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The cost of free games.

Started by Sslaxx, January 15, 2011, 04:49:37 AM

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Sslaxx

As much as it'd be nice if everyone did everything in projects like this for free, it's probably not going to happen if you were to hope so.

So, my question is quite simple: Where did the money go? What'd you have spent more on, and on what less? And how far can you ride on nostalgia and sentimentality for old games in terms of getting things for less?
Stuart "Sslaxx" Moore.

atec123

QuoteAs much as it'd be nice if everyone did everything in projects like this for free, it's probably not going to happen if you were to hope so.
Opensource will rule the world.

well no it won't, but it should.
Official maintainer of TSL in linux via Wine. TSL AppDB page
Maintainer of TSL in OSX via Wine
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People say, when they see us:
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Sslaxx

#2
Quote from: atec123 on January 15, 2011, 08:11:41 AM
QuoteAs much as it'd be nice if everyone did everything in projects like this for free, it's probably not going to happen if you were to hope so.
Opensource will rule the world.

well no it won't, but it should.
I agree. I'm running an open source OS (Linux) with an open source browser (Firefox) right now. But it pays to be pragmatic about such things, too. Most of the kernel team are paid developers, nowadays, for one. And Mozilla has always been a commercial operation.
Stuart "Sslaxx" Moore.

atec123

Quote from: Sslaxx on January 15, 2011, 08:20:58 AM
Quote from: atec123 on January 15, 2011, 08:11:41 AM
QuoteAs much as it'd be nice if everyone did everything in projects like this for free, it's probably not going to happen if you were to hope so.
Opensource will rule the world.

well no it won't, but it should.
I agree. I'm running an open source OS (Linux) with an open source browser (Firefox) right now. But it pays to be pragmatic about such things, too. Most of the kernel team are paid developers, nowadays, for one. And Mozilla has always been a commercial operation.
this is not a good philosophy, but for me it's usually either opensource, free, or pirated. :P
Partly cause I don't like to pay, partly cause I don't use much non opensource stuff, and partly because pirating is fun.

That is a good point. Opensource discussion can continue somewhere else though, cause that isn't really the point of this thread.
Linux ftw.  are you running TSL in wine?
Official maintainer of TSL in linux via Wine. TSL AppDB page
Maintainer of TSL in OSX via Wine
TSL IRC Chatroom Maintainer
We are the Defenders of Jazz Ballet
People say, when they see us:
Hey, folks! It's the Saviours of Jazz Ballet
Fearless heroes of kick and spin

dark-daventry

The money spent during the development of TSL was mainly put towards server space for the website and other things of that nature. Since I'm not involved in that aspect, I can't give you a better answer, but I'm sure other team members might. I do know that all the money came from our own pockets, and it was only spent on essential development tools or website upkeeping utlities.
Founder of the (new) Left Handed Alliance Of Left Handed People (LHALHP)

Gay and proud of it!

Avid Adventure Game fan

Haids1987

I believe that a thread like this was made before, and Katie said she didn't want to disclose this information. :)
STATUS:
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dark-daventry

Quote from: Haids1987 on January 15, 2011, 01:22:41 PM
I believe that a thread like this was made before, and Katie said she didn't want to disclose this information. :)

Thank you haids. I didn't know such a thread was already in existence. I'll respect her wishes then. I didn't say much though, so no harm done.
Founder of the (new) Left Handed Alliance Of Left Handed People (LHALHP)

Gay and proud of it!

Avid Adventure Game fan

KatieHal

Saying we spent money on servers, webspace, etc, is fine, I just don't want to go disclosing exact figures. And that is pretty much what our money was spent (well, prior to starting to produce free swag anyways ;) ): server space, website hosting, some software licenses, etc.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

dark-daventry

Quote from: KatieHal on January 15, 2011, 04:18:06 PM
Saying we spent money on servers, webspace, etc, is fine, I just don't want to go disclosing exact figures. And that is pretty much what our money was spent (well, prior to starting to produce free swag anyways ;) ): server space, website hosting, some software licenses, etc.

