Is Your Game a Hobby or a Product?
Without sustainable revenue, your game is just a hobby — maybe an expensive one.
Indie games are a vibrant part of the gaming landscape, offering unique experiences. However, they often don’t reach their full commercial potential. In a report by Indie Bandits, 70% of indie developers said their games didn’t achieve the success they had hoped for.
Transitioning a game from a project to a product is crucial. A fantastic game that no one knows about won’t get played.
Learning from the Big Players
Large publishers have a treasure trove of experience in turning games into profitable products. They know marketing strategies, user acquisition, and player retention like the back of their hand. Indie developers have a golden opportunity to learn from these strategies and apply them to their own context. While indie games often operate on a smaller scale, the principles of efficient marketing and distribution still apply.
Grouping and Bundling
Because indie games typically have lower revenues, it’s important to think outside the box when it comes to monetization. One idea is grouping and bundling games. Encouraging players to buy and play more games in a bundle can lead to increased visibility and revenue. It also gives players a chance to try a wider variety of games at a lower cost, which boosts player retention.
Giving Players the Right Game, at the Right Time
Players are thirsty for the unique experiences offered by indie games. However, the sheer number and variety of indie games makes it tough for players to find and sort through them. It’s super important to develop effective systems to match players with indie games they’ll love.
Profitability from Day One
Indie game developers must focus on profitability from the word go. This means incorporating strategies for user acquisition and retention, monetization, and efficient distribution. While making impressive 3D graphics and innovative gameplay is crucial, ensuring your game finds and keeps its intended audience is equally important.
The indie gaming landscape will keep growing and evolving. By focusing on the nuts and bolts of marketing, distribution, and user engagement, indie developers can make sure their games shine bright in this exciting and diverse field.
