Profitability of mobile game development

[docrates]

Hello all,

First some quick background:
- I run and co-own a small business (65 employees) and have managed to save up some money. I also invest most of my excess cash in Real Estate (not in the U.S. thank god)
- I used to be a brilliant programmer. Since i used the past tense I hope I avoided sounding arrogant. I haven't done any serious coding (other than small things for the company) in years
- I'm an avid video game player (own all 3 next gen consoles and since I bought my N95-2 I've been playing like there's no tomorrow)

Now on to my question/point:

That complex mobile games (i.e. not snake) are so much fun to play completely caught me by surprise. So much so that I'm seriously considering taking some time off from the office (few months maybe) and dedicating myself to making a mobile game.

I've completely designed the game in paper, made drawings of all the graphics and have decided that it would be a great game. So good in fact that I'm all day and night thinking about PLAYING the game. I'm really disturbed by the fact that it doesn't exist and feel like I owe it to myself to fix that.

So, of course, it all goes down to money. If the game turns out to be any good, is there any chance that the whole endeavor would be profitable? or is it like writing a book where how good the book is is only secondary to whether you get a good publisher and editor or not?

What do you guys think? and while you're at it, any recommendations on platform decisions and distribution strategies?

Thanks!

[Leong]

Chances are the crackers will get to it if your game if really, really good. Just be careful of that.

[Bartmanekul]

If you can get it posted on high profile sites such as this, and on AAS, you stand a good chance of making money if its a genuinely good game.

A good example is COTD (Creatures Of The Deep).

It was at the top of the Ngage chart, even though its just a fishing game, but because it was so well made and fun to play.

Im not sure how you would do outside of Ngage, but get enough coverage and Im sure it could be profitable.

Your best bet is giving free copies to the reviews of various popular sites, asking them that if they think its good enough please do an article on it.