The Reality of Creating and Owning a Sim Game
There are many aspects of owning a SIM game that are often overlooked. You may have a fantastic, unique idea and are eager to turn it into a game. Great! You start up the website, gain thousands of members, and everything is set, right? Not quite. This article aims to provide insight into the reality of owning a SIM game for those planning to embark on such a journey.
Many start-up projects get abandoned because people don’t fully understand what owning a SIM game actually entails.
Time Commitment:
Creating and owning a SIM game is extremely time-consuming. Even if you're not programming or designing artwork yourself, it requires countless hours of your life to get the game anywhere.
Here's a rough breakdown of how your time will be spent:
Before Launch:
You’ll need to spend an extensive amount of time planning your game. Decide what kind of game it will be (horses, dogs, or another untapped species) and the functions users will have (show-based, breeding, etc.). You also need to figure out how to make your game unique. There are already many care-breed-show games, so thinking outside the box is essential.
A major component is planning the economy. How much currency should members start with? What will they spend it on? How do they earn more? Avoid extremes—players shouldn’t become SIM millionaires too easily, but they also shouldn’t go bankrupt too quickly.
You’ll also need to plan the game mechanics. For instance, how many shows can a pet enter? How are they judged? If breeding is included, will you feature realistic genetics? Everything must be planned down to the smallest detail.
If you can’t code, you'll need to find a programmer. You must ensure the functions you want are technically possible. If you’re not an artist, you’ll need to recruit one (or more). Pet art differs from item art, and both differ from general site design. A visually appealing layout is crucial.
Programming and artwork take time. It often takes weeks or months to complete an initial game concept, especially if you run Alpha and Beta tests, which are highly recommended to work out any issues.
After Launch:
Once the game is live, your time will be spent addressing emails, fixing bugs, and communicating with players to show you care about their experience. Future planning is also crucial; without new ideas, your game can stagnate.
You’ll need to manage staff, whether it's checking in with programmers or guiding artists. You’ll also have to moderate your community. Players will notice if you’re not active and dedicated, which can lead to lower engagement and a decline in activity.
Your game will never truly be “finished”—there will always be something to update or improve. This means constant time dedication.
Skills You Need:
At the very least, you should know HTML and CSS. If you can’t do this, it’s likely not wise to pursue creating a game. It’s ideal to have either programming or artistic skills since this will save time and money when hiring outside help.
Minimum Requirements:
- HTML and CSS knowledge
- Understanding of how to run a website (setting up a server, uploading files)
- Writing skills for news posts and descriptions
- Ability to generate new ideas independently
Recommended:
- Programming skills or artistic skills
- A budget (or at least some funding)
Money + Budgeting:
If you can’t program or create artwork, expect to spend money. Freebie artists and programmers are rare and unreliable. Paid professionals will be required.
- Web design: A good design can cost between $50 to $200 for the homepage, more for additional pages.
- Programming: Depending on the complexity, this can range from $500 to $10,000 or more. Updates, bug fixes, and new features all incur additional costs.
- Artwork: Highly variable based on the artist and the volume of work.
- Hosting: Starts small at around $5–10 per month but increases as your site grows. VPS hosting runs around $50–130 monthly, while dedicated servers cost $250–300 or more.
- Advertising: The more you invest, the greater the exposure. Google Ads, magazine ads, or partnerships with high-traffic sites can boost visibility.
- Contests: Offering prizes can affect game revenue, as players hold off on purchases hoping to win.
Figure out how you intend to make money—whether through upgrades, cash shop items, or ads. Your game shouldn’t be a financial drain, and you need a solid plan for making back at least some of what you invest.
Your Attitude*
The way you conduct yourself online affects how your members see you. If you're part of online forums in the same circles as your game’s members, behave professionally. Negative behavior in public can impact how your players perceive your game’s community.
Prioritizing:
A SIM game should be one of your top priorities. Members expect the owner to care about the game, even during personal hardships. If you’re not active, site activity will drop, and it can take a long time to regain traction. Motivation must be constant—without it, the game will stagnate.
Criticism:
Expect criticism, both constructive and harsh. The internet allows for blunt feedback, and some may even take personal jabs at your decisions. Maintaining a level head is crucial.
Legal Issues:
There are various legal issues to consider, such as copyright infringement, especially when it comes to artwork. If someone steals your images or writing, you’ll need to send DMCA notices and may have to pursue legal action.
You also need to regulate user-generated content to prevent the use of stolen material, and be aware of age restrictions and privacy regulations like COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act).
Rewards:
Despite the challenges, there are rewards. If you thrive on community interaction and enjoy organizing, you’ll find satisfaction in building and maintaining a thriving SIM game. However, financial success is not guaranteed, and most games don’t generate significant profits.
Entering game ownership expecting easy money is unrealistic. Instead, focus on passion and community dedication. Games that succeed are often run by owners who love what they do, even when it’s not financially rewarding.
Conclusion:
If none of this has discouraged you, congratulations! Owning a SIM game is a challenging, time-consuming endeavor. Every aspect involves effort, and the rewards are not always immediate or monetary. This article serves as a reality check, providing clarity on the commitment involved in creating and maintaining a successful SIM game.
