Did you know that Indie games make for 95% of all games sold on Steam, but account for only 40% of sales? What does this mean?
Well, two things:
Indie games are all the rage right now.
Developing an Indie game is hard work, but selling it is even harder.
It’s true that like all big game companies, every successful Indie brand has its own secret recipe when it comes to selling video games online. But while it’s good to break the mold, it’s also important to know the basics and gather some experience.
So, let’s take a deep dive into the world of selling Indie games like a pro by looking at:
Where to Sell your Indie game: Platforms To Choose From
How to Sell Your Own Games: 10 Marketing Tips
4 Additional Ways for Indie Games to Connect with Players
Major platform, niche marketplace, or personal website? Some bring exposure, whereas others give you control and access to a more curated audience base. So, what would you prefer?
Before you answer that question, let’s understand the ins and outs, pros and cons of the options you’re given.
A major platform is a digital distribution network with a large user base and a variety of features to help developers market and sell their games. If you think about it, major platforms are very much like online marketplaces.
Pros And Cons Of Major Platforms
Advantages
Disadvantages
Niche platforms are online marketplaces that tend to focus on specific gaming genres, like Indie games. Although they serve the same purpose as major platforms, niche ones provide users with a more curated experience and a greater sense of community.
Pros And Cons Of Niche Platforms
Advantages
Disadvantages
Unlike major platforms, indie game platforms are not separated by game type, but rather by audience interest. Therefore, you are bound to find mobile and PC games in the same marketplace.
Many independent video games developers choose to forgo traditional publishing options entirely and decide to self-publish through their own websites.
The truth is that whether you decide to self-publish or choose a marketplace, the process of selling your game would be the same in terms of steps.
But, for a number of valid reasons, going solo might just turn out to be the perfect solution for you.
Having complete control of your game’s development and publishing journey means you’ll have a unique set of advantages and challenges.
Advantages
Disadvantages
The first step you need to take to go solo in your self-publishing adventure is developing a website, where you can upload all the games you wish to sell. Here are a few thoughts you might want to consider:
Indie games may be fueled by passion, but businesses aren’t. Making money is their goal. When it comes to transforming a great product into a profitable game, choosing the right payment partner is essential. Here are a few things you need to consider when researching the market:
Once you have taken care of the behind-the-scene technicalities, you need to introduce your Indie game to the world. Consider:
Even though the vast majority of Steam games are Indie games, more than half never make more than $4,000. And that’s a pretty distressing thought.
The truth is that whether you’re self-publishing or selling via Steam or Epic Games, your game could easily get lost in the masses. Good marketing is the cornerstone of a successful indie game (and every other product, for that matter) and, quite honestly, of all online businesses.
You need players to buy your game – and that’s only going to happen if they know you exist. So, let’s talk marketing!
A trailer is the first glimpse a player will get of your video game, so it’s crucial that you make it as enticing as possible. You can even release multiple trailers (or teaser videos) that focus on various aspects of gameplay to peak interest.
Doing thorough market research and looking at similar titles will help you convey the game’s essence in a way that’s appealing to your player base.
Remember, players come for the trailer, but more importantly, they stay for the gameplay.
Showcase the game’s most noteworthy, fun features and mechanics the right way.
The easiest way to connect with your players in the early stages of marketing is to release a demo version of your game. It could easily provide you with the necessary information to secure your game’s success.
A demo is where your players can access a limited portion of the game and get a sense of whether they would enjoy playing and hopefully share it with friends.
This is also a good method to learn about bugs and/or user interface features that may interfere with gameplay. Additionally, a demo version increases your chances of drawing players into a Beta program, like all other games.
Whatever publishing option you decide to use for your Indie game, taking part in dedicated events is crucial. These meetings give you the unique opportunity to use your sales skills and showcase your game directly to your audience.
During the pandemic, gaming events moved online, but now things are changing. So, take advantage and promote your game, face-to-face. Here are some interesting opportunities to meet your potential players:
The game industry’s most popular product model focuses on live updates and downloadable content (DLC) available for purchase.
You’ll need to keep delivering quality updates, whether patching the game regularly to fix problems, responding to player feedback, or selling DLC that enhances gameplay and creates additional revenue streams. This will help you stay visible and keep your players happy.
But there are also promotions you can run to acquire new gamers or leverage micro-transactions to grow revenue for free-to-play games.
Many indie game devs have increased their chances of success with crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo.
Developers build an online community through these platforms by incentivizing them with game merch or exclusive in-game content. Rewards typically work on a tier-based system: higher donations mean more valuable rewards.
One of the most valuable functions of crowdfunding is that even the smallest donations will earn rewards, allowing you to access players of all ages and tax brackets.
Crowdfunding pages allow players to subscribe and follow the game’s development.
