I Need Information For New Game

[Eagle7Seven]

I would like to know how much it would cost and how much time it would take to make a drag racing game on Java.I would like to give this suggestion so that Java can make an ultimate game competing with Nitto and StreetChallenge.Also because there are many racers out there looking forward to Drag Racing Games.Basically I would like to know by either a Java Developer or Admin or someone that is REALLY good with Java to make a drag game.Also if it involves money I would like to know how much it would cost to help in the production of the game.

[princec]

A small fortune. Seriously.

Cas

[Eagle7Seven]

What do you mean small fortune???

Games published by our own members! Check 'em out!

[jbanes]

Cas! Shame on you! The poor guy has no idea what he's getting into.

The answer actually depends on what type of game you want. If you want full 3D graphics, advanced physics, realistic sounds, etc. it's going to get close to the cost of a Hollywood movie. This could be reduced if you can get cooperation from various entities. (e.g. 3D artists who will work for cheap, racers letting you take photos of their car sides for textures, recordings the sounds of actual engines)

Now if you want to go 2D, the cost immediately drops to that of a more reasonable small development shop. A single senior programmer, plus one artist could probably do the work pretty well. The cost would still be in the thousands, but it is an obtainable cost for an entrepreneur.

If you just want a fun game of a similar quality to a "retro" game, or a shockwave flash game, then the cost would come down to what an individual could afford. You could probably contract a programmer on a fixed cost basis for something like that.

Does that answer your question better?

[JasonB]

Just a few thoughts off the top of my head, if it was a 3D game you were thinking of.  

A 3D engine for the actual drag racing component of the game is probably going to be more straight-forward than many games due to the fact that cars are racing down a straight track, but you're going to spend a -lot- more effort on game design (1), physics (2), and artwork (3), in order to have something that's actually worth playing in the end.  

(1) Sitting there and watching two cars run down a straight track over and over again isn't going to be much fun unless a considerable amount of thought is put into the design of the game (i.e. the ability to design your own car/engine, campaign or career management, opponent AI or multiplayer support and so on).  
(2) Cars will need to react realistically to the environment (track wind shear, wheel temperature, track conditions, car design, etc).
(3) And finally, different tracks, car shapes, etc so that the player doesn't get incredibly bored in the first few minutes.

And that's not even a comprehensive list, so when you think about it, any thoughts that a game like this will be simple (and therefore cheap) to create should go straight out the window.