29 replies to this topic

[True Valhalla]

On my blog, Touch To Start, I'm writing a series about my experience and earnings using HTML5.

Part one is for my game "Sudoku Editions: Japan". Snippet:

I made it clear from the beginning that my goal with Sudoku Editions: Japan was to try and find sponsors to publish the game – the idea being that these sponsors would pay a fee for the distribution rights. So we set up a deal, and got to work. Luckily, I’d already made the game by this point so the redevelopment process wasn’t too involving, which left me to search for sponsors (a difficult task to say the least).

Sudoku Editions: Japan made it’s first $200 mid-January 2012, but it wasn’t until April that it really started paying off. The initial effort it took to establish connections with sponsors and get set up with them was nightmarish. The process involved providing tax certification, solving compatibility issues, and implementing tedious application programming interfaces (API).

Read about my HTML5 earnings for Sudoku Editions: Japan

Part two is for my game "Picture Shifter":

While the development process for Picture Shifter was simpler and faster than it was for my sudoku game, many of the problems I encountered were similar (both games were created around the same time). It took several months to get set up with the publishers that I was trying to license my work to. Thankfully, as the market has evolved I’ve been able to establish a good relationship with many of the sponsors so the whole process is much faster for me now.

By the start of April, I had made a pitiful $12 from Picture Shifter. I was a little worried about how it would perform as I finalized the paperwork with several publishers, and started pitching the game to them.

Read about my HTML5 earnings for Picture Shifter

Questions and comments are welcome.

[@Alex@]

I check your blog once in a while, mainly whenever I see you post about it. It was certainly an interesting read. How are you finding getting sponsors now that you've been able to get one? It was something I was looking into but I've no idea where to start.

[True Valhalla]

I check your blog once in a while, mainly whenever I see you post about it. It was certainly an interesting read.

Thanks, I'm glad you thought so.

How are you finding getting sponsors now that you've been able to get one? It was something I was looking into but I've no idea where to start.

I've got a short list of sponsors that I work with currently, but finding new ones is always difficult as this market is so small currently. I've heard a lot of people say they don't know where to start with commercial HTML5 game development, that's why I'm writing my eBook about it in July - hopefully it will help a lot more people profit from HTML5 mobile games in the GM community

[@Alex@]

That's a shameless plug if I ever saw one Best of luck with your book.

[NakedPaulToast]

That's a shameless plug if I ever saw one Best of luck with your book.

It may very well be a shameless plug, but this is the kind of information that is sorely missing from the GMC.

[True Valhalla]

It may very well be a shameless plug...

That's a shameless plug if I ever saw one...

Haha, I won't deny it! I earn my living with this stuff, I'll take every chance I can get.

And thank you again

[Desert Dog]

Good post, thanks for sharing! Good luck with your future games!

[Mr. RPG]

Perhaps I am blind, but you didn't really discuss about how you commercialized your game (and how and where you sold it) other than that you contracted with a publishing company correct?

Are you going to mention these things in that eBook you are working on?

[TerraFriedSheep]

I've read a fair few of your blog posts now, and am finding them very informative. I'm yet to take my first steps in monetising my HTML5 games; I have done a lot of research across the web, and I feel like I am likely to pick up a few more tips from your blog, so please keep posting!

By the way, I have always clicked through to your blog via your GMC sig, in case you wanted to get an idea if the large text is working

[True Valhalla]

Good post, thanks for sharing! Good luck with your future games!

Thanks Desert Dog!

Perhaps I am blind, but you didn't really discuss about how you commercialized your game (and how and where you sold it) other than that you contracted with a publishing company correct?

Are you going to mention these things in that eBook you are working on?

This post isn't meant to be about that, but more about my experience with this game. I did explain how I commercialized it though, in the early sections - that the distribution license is what I sell, and to multiple companies. As for the how and where, that's the type of information my eBook will include.

I've read a fair few of your blog posts now, and am finding them very informative. I'm yet to take my first steps in monetising my HTML5 games; I have done a lot of research across the web, and I feel like I am likely to pick up a few more tips from your blog, so please keep posting!

