So recently i got into programming, and i would like to make a fighting game in the future when i understand this stuff.
But my question is, how long would it take for a programmer and 1 artist to make one character and one stage that are on the same level as MK9?
Let's say you don't have to write an actual engine because that in itself takes longer than you want it to.
You grab an engine that has what you need for it, and let's say the programmer knows it fairly well.
Underlying game code and engine arrangements - 72 hours SET DEADLINES OR YOU GET WASHED UP.
Interface design - 8 hours (Gotta kick the artist to keep to the deadline)
Code for the controls - 48 hours if you do it in one big swing (++coffee) or 480 if you keep putting it off and starting over.
Debugging all of the above - 2d8 hours after each phase, depending on how tight your coding is. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING.
Character design / brainstorming - 1 to 400 hours depending on whether you actually have character design experience.
Animating - 10 minutes per frame if you want MK quality. Or find a motion capture studio. Costs time and effort, 20 or so tries per move and proper studio work.
Optionally Integrating optional motion capture to use it for animations - fuck knows, never done it, probably a few hours altogether.
Painting allover the character - 8 hours (+ the artist whining that you're a slave driver)
Playtesting and finding out that you mucked up something on code level because you forgot to debug in the studio phase - 1 year
Hiring a proper project manager who's done this before: 6 months + as long as it takes for you to get the money he wants for it.
