If you can program a computer then it is possible to earn a living from
 creating leisure software.  Games seems to do very well and there is still
 quite a market for adventure and utility programs.  You can write a good
 game in either BASIC or Machine Code, although you do stand a much better
 chance of getting your software accepted by a company if it is written in
 Machine Code.


 FIRST STEPS
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     When you have produced your games ask yourself if the game is
 marketable enough?  Be honest with yourself, and if possible ask your 
 friends for their opinions.  If you feel that the game is not up to a good
 standard then think of ways in which you could improve it.


 SENDING YOUR SOFTWARE TO COMPANIES
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     Before you send copies of your games to companies for publication, you
 must protect yourself in the event that someone will publish your game
 without your permission.  The easiest way to protect yourself is to put a
 copy of your game in a padded bag or large envelope along with a letter
 stating when you wrote the game.  Then write your name and address on the
 padded bag/envelope and post it to yourself.  When the padded bag/envelope
 arrives through your letter box a few days later, DO NOT OPEN IT!  This may
 sound rather silly, but the padded bag/envelope will have an official date
 stamped on it by the post office, which proves when you wrote the game.  So
 when you receive your padded bag/envelope, put it somewhere safe.
 Now you are ready to send copies of your game to software companies for
 publication (List supplied in section 1).  It is best to send your game to
 as many software companies as you can along with an accompanying letter.
 It is also a good idea to  include a cheat routine or a map for the game,
 which will allow the evaluator to see as much of the game as possible.


 REJECTION AND ACCEPTANCE
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     The evaluation process can take a very long time, so be patient.  If
 you receive a letter of rejection then don't be disheartned.  One company
 even rejected the popular space trading game 'Elite'!  So send your game to
 another company and try again.
 If you receive a letter of acceptance, then it is very likely that the
 company will ask you to make a few alterations to the game.  It is more
 beneficial for yourself to cooperate with the company 100%  When everything
 is finally sorted out you will recieve a contract.  Find someone with legal
 experience, either a Solicitor or your local Citizens Advice Bureau to
 check the contract.  Then when you have finally signed the contract, PUT IT
 SOMEWHERE SAFE! and if possible make a photocopy in case you lose it.


 PAYMENT
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     Payment for your game will depend on certain factors.  Most software
 companies will prefer to pay you by royalties.  That is, a certain sum of
 money per game sold.  I.E. If you were being paid 20p per game sold, and
 your game sells a total of 20,000 copies, then you will receive, œ4000
 It is worth considering that games that have been programmed for 16 Bit
 computers such as IBM PC's, Amiga and Atari ST will earn you more per copy
 sold.  The reason for this is because these computers require much more 
 programming than their 8 Bit rivals, as 16 Bit computers have far
 sophisticated sound and graphics capabilities and thus require more work
 and programming.
 Some companies prefer to buy a game outright rather than pay royalties on
 sales.  This has one advantage in that, if a game is a very poor seller
 then at least you have had some money for your efforts.

     There is plenty of money to be made from programming leisure software
 and companies are always on the look out for new talent.  So if you have
 the skill to write professional looking games, then you could do very well
 from the leisure software industry.

 * NOTE *  If your program is rejected by the software companies, then it
 may be worth putting your game in the Public Domain or Shareware circuit.
 This means that your program will be distributed freely by various Public
 Domain and Shareware Libraries and users of your software may send you
 donations or contributions of money for your hard work.