And considering I don't know the figures, there's no way I can disclose that information. But yeah, the only money we used was spent towards absolute necessary development and web hosting resources etc. And come on, the swag is pretty awesome... XD
Founder of the (new) Left Handed Alliance Of Left Handed People (LHALHP)

Gay and proud of it!

Avid Adventure Game fan

Arkillian

That's something though- everyone is doing this out of love, but there must be money coming out of someone's pocket :( It's kinda sad to think about that, btu I guess it's the price to pay for something that is worthwhile making. I hope it wasn't an excessive cost, what ever it ended up being T.T



Sslaxx

Quote from: Arkillian on January 15, 2011, 09:40:02 PM
That's something though- everyone is doing this out of love, but there must be money coming out of someone's pocket :( It's kinda sad to think about that, btu I guess it's the price to pay for something that is worthwhile making. I hope it wasn't an excessive cost, what ever it ended up being T.T
I'd say the end results are worth it. I'd also say having a rough idea of the kind of cost a major project like this would have would help other people to know just one of the things they'd have to keep in mind if they wanted to attempt something similar.
Stuart "Sslaxx" Moore.

snabbott

The software licenses are non-trivial. Torque isn't TOO expensive, but Maya is. I'm guessing some of the team members already had a lot of the programs they're using. Whether or not it's worth it depends on the inividual members' perspectives, but I don't think any of the team regret being involved in the project. Of course, TSL is great advertising for Phoenix Online and its future commercial projects. I don't think that's a primary reason for anybody, though.

Steve Abbott | Beta Tester | The Silver Lining

kindofdoon

Maya is free for students. As long as you have a valid and usable .edu email address, you can get lots of Autodesk software for free.

Daniel Dichter, Production/PR
daniel.dichter@postudios.com

Enchantermon

Quote from: kindofdoon on January 17, 2011, 09:49:02 AMMaya is free for students. As long as you have a valid and usable .edu email address, you can get lots of Autodesk software for free.
Are you serious? It figures I would find out about this after I graduate. :P
So what if I am, huh? Anyways, I work better when I'm drunk. It makes me fearless! If I see a bad guy, I'll just point my sword at him and saaaaaaaaaay, "Hey! Bad guy! You're not s'posed to be here! Go home or I'll stick you with my sword 'til you go, 'Ouch! I'm dead!' Ah-ha-ha!" Ha-ha. *hic* See? Ain't no one gonna be messin' wit' ol', Benny!

kindofdoon

I'm surprised you didn't hear about that while in college.

I guess Autodesk figures that if you use their product in college, you are more likely to purchase it as a professional later. It makes sense.

Daniel Dichter, Production/PR
daniel.dichter@postudios.com

Enchantermon

I am too, considering I was in a technical school full of, among other people, game and simulation programmers-in-training.
So what if I am, huh? Anyways, I work better when I'm drunk. It makes me fearless! If I see a bad guy, I'll just point my sword at him and saaaaaaaaaay, "Hey! Bad guy! You're not s'posed to be here! Go home or I'll stick you with my sword 'til you go, 'Ouch! I'm dead!' Ah-ha-ha!" Ha-ha. *hic* See? Ain't no one gonna be messin' wit' ol', Benny!

snabbott

Quote from: kindofdoon on January 17, 2011, 09:49:02 AM
Maya is free for students. As long as you have a valid and usable .edu email address, you can get lots of Autodesk software for free.
Wow! I downloaded the personal learning edition, but it doesn't have all of the capabilities of the full version (although it has more functionality than I would ever know what to do with).

Steve Abbott | Beta Tester | The Silver Lining

crayauchtin

I know Katie didn't want to show any figures, but I really don't see the harm....



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Haids1987

STATUS:
-Drinking water
-Checking the forum. 

Perpetually. ;D
Erica Reed is Katie Hallahan.
Leader of the "I <3 Doon" Fanclub