Providing Documentation

Since my first product is going to be a software game called PBA Tour, it'll have similar documentation a typical video game comes with. For starters, the game case it comes in will contain an instruction manual which has information about all the aspects of the game: controls, menu, different modes the game has, different kinds of oil patterns available, warranty information, customer support number, troubleshooting.

Also, once we have a web site up, we'll have a page that contains a PDF file of this instruction manual so people that buy this game from someone else and don't get the instruction manual that comes with the game, will have it available to them online.

Elevator Pitch

I'm the Founder of a Start-Up software company. Our main goal is to create video games for entertainment purposes on the Nintendo Wii. Our first project is to create a bowling game based around the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour on ESPN with simple and similar controls to the Wii Bowling. One feature that makes our bowling game unique is the Career Mode that has you bowling at the same locations the PBA bowls on each week and going through the same formats of qualifying and eventually to the T.V. Finals, where you will have the opportunity to win the bowling tournament.

• Why on the Nintendo Wii?

The controls scheme is fairly similar to Wii Bowling and wouldn't feel as interactive on any other system.

• Why not go to an actual bowling alley to bowl?

Imagine you are at home and have a Nintendo Wii. You don't feel like going to a bowling alley because of the inconvenience of using a bowling ball that doesn't fit you or using bowling shoes that have been used by other people. Instead, you can just turn on your Nintendo Wii with our game and bowl as much as want without inconveniences.

Financing My Business

When I initially begin to start up my business, I'll have to use most of the money I have been saving in the bank in order to buy the supplies, tools, and equipment necessary for my company. Most likely, my other founder(s) will also have a laptop so we will all have the basic equipment needed to start on the software game (the software program being used for development is TBD). Also, the money will most likely come from my parents and other relatives such as my grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

Once my company has a demo of the game, I'll then have to seek out angel investors who are interested in interactive sports games. I don't really plan to travel a lot around the country like the GovWorks guys did for money, but it I have to.... SO BE IT!! Other than that, I could try seeking Government Grants that John Dimmer, from the TacomaAngel Network , suggested since he says it's practically free money the Government is giving away. But just to sure, I'll leave that idea out until I really have a defined product developed.

Business Plan Evaluation

So I talked to my mom about my business plan and she came up with these suggestions:

• Choosing a Character - Okay. Well in addition to having a character customization option, I am going to include the actual professional bowlers that bowl on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour and also implement their unique styles. I was initially going to have the player earn the right to play as these bowlers through the progression of the Career Mode. However, my mom thinks people might want to play as these bowlers right at the start.
  

• Oil Pattern Explanations - Since I'm making this based off the PBA Tour, I am going to include the five main oil patterns they bowl on week-to-week. In addition to the these patterns, I am going to include the major tournament oil patterns and different variations of a 'house' shot. Through discussing with my mom, she asked me how people would understand what makes these oil patterns different? So I decided I would also add a graphical explanation screen that comes up before you bowl on the pattern you selected. It would show the oil pattern and begin explaining the length of it, how to best play the pattern (through drawing a few lines on the oil pattern picture), and the scoring pace for it.

I will definitely put these suggestions to good use when I get to the development of this game.

Business Environment

My proposed business environment would be similar to my current job's environment, with some additions to make it a more enjoyable place to work:

• Break Room - This will be a two story room. It will pretty much will consist of couchs and tables people can use to relax when they need a break. There is also going to be soda machines, vending machines, a stove and oven for cooking, and a microwave.

• Game Room - This room will basically have every current console on the market such as the PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii which will be played on a HDTV that is at least 50" wide. I'll probably throw in some arcade machines as well to make the variety even better. Without this room, I wouldn't enjoy work that much.

• Lab Room - This room will be an important place for my company. Since my company will focus on making software, it is a MUST HAVE for testing purposes to make sure all the errors and bugs are all fixed or removed so the user can enjoy the game with full satisfaction.

• Meeting Room - Finally, a meeting room. Also another important room because most of the decisions such as game releases, game development progress, financial details will most likely be discussed here. The table will a typical long rectangular shape and have about twenty comfortable adjustable chairs.
  

Two For The Business

Two people I'd like to hire for my business:

1) Mike Booth, Senior Programmer/Designer for Valve Software. After developing my first sports game, I'd like to have Mike help me design another game revolving around multiplayer coop similar to his latest game, Left 4 Dead (which I totally believe is an awesome game).

2) Gabe Newell, president of Valve Software. I believe with his experience in running a company, designed around the development of innovational games, could help shape my business up for success in the long run.

Startup.com Documentary

Here is a plot summary I found by a user (jhailey@hotmail.com) on IMDb.com:

Friends since high school, 20-somethings Kaleil Isaza Tuzman and Tom Herman have an idea: a Web site for people to conduct business with municipal governments. This documentary tracks the rise and fall of govWorks.com from May of 1999 to December of 2000, and the trials the business brings to the relationship of these best friends. Kaleil raises the money, Tom's the technical chief. A third partner wants a buy out; girlfriends come and go; Tom's daughter needs attention. And always the need for cash and for improving the site. Venture capital comes in by the millions. Kaleil is on C-SPAN, CNN, and magazine covers. Will the business or the friendship crash first?

After watching this documentary, I was asked this question: Does it make me want or don't want to start a business? Well, as my entrepreneurship professor Andrew Fry has said, starting a business is like a roller coaster, it has it's highs and lows. So with that in mind, it's difficult for me to answer that question fully. But if I were to start a business along the lines of a software game development company such as the one in my previous post, I'd say definitely 'yes' as I've had this idea of a more in-depth bowling game for quite some time (four years to be exact).