85 replies to this topic

[rinkuhero]

The main reason you should be 18 is that many e-commerce service providers require that you have a checking account in order to be paid, and I believe checking accounts require you to be 18 (although after a quick search some seem to allow 16 too, depends on the bank). So if you're a prodigy at 16, sure, you can try it out, but I also doubt someone would have the ability to make a commercial-quality game (by today's standards, I mean -- there were commercial games made in the 80s and 70s by minors) at such a young age. But in any case, 18 was part of the joke guide, not the real guide that I linked to in the entry, so feel free to ignore it.

As for spyware-like pack-ins, sure, you can make more money doing shady stuff like that, but it is of questionable legality, and might get your game marked as malware / spyware. You could probably make more money selling drugs too. Generally the more nefarious your methods, the more money you can make quick.

[Zesterer]

Proof that it works!!! Here (USD = US dollars $$$! ):



Okay!!! Here's a way to make money with your games!

First, you must be at least 18 and have experience making games! I suggest you make great freeware games first! If you have made a free game with over 50,000 downloads, you could probably be successful selling games too!

Second, make a great game! Not just great by Game Maker standards, but a polished game that can compete with the games on sites like http://manifestogames.com!

Third, give your game a website and set up an e-commerce provider like Plimus, BMT-Micro, or eSellerate! They take around 10% of the sale price and in exchange do digital download, credit card transactions, and even mail you a check each month!

Fourth, market!!! There are many ways of marketing, like press releases, offering review copies to reviewers, advertising, forum posts, and hundreds more, use whichever work for your game!

Fifth, constantly learn from others who create also shareware games! A great site to learn from is http://indiegamer.com! Read almost everything on that forum, and ask questions when you're confused!

That's it!

(EDIT: I actually meant to place this in the distribution forum, feel free to move it there, moderators. Sorry for the mistake. Although it's also sort of a comment to the community about the flood of uninformed topics about making money with games in that forum )

(EDIT 2: Here's a real guide I wrote up, rather than a joke guide: http://studioeres.co...games-shareware)

(EDIT 3: As Tarik points out, keep in mind this was the work of a team, over a 6-month period, and probably less than minimum wage would have earned. There are people who make a living at this, but you will probably not make a living at it for your first game. I don't think anyone actually would, but just as a precautionary warning, don't quit your day job and decide to make money through Game Maker exclusively or anything.)

Your spelling is awful! But apart from that, good tips. May I add the idea of an online shop, with an online discussion forum with 'latest news' to interest users?

[Morrin]

Very interesting.

Edited by Morrin, 15 July 2011 - 10:41 PM.

[mnm_manish]

Cant i get more easy ways?? I am shattering here and there

[Zesterer]

Cant i get more easy ways?? I am shattering here and there

Woah, no need to bump such an old post. If you need help, PM me, or someone else who can help, or start a new thread. Please don't bump something this old...

[mnm_manish]

Still not getting idea, please help