After looking at that thread and the poll, I'm wondering how much time you guys actually spend on your games. I've noticed that I put a LOT of effort in most of my games, even little details down to the very 0.02 of a second.
So... after a small analysis...
On most days, I only work on my game for about an hour or so.
For about 1 week every month, I go on a gaming binge where I work on every moment I can (about 2-8 hours a day, not including the notes away from the computer).
A small guess of the amount of time I divide so far...
Planning: 30%
Graphics: 20%
Writing: 30%
Coding: 20%
Yeah, most of the time I spend planning and writing the strings in the game. I've learned that planning really cuts down the time I waste on most of my games, especially on data storage.
Most of my games are text-based, so I don't really spend that much time on gfx. But still, graphics sometimes cut down on a lotta time I would otherwise spend on coding, like I've learned from my latest game. Sometimes it's much easier just to have a point-click interface, even for a text-based game.
So, how bout you guys? How much time do you guys spend on your games? And if you do spend like... over 3 hours a day on it, how much time do you guys spend... outside?
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
I normally work for about 15-45 minutes a day on a game (unless I'm very close to finishing something). Planning takes a good part as does graphics. I normall make writing up on the spot about 80% of the times. I probably spend the least amount of time coding (usually) because I use code re-use which saves me a bundle of time.
Hmm.. Well, im making a mini-game for H.E.S upcoming game Arcadia. on this so far ive spent the most effort in:
--------
Graphics - %50
Planning - %20
Coding - $30
--------
Although, after i finish all my Graphics ill be spending %70 on Coding.
Some of us spend time on games, but Crystal Clear spends money on games! Hahaha...
I usually work on games 0-30 minutes on weekdays and 0.5-3 hours on weekends.
Outside I don't spend much time (because its still over 100deg. F in Pheonix), but on cooler winter days I walk to places (subway, Game Crazy, Hollywood Video, 31 flavors, etc.)
I spend time on:
Planning- 14%
Graphics- 34%
Coding- 30%
Testing- 4%
Debugging- 14%
Searching (for graphics, music, etc.)- 4%
Well I've spent no time and effort on any games in like 3 months...but when I do...
Planning: < 10%...sometimes none...most are spontaneous...
Graphics: 50% ...big bitch!
Writing: < 10% ... same with planning
Coding: 30% ...the bit I cruise through!
...and I probably spend 200% of the time "testing" the game
MUGGUS
Come and annoy me more at
www.muggus69.tk STOUT ANGER!!!
I dont plan alot, I usaly think of ideas in the shower or when I go to sleep. I spend most of my time on coding, I enjoy it more then anything else, but GFX comes right after.
I cant really percent how much time I spend on each cat, I just know I do alot of coding, debugging, testing, and alot of GFX designing. And minimal of Planning exept that Im always planning and I dont even realize it.
Exept now I am doing some really complicated stuff and its getting hard for me to keep going... no pain no gain lol.
We are the music makers, we are the dreamers of dreams...
I make engines and curiosity experiments, my graphics used to suck very badly, but now they only suck badly (no very). Most of my time is put into coding and solving all the damn bugs that pop up. Was getting close to finishing Ectoplasmic Bob, but now I have to recode the engine because my dash was making bob bounce through walls. But here's the breakdown.
--------------------------
Graphics - 10%-15%
Coding - 75%-80%
Planning - 5%-10%
--------------------------
Then there's the endless packs of cigarettes I smoke while I'm thinking something over, and the cost of *ahem* other smoking materials for when I'm really stuck and frustrated. I've got a bunch of Half complete engines and such (Zelda Engine, Contra Engine.) And one bigger project that I'm working on now, (if you've ever played Elite, then picture that as a side scroller.)
I spend about 1-10 hours a day working on a game, about 3-11 hours on weekends. (The day I got the inventory, dialog, and save systems done for my game was a 11 hour day.)
I'm on correspondance, so school only takes 3-4 hours,(so far) with no homework.
I visit my Oma's house every couple days, and sometimes walk down a trail we have near our house......tend to stick indoors though.
Kramy
Pete Nattress Cheesy Bits img src/uploads/sccheesegif
Registered 23/09/2002
Points 4811
21st September, 2003 at 14:30:42 -
lol, now it looks like fire's been arguing with himself.
Yep, Alex was deleted, but fire, you don't help matters by trying to provoke him
Anyway.
In the past I've always churned out games, and thus the quality was questionable. THIS year though, Ive released Sam The Slug (very rushed out, so I suppose it doesnt count) and Zone Runner 2 (which took 5 months to make).
Now I'm working on Mr Stumps Dentures, and development is heading into its 10th month. I spend as much time as I can on a game before I lose interest and make another, but I'm NOT going to stop this game.
I left out testing, debugging, and staring into space.
For testing, I usually spend at least 200%-1000% of the time I spent making the rest of the game. I once looked over a piece of AI for 2 hours. I coded it in 10 mins and the graphics belonged to a friend's game. Same goes for that Meatbone beta I tried to resurrect. Worked on it for 5 hours a week and played it almost every day of the week.
Debugging used to be a major prob when I started out, but now it only takes about 1-2% of my time (mostly the bugs that come with MMF or 3rd party extensions).
If I included all that mindless staring into space, falling asleep while typing, or just getting bored and playing ADOM for hours for inspiration, I'd say it takes up about as much as all the other time I spent on it.
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
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