There are many aspects of owning a SIM game that are often overlooked. You may have a fantastic, unique idea and are eager to turn it into a game. Great! You start up the website, gain thousands of members, and everything is set, right? Not quite. This article aims to provide insight into the reality of owning a SIM game for those planning to embark on such a journey.
Many start-up projects get abandoned because people don’t fully understand what owning a SIM game actually entails.
Time Commitment:
Creating and owning a SIM game is extremely time-consuming. Even if you're not programming or designing artwork yourself, it requires countless hours of your life to get the game anywhere.
Here's a rough breakdown of how your time will be spent:
Before Launch:
You’ll need to spend an extensive amount of time planning your game. Decide what kind of game it will be (horses, dogs, or another untapped species) and the functions users will have (show-based, breeding, etc.). You also need to figure out how to make your game unique. There are already many care-breed-show games, so thinking outside the box is essential.
A major component is planning the economy. How much currency should members start with? What will they spend it on? How do they earn more? Avoid extremes—players shouldn’t become SIM millionaires too easily, but they also shouldn’t go bankrupt too quickly.
You’ll also need to plan the game mechanics. For instance, how many shows can a pet enter? How are they judged? If breeding is included, will you feature realistic genetics? Everything must be planned down to the smallest detail.
If you can’t code, you'll need to find a programmer. You must ensure the functions you want are technically possible. If you’re not an artist, you’ll need to recruit one (or more). Pet art differs from item art, and both differ from general site design. A visually appealing layout is crucial.
Programming and artwork take time. It often takes weeks or months to complete an initial game concept, especially if you run Alpha and Beta tests, which are highly recommended to work out any issues.
After Launch:
Once the game is live, your time will be spent addressing emails, fixing bugs, and communicating with players to show you care about their experience. Future planning is also crucial; without new ideas, your game can stagnate.
You’ll need to manage staff, whether it's checking in with programmers or guiding artists. You’ll also have to moderate your community. Players will notice if you’re not active and dedicated, which can lead to lower engagement and a decline in activity.
Your game will never truly be “finished”—there will always be something to update or improve. This means constant time dedication.
Skills You Need:
At the very least, you should know HTML and CSS. If you can’t do this, it’s likely not wise to pursue creating a game. It’s ideal to have either programming or artistic skills since this will save time and money when hiring outside help.
Minimum Requirements:
- HTML and CSS knowledge
- Understanding of how to run a website (setting up a server, uploading files)
- Writing skills for news posts and descriptions
- Ability to generate new ideas independently
Recommended:
- Programming skills or artistic skills
- A budget (or at least some funding)
Money + Budgeting:
If you can’t program or create artwork, expect to spend money. Freebie artists and programmers are rare and unreliable. Paid professionals will be required.
- Web design: A good design can cost between $50 to $200 for the homepage, more for additional pages.
- Programming: Depending on the complexity, this can range from $500 to $10,000 or more. Updates, bug fixes, and new features all incur additional costs.
- Artwork: Highly variable based on the artist and the volume of work.
- Hosting: Starts small at around $5–10 per month but increases as your site grows. VPS hosting runs around $50–130 monthly, while dedicated servers cost $250–300 or more.
- Advertising: The more you invest, the greater the exposure. Google Ads, magazine ads, or partnerships with high-traffic sites can boost visibility.
- Contests: Offering prizes can affect game revenue, as players hold off on purchases hoping to win.
Figure out how you intend to make money—whether through upgrades, cash shop items, or ads. Your game shouldn’t be a financial drain, and you need a solid plan for making back at least some of what you invest.
Your Attitude*
The way you conduct yourself online affects how your members see you. If you're part of online forums in the same circles as your game’s members, behave professionally. Negative behavior in public can impact how your players perceive your game’s community.
Prioritizing:
A SIM game should be one of your top priorities. Members expect the owner to care about the game, even during personal hardships. If you’re not active, site activity will drop, and it can take a long time to regain traction. Motivation must be constant—without it, the game will stagnate.
Criticism:
Expect criticism, both constructive and harsh. The internet allows for blunt feedback, and some may even take personal jabs at your decisions. Maintaining a level head is crucial.
Legal Issues:
There are various legal issues to consider, such as copyright infringement, especially when it comes to artwork. If someone steals your images or writing, you’ll need to send DMCA notices and may have to pursue legal action.
You also need to regulate user-generated content to prevent the use of stolen material, and be aware of age restrictions and privacy regulations like COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act).
Rewards:
Despite the challenges, there are rewards. If you thrive on community interaction and enjoy organizing, you’ll find satisfaction in building and maintaining a thriving SIM game. However, financial success is not guaranteed, and most games don’t generate significant profits.
Entering game ownership expecting easy money is unrealistic. Instead, focus on passion and community dedication. Games that succeed are often run by owners who love what they do, even when it’s not financially rewarding.
Conclusion:
If none of this has discouraged you, congratulations! Owning a SIM game is a challenging, time-consuming endeavor. Every aspect involves effort, and the rewards are not always immediate or monetary. This article serves as a reality check, providing clarity on the commitment involved in creating and maintaining a successful SIM game.