Topic: Cliffy B of Epic Games says New Devs Should Make For PC

[MysterD]

RockPaperShotgun -> Cliffy B of Epic Games says New Devs Should Make For PC.

Really? This coming from Cliffy B? Of all people?
Did Hell just freeze over or something?

Regardless, I'd STILL love to see Gears 2 and 3 and Shadow Complex get a PC port, if Epic could get Microsoft to get on board w/ that...

Epic’s Cliffy “Cliffy B” Bleszinski B just told a huge crowd of developers at 2012′s GDC that when starting up a developer, forget Xbox Live, PSN, iOS, Android and Windows phones, and instead make games for PC. Condemning the way Microsoft and Sony treat indies, and dismissing mobile gaming, the Unreal developer said that the PC was the only place to start.

In a five minute microtalk, he rapidly fired through a series of tips for new developers, heavily emphasising the need to focus on PC, and only jokingly suggesting that they should use UDK to do it.

Making it clear that early games will suck, he argue that persistence and passion were necessary for eventual success, observing that Rovio made around 50 games before they struck gold with Angry Birds.

But what about other platforms later? Even then, his suggestion was to stick with PC, and maybe consider iOS if you can get touch controls to work properly. Xbox and PlayStation he still qualified with warnings that Microsoft or Sony may not give you the promotion you deserve.

When you’ve got your game made, he stressed that people shouldn’t use focus groups, calling them a waste of time, and instead suggested you be more imaginative. Tweet him or Notch, he offered, and if they like your game they’ll retweet it and bring it lots of attention.

He finished saying,

“Do it because you love it, but make sure you get paid.”

[Cobra951]

Interesting viewpoint.  I know the PC offers an easier avenue for those starting out.  They don't have to deal with the big companies and their stringent rules, licensing fees and other headaches, and programming the PC is standard and well known.  On the other hand, once you graduate from school, you're supposed to go out into the real world and make a living.  Dealing with the big boys is probably the easiest way of doing that.  Sure you could try to start some little thing like Minecraft or Steam on the PC.  Good luck with that.