vonWolfehaus
June 22nd, 2010, 02:20 PM
This is a quick run-down on the status of the financial options that are available to independent developers who don’t have massive marketing budgets or corporate support. Please let me know how your experience has been with these options (or others I’ve missed).
Flattr (http://flattr.com/)
The latest option is a general-purpose micro-donation system called Flattr. It takes the “like”/”retweet” interactive device and applies it micro-funding. Someday soon you will be able to put a Flattr button anywhere in your games and people will be able to easily support you–with all revenue going to you, the developer. It usually isn’t much per click, but it’s still a LOT more than anything ads could give you.
Microtransactions
Microtransactions (aka MTX or micropayments) are not as bad as ads because you get more money per click, but not as good as Flattr because you still have to share your revenue with the MTX service(s) you’re using. MTX are also the most difficult option. Not in terms of coding skill but rather design skill. You have to ensure correct usage/placement of MTX items within your game. Besides that, there’s choosing which service works best for you. You MUST read Lost Garden’s Flash Love Letter (http://www.lostgarden.com/2009/07/flash-love-letter-2009-part-1.html) that explains both of these factors in great detail.
I have a full table of the options on my site [shameless plug!] here (http://coldconstructs.com/2010/06/5-ways-to-make-bank-on-flash-games/). I researched and asked around these companies: nonoba, MochiMedia, HeyZap, GamerSafe, SocialGold, come2play, Facebook. I look at these aspects:
Percentage of the profit the developer receives
Whether or not the service is legally usable with other services
If they offer dual currencies
If they provide extra services like leaderboards, achievements, etc
If they are usable on any website (read: portals)
Sponsorships
Sponsorships are an excellent choice, if you have a game good enough to attract sponsors. Just beware of bad/****ish sponsors. Be sure to read SteamBirds dev’s experience (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27924/InDepth_Behind_Flash_Game_SteamBirds_Revenue_Deals .php) vetting sponsors on FGL and check out FGL’s informative 2009 report (http://www.flashgamelicense.com/blog/2010/01/looking-back-at-2009-trends-and-statistics/).
Shareware
With the advent of Adobe Integrated Runtime (aka AIR) and tools like Sharify, we can actually package our games as downloadable apps that can be played on just about ANY platform (thanks to Flash Player 10.1, this includes Android-based phones). While Sharify and similar services can lock your game, you can do that part yourself and just use an MTX service to handle the money part.
Advertisements
If your game is small and crappy (like my first one, and like the vast majority of Flash games), ads are a good option since MTX requires more time and skill implement. I’ve heard a few developers who have made a good amount of bank with ads, but they are few and far in-between. However, they do offer us a quick and easy way to earn (tiny amounts of) cash.
I posted a more detailed overview on my site so please head over there (http://coldconstructs.com/2010/06/5-ways-to-make-bank-on-flash-games/) and, if you found this info useful, Flattr or retweet please? Look, a convenient Flattr button! Thanks for reading :)
http://api.flattr.com/button/button-compact-static-100x17.png (http://flattr.com/thing/26346/Five-ways-to-make-bank-on-Flash-games)
Flattr (http://flattr.com/)
The latest option is a general-purpose micro-donation system called Flattr. It takes the “like”/”retweet” interactive device and applies it micro-funding. Someday soon you will be able to put a Flattr button anywhere in your games and people will be able to easily support you–with all revenue going to you, the developer. It usually isn’t much per click, but it’s still a LOT more than anything ads could give you.
Microtransactions
Microtransactions (aka MTX or micropayments) are not as bad as ads because you get more money per click, but not as good as Flattr because you still have to share your revenue with the MTX service(s) you’re using. MTX are also the most difficult option. Not in terms of coding skill but rather design skill. You have to ensure correct usage/placement of MTX items within your game. Besides that, there’s choosing which service works best for you. You MUST read Lost Garden’s Flash Love Letter (http://www.lostgarden.com/2009/07/flash-love-letter-2009-part-1.html) that explains both of these factors in great detail.
I have a full table of the options on my site [shameless plug!] here (http://coldconstructs.com/2010/06/5-ways-to-make-bank-on-flash-games/). I researched and asked around these companies: nonoba, MochiMedia, HeyZap, GamerSafe, SocialGold, come2play, Facebook. I look at these aspects:
Percentage of the profit the developer receives
Whether or not the service is legally usable with other services
If they offer dual currencies
If they provide extra services like leaderboards, achievements, etc
If they are usable on any website (read: portals)
Sponsorships
Sponsorships are an excellent choice, if you have a game good enough to attract sponsors. Just beware of bad/****ish sponsors. Be sure to read SteamBirds dev’s experience (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27924/InDepth_Behind_Flash_Game_SteamBirds_Revenue_Deals .php) vetting sponsors on FGL and check out FGL’s informative 2009 report (http://www.flashgamelicense.com/blog/2010/01/looking-back-at-2009-trends-and-statistics/).
Shareware
With the advent of Adobe Integrated Runtime (aka AIR) and tools like Sharify, we can actually package our games as downloadable apps that can be played on just about ANY platform (thanks to Flash Player 10.1, this includes Android-based phones). While Sharify and similar services can lock your game, you can do that part yourself and just use an MTX service to handle the money part.
Advertisements
If your game is small and crappy (like my first one, and like the vast majority of Flash games), ads are a good option since MTX requires more time and skill implement. I’ve heard a few developers who have made a good amount of bank with ads, but they are few and far in-between. However, they do offer us a quick and easy way to earn (tiny amounts of) cash.
I posted a more detailed overview on my site so please head over there (http://coldconstructs.com/2010/06/5-ways-to-make-bank-on-flash-games/) and, if you found this info useful, Flattr or retweet please? Look, a convenient Flattr button! Thanks for reading :)
http://api.flattr.com/button/button-compact-static-100x17.png (http://flattr.com/thing/26346/Five-ways-to-make-bank-on-Flash-games)