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Making Money off a Game Developed During Spring Break

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Stopsecret, Apr 29, 2014.

  1. Stopsecret

    Stopsecret

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2012
    Posts:
    70
    Well, I think the title is pretty self-explanatory.
    Last week I had some free time, and I whipped up a local multiplayer (not LAN, same computer multiplayer) rougelike about a space station invaded by aquatic creatures.
    Being only one person I did everything from ground up, so all the art is done by a programmer in pixel graphics to keep it simple. Right now the menu is rough.

    LINK

    So what I'm wondering is how exactly should I go about selling this game, if at all?

    Option 1 (or option 0 for any of you who have worked with Unity's Arrays ;) ) I am considering is releasing the game for free download (perhaps even open-source on sourceforge). I figure this will help to build up a user base in case I release another game. The game seems in enough of a niche for that.

    Option 2 was someone suggested making the game mobile. I am somewhat hesitant to do this as right now I don't have a development device for it, and the controls are more geared towards the computer (i.e. I might have to do dreaded 'porting' which could take away from the user experience).

    Option 3 is to do a digital online publishing service (steam, gog) for a low price as something casual to pick up for maybe 3 bucks.

    I have a feeling that all you really need to do is make a fun game and the cash follows.
    I was wondering what you guys think of games this scale, what you might do, if anything, if you think the game is fun enough to make it?

    Thanks! :)
    -Stopsecret
     
  2. chrisall76

    chrisall76

    Joined:
    May 19, 2012
    Posts:
    667
    Honestly, I've published a mobile game. Unless your ready to advertise on big sites and spend a bit of money to do it, your not going to earn much on mobile. May a few buys, that's about it. At the moment, it's a nice base for a good game, but not something I would buy yet.

    First, you need something to keep players coming back. What most games like this usually do is have the player earn score playing,
    then let them spend these points for weapons/accessories that can be used in-game. You need to have a reason for players to come back or else
    they won't see a reason to buy. Also, seems from what I play there's only one enemy class, which can get boring after a while. Different varieties could
    help alot.
    Only other thing I can think about is more sounds and add online multiplayer, as I don't think many people have people around them that would play a game with them, and there friends could be anywhere really. Would be a nice addition.
     
  3. goat

    goat

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2009
    Posts:
    5,182
    I would have skipped that game altogether and actually make a Spring Break themed game.
     
  4. JamesLeeNZ

    JamesLeeNZ

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2011
    Posts:
    5,616
    Option 1 will get you nothing

    Option 2 will cost you money, get you nothing

    Option 3 is a maybe, but forget about steam, that's not an option, also if it costs money, it will get you (wait for it) nothing.


    YAY!

    unless its an amazing game that somehow manages to go viral.
     
  5. Stopsecret

    Stopsecret

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2012
    Posts:
    70
    Yeah, the further you play into it, more enemies appear.

    lol that actually sounds like it could be interesting

    So, wait, I think what you're trying to say is that I get nothing, right? ;)

    Thanks for the feedback guys, I think maybe I'll just release it free! :p
     
  6. JamesLeeNZ

    JamesLeeNZ

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2011
    Posts:
    5,616
    That's the norm for most people.
     
  7. RockoDyne

    RockoDyne

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2014
    Posts:
    2,234
    Personally, I would go with releasing it for free but keeping a paypal link to donate to around. It can't hurt your odds at making some beer money.
     
  8. S3dition

    S3dition

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2013
    Posts:
    252
    You'd be surprised how often $50 shows up out of no where when you do that!

    But, yeah, don't expect to get rich. You could do free with ads and $1 without. Or donation. Or just free. Those are really your 3 options.
     
  9. yoonitee

    yoonitee

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2013
    Posts:
    2,363
    So I just watched Spring Breakers....

    Aren't you supposed to be in Florida, hanging out with ganstas with gold grills and and snorting cocaine off naked college girls on Spring Break?

    I saw it in a film so it must be true.
     
  10. CarterG81

    CarterG81

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2013
    Posts:
    1,773
    So AVATAR is real?

    $whoa.jpg
     
  11. goat

    goat

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2009
    Posts:
    5,182
    I used to work as a busboy and the things you get propositioned to do and the state some people answer the door in, well...but you get good tips from those people though even though I say no. So not all of that is exaggerated...stay safe.
     
  12. Aiursrage2k

    Aiursrage2k

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2009
    Posts:
    4,835
    I'm working for a bunch of bozos right now, the game I'm working working on for less then 1week and they are expecting it make them a boatload of cash, gold fever or something people get delusional but the reality unless your game is top of the line, chases a trend or somehow goes viral it's DOA
     
  13. Stopsecret

    Stopsecret

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2012
    Posts:
    70
    Well, I guess some people have to learn the hard way (other people can learn by posting on the Unity Gossip thread :p)
    Right now I'm in the process of making it a simple freeware game, webplayer+download+donate style :)
    What's the game about?
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2014
  14. Dudecjl2

    Dudecjl2

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2014
    Posts:
    25
    Well Everyone has been thinking hard but some make no sense I have an idea..... First make the controls WSAD (most gamers use those controls) second make a website 3rd make donation area and vip area 4th announce everywhere for everyone to vote for your game on steam greenlight 5 get it on steam 6 charge 3.00 7 Make it more multiplayer 8 make lan included 9th give me a free download of the game and 15% profit for this idea to me 10th add a shop for xp exc. 11th make a boss 12th add instructions then do step 4 after that do step 9...... Step 13 last step send me the code so I can make a multiplayer game and msg me at purpleunicorneatspoptarts@gmail.com :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:


    Best idea
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2014