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We all have our different reasons for making games. Some of us make them as a way to make money, some make games because they have a story to tell, some make them just because it's fun. What's your reason? :)

My reason is that I want to instill the same feeling I get from playing certain games. It'll probably take years and dozens of projects to get that far, but I really want to make players experience that same feeling deep in their chest/heart/bosom/etc area.

The only way I can describe this feeling is by showing an example of what gives me that feeling, but if you've never played Chrono Cross or don't like it you might not experience the same feeling. It's a special feeling I think you can only get after experiencing something amazing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHQ7yEYwEnE

I know it may sound cheesy, but to be able to instill this feelings in others is one of the main reasons I am striving to be an artist. My life will be complete when I accomplish that <3

I make games cause ever since I was young, I always dreamed of being a game maker... I held onto that dream for almost ten years and when I was on my sophomore year in High School someone told me some things and I almost lost my desire and hopes to make one. But then a year later I discovered lemmasoft and renpy and thanks to these I was able to live my dream again. I'm still a noob but still... I' manage to fulfill my dream bit by bit.
So... yeah, I make games cause it has always been a lifelong dream... XD

Lotus wrote:We all have our different reasons for making games. Some of us make them as a way to make money, some make games because they have a story to tell, some make them just because it's fun. What's your reason?

Reason? Gold and Glory. Although I'm still faaaaar from it

Perhaps my real reason was the desire to create something that can be considered as my "legacy/heritage" in this world, while having fun doing it.

Btw, I have other question that I'm hesitated to put into another thread (I hope Lotus doesn't mind that I am hi-jacking her thread) :
If you're a professional game developer who's making a living by creating games, would you prefer working for AAA game company (which gives you lots of benefits), or would you prefer building indie games instead (with the risk of.. well... living in poverty)? And why?

Haha, I haven't gone far yet, but I think making a game (specially a VN) is just another form of storytelling. Some are scriptwriters for movies and plays, some authors books, others create comics... And like every other form of telling a tale, it's got its own special properties.

@redcat lol, I don't mind if you hijack my thread ;) I would personally try to sell indie games on the side (not as my main source of income) before joining some big company, so that way I know what the hell I'm doing and have a better chance at keeping the job xD
@Silverblue I hope both you and I fulfill our dreams to the fullest. REACH FOR THE STARS MY FRIEND~

since it gives me a new purpose of life? (sentimental mode on) OTL

i'm prefer to go indies now, after quit my job in a game company before OTL
why? because it's really hard to make a game in a company.
I met some new guys in Japanese Big Game Company, and lot of them can't directly related to the game's development.
Mostly events related, or server maintenance, or mobile sites.

My former department's chief asked me to work there for 20 -30 years then open a child company in home country but... I won't (since I will be around 50 or more T-T) and I really want to make otome... which is a bit different with the previous company's style.
But I'm not really recommend people to follow my crazy path here... since I myself feel a big pressure and stress now OTL

Well I dont really make many things for myself. I know that sounds farfetched but its kind of true. I work on Ren'Py to make games a friend of mine thinks up. He's like a dreamer so he always gets new stuff in his head, and since I have the power to do something about it I do. As for the reason WHY I do that. Well, its like this. (Sorry for boring story though) The first time he told me about a story he thought up I made it. Not very big or complicated, it was just a little board game with a story. But when I showed him he lit up and started thanking me hysterically....it was kind of weird though....but from that I felt this feeling that told me, "Shahab, today you did something good.". That feeling is why I make games. Even now I'm making his games and also some for another friend. But the reason I do it is because I want to feel that feeling again.

redcat wrote:Btw, I have other question that I'm hesitated to put into another thread (I hope Lotus doesn't mind that I am hi-jacking her thread) :
If you're a professional game developer who's making a living by creating games, would you prefer working for AAA game company (which gives you lots of benefits), or would you prefer building indie games instead (with the risk of.. well... living in poverty)? And why?

Even if I were given a second chance, I'll still go indie. Working for AAA company is just going to suck my soul away. It's very different to work for your own vision versus working for another person's vision. Sure, I'll make more money and have a stable income working for another person, but I won't get the satisfaction of creating something with own hand. Though, I do think it's a good learning experience to work for AAA company.

