"Why I won't listen to your game idea"

[Flabio]

When people find out you work in games, they want to tell you their great idea for a game.

I never really know quite what to say, but this blog post sums up the reasons why we're uncomfortable getting random ideas blatted at us...

http://blog.shaneliesegang.com/2011/03/game-ideas/

[rmoxon]

If I had ever had a game Idea and told someone and they turned around to me and said...

"If you have an awesome idea, quit talking about it to strangers at parties and go start making it. Learn to program, learn to animate, learn to write. And then go make your game. And let me know about it!"....

I would want to punch them in the face.

That is all.

[Dogg Thang]

And yet it's probably the best advice you could get.

I know what this is like. Not with games, but in my own business and it's awkward and mostly pointless. Having a great idea for a game is cool and talking about it with mates is fun but it is a different thing when you talk about it with someone in the industry with any expectation beyond wanting them to say, "yeah, that sounds cool." In my own line, I've even had family members pitch me. That's even worse.

"Yes, having worked for over fifteen years and eventually managing to get to a point where I have enough resources to get just one solitary project of my own off the ground, something few ever do, I'm going to be able to make your hair-brained idea a reality in a few days."

[rmoxon]

I actualy can't imagine that most people would expect more than them to say its a cool idea and then move on. Surley most people are intellegent enough to know that it takes alot more than an idea to make a game.

[Dogg Thang]

Yeah, I imagine you're right for most people. I hope you're right, at least!

[Flabio]

Surley most people are intellegent enough to know that it takes alot more than an idea to make a game.

Go read game company forums, you'd be surprised how many 'I have a cool idea and I want you to make it for me' or 'Looking for people to make my awesome idea' posts you'll find.

[egparadigm]

When people hear I'm a photographer (student) they always assume I do weddings and portraits. It's horrible to have to turn down work, but I really don't do that kind of work!

[Brad]

Always happens. My wife's friends:

"I need Brad to take a look at my PC blah blah"

These days she hands them a business card with my hourly rate on it and I never hear from them. It's not like any of these people are mechanics, or plumbers or have any skill they can use to return the favour at a later date. Slightly o/t there and that probably belonged in the irk thread.

[QualityChimp]

I think that's a bit rude, really.

Whenever you say your job to people, they're going to make some association and ask another question or make a statement:
"My friend does that too"
"How long have you done that for?"

It'd be more offensive if they said something like:
"You make games for a living?" *snort*
"When are you getting a real job?"
"silence"

He should be flattered he's in a job that inspires other people's imaginations and want to engage in conversation with him about.

[Flabio]

I'm cool having conversations about it, but you don't want to just have to sit and listen to yet another *awesome* idea.

And I think I get the whole 'isn't that just playing games all day?' one more often than anything else actually

[MisterBubbles]

Hope this aint too rude
But why i wont listen to you cause your a games dev.

You seem to place some importance on your job, and we've all to be in awe of you.

[Dirty Sanchez]

The abortion that was the 'let's make a game' thread sums up why he's right. Ideas are ten a penny.

[egparadigm]

Another line I get is when people find out I'm vegetarian. They get the impression I want to convert them so they try the reverse on me when I've never attempted to convert anyone to vegetarianism. It's so boring!

[Charlie]

(off topic apologies) Did you go vegi for health, taste or moral reasons. Not a loaded question by the way, genuinely curious.

[eastyy]

my awesome idea is bayonetta crossed with dynasty warriors....someone make it

i think coming up with game mechanics and ideas would be very very hard i mean the only ideas i can come up with are what i have seen in previous games