Destiny of a Wizard

[Ultimacj]

Well you DID ask how did this "slip past" the beta testers, this is the reason why   But I didn't know that Windows was being that stuck up, neither did the testers.

Least it wasn't an error on my part.  Live and learn I guess.  Yea I might look into the script for that or just make sure the installer doesn't install it in the wrong directory.

 

[kerbonklin]

Rip in pepperonis RM reputation. I saw you + this thread as a commercial game release and got hyped. Saw the price tag with the bland-ish screenshots and Shinma's negative feedback and lost the hype instantly. Should totally not pull a Zendir 2 btw. (sloppily finishing a title and instantly working on a sequel)

(was that zednir or something else, I forget)

Normally someone would say "at least you completed a game, congratulations", but then however this is a commercial title we are talking about. It's a whole different ball game.

Sorry if I came out as rough, but such is commercial life.

 

[Ultimacj]

@ Kerbonklin I may have or may have not used the proper screenshots for presentation as every person is different and have different styles and tastes.  The game itself is detailed overall for a lot of the other areas, check out the demo first, you may or may not like it: everyone is different based on various feedback I've received from the community as well as customers.  As for the names you mentioned, I have no idea who those references are.

I welcome feedback good or bad , commercial game or not comes with the territory.

 

[Kyuukon]

I don't want to sound like a douche but the game doesn't look appealing at all to pay $11 for it. I mean, there are lots of great games out there of the same style with custom graphics and system and for free! What else can you offer me?

The commercial market is tough and today's standards are high but seeing this at this price makes me reconsider if I should go commercial too :S People buy these kind of games? I mean, with RTP and almost no custom graphics?

I'd love to see numbers and read some reviews from people who played it (a walk-through would be nice too). Can you link them?

Anyway, congratulations on finishing the game. It's not an easy task.

A side question: Did you have to register something in your country? Was it too expensive/hard?

 

[Ultimacj]

For the most part, most of the graphics are RTP based except for a few resources such as the under water tile sets.  Other resources such as the voice overs done by the people (nearly 90% of the game is voiced over) who did them as well as various musics from various purchased DLC's.  Being my first game, the majority of it is linear and there's no walkthrough for it.  However, I'm watching the forums for the game over on Aveyond and respond to e-mails from customers should the player get stuck (there's no walkthrough for DoaW, it's decently long game (ave player time 20 hours -- more if you do the bonus content) but not a deep complex one.  

I can't discuss number of sales that's against forum rules but the game is doing decently well and received a good number of votes over at Aveyond.  As for cost, I had to get a business license which is required and varies by state and other than maker and a few DLC's at the time that's about it.  The license is easy enough to get, depending on your state.  I registered online and received the license within a couple of weeks.

I'm under taking a second project, which will have a lot of new content, this will include the graphic system as it's based graphics are the DS/DS+ system among other things -- as well as a game guide the game will be much bigger in content than before.  If you want to know the game's rating, please see the OP as I have a link directly to the game.

Thank you for the congrats Kyuukon, it was a LOT of work getting this project finished and was no easy feat! ^_^

 

[phoenix_rossy]

I don't want to sound like a douche but the game doesn't look appealing at all to pay $11 for it. I mean, there are lots of great games out there of the same style with custom graphics and system and for free! What else can you offer me?

The commercial market is tough and today's standards are high but seeing this at this price makes me reconsider if I should go commercial too :S People buy these kind of games? I mean, with RTP and almost no custom graphics?

I've not played this yet, but as many have mentioned, the story (however well done, I don't know) is a bit cliche, and there is a lack of custom graphics. Therefore, I'd expect this to be difficult to market.

Nobody should expect to market a game like this and be uber-successful. Yes, Amaranthia etc ARE successful, but they have a strong fan base. Your average customer will look at this and automatically brand it 'the same as everything else that RM developers are churning out into the market'. I will disclaim that this is PURELY from a marketing perspective, at first glance.

