I don't know why I didn't clue in earlier, but he's basically talking about applying the co-op business model to game development. I

If ever I was going to pay someone up front for a product, it would be Valve.

In other words, he couldn't find any real investors to fund his idea so he wants to sucker some gamers into doing it. ;)

Ubisoft was awesome last gen, this gen? Eh. Square Soft/Enix? Lost of great games in the past, now? John Romero and the old developers are now hit or miss with games like Deus Ex and then countless other failures after that.

And when the fuck did gamers become businessmen. I know in this forum, sales are relevant, but talking out of a pure gamer's perspective, why the fuck do we care about the profits of strangers? About the successes and failures of others, when as a consumers we should only be interested in our own interests.

It's like the fucking ridiculous attitude Wii owners are being bullied into accepting by analysts and commentators like Adam Sessler. NO BODY IS OBLIGATED TO BUY A GAME. Nobody is obligated to "support the industry". The only obligation I can only think about is being smart and trying to serve your interest to the best of your own ability by doing research. It only helps you get the best product for yourself by doing research.

If you don't want a game like Mad World, then don't get it. The developers failed to attract you, and so they should be punished despite their efforts. Buy the games you trully want, not what everyone's getting or what's "hot", and then you make the market cater to more of your own needs.

Well, I have had similar system in mind(for my own game). However I wouldn't invest on games before getting anything in return. What if there isn't enough funds to make a game etc.?

Partly a good idea, partly a bad one. Its a good idea since its very consumer-centric (radically consumer-centric, even), but its a bad idea because the consumers often don't really know what they want. Imagine a world without Wind Waker, which is what you would get if this kind of idea prevailed. Very few people knew they wanted Wind Waker when it was originally shown, many very loudly stated their desire for it to go away.

In short, this idea could lead to tremendous creative stagnation, since most only want to invest in what they know.

Ha, nice joke.

How much profit could I make from Half Life 3?

1 Million people pay $30 upfront for HL3 = $30 Million

HL3 sells 5 Million @ $30 = $150 Million

$150 a "share".

Where do I sign up? I'll buy 100 shares please.

It won't work.