As for why I make games...

1) It's fun.
2) I feel great to be inspired by awesome games. In turn, I wish my games can inspire people.
3) Satisfaction. Pride. Accomplishment. All in one.
4) It's fun.
5) Make money so I can continue making games until the end of my life.
6) Did I mention it's fun?

shahab96 wrote:Well I dont really make many things for myself. I know that sounds farfetched but its kind of true. I work on Ren'Py to make games a friend of mine thinks up. He's like a dreamer so he always gets new stuff in his head, and since I have the power to do something about it I do. As for the reason WHY I do that. Well, its like this. (Sorry for boring story though) The first time he told me about a story he thought up I made it. Not very big or complicated, it was just a little board game with a story. But when I showed him he lit up and started thanking me hysterically....it was kind of weird though....but from that I felt this feeling that told me, "Shahab, today you did something good.". That feeling is why I make games. Even now I'm making his games and also some for another friend. But the reason I do it is because I want to feel that feeling again.

That's an awesome reason, and I totally understand <3

Mirage wrote: 1) It's fun.
2) I feel great to be inspired by awesome games. In turn, I wish my games can inspire people.
3) Satisfaction. Pride. Accomplishment. All in one.
4) It's fun.
5) Make money so I can continue making games until the end of my life.
6) Did I mention it's fun?

Those are very true and good reasons as well. I think that feeling I mentioned is similar to the 2nd reason, inspiration, but it's a little different. It's something more than just inspiration.

For me, the only reason I make them is just expand my audience. I like to write on my free time, but usually all that work is ignored when compared to fan fiction. By making them not only am I drawing attention to my stories, I also get to have the satisfaction of completing something.

Lotus wrote: Those are very true and good reasons as well. I think that feeling I mentioned is similar to the 2nd reason, inspiration, but it's a little different. It's something more than just inspiration.

Actually I think the reason should be similar, I just couldn't put it into words. I played Chrono Cross, too. And frankly speaking, I feel enlightened after I finished the game. It's so amazing that something like this can exist in this world. I want to make something like that, too.

I make games because that's what I always wanted to do since I got my first PC (the glorious commodore 64).

redcat wrote: Btw, I have other question that I'm hesitated to put into another thread (I hope Lotus doesn't mind that I am hi-jacking her thread) :
If you're a professional game developer who's making a living by creating games, would you prefer working for AAA game company (which gives you lots of benefits), or would you prefer building indie games instead (with the risk of.. well... living in poverty)? And why?

Having worked in an AAA company before (well, in Italy, so not big as the UK/US ones anyway) I have no doubt about the choice of being indie. I know lots of people that worked for very big companies like Lionhead and they're all much happier being indie. At least those who managed to make enough money

I like telling stories, and visual novels are an extension of that. I also write comics and I'm working on a novel. >.>;;

I think mostly I just really want to see people have fun. My big "aim for this!" goal/motto/mission statement has always been to create things that people will find fun.

What an interesting thread OuO
My reasons are really weird.

I want to do this for my characters.
It's like giving them flesh and blood and the world they can live in, outside my head. If everything done right, they can also colonize hearts of the readers and settle in there too :'D
Yes, I guess it's similar to the desire of just telling the story.

Hmmm... I have lots of reasons why I love making VN games.

1.) VNs incorporate almost everything I love doing; making and telling stories, drawing, listening to music, etc.
2.) I love storytelling. I've been reading ever since I can remember, and creating stories and people and places. I could daydream the entire day away, just making up stories in my head.
3.) I enjoy drawing. I'm all right at it, and I like challenging myself to see how much better I can get. I love how I can take an image in my head and (sort of) transcribe it on paper.
4.) I love sharing ideas, and VNs have so many! I love the "what ifs".
5.) Programming isn't a skill that comes easily to me, since I'm usually not a very logical person, but it's fun learning new things, and helps me think in ways I usually don't.
6.) Last, but not least, I agree with Lotus up there. Although I am a very beginner-game maker, I love delving into stories, and the feelings I get from getting to know the characters and sharing their world, and I would very much like to share that kind of feeling with other people.