How big is your development team?

Second one. I'd love to have somebody else to speed things up but nowadays most artists and developers just don't have the butt to sit through a longer project until the end. Back in the old days modders had been more reliable I'm afraid.

I'm not sure if it's modders are unreliable these days as but that everyone and their brother wants to be a game developer.

From my perspective it's an over saturation of people, harder to find the dedicated few.

I agree, but it might not even be that.

Let's look at machinima. Time was, it was a huge technical challenge, so seeing it done at all was amazing. Now anyone can buy a capture card for a few quid, download an editing program, make their own stories and post it on youtube.

While tools like Game Maker, Unity, RPG Maker, and so on have lowered the barrier of entry enough that those without computer science degrees can make games. This is a blessing and a curse.

I agree completely. As a 3D Modeller, I've joined dozens of "teams" (I use the term lightly, it was usually under-20s calling themselves CEOs of a company) for promise of pay once the game is released, but out of those none of them have ever worked out. Everyone wants to be a game developer, and while not everyone can, they think they can. They don't realise how much money, time and dedication is needed to create them, and they just dive in blind. It's been difficult finding a good team to work with long term.

Yeah plenty of those around. That's why I specifically don't want to make a team till I release the first game or am at least half way with most of the coding out of the way. So I started as one and girlfriend wanted to help, even tho I said its not that easy and tried to persuade her the other way cause she's not really the gaming type, but it turns out she's great at anything she does. xD
So she's helping with modeling(without textures atm) and that takes a huge burden off of me. We're making a silly little lunar lander type game with around 100 levels total. Around 10 days into serious production and we're around 30% planned for release by the end of September.

Tip for those who wanna be the team leaders and start their own game development company: Research a bit, I spent weeks just researching how it all works, from the beginning to publishing part, reading licences and deciding what tools to use, because I'm on a 0$ budget. Bottom line, just release! Good or bad, games are never actually finished, and if you're just starting out just release the game so you get the taste. :)

Sorry for the speech. xD

Even though working with people is easier than doing it yourself. Working alone eliminates the stress factor with working with others, and you can do things your way.

it really depends on the person and the people he is with.

Doing stuff alone is always better, you don't have to sync with other people. Also if you **** up it's only your fault and not someone else's one.

I wouldn't say it is 'better'. If it was the best option then why do most development teams(!) that take their projects serious more than one member?

I do understand what you mean though, I think. It's easier because there is no organizational overhead that distracts from the actual project, so it is easier to create the mod/game that you envisioned?

I'M A LONE WARRIOR

I unfortunately can't find someone to work with me at the moment, but I'm still busy with other things in this time (and I need a new PC to work properly). So let's just say that I'm not "searching" for people though I really wish to work on some (or all) of my projects with other people. :)

As a developer ive come to realize that most of the talented people online are sorta dicks when you ask for help, whether they are ignoring you or are just more pain then a help. Dont get me wrong ive found some amazing team members, but when it comes down to it i find that i am the only one with enough passion to actually commit my time to making anything. So if i could id have a team of 10, which i have, but eventually it comes down to being alone again.

The majority of the time for me, it's because as I'm making a mod I do plan to release it to the public but I keep it to myself until I have a functional build which doesn't happen much.

I work alone because i can guarantee the quality and it's easier for smaller projects.

I chose to work alone, been working on my project for coming up a couple of years, I was an artist and have had to learn programming principles using various tools to develop my project all done in my own time as a hobby.

At first we was 2. Now i work alone, because we started with the CryEngine, but then i try out the UDK 3 and i love it. And my "friend" is not born to be a Game Developer. (I should make the objects, Levels and Scripts and he thought about the Story only. And then i see: The Story is crap) So i started alone.

I'm a mapper so testers come and go, but usually I do it on my own

None of the above. I feel my work is too minor to require assistance.

No. I just do.

I find it more satisfying to do everything myself, but I am just a hobbyist. If I were to be a professional I would certainly not go it alone- it's just more efficient with a team.

Actually,I chose the first one. Having a team doesn´t always mean that you are fast. Modelers waiting on the 2d artwork, texturers waiting on modelers, riggers waiting on modelers/texturers, animators... you get the point.
Additionally you have fluctuating schedules, which are dictated by the persons free time, wish to complete his task and team communication (misunderstandings included).

I don´t have to wait. I have schedules, when to make what and how. I have a plan ahead, how all things should come together. I can make change to the actual game design, without informing a bunch of people and delay the progress even further. The downside to this is actually the abilities you need to have. You have to be at least average in every game mechanic. I´m 24 years old and am luckily one person, who learned all the steps regarding game development^^.

I choose to but I know that other people cant find people

I do truely work alone, till I find someone to work with :3

Each form of developing team has its ups and downs, but aye, you speak the truth. Cheers.

How is that sad? I think it's great that so many people come to this site to download and play the mods that the 'so not-sad'(?) developers have created ;)

i'm not a dev actually,but i thought i might be funny.

Let it be over 9000. (: