This is my idea about launching a cloud based game production service, not so different than Valve’s Steam.
While there isn’t much wrong with Steam from a consumer standpoint, from a developer’s standpoint it’s a very different thing. It’s more like a giant bear with a big stick, where you know you have to do what he tells you even though it’s probably going to end up raping you (with the stick) in the end (pun intended.) Because Valve is a developer as well, they tend to over charge certain developers. More than likely if you’re an independent developer launching your games through Steam, you’ve had this happen to you.
To counter this, I would like to eventually launch my own Cloud Gaming service, with a focus on Indie developers and students – at least initially. Providing them with a quick and cheap licensing service to launch their games through our system as fast and simply as the Android App Market. I say Android instead of Apple for obvious(hopefully) reasons. One of the ways to do this is to have a low or nonexistent charge for publishing the apps, but have a small percentage of revenue to us as publishers only. That way, if the game does not go well they don’t have to pay much. What I’m leaning towards, however, is an integrated advertising service. Along with the low or nonexistent publishing charge, the developer must integrate our ad service in a way that does not break immersion in the game. I.E. they are actual objects in the game world that flow with the game’s theme, and not interrupting videos like on youtube – unless this only involves loading screens or skip-able splash screens. This way, the publisher can get it’s income through advertisement. However, this has to be done right and include a long integration process with the developers.
If anyone is particularly good with networking code, I’d like some input as to how to do this and do it well. Specifically with peer-to-peer running along with direct connections, and still upholding certain security protocols. Let me know if you think developers would be ok with this idea!
