suppose I do have a completed game - how can I make money from it ? Sell it myself or go to a publisher ? cheers

You need to provide a lot more detail as to what exactly it is. No point in us explaining how to pitch your game to a big publisher if all you have is a PC puzzle game. Likewise its tough to sell a big FPS game via internet download when it could really benefit from retail exposure.

Tell us what the game is, what level of quality, what format and also what you are good at - if we tell you to sell it yourself do you think you will be any good at marketing?

Hi
Well, it's a 3d pc airplane FPS game.
It's approximate to a single level as far as games go.
I could do many more levels pretty quickly as the terrain engine is all there, the AI is there, the sound is there. Probably not startling original - but most war FPS aren't ! There are millions of Medal of Honour type games out there but are still good to play.
Things that need tweeking really are the airplane models - they are simple but need more work - maybe a few afternoons on Milkshape can sort that out.

Hence my questions recently:
Should I set up my own web site and let ppl download it or speak to a publisher ?

If you'd like to download it I have the website if you leave a contact email.

cheers

I am a n00b myself but i would look for a small publisher that is just starting up. They will do all they can to help you as they want to build themselves a good reputation. They wont take all of your money and will be much more friendly.
why not email chris.peijs@hurricaneventures.com and say George Morris from ArrowHead Studios told you about him!

Quote: CrystalMagma - I am a n00b myself but i would look for a small publisher that is just starting up

Personally, I wouldn't touch a new start-up publisher UNLESS I was selling my 10th game or whatever as they will certainly not have many routes to market built up. Look to smaller publishers who have been around for a while with some success in getting products to the public.

As to selling it yourself - there are plenty of indies doing it but not all are successful enough to make a living from it.

Quote: As to selling it yourself - there are plenty of indies doing it but not all are successful enough to make a living from it.

Is everyone that uses a publisher making a living from it? Your game still has to sell, and if it's not fun and nobody wants to play it, it won't sell.

dmikesell - nope, even with a publisher you're not guaranteed success - although I have to say that they may have a better idea about how many units they would expect to sell for your type of game, taking into consideration all the marketing they do and the channels/connections they have to the market.

Based on the descrition I think a retail publishing deal is unlikely (game is too small) so you should pursue online publishers and also look into setting up your own site. However you should be aware that indie developers uauslly make almost no money off their first game. They normally have to build up a portfolio of three or four titles before they start making any money. You will also need to master web development, Search Engine Optimisation, online marketing, site hosting and file hosting and eventually piracy protection too.

Check out the forums at indiegamer.com. They've cut down a lot of trees for independent developers/publishers and can help you with any questions you might have.

Quote: They normally have to build up a portfolio of three or four titles before they start making any money.

Is this because of bad marketing or bad games? Or both?

Quote: You will also need to master web development, Search Engine Optimisation, online marketing, site hosting and file hosting and eventually piracy protection too.

What's to master about file and site hosting? It's somewhat cheap to have someone else do all of that for you. Web development isn't hard either, esp if you're using tools like FrontPage. The marketing is the hard part IMO.