Programming a Top Down Scrolling Shooter

[admin]

I am a graphic designer / filmmaker turned developer and am planning to produce / fund a 1942-style, top down shoot-em up game. How difficult is a scrolling shooter game to code and program? How many hours would it take an average game programmer to create something like this?

I am already designing gorgeous graphics and sound design to go along with some classic Arcade style gaming…any thoughts greatly appreciated.