"It's the ultimate developer fantasy: taking a team of talented cohorts and leaving the secure mediocrity of the corporate fortress. It seems like everyone's doing it, too, but the financial insecurity worries me. I'm an underpaid programmer, I can't just sell a couple of Ferraris to get by while our dream team pursues our dream game. How do these breakaway groups find a new backer or publisher?"

Submitted by: Dreamer Alpha Tango

Answered by: Chris Taylor (designer, Gas Powered Games)

"First of all you need to be able to convince a publisher that you can build them a product that will sell, that you understand the market and that you are "dialed in". You also need more than a great design, you need a track record. It's almost impossible to make the leap without having produced some hit titles or at least been associated with a consistent series of moderately good titles. You may be able to convince a publisher that you have a team of very talented people waiting in the wings once the deal is inked, but even then, they are going to put you on a very short leash and ask for you to show some proof that you can do what you say you can before they make any kind of long term commitment. There will always be risk no matter how many details you think you have worked out."

Read more questions and answers!