Is Project Joystick playing you?

[James]

Is Project Joystick playing you? by James

PALGN News: PALGN takes a closer look.

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[Mark]

It's still a good opportunity for an indy developer or someone trying to get their foot in the videogame industry door.

It's hard enough to get your projects onto the market and to have your name known, so this comp does a good job of putting your name out there and the possibilities follow on from there. Besides, putting something like this on your CV could be pretty helpful.

The only downside is that you'll get shit all compensation if the idea hits off. But then again, you're only providing the idea, not the game itself. Mr. Downie is overracting just a tad, in my opinion.
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[Djfuzz]

Absolutely.

I love it how they go so far on the one hand to single out Joe and Jane Public as people whose IP is pretty much valueless other than in Telstra's pockets, and then say that simply having their name broadcast around the world will be more valuable to non-game developers than any return on their created IP.

What's this costing Telstra? $20K in kind prizes for the winner, nothing for the runners up, and some minor admin fees for running the competition (they're certainly not spending much marketing it, feeding off the free publicity generated by news sites and ACMI).

As an ACMI member, I'm pretty disappointed they've lent their name to this corporate whoring.

[troublemaker]

I think a fairer idea would have been a cash prize plus a % of royalties on any profits made.

[Eyce]

I agree on Troublemaker's point of the fact that you're not getting any Royalties.

Potentially if the game sells well (Australian Developer, so let's just assume probably around 50,000-200,000), you're not credited with the idea in a way- You'd only get a small spot in the credits. Effectively you've made the Ball and passing it off before you're even taking a final look at it.
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[Aftershock]

I think its good that they are providing a platform for people to get their name out, but they need to be given royalties, even if its small and a guarantee that their name will be well featured.
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[Passa]

I think its very shameful they get the IP for the top 10 entries..

Regardless, this is still an interesting competition, although I don't feel like entering now heh
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Xbox 360 Gamertag + Xfire Username + PlayStation Network ID: Passa91

[Black Mamba]

It sounds OK....and would be interesting to see if they can pull it off, or if the game will be a complete flop...

Does kinda worry me about the Top 10 entrants....you'd be pissed off if you were in the top 10....won nothing....and then couldn't take your idea anywhere else knowing it was good....

Plus, what if they use that idea for a second game....without any prize for it????
Surely there could be some legal issues there....

[OdensRaven]

[Pilliy]

This is just something Telstra is doing to try to get popular again.

[ittekimasu]

while i'm a bit concerned for those who truly put heart and effort into this competition without reading this fine print will be hurt once they find out what will happen to the game in the end.

while i agree that this would be a perfect opportunity to get your foot in the door, i wonder if your successful that you'll get hands on experience working with the dev's in making this come to life. that in itself would be a good prize as well.
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[doofus]

This is all just for contributing an idea!

No coding, no graphics or sound work, nothing like that is needed.

How much value do you put on an idea?

There is no financial cost for you to participate.

[Crestfallen]

[Infested Jibbs]

'In Soviet Union, Project Joystick plays YOU!'

Sorry couldn't help myself.

I tell you what, i'd be mighty upset if i did come up with some idea, and it took off and became the next halo and telstra made millions and became a big name in the game business, while the whole time i get no credit for the idea and only have a stack of obsolete broadband modems to remind me of the one i let get away.
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[DancesInUnderwear]

[Kashmere]

I've got an idea, don't enter.

[AJ]

Hi All!

I thought I’d swing by and add my voice

I do recommend people read my entire post, and the follow up post coming soon on Australian Gamer (sorry to pimp our site). I haven't overracted nearly as much as the first few lines make it seem

I'm totally behind competitions like this, but I am totally opposed to the idea of someone losing their copyright or intellectual property by entering a competition. Now whilst it is true that many people who enter this may have put next to no effort in, you can bet there will be just as many that have been working an idea for months. It is NOT fair that they should lose their Intellectual Property by simply placing in the top 10 of a competition. I can even understand Bigpond taking rights for the "winner" if the game is made, but for the other finalists? No freakin way.

The reality is that Bigpond are obviously intending to make several online games to promote Bigpond. This is a cheap way to get good ideas without paying a development house to come up with them. Make no mistake, Bigpond have the right to make 10 games from the 10 finalist's ideas without any compensation whatsover. They own the IP, they can do what they like.

If Bigpond were serious about supporting independant developers, they would put up this million dollars to help these people actually make their game, and make their first steps into the industry, not just take the IP off them pat them on the back and send them on their way.

The fact is that this "clause" is stuck away under a pile of legal jargon that no one would ever read. The fact that you guys are even discussing it now means I have succeeded in bringing attention to this clause, which is all I wanted to achieve.

[OdensRaven]

^

Right on brotha! I still think its an ingenious plan
But seriously, if telstra are actually promoting the fact that they are "supporting independent developers" then i think this discussion should take further action then just this board. And once again good on you for bringing it to our attention

[BigPond]

The 'supporting independent developers' is AJ's assumption. It's a simple competition open to any Australian over the age of 5 and promoted as such.

That's why there are categories for primary and secondary school kids.

If you are a game developer willing to enter and take your chances to get some profile, then that's your choice.

Noone else is standing with a million dollar cheque to turn someone's idea into a game. If they were, you'd be too busy to be posting here.

[AJ]

So BigPond aren't supporting Independent Developers? That kinda contradicts the positioning of the promotion doesn't it?

It is strange, given that ACMI are so active in promoting independent game development that they would be so happy to support a promotion that actively dissuades independent developers by taking their Intellectual Property from them.

For example, on ACMI's Guide to entering Project Joystick there are many references to the fact that this promotion IS in fact targeted at "game makers". http://www.acmi.net.au/joystick_competition_questions_guide.htm

"Be inspired by other Game makers and have a look at their Developer's statements form the Best of the Independent Games Festival 2007. "

ACMI have always been at the forefront of promoting Independant Game Developers in Australia, and I am sure they would've put their name to this promotion for that very reason.

It is clear that ACMI and Bigpond have a very different view on what the achievable outcomes of this promotion are. ACMI are interested in encouraging young developers to get out there and "have a go" at developing game ideas and helping all of them turn their ideas into reality. They put up all the resources and provide so much assistance to young and upcoming developers in an effort to get more people into the industry.

How does taking the intellectual property away from the 10 finalists support that ideal? But as you say, Bigpond aren't running this promotion to support our struggling independant developers.

(EDIT: Apologies to PALGN for hijacking your bulletin board )

[Infested Jibbs]

But as you say, Bigpond aren't running this promotion to support our struggling independant developers.


Oh burn Aj lol
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[AJ]

In case you are interested what actual developers think of this promotion:

http://www.sumea.com.au//snews.asp?news=2984

They are all in unified agreeance about the terms of this promotion.

[Spanca]

So this is like Australian Idol for people with ideas for games, but they don't actually have to do anything to make the game. All they have to do is submit an idea with the possibility of getting rewarded with $20k... and that's a bad thing for those people?

I'd agree with you AJ if these people had to do anything to do with making or developing a game, but they don't. They submit an idea and that's it. You're making it out like they're possibly losing something that they've poured their heart and soul into creating. They haven't and don't need to.
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[AJ]

Yes, you've made my point precisely.

They will not have anything to do with making THEIR game.

And yes, many people WILL pour their heart and soul into creating this idea. And anyone who actually wants to win, most probably will do just that.

[Spanca]

If you don't do ANYTHING to create a game, how can you possibly claim it's your game. A game isn't an idea.

Your last post indicates that your problem is that Bigpond aren't giving them a job as a developer. Preeeeetty sure they never indicated that this was a job application.
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