Circe: What is your business model?
Amanda: My plan is to create quality, light-hearted games for the online world market. I also plan to create a fun, safe online community for players to chat, help each other, and learn about each other’s fascinating cultures.
Circe: How exactly are you planning on bringing in revenue? Will you be charging for game download or in game advertising? OR are you hoping to find a publisher will buy the license? Would you happen to know what most indy developers are doing in this regard? Have you found a good forum to discuss this sort of thing with other indy developers/entrepreneurs?
Amanda: Revenue will come from online download sites and portals, such as download.com, Reflexive Arcade, and MSN games. I’m also trying to get the game on the Xbox 360 game network. Players can download a demo of the game, but if they want to play the full version, they will have to pay for it. At this time, I’m not interested in finding a publisher. I want to make sure that I have full control over the marketing of the game. I’m worried that if I bring a publisher into the mix, they won’t give the game the proper attention. My method of game delivery is a common practice for independent game developers. Some of the most successful developers have made hundreds of thousands of dollars with the online market. A great place for indie developers to discuss the gaming business is the Indie Gamer Forums. It’s quite active, and several successful game developers lurk there.
Circe: Is this the first game that has been rolled out officially by Amaranth?
Amanda: Yes. I created two previous games, but Aveyond is the first game that I have treated as a serious project.
Screenshot of Aveyond
Circe: In which state is the company headquartered?
Amanda: Washington.
Circe: What support have you received from other women in the industry? or in business in general?
Amanda: I recently joined IGDA and found a great women’s group with lots of gals who have been in the industry for some time. The advice they’ve given me is great! Kathy Salisbury (Pharo Games) was very helpful when I decided to create a real company. Kathy assured me it was possible and gave me a number of helpful business resources. She got me involved with ASP, a great community for shareware developers, and I learned a lot through the organization about starting a company.
Circe: What was your degree in?
Amanda: Ironically, I have an English BA.
Editor's Note: It is an honor Amanda to have spoken with you. We at WomenGamers.Com greatly admire entrepreneurs like yourself and we wish you the very very best of luck with your budding new company. I hope that this interview encourages others who are considering starting up their own gig. Please DO keep in touch!
Aveyond is a casual RPG that offers over 50 hours of gameplay for the asking price of $18 at http://www.aveyond.com.
Articles on WomenGamers.Com solely reflect the experiences and perspectives of the author(s). Feel free to agree or disagree in the accompanying forum thread.
