OpenEuphoria

Re: N E one make any cash

• Posted by Irv Mullins <irvm at ellijay.com> Mar 07, 2001
• 403 views

----- Original Message -----
From: <RedDan11 at AOL.COM>
To: EUforum <EUforum at topica.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2001 6:25 PM
Subject: Re: N E one make any cash


> What kind of things do you guys program that you sell? And to who do you
sell
> to?

Boring business apps.
Why not exciting games - which are the topic of many posts here?

Consider this:
To become a good game writer takes more computer knowledge than a business
programmer needs. That equates, for most people, to a couple of years more
learning, I think. Then add to that the necessary good imagination.

Now, I see that games retail for $20 - $50 for good ones like Quake III
Arena or Heavy Gear II.
Programs I write start around $2000. Per seat charges average between $500 -
$1000.

Many people have trouble getting mom or dad to buy a game for them.
Businesspeople can write a company check, and it is a legitimate business
expense
to write off come tax time.

Gamers are likely to share your game with their friends (without paying
you).
Few businesspeople are going to pay for a program and then give it away to
their competitors.
(and no one other than their competitors would have much use for it)

A few people have become millionaires writing games.
A few people have become billionaires writing business apps.
The odds of making a killing with a game is about the same as winning the
lottery, I think.
The odds of making a decent living writing business apps seem much better.
(Plus, consultants always get free coffee *:)

Regards,
Irv

*Except in Salt Lake City, where coffee is virtually unknown, apparently.