Go on developing or publish short game

Hi,

I have been developing an android game for about 2 years now (not full time) with Unity Plus and it is still not finished. I am a bit of a perfectionist
It is a puzzle-platform game where a character must prove that he is invincible. He walks through a landscape and encounters all kinds of obstacles that he must pass by.
When I play the game so far, it takes about a quarter of an hour because I know how to pass the obstacles. When you play it for the first time it maybe takes less than an hour. So it is a short game so far.

Now I'm doubting between two options:

Option 1:
I can go on developing which may take another two years or longer, but then you have a longer game. The disadvantage is that if it is not picked up after publishing, much time has been lost in which I could have developed another game.

Option 2:
I can finish the game and publish it as a short game. The disadvantage is that it is a short game but when it will be picked up after publishing, I can make new levels for the game.

What would you do?

 

I'd release the shorter version of the game sooner and follow it up with extra content later if the game gets some traction. Your extra content can be delivered as simple updates, as DLC, or as a separate Cool Game II release. You could even set up your game release with an expectation of more content calling it something like Cool Game Episode 1, or something along those lines.

You will be EXTREMELY disappointed if you put 4 years into a game only to have it fail. Better to get some feedback earlier than later.

 

I agree, start with releasing small but complete things. There are loads of advantages to this.

• Some stuff you only learn by going through the whole process, including release and support.
• You find out if the project succeeded or not earlier.
  • If it did, you can expand on it with DLC, sequels, or by making other similar games.
  • If it didn't, that's cool too. You can move onto something else now instead of in two years.
• You get to try more different things.
• Unless your game is great, chances are that most people won't play most of it anyway. People complaining that your game is too short is a good thing - it means they liked it and want more!
• Smaller projects require less investment from you.
• If they are commercial or critical successes, you get that benefit sooner with a short project.
• You only get feedback from real world players when the game is in their hands. Playtesting is good, but it's not the same as public release.
• Especially for new / inexperienced developers, you don't need to carry your mistakes for as long with a short project.

None of that is to say that you shouldn't do long projects. I just always think it's a good idea to do some short ones first.

 

I just got published on XBox Creator's Program.

I can say that without a doubt, you want to get your game published even if it is not the exact game that you envisioned.

There is something about actually seeing your game in the store that will give you something that perfecting an unpublished game never can.

 

Thank you all for reply!
It's clear for me now. I will finish the game and release it.

Would it be wise to mention in the game description in the store that it is a short game?

 

Yes. People might be expecting more game, and complain when its not. Others might be looking for a short game, and yours is the ticket. Even if you do specify that its a short game, there will be people crying, but they were informed, and the people who it was made for will enjoy it.

 

Ok, I will do that.
Thanks for reply!

 

love this discussion 100% reassured me that everything is ok.

 

Congratz!

I've just signed up for the creator's program and I have to say that the process is not intuitive at all. Is there a tutorial or something for getting all setup, connecting to your xbox, and getting a project loaded to test? The Microsoft support site is terrible (IMO).

thanks,
rich

 

I put my vote, finish it early. You can always come up with title 2 if enough people like it. After you publish it, take a good break from game design and game development. Resting is critical for the creative process to work.