Anyone write me a little computer program?
Discussion
Hopefully posting in the right place as it is a business matter....
I have an idea for a PC (windows) based 'business game' and need some idea of how much it would cost me to get the program written before going much further with it. It’s use will be limited to training applications on a relatively small scale so the budget isn’t massive and I shall be funding it personally so no-one is going to retire off the back of it!
In essence it consists of a series of decisions and outcomes.
Initial screen is:
Explanation of the scenario and a description of each of the 4 or 5 options available (Selection made either by keying a letter or with a mouse on radio buttons – I’m easy!).
Each option produces an explanation of the result and 4 or 5 further options. This is repeated over probably six decision making rounds (less if wrong selections are made!) until the final result.
Ideally I would like to be able to have the option of allowing teams to compete for the best outcome.. so something like “Input Team A Decision, Input Team B Decision” etc
I would hope to add background animation to this together with a voice over (I’ve got the production side of that covered but the facility would need to be built into the program obviously)
Any PH programming wizards out there could help me with this?...... Am I talking £hundreds or £thousands?
Obviously happy to take e-mail or PM to discuss in more detail as I realise there's probably a lot more info needed!
Cheers
Chris
I have an idea for a PC (windows) based 'business game' and need some idea of how much it would cost me to get the program written before going much further with it. It’s use will be limited to training applications on a relatively small scale so the budget isn’t massive and I shall be funding it personally so no-one is going to retire off the back of it!
In essence it consists of a series of decisions and outcomes.
Initial screen is:
Explanation of the scenario and a description of each of the 4 or 5 options available (Selection made either by keying a letter or with a mouse on radio buttons – I’m easy!).
Each option produces an explanation of the result and 4 or 5 further options. This is repeated over probably six decision making rounds (less if wrong selections are made!) until the final result.
Ideally I would like to be able to have the option of allowing teams to compete for the best outcome.. so something like “Input Team A Decision, Input Team B Decision” etc
I would hope to add background animation to this together with a voice over (I’ve got the production side of that covered but the facility would need to be built into the program obviously)
Any PH programming wizards out there could help me with this?...... Am I talking £hundreds or £thousands?
Obviously happy to take e-mail or PM to discuss in more detail as I realise there's probably a lot more info needed!
Cheers
Chris
Good developers charge many hundred of pounds a day for their time. This is more than a days work. You will think of new, crucial features as soon as you see the first cut. You'll almost certainly need some level of ongoing support.
Surely there's off the shelf software that does what you're describing already? Maybe even open source?
Bespoke software is usually hugely more expensive than buying off the shelf. It can be like the difference between buying a Timex and commissioning someone to make you a watch from scratch. Speaking as a developer who writes bespoke software, sadly it is rarely viable for a small business unless it is going to give you a big competitive advantage and unlock a deluge of cash. It's less likely to be of interest to a software house or consultancy, but you might be able to get an individual involved cheaply up front by offering them a percentage of the revenue the software or your business goes on to make ... i.e. some kind of risk and reward sharing partnership around the project.
Surely there's off the shelf software that does what you're describing already? Maybe even open source?
Bespoke software is usually hugely more expensive than buying off the shelf. It can be like the difference between buying a Timex and commissioning someone to make you a watch from scratch. Speaking as a developer who writes bespoke software, sadly it is rarely viable for a small business unless it is going to give you a big competitive advantage and unlock a deluge of cash. It's less likely to be of interest to a software house or consultancy, but you might be able to get an individual involved cheaply up front by offering them a percentage of the revenue the software or your business goes on to make ... i.e. some kind of risk and reward sharing partnership around the project.
48k said:
OP - almost all what you have described could actually be created as a Powerpoint presentation. Have a look online for Powerpoint game templates. It may be worth your time to try that first to give you something tangible to use and refine your ideas and requirements.
This was exactly what I was popping in to say. Use powerpoint (if you don't know how to create buttons that take you on to a particular slide you will find guides online easily enough). Even if you go on to develop an end product with something else you may as well start off cheap for a prototype.
There are alternatives to powerpoint e.g. Google apps, open office which are free. Not sure if they give you the same functionality but I suspect they do - can anyone confirm?
Have a look on Fiverr www.fiverr.com many offshore developers offering their services for small projects at low costs.
Good Luck Darren
Good Luck Darren
Sounds like a simple e-learning branching scenario with a bit of gamification. No need for fancy dev.
Look on fiver for e-learning devs in Articulate Storyline/Captivate etc, you should pick one up for £100 a day or less for a decent one. Shouldn't take long to build as long as you have the scenarios mapped and have artwork.
Look on fiver for e-learning devs in Articulate Storyline/Captivate etc, you should pick one up for £100 a day or less for a decent one. Shouldn't take long to build as long as you have the scenarios mapped and have artwork.
Tazio1 said:
Have a look on Fiverr www.fiverr.com many offshore developers offering their services for small projects at low costs.
Good Luck Darren
You want someone who'll help you 'do the right thing' (such as trying it out in PPT) rather than someone who'll take a few dollars and do what you ask (which is likely not to be what you need).Good Luck Darren
If it isn't too time (v busy for next couple of weeks) critical I'd happily do it for free for some experiace (if you wanted something a it more fancy than ppt
Also my partner is starting voice overs so could help there for free, if she could use a few sections for her demo reel
Drop me a pm I'd either are of interest !
Also my partner is starting voice overs so could help there for free, if she could use a few sections for her demo reel
Drop me a pm I'd either are of interest !
Given the scenario you describe, I recommend against custom software, which will be expensive and inflexible. You can do simple flow control with presentation software like MS Power Point or Google presentations. You could easily update this yourself. Give it a go.
If it doesn't suit your needs, the take a look at these.
https://www.efrontlearning.com/blog/2010/10/open-s...
If it doesn't suit your needs, the take a look at these.
https://www.efrontlearning.com/blog/2010/10/open-s...
Edited by 4x4Tyke on Friday 10th February 18:25
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