Newsletter 8

Wrestling Gamers United newsletter#8
Hello and welcome to the WGU newsletter #8!

I left off last week's newsletter with Mr X telling me there is a very real possibility that the WGU could indeed get a game developed that would not only be good, but could very well be a huge success. For those of you who are new to the newsletter, Mr X is the name I've given to a gaming industry insider who I recently met with to discuss the possibility of developing a wrestling game for frustrated gamers.

We talked about all the things that would hinder our game's chances; lack of WWF licence, lack of money, no experience developing games, no major publisher willing to distribute the game, the daunting task of deciding which platform to develop the game for. The list went on and on. It would have been a very depressing conversation were it not for two very evident facts;

1-I have proven through the surveys at WGU that there is a very large grass roots demand for the type of wrestling game I want to build.

2-No other developer appears to be satisfying those gamers, leaving the market wide open for us to do so.

This is a very good position for us to be in. There is a demonstrated demand for a game that no other company is making. It would seem the plan is simple enough; let's build the game and give gamers what they want. "Not so fast," he told me. Even the cheapest games to produce have a budget of at least $100,000 dollars. If our game is to have all the features and gameplay that we demand the budget could easily approach $250,000. Cha-ching! How in the hell does somebody raise that kind of money and how could a stupid little wrestling game cost a quarter of a million dollars to make?

Mr. X told me it's not as impossible as it may sound. The world is full of people with money to burn who are always looking for an exciting investment opportunity. Everybody wants to get in on the next Sony or Microsoft. If we can show these people a comprehensive business plan including an accurate development budget and estimated profits we could quite concievably come up with the cash to start development. In fact, he himself recently worked with a man who quickly raised approximately $750,000 to start an animation studio and all he had to show investors we're a few short examples of his work.

Okay, so I'm starting to believe again that I can do this. But before I can start hassling investors I need something called a "design document". A design document is basically the blueprint for the game including every detail a programmer and animator would need to build the game. These things are a serious amount of work to put together. They have to include things like every little graphic and sound that will be in the game as well as a list of how many hours it would take the development team to physically build each of these things. Every move for every wrestler must be drawn out storyboard style. Every button command must be decided. Every possible situation in the game must be planned for before hand.

For example; If a 150 pound wrestler can't pick up a 350 pound wrestler, can he pick up a 250 pound wrestler? How about a 251 pound wrestler? 252 pounds? What if he's "specialing"? What if he's "specialing" but his ankle is injured? Are there even going to be "specials"?

See what I mean? Considering we are planning a game with more moves than any other game and a create-a-wrestler that would make Fire-Pro look small in comparison, well, we have a big job ahead of us.

This is why I need your help, guys. Please, if this game means anything to you, email me at Dave@WrestlingGamersUnited.com and give me any stupid little details you would like in this game. Moves, taunts, "selling" animations, clothing, props, weapons, ANYTHING! You people are what motivated me to start down this path and without you it can't get done. You are being given a chance, even if it is a dreamer's longshot, to seriously affect the outcome of a great wrestling game. I know I'm just a guy with a crazy dream, but all great games had to start somewhere. There was time when AKI didn't exist and Bam hadn't even thought of Fire Pro. They're just people, ordinary human beings like you and me. And I refuse to believe that we are any less driven than they we're.

What are we capable of? Just watch us.

Dave
Dave@wrestlinggamersunited.com
http://www.WrestlingGamersUnited.com