Developed this way, games tend to be a united effort, fostering a feeling of solidarity with your brand and player base.
Running a Beta version of your game has several advantages:
Things could go further, and you could obtain feedback regarding the subscription model. There are plenty of eCommerce business revenue models you can choose from, but it’s best to consider the opinion of your players. After all, your subscription service matters to your players.
This type of personal investment creates a sense of community and loyalty among your end users.
If you are wondering where you could find beta testers for your game, here are a few ideas:
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Discord is an excellent medium through which developers can communicate with players. Discord’s channel and bot features allow devs to set up an automated welcome system for new players that can include rules, terms and conditions, privacy policies, the current progress of game development, and more.
You can, of course, also use Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to build an online presence that promotes your brand.
This is where your team persona will come in handy: are you a happy-go-lucky bunch? Or is your team snarky and sassy? Both could work – but different approaches will draw different audiences. The point is to get the word out about your game and all it has to offer to your target audience.
We have found that Reddit is a hugely beneficial resource to indie developers in particular. Players of niche games congregate on dedicated subreddits creating awareness and interest.
As soon as your game has a following, no matter how small, it would be useful to check regularly for subreddit activity. Hosting an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session on Reddit will also contribute to building relationships with your player base.
The best developers pay attention to what their audiences say. Ultimately, customer experience is best defined by the customer, right? Asking players to share their feedback will give you an informed opinion on which parts of your game and marketing strategy need to be improved or adapted.
You can reach out for feedback in several ways:
Use your platform’s built-in review system.
Publish a link to a feedback form on your site.
Create a demo version with interactive or live feedback functionality.
Reach out to players on social media.
No matter which methods you use, remember that you need to consistently maintain the quality of the game that attracted your player base in the first place.
Choosing to remain independent and away from major or niche platforms means investing time, energy, and resources to develop and market your products properly.
Without a partner that can handle the payments infrastructure, secure your brand with in-game purchases across all channels, and administer the tax operations, all while allowing your gaming brand to scale globally, you are taken away from what you love most, your product, and thrown into an endless rollercoaster of tasks you are not familiar with.
We at PayPro Global believe that solid partnerships are fundamental to the growth of any brand, giving entrepreneurs focus and peace of mind and taking away the responsibility of handling complicated and time-consuming operations.
Our robust all-in-one e-commerce solution caters to your team’s unique needs – from handling your global payments to customer support, analytics, mitigating risk, and providing you with all the eCommerce tools you need to successfully run your business.
With PayPro Global as your partner, you’ll enjoy lower transaction fees and access to all your payment data, be free from worrying about compliance, and – most importantly – you’ll be able to generate higher revenues without splitting them with a gaming platform.
The biggest advantage is that you can use PayPro Global as your Merchant of Record (MoR) for your current or next game!
As your MoR, we’ll handle payment processing, taxes, and invoices and ensure you are compliant with all eCommerce standards and lead management on your behalf.
That’s right. We have all the tools available to ensure you focus valuable time and effort where it counts most: your profits. Check out our eBook to get all the process details and understand why our solution can help you sell your Indie game worldwide.
The most important step any independent game developer can take is to ensure that their game is well known before release. Your title should be marketed early and strategically to attract a loyal group of fans.
Your website or platform, social media accounts, e-commerce tools, and pricing model all need to be optimized and aligned with your marketing efforts. Then you need to consider taxes on video games. Indie games are subject to sales tax, so you need help in this department.
Remember to stay connected with your audience and keep improving your game. Follow these steps, and you’ve got a recipe for successfully selling your indie game online.
Launching a new game is an exciting and overwhelming undertaking for game developers. Because we have been in the industry for many years, having helped businesses succeed globally, we stand proudly behind our platform and services.
We're here if you need a full-service e-commerce partner to help your game succeed or sell SaaS online or if you are just curious about what we have to offer. We genuinely love to hear from people and welcome any opportunity to make a new friend in the eCommerce world! Get in touch with us here.
Yes, of course, you can. There are actually a few ways to make money selling indie games. One is to build a game that is designed for mobile devices, as these games tend to have lower development costs and can be marketed through app stores at a lower price point. Another option is to build a game that can be free-to-play, as this business model typically generates more revenue than traditional paid games.
A few popular options include Steam, Epic Games, and Origin. However, if you're looking to obtain a more global reach, PayPro Global is an option worth considering. PayPro Global is the world's largest digital goods store and offers support for over 110 currencies, having over 2000 customers worldwide. This makes it an ideal platform for selling indie games to players all around the world. To learn more about PayPro Global and how it can help you sell your indie games, visit our website today.
A great way to start is by creating a website for your game and posting regular updates on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Additionally, you can list your game on online marketplaces such as Steam and the App Store. Finally, you can contact gaming blogs and websites to see if they're interested in doing a review or featuring your game.