Looking to advance your career in the video game industry? We've got some good news for you: The free annual Game Career Guide for 2015 is now available!
In this edition, developer and MK-Ultra Games founder Mathew Kumar offers some advice for fellow indie game makers starting their own companies: take it seriously, get your goals (and your paperwork) straight, and do your best to avoid spending your own money.
"This is business rule number one, and probably the one that seems most unattainable," writes Kumar. "Beyond meaningful start-up costs [incorporating, buying your own shares] you really don't want to be putting your own money into the company to keep it afloat."
"For owners, time and your own flexibility are your currency -- cut back in your own life, spend more of your own time -- but do not consider anyone working on contract to be 'flexible.' Pay them as fairly as you can -- even if this involves a contractual obligation to pay them revenue share in the future [another reason why contracts are so important.]"
"Explore every avenue for funding: Platform holders, publishers, local government funding in the form of arts grants or loans, the obvious examples of Kickstarter or other crowdfunding platforms [even Patreon] and so on. But any money must go to contractors first."
There's much more advice from Kumar and many other game industry experts in this year's Game Career Guide. Download it today!