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Luke
Student
Winterset, Iowa
5
Questions
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I would like to know how much capital is needed to start up a new game company?
My friend and I are writing a business plan, in our entrepreneurship class, over a console game company #entrepreneurship #video-games #entrepreneur #startups #start-ups #console-games
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3 answers
Frank Ferrao
illustrator
4
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Ontario, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Frank’s Answer
Console Game companies can be more expensive because of the license fee the console manufacturer charges to get the game development license and api.
If you are developing an indy game doing your own code and design you would need around 10,000 dollars for just the fees and company setup.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_video_game_development#Licensing_fees
If you need to build a team an a develop a big game, it would be 500,000$ up considering a developer salary is around 100K and so is a lead designer and game director.
In a nutshell it all depends on who is developing the game and how much talent needs to be hired.
That's a lot, but it's even more when we've added the cost of a building
Luke
Why would you need to buy a building? Perhaps you should look at leasing commercial space. It would reduce your startup costs. Also, why do you need a building? When you say "console gaming company", do you mean you want to make games, or you want to make consoles? Maybe you should update ("edit") your question to clarify that a bit.
Jared Chung, Admin
console games .... and thanks
Luke
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
4842
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
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James Constantine’s Answer
Subject: Essential Capital for Kickstarting a New Gaming Venture
Dear Luke,
The question of "What's the financial investment required to launch a new gaming company?" is a critical one. The financial commitment for initiating a gaming company, particularly one that specializes in console games, is substantial. Costs include game development, marketing, equipment, payroll, and day-to-day operational expenses. The specific amount varies based on the company's size, game type, and target audience. Here's a quick guide to help you estimate the necessary capital:
1. Crafting a Business Plan: The first step is to create a detailed business plan. This plan should outline your company's goals, target audience, projected earnings, marketing tactics, and financial predictions. A well-structured business plan can provide a more accurate estimate of the initial capital needed.
2. Factoring in Development Costs: A significant portion of your budget will go towards game development. This includes hiring a team of developers, designers, artists, and other professionals, as well as investing in the necessary software and technology.
3. Allocating for Marketing and Promotion: To stand out in the competitive gaming market, a robust marketing and promotion strategy is vital. A substantial part of your capital should be allocated towards marketing campaigns, advertisements, public relations, and industry events to boost brand visibility and attract gamers.
4. Considering Operational Expenses: Running a gaming company involves continuous expenses such as office/studio rent, utilities, insurance, legal fees, licensing fees for game engines or platforms, maintenance costs for equipment/software, and employee salaries.
5. Setting Aside a Contingency Fund: It's wise to have a contingency fund for unexpected costs or delays during the startup phase. This safety net can help manage unforeseen challenges without disrupting the overall operations.
In conclusion, it's difficult to pinpoint an exact figure without knowing the specifics of the new gaming company you and your friend are establishing in Winterset, Iowa. However, the startup cost for a gaming company can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars.
Top 3 Reliable Sources Consulted:
Forbes: Forbes is a trusted business magazine offering insights into entrepreneurial ventures and startups, including funding requirements for various industries like gaming.
Entrepreneur: Entrepreneur magazine provides valuable resources for budding entrepreneurs. It features articles on startup costs and financial planning.
Gamasutra: Gamasutra is a premier website focused on the art and business of game creation. It offers industry insights on game development costs and financial considerations for launching a gaming company.
These sources were used to gather information on the startup costs for gaming companies and provide accurate guidance on estimating the necessary capital for a successful gaming venture.
Best Wishes,
JC.
Dear Luke,
The question of "What's the financial investment required to launch a new gaming company?" is a critical one. The financial commitment for initiating a gaming company, particularly one that specializes in console games, is substantial. Costs include game development, marketing, equipment, payroll, and day-to-day operational expenses. The specific amount varies based on the company's size, game type, and target audience. Here's a quick guide to help you estimate the necessary capital:
1. Crafting a Business Plan: The first step is to create a detailed business plan. This plan should outline your company's goals, target audience, projected earnings, marketing tactics, and financial predictions. A well-structured business plan can provide a more accurate estimate of the initial capital needed.
2. Factoring in Development Costs: A significant portion of your budget will go towards game development. This includes hiring a team of developers, designers, artists, and other professionals, as well as investing in the necessary software and technology.
3. Allocating for Marketing and Promotion: To stand out in the competitive gaming market, a robust marketing and promotion strategy is vital. A substantial part of your capital should be allocated towards marketing campaigns, advertisements, public relations, and industry events to boost brand visibility and attract gamers.
4. Considering Operational Expenses: Running a gaming company involves continuous expenses such as office/studio rent, utilities, insurance, legal fees, licensing fees for game engines or platforms, maintenance costs for equipment/software, and employee salaries.
5. Setting Aside a Contingency Fund: It's wise to have a contingency fund for unexpected costs or delays during the startup phase. This safety net can help manage unforeseen challenges without disrupting the overall operations.
In conclusion, it's difficult to pinpoint an exact figure without knowing the specifics of the new gaming company you and your friend are establishing in Winterset, Iowa. However, the startup cost for a gaming company can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars.
Top 3 Reliable Sources Consulted:
Forbes: Forbes is a trusted business magazine offering insights into entrepreneurial ventures and startups, including funding requirements for various industries like gaming.
Entrepreneur: Entrepreneur magazine provides valuable resources for budding entrepreneurs. It features articles on startup costs and financial planning.
Gamasutra: Gamasutra is a premier website focused on the art and business of game creation. It offers industry insights on game development costs and financial considerations for launching a gaming company.
These sources were used to gather information on the startup costs for gaming companies and provide accurate guidance on estimating the necessary capital for a successful gaming venture.
Best Wishes,
JC.
Bridget Lynch-White
Real Estate Broker and Investor
5
Answers
Indianapolis, IN
Updated
Bridget’s Answer
Hello Luke, What does a real estate agent know about gaming - truth be told I am a super nerd and have actually looked into starting a game store when I retire from real estate. I would answer your question with a question - "what type of game (ing) business are you interested in starting"? Most franchises start around 150K, starting your own from scratch, you would want to is going to be different for each location - you will want to research: business licencing, rents, inventory, marketing, personel, etc. and come up with a budget to start. Most companies you could start in theory could start online and move to brick and mortar locations once you have a steady income on-line. I would set aside at least 50K to start or at least before you move to an actual store location, but depending on how familur you are with online you could start for less than a few thousand if you do all the work yourself, costs increase with lack of skill or knowledge. If you want to start a gaming business meaning "gambling" then you will have to look into licensing in your state. If you are seeking to open an arcade type of business you could use the above for other gaming stores. Truth any store location need capital for inventory, rents licensing and salaries. Hope this helps!