quote:

---

Original post by Rad76
Dexterity, if I publish my game with you, will I ever have to move or go on long trips to sign stuff or can all this be done from the comfort of my computer desk?

---

You can spend your days floating in a pool chair with a laptop if that''s how you prefer to work. No travel is required.




Steve Pavlina
Dexterity Software
www.dexterity.com

Independent software developer electrocuted in his pool, film at 11.

quote:

---

Original post by Diragor
Independent software developer electrocuted in his pool, film at 11.

---

LOL!!

Obviously the poor developer thought Steve said *DESK* top ... :D!

David

quote:

---

Original post by Dexterity

Original post by Anonymous Poster
Are you saying that it''s possible to make a living from puzzle games, like the quality of dweeps and fitznik.

---

It''s not just possible – it''s a reality. Many people are not only making a living this way, but they''re becoming quite wealthy. It''s definitely possible to make six figures annually this way.

Dear Steve,

I visited the site you mentioned. But the most people/companies are developing not related games. Like utilities, graphig tools, business administrations, etc. Game companies are not much represented. So give some reference, please.

I agree that guys like Jasc from Painshop Pro are doing very well business. In retail and online.

But for the online game company I only see some examples.
Not much like mentioned.

For the business, utility guys etc. there are much more from.

quote:

---

Original post by Anonymous Poster
I visited the site you mentioned. But the most people/companies are developing not related games. Like utilities, graphig tools, business administrations, etc. Game companies are not much represented. So give some reference, please.

---

If you mean the Shareware Industry Conference, I was talking about the conference itself, not the web site for it.

But here are some successful shareware developers that make casual games:
www.silvercrk.com
www.goodsol.com
www.dq.com
www.alawar.com
www.popcap.com

Remember that "shareware" a marketing method, not a type of product. So a "shareware developer" is a developer that happens to use try-before-you-buy marketing.

It feels very strange to me that there''s doubt over the possibility of succeeding with shareware marketing for games. I guess I''m just so used to associating with people who are already making a great living this way that I didn''t even consider others would have a hard time believing it. Many of my friends are making $100,000, $250,000, $400,000, etc per year from shareware with just one or two people. When I got started in shareware, I joined the ASP, became active in the members-only newsgroups, found out which developers were doing best financially, found out what made them successful, and then basically did what they did. Then once I built a solid foundation of passive income from shareware sales, I began experimenting and coming up with my own techniques. I even wrote an article about the seven keys to succeeding as an indie developer, based on what I learned from those who were already succeeding.

Even Microsoft uses try-before-you-buy marketing for certain products, and retail game publishers often make a free demo of their games available -- that''s shareware. Also remember that id Software can trace its roots back to shareware, and that was largely pre-internet. There are even better opportunities available in shareware marketing today than there were when id got started.


Steve Pavlina
Dexterity Software
www.dexterity.com

I''ve been working on a game for quite some time now, it is a puzzle/action game about submarines and the battle of the Atlantic, I chose this topic because I am very interested in submarines and the history of the battle and the German cipher "Enigma". I am hoping that Dexterity will like my soon to be released demo and together we can do business and have fun.

quote:

---

Original post by Rad76
I''ve been working on a game for quite some time now, it is a puzzle/action game about submarines and the battle of the Atlantic, I chose this topic because I am very interested in submarines and the history of the battle and the German cipher "Enigma". I am hoping that Dexterity will like my soon to be released demo and together we can do business and have fun.

---

Sounds great. We''d love to check it out when you have something ready to show. See our Developer page for details.


Steve Pavlina
Dexterity Software
www.dexterity.com

www.dq.com isn''t available?

www.silvercrk.com : is specialized in Card games.
www.goodsol.com : is specialized in Card games.
www.dq.com : ?
www.alawar.com : various genres arcade, puzzles, card games.
www.popcap.com : is specialized in Puzzle (platform) games.

So I think that especially Card and Puzzle games make a good chance. Of course innovative concepts are important. Also casino games is an option and innovative board games like Mahjong, Chess.

But don''t go for 3D RPG, 3D Adventure, 3D Isometric Strategy, 3D Simulations, 3D Sports or Action: Arcade (pinball, chase, break out etc.), 3D Space shooters, 3D Vehicle, 3D Air or 3D Speedboat shooter, 3D Fps or Third person, 3D Platformers or 3D Beating ups. And also don''t go for the edutainment genre.

www.dq.com is card games as well.

Anon: I think your suggestion of not trying anything 3D isn''t really true, I would imagine if there was a good game, (no matter what genre), and it was being distributed as shareware at a reasonable price then it stands just as much chance of doing well as the card/puzzle games.

I think the main cons for making a modern 3D game is that it takes so much longer to develop than a puzzle/card game, and therefore they''re usually rushed and not worth buying or the developer doesn''t get to release many games.

I think the best approach would be to work on some smaller games that are fun and addictive and also work on a bigger project that you can release later on down the line when you''ve hopefully already made some money and you have a good reputation as a shareware developer.

-----------------
Black Edge Games
-----------------