acquire, but it's not necessary for legal protection of your games.

[Fallsburg]

Trademark is something you have to acquire, but it's not necessary for legal protection of your games.

That's only true of registered trademarks.  Similar to copyright, the use of anything as a mark of trade automatically makes it a trademark; however, registering the trademark gives you additional legal rights.

[mikejkelley]

You own copyrights automatically after creating anything and it's enough to legally protect you.

Well, not anything... eg you can't copyright game mechanics. Which brings us to the question, what are you trying to copyright?

registering the trademark gives you additional legal rights.

Such as? It is my understanding that registering, whether it be trademark or copyright, provides no additional rights. At most it may make it easier to prosecute against those who infringe or protect you against claims of infringement by date stamping your claim. This reasoning dates back to a pre-internet era, before everything was date stamped electronically in a million different ways and made publicly available w/ a click of a button.

My advice to you is to find a job, any job, and pursue video game development in your spare time by working on trade w/ others. Start first by volunteering your services to build your street cred.

[Paul Eres]

You own copyrights automatically after creating anything and it's enough to legally protect you.

Well, not anything... eg you can't copyright game mechanics. Which brings us to the question, what are you trying to copyright?

you can't "create" game mechanics, either, though; they're abstract. you can discover them, even independently discover them, but not create them

but you can certainly copyright specific applications of game mechanics. for instance, level layouts. if another game uses your level layouts, even if they change all the graphics and music, they are still infringing

[Radix]

Now let's split hairs about the definition of 'create' for a page and a half.

[jprogman]

I can only think of the following things that are entitled for copyrighting...
The game play itself (especially new and unique ones)
The stories
The artwork (certainly)
The music (certainly)

I did some reading on copyrighting and trademarking. I find out that it's not mandatory to register either of those but would be beneficial in come cases. Therefore, that relive some expenses away.

[mikejkelley]

Now let's split hairs about the definition of 'create' for a page and a half.

This.

you can't "create" game mechanics, either, though; they're abstract. you can discover them, even independently discover them, but not create them

OMG shut it.

The game play itself (especially new and unique ones)

Nope! Not in America. That's what I meant when I said

you can't copyright game mechanics.

Just ask Nimble Bit or Spry Fox.

[Christian Knudsen]

Also, 10 Reasons You Should Never Get a Job.

What an utterly terrible article.

[moi]

Also, 10 Reasons You Should Never Get a Job.

What an utterly terrible article.

Oh it's stee pavlina... Yeah it's probably very dumb.
I used to read his blog, as second degree humour