Generating profit from an indie game is not everyone's cup of tea. Making money off their games is a bonus for many. According to research, only 30% of indie games are financially successful, while the remaining 70% are failures. Even more, only 7% of those successful games make enough money to support a second project.
That might seem like it's difficult to monetize indie games, but it's not. There are so many methods to monetize your indie game; when done right with strategic planning, you can remain successful in generating a steady income stream.
So, let's get in and explore those methods to convert your popular games into revenue-generating machines.
Indie games refer to "Independent video games." The concept of indie gaming is similar to that of indie music and films, meaning they are not financially supported or backed by big publishers. Such games are developed independently by teams of game developers or even individuals.
These games are typically developed with passion and creativity and are often found exploring unique concepts and innovative features. Since indie game developers have more creative freedom, you will see unique mechanics and art styles in them.
It's no surprise that indie games are developed primarily out of love and passion for creativity. Otherwise, the financial opportunities are rarely enough to help developers make a living. However, it's possible to make money with the right indie game marketing strategy.
Here are a few things you can do to market your indie game effectively:
While these marketing strategies can help attract players, you still need to learn the methods to monetize indie games. So, let's see those.
Let us look at the best methods to monetize your indie game.
If you are looking for the easiest and most effective way to monetize your indie game, in-app advertising is the way to go. You only need to place ads within the game application to generate revenue. This allows you to make money without charging players upfront. You just need to follow the right strategy for effective in-app advertising that doesn't frustrate the players.
Here's a breakdown of how you can do it:
This will give you an idea of the types of ads and help you pick one that best suits your needs.
The crux is that you can generate sustainable revenue through in-app ads. The need is to integrate them thoughtfully while keeping the game accessible for everyone.
Indie games that offer regular content updates can opt for this model. In a subscription model, gamers pay a recurring fee to get access to new or premium content or features. A couple hundred or a few thousand users paying a small monthly fee is enough to kickstart a small gaming studio. This strategy works best for games with frequent updates and a dedicated player base.
According to research, consumers spent an average of $1.6 billion per week on mobile games in 2022. With such a large amount going into subscriptions, this model has great potential for indie games.
However, if you opt for a subscription model, make sure you take care of a few things:
You need to deliver value continuously and come up with strategic planning to make this a successful revenue-generating model for your studio.
Another effective monetization strategy for indie games is paid downloads. To play such a game, players need to pay a one-time fee, after which they can download and play the game without any more charges.
This method requires a compelling description, a unique proposition, and competitive pricing. The game should offer something that would compel a player to pay and download the game.
Here are some effective strategies:
The best thing is that games with this model require minimal maintenance and no ads to manage.
Another creative way of monetizing an indie game is through merchandise sales. This method works great and is effective when your game has a loyal customer base. You can sell t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, posters, and other such items to generate revenue. This helps build brand recognition at the same time.
You need to find out the key element of your game that players love the most. It can be a character, logo, element, or simply a phrase. Once you get that, the rest is easy. Collaborate with a designer to create appealing designs, ensure high-quality merchandise production, and start promoting it.
Pro Tip: create limited edition items for events, as urgency and scarcity drive interest and sales.
As the name suggests, it is a practice of raising funds for the people to develop the games. Fortunately, there are platforms, like Kickstarter, that allow you to pitch your game and get support. Here is how you can make it successful:
Crowdfunding gives freedom to indie developers as there are no publishers' or investors' demands to hold them back. It is truly secure funding for your indie game.
Indie games are labor of love for many developers, but they can also be profitable. There are several ways to monetize your indie game, such as in-app advertising, subscriptions, and paid downloads. You can also sell merchandise or use crowdfunding to raise money for development. The best method for you will depend on your game and your audience.
If game art is a hassle for you, consider outsourcing your work to Cominted Labs. We have been working to provide quality 3D art and video game animations at competitive rates. With years of experience working with reputed companies, we offer the best work you'll ever find. So, get in touch with us today and let us transform your indie game experience.
