Well first of all thanks for the shout out :)
So, don't get me wrong but you gotta snap out of it. The middle part of your article is classic fear of failing. You want to make a game for people to enjoy, nobody's going to die here ;)
What can you do? Do it like Richard Branson. As I see it you have two major problems.
- The prototype isn't in the state you wish it to be
- How can you finance the project so it can really lift off?
Break these into smaller ones and ask more questions until you come to a solvable solution. Remember doing baby steps!
The prototype: You have seemed to have gained some interest in the community. Why don't you let them do some beta testing?
You would be surprised that a lot of gamers actually want to help even if you're only like 40%finished.
You are unhappy with your graphic design? Offer equity to someone who is a professional or just roll with your current state and pay a professional after you gained some traction crowdfunding.
For example you can scout for a designer on 99designs.com (Tim ferris is using them for all his projects). It's a marketplace where designers send in some previews what they would do woth your idea and you decide who you'll pick.
How to fund it?
Yes do crowdfunding. If you feel like you're ripping off people than pay them back. That's exactly what ethereum smart contracts are for. Calculate how much you would need, open a smart contract and let everyone who's backing you get equity and a free game depending on their share.
That's all I can write for now cause I'm typing this here on the phone. I'll write later more.
Don't give up! :D
"Classic fear of failing" what a statement. I know this has stopped me in the past but your follow-up remark is my new mantra "no one is going to die here" Thanks! Also thanks for the 99designs.com info
Great reply and I appreciate the constructive feedback. Though perhaps you misunderstand my point. Fear of failure is not the issue. I simply have no shame. I'm not embarrassed or hesitant at any level to openly share where I'm coming up short and having difficulty. I know for many people, saving face is a big deal and they don't want to appear anything other than 100% on point. I simply respect the fact that I can be wrong and want to put it all out there so I can figure out where I am wrong, what I am missing, and address those issues, and then get back to work. Based on the feedback I've gotten here, I am now pretty certain that yeah, F**K IT, let's crowdfund this thing!
If I was afraid of failing, I wouldn't be sharing every detail of this process along the way and publishing my real name. I would also have a backup plan if I though failure was likely. Don't mistake transparency and my willingness to share ever detail for a lack of confidence.
Also, in an earlier post I just made here on Steemit, I did specifically seek out artists and designers. Resteem it if you can because it didn't seem to get much attention... :(
I do have capital I can work with, and I have already started scouting for professional artists. Check out my Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/swastudios/ - to see who I've been looking at and trying to recruit. I'm familiar with 99Designs.
I am happy to ship copies out to people in the community, but I am in Asia and so they would have to be shipped from Hong Kong. Being made out of wood, the current prototype is very heavy. And so shipping this beast over the Pacific would not be cheap. And since finding people to test the game is not the issue, that is an exorbitant expenditure I don't need right now.
Lastly, if you know how to write such a smart contract, I'll pay you now to do it tonight! But before I can calculate how much I need, I need to get the game to a more complete state. 2 weeks ago, it looked as though I would need more components than I currently do. And just last night, while laying in bed, I thought of a better way to redesign the game boards.
I'm trying to document the process of creating this game. And the good news is that everything is on track, and on schedule. Thank you again for the thoughtful feedback. It is good to know that my concerns were, perhaps, not so serious. Much love my friend :)
Yeah, english is still my second language. I'm usually better at reading between the lines ;)
I checked out your instagram, my favorite is behanced but that's just my gut talking.
Resteemed your post, hope that somebody called you up!
Yes I understand that the sending of prototypes will get costly, so what about a Let's Play Video? That'll get people going. If it works for D&D it might do for frenemies too.
I'm still learning the smart contracts thing, but I think I can have something running within the next week. Still have to spend some time on my job, son and wife ;)
Much love from Germany to Hong MotherF***** Kong :D
haha, love that! Video and twitch streamed let's plays are all coming. Personally, I think marketing this game, given its' very nature, theme, and game play style, is going to make marketing the single most fun aspect of the business. I can't wait to begin in the next couple months.
I've been living out of a suitcase for a couple years now as I travel and work abroad, but in the next couple months I will be settled in a more permanent location. From there i will be able to set up proper work stations and studio-like environments.
Thanks again for the reply and feedback. Glad to know there is a supportive community out there. I will also be back in Hong Kong in a matter of weeks. I will look in to shipping a copy of the prototype to Germany. I can't send many, but you've been quite thoughtful and so I think it's well deserved in your case.
Thanks again.
Joshua