By the way, I have always clicked through to your blog via your GMC sig, in case you wanted to get an idea if the large text is working

Thanks, I hope you'll pick up a lot more tips from my blog - I've got a lot more to post yet!

[Swifty]

I believe I've read all your blogs that you've posted to date and they're most certainly an interesting read. It's good to see you're documenting your process for others so they might learn as you do. Good work TV, It's inspiring to see your hard work and dedication beginning to pay off, and I'm sure it is for others as well - I wish you the best in your future endeavors, although I doubt you'll need it, you have the right attitude to succeed.

Edit:

By the way, I have always clicked through to your blog via your GMC sig, in case you wanted to get an idea if the large text is working

This is also how I keep up to date with your blogs, once I'm on there I'll check for any previous ones to see if I've missed anything.

Swifty

Edited by Swifty, 18 June 2012 - 07:08 AM.

[True Valhalla]

Thanks Swifty

Update: Well, that book I mentioned is now available for pre-order from my site. By sharing this information others will be able to do what I've done with GameMaker HTML5.

[Futhark]

Interesting, and definitely needed information that's severely lacking

Quick question though: I noticed in your first post you mentioned something about "tax certifications". Seeing as I've never heard of that term, I wonder where you're located. Or rather if the information in your book is more specific/germane to some particular area of the planet, or in what sense does it contain "universal" business knowledge? Hope my question makes sense, though it may be a bit lengthy.

I mean it's obvious that, what with HTML5 being web-based "technology" it's universal enough, but how large of a portion of your book is dedicated to information/steps that only apply to your locale?

[True Valhalla]

I'd say a very limited amount is locale-specific, if any. Dealing with tax issues applies to many countries, and while the process I had to go through may not be applicable to all I will not present the information that way.

So I try to keep the information as universally applicable as possible

[Futhark]

Cool, thanks for the prompt reply I will more than likely be getting it but can't spare the change until next month.

[Terrified Virus]

So True Valhalla, is making these games your main source of money, or do you have a job somewhere? It seems very inspirational if it is, I never imagined anyone making more than $100 with GameMaker!

[True Valhalla]

So True Valhalla, is making these games your main source of money, or do you have a job somewhere? It seems very inspirational if it is, I never imagined anyone making more than $100 with GameMaker!

I've dedicated myself to earning a living solely online, as I believe it's a great opportunity that far too few people take advantage of. I have no "proper" job, however I do own a business technically, and I consider myself to be self employed.

[Terrified Virus]

I've dedicated myself to earning a living solely online, as I believe it's a great opportunity that far too few people take advantage of. I have no "proper" job, however I do own a business technically, and I consider myself to be self employed.

That's awesome. Very inspirational. I never had any idea GM was capable of so much.

[True Valhalla]

I've updated this series.

Part two is for my game "Picture Shifter":

While the development process for Picture Shifter was simpler and faster than it was for my sudoku game, many of the problems I encountered were similar (both games were created around the same time). It took several months to get set up with the publishers that I was trying to license my work to. Thankfully, as the market has evolved I’ve been able to establish a good relationship with many of the sponsors so the whole process is much faster for me now.

By the start of April, I had made a pitiful $12 from Picture Shifter. I was a little worried about how it would perform as I finalized the paperwork with several publishers, and started pitching the game to them.

Read about my HTML5 earnings for Picture Shifter

[Jobo]

It was something I was looking into but I've no idea where to start.

It's all about taking initiative.
Trial and error is the path you must take.

True Valhalla made me realize the potential in HTML5 games, so obviously my interest in it shot to the moon.
Like many others trying to lure the info out of him, I failed too So I did a little research and went about it my own way.
Now I too am setting up a potential network of interested publishers. To respect True Valhalla's soon-to-be released eBook, I will not start explaining how to go about finding potential publishers as you really should invest in the eBook. It contains much more information than just that - which is probably the easiest part of all (perhaps except for making the actual games?).
Surely I might end up purchasing it myself as well! We'll just have to wait and see about it, 'cause I'm not venturing into the dark realm of HTML5 games yet.
(Sidenote to TV: What's this mobility engine you've mentioned on your blog?)

Unlike Matthew, I lack skills on the graphical part

Edited by Jobo, 14 July 2012 - 03:22 PM.