Personally, I think that $11 for this is too much. It's a debut title- price it accordingly. This will help to build your fanbase. If you want to succeed in this industry, particularly with a micro-budget, you're going to need to make allowances. I'd recommend expecting to work hard at this for a couple of years before you'll start to see any real money (from my own personal experience). Don't expect to make much money during that time.

That's if you want to make a career out of it. If you're looking for a quick buck, I might recommend a different industry. 

 

[Ultimacj]

I've not played this yet, but as many have mentioned, the story (however well done, I don't know) is a bit cliche, and there is a lack of custom graphics. Therefore, I'd expect this to be difficult to market.

Nobody should expect to market a game like this and be uber-successful. Yes, Amaranthia etc ARE successful, but they have a strong fan base. Your average customer will look at this and automatically brand it 'the same as everything else that RM developers are churning out into the market'. I will disclaim that this is PURELY from a marketing perspective, at first glance.

Personally, I think that $11 for this is too much. It's a debut title- price it accordingly. This will help to build your fanbase. If you want to succeed in this industry, particularly with a micro-budget, you're going to need to make allowances. I'd recommend expecting to work hard at this for a couple of years before you'll start to see any real money (from my own personal experience). Don't expect to make much money during that time.

That's if you want to make a career out of it. If you're looking for a quick buck, I might recommend a different industry. 

Despite the story and it's cliches (which it does have like most other games do), the theme of the game itself will appeal to some and won't to others.  I know what you mean by 'every day RM game', and being I kept the game simplified (course didn't know at the time), I expected this.  I know I've said this before, but everyone is different and the majority of the community here may expect something different so I won't please everyone and that's OK (as well as other communities).  It's my first project, so developing a base needs to be done first and based on feedback (here and other sources), the game turned out decently well.  As for price it was discussed what it should be based upon content and other features.  

It's the first game of the series as well my first project, so I don't expect to make it big on this alone, but at the same time I am pleased that I accomplished something and I am able to share it with you all and that means something to me   Like any game: some will like it and some will hate it and some won't care.  And that's for any game commercial or otherwise.  I appericate the feedback good and bad and will use it towards the next project to make a bigger, flavor able game for those to enjoy.

 

[phoenix_rossy]

Definitely not trying to put you down at all here. I can't make any judgement based on the quality of the game, having not played it personally - I can only comment from a marketing perspective, which is something I'm pretty experienced with myself.

You quote me as saying that developing a fan base comes first - well, perhaps you should make the game more financially accessble in order to draw in that crowd, who will then return for your subsequent (and possibly more costly) products.

You should be pleased! You deserve a massive pat on the back for completing a project! I don't want to detract from that at all - you're already in the 1%. 

The mistake that most people make is that the hard work on this project ends here. You've got a long road ahead of you, especially if you want to make some 'proper' money from making games (especially games as recognisably RM). Just to clarify, I don't think there's anything wrong with RTP games either (my first two were Mack/RTP). They're just harder to market. 

Anyways, I've given you the fruits of my own personal experience, and I wish you the best of luck!

 

[Ultimacj]

Oh not at all, I didn't read this as you were putting me down, so don't read my last reply as I thought you were attacking me, you weren't.  I plan on patching Destiny of a Wizard with a few fixes as mentioned above before the release of my next project, but for the most part the game is completed is completely playable from start to finish.  The second game will be a much bigger under taking with a LOT of new features, if I actually decide to pursue RM making games it'll will probably be heavily based on the second game.  At a marketing view the price was discussed with the publisher of what the price should be set as, seeing the average of most RM games I've seen, including debut games...that's what determined the price overall.

Eventually I'll post in the developmental corner but the second project is hardly ready to be showcased at that level but I have more information on my website for those who want to keep tabs and have any questions or feedback.    http://ultimacj.wix.com/ultimacjproductions#!destiny-of-a-wizard-2-development-page/c20x3

Thanks for your comments Rossie and I can understand about RTP is harder to market (though I didn't know at the time I didn't join the forums until my game was at the developmental stage).  I've played a few of them myself and really had no issue with them.  Graphics help as well as consistency but I tend to judge on story and game play mechanics.