Self-Publishing a Game: How Hard is it?

Due to the expansion of digital distribution channels like Steam, the App Store, and Google Play, self-publishing video games is getting more and more popular these days. However, how challenging is it to self-publish a game is a subject that many ambitious game developers ponder. The answer is not straightforward because it depends on a number of variables, including the platform, the marketing plan, the budget, and the kind of game.

First off, making a game takes a variety of abilities and materials, such as programming, graphics, sound design, and game design. It’s not enough to have a brilliant idea; you also need to know how to put it into practice so that players find it entertaining and interesting. You might need to work with a team or freelancers, depending on your degree of experience, to make your game a reality.

The following step after finishing your game is to publish it on a platform. The difficulty arises from the fact that each platform has its own guidelines, conditions, and costs. For instance, Steam charges a one-time fee of $100 each game and retains 30% of sales. Both the App Store and Google Play charge annual fees of $99 and $25, respectively, but they also take a 30% share. Additionally, you must adhere to their rules and regulations, which may include payment options, content limitations, and age classifications.

Another important component of self-publishing a game is marketing. If no one knows about your game, it won’t sell itself, even if it’s fantastic. You must generate buzz, establish a community, and get in touch with gamers, journalists, and influencers. Social media platforms, blogs, forums, and events can all be used for this. However, if you want to run advertisements or hire a PR agency, it takes time, effort, and perhaps money.

Free games can make money in a variety of ways, including through in-app purchases, advertisements, sponsorships, and contributions. Players can purchase virtual products or currency through in-app purchases to improve their gaming experience. On the basis of clicks, views, or installs, advertisements can be displayed before to, during, or after the game to make income. Deals between the game developer and a brand or business that pay to have their goods or services featured in the game are known as sponsorships. Donations are voluntarily made payments by users who desire to help the game’s creator or its advancement.

The amount of money a game creator can make varies greatly, based on elements including the game’s popularity, the platform it runs on, its revenue model, and its associated costs. The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) conducted a survey to determine the average yearly pay for game developers in the US, which came out to be roughly $71,000. Independent developers could make more or less money, though, depending on their contracts, royalties, and sales. While some game developers have battled to break even, others have made millions of dollars from their creations. Who is the game industry’s wealthiest company?

Tencent Holdings, a Chinese conglomerate that holds shares in a number of game publishers and developers, including Riot Games, Epic Games, Activision Blizzard, and Ubisoft, is now the richest gaming firm in the world. Forbes estimates that Tencent is worth over $770 billion, and that its gaming segment brought in more than $20 billion in sales in 2020. Do I require a Steam publisher?

No, Steam does not require a publisher. As long as the games adhere to the platform’s requirements and rules, Steam permits creators to self-publish their games. But having a publisher might provide advantages like marketing, finance, and knowledge. The choice of whether to self-publish or collaborate with a publisher is left